Living as Agents of God's Kingdom Today
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the concept of the kingdom-centered life, drawing parallels from the story of Robin Hood to illustrate the importance of living as representatives of a good king. Just as Robin Hood and his merry men fought against tyranny and injustice, we are called to be agents of God's kingdom, bringing His love, justice, and restoration to a broken world. This calling is not limited to our church activities but extends to every aspect of our lives, including our homes, workplaces, and communities.
We began by acknowledging the importance of hospitality and community within our church, exemplified by the Kinchy family. Their welcoming spirit serves as a model for us all. We then transitioned to the core of our discussion: the kingdom of God. Jesus' primary proclamation was, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near." This call to repentance is not merely about feeling sorrow for our sins but involves a complete change in direction, turning away from self-centered living to embrace God's kingdom values.
The kingdom of God is not a distant, future reality but a present and active force in our world. It is wherever God's reign is acknowledged and His will is done. Jesus' arrival marked the beginning of this kingdom, and He invites us to participate in it by following Him and living out His teachings. This involves submitting every aspect of our lives to His leadership, from our careers to our personal relationships.
We also discussed the importance of community in this journey. Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, creating a community of believers who support and encourage one another in living out the kingdom-centered life. This communal aspect is vital as we navigate the challenges and joys of following Jesus.
As we prepare to dive into the Sermon on the Mount in the coming weeks, let's reflect on who truly wears the crown in our lives. Are we willing to trust Jesus' leadership in every area, including our hopes, ambitions, and struggles? This series is an invitation to become agents of God's grace and justice, distributing His love in a world that desperately needs it.
### Key Takeaways
1. Hospitality as a Kingdom Value: The Kinchy family's example of hospitality reminds us that welcoming others is a vital part of living out the kingdom of God. Hospitality extends beyond mere acts of kindness; it is about creating a space where people feel valued and loved, reflecting God's inclusive love for all. [45:19]
2. Repentance as a Change of Direction: Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but involves a complete change in direction. It means rejecting the self-centered life and embracing God's kingdom values. This transformation requires us to recognize our need for God and to turn away from paths that lead to self-destruction. [56:20]
3. The Kingdom of God is Here and Now: The kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a present reality. It is wherever God's reign is acknowledged and His will is done. Jesus' proclamation that the kingdom has come near invites us to live out this reality in our daily lives, bringing God's justice, love, and restoration to our communities. [01:00:42]
4. Community in the Kingdom: Jesus' call to follow Him was also a call to community. As His disciples, we are invited into a supportive and encouraging community where we can grow together in our faith. This communal aspect is essential as we strive to live out the kingdom-centered life, helping each other to submit every aspect of our lives to Christ. [01:10:13]
5. Living Under Jesus' Kingship: To live a kingdom-centered life means to submit every area of our lives to Jesus' leadership. This includes our careers, relationships, and personal ambitions. By doing so, we become agents of God's kingdom, advancing His purposes in the world and bringing His transformative power to every aspect of our lives. [01:12:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - New Student Outreach
[1:15] - Acknowledging the Kinchy Family
[2:30] - Transition to Worship
[3:45] - Inviting God to Speak
[4:30] - The Legend of Robin Hood
[6:00] - Kingdom-Centered Life
[7:30] - God's Calling and Purpose
[9:00] - Introduction to Matthew 4
[10:30] - Jesus' Proclamation: Repent
[12:00] - Understanding Repentance
[13:30] - The Kingdom of God
[15:00] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of Hopes
[16:30] - The Role of Community
[18:00] - Living Under Jesus' Kingship
[19:30] - Preparing for the Sermon on the Mount
[21:00] - Application Question: Who Wears the Crown?
[22:00] - Benediction and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 4:17 - "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'"
2. Matthew 4:19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."
3. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus proclaim in Matthew 4:17, and why is this significant for His ministry?
2. How does Jesus invite people into community in Matthew 4:19, and what does this imply about discipleship?
3. According to the sermon, what does the phrase "kingdom of heaven has come near" mean? [53:19]
4. How does the example of the Kinchy family illustrate the value of hospitality in the kingdom of God? [45:19]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to repent according to the sermon, and how does this differ from merely feeling sorry for one's sins? [56:20]
2. How does the concept of the kingdom of God being "here and now" challenge common perceptions of God's kingdom? [01:00:42]
3. In what ways does Jesus' call to community in Matthew 4:19 reflect the importance of communal support in living a kingdom-centered life? [01:10:13]
4. How does living under Jesus' kingship affect our daily lives, including our careers and personal relationships? [01:12:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Kinchy family's example of hospitality. How can you create a welcoming environment in your home or community that reflects God's inclusive love? [45:19]
2. Repentance involves a complete change in direction. Identify one area of your life where you need to turn away from self-centered living and embrace God's kingdom values. What steps will you take this week to make that change? [56:20]
3. The kingdom of God is a present reality. How can you actively acknowledge God's reign and bring His justice, love, and restoration to your workplace or community this week? [01:00:42]
4. Jesus calls us into a supportive community. How can you contribute to building a stronger, more encouraging community within your small group or church? [01:10:13]
5. Consider who truly wears the crown in your life. Are there areas where you struggle to trust Jesus' leadership? How can you begin to submit those areas to Him? [01:12:59]
6. Think about your career and personal ambitions. How can you align them more closely with advancing God's kingdom? What specific actions can you take to integrate your faith into your professional life? [01:07:26]
7. Jesus invites us to follow Him and become fishers of people. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience God's love. How can you reach out to them this week and share the message of the kingdom? [01:10:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Hospitality Reflects God's Inclusive Love
The Kinchy family's example of hospitality reminds us that welcoming others is a vital part of living out the kingdom of God. Hospitality extends beyond mere acts of kindness; it is about creating a space where people feel valued and loved, reflecting God's inclusive love for all. When we open our homes and hearts to others, we mirror the welcoming nature of God's kingdom. This act of hospitality is not confined to our church activities but should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our homes, workplaces, and communities. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's love and grace. [45:19]
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show hospitality to someone in your community this week. How can you create a space where they feel valued and loved?
Day 2: Repentance Means a Complete Change in Direction
Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but involves a complete change in direction. It means rejecting the self-centered life and embracing God's kingdom values. This transformation requires us to recognize our need for God and to turn away from paths that lead to self-destruction. True repentance is a daily commitment to align our lives with God's will, seeking His guidance in every decision we make. It is an ongoing process of turning away from our old ways and embracing a new life in Christ. [56:20]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need to change direction. What steps can you take today to turn away from self-centeredness and align with God's kingdom values?
Day 3: The Kingdom of God is a Present Reality
The kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a present reality. It is wherever God's reign is acknowledged and His will is done. Jesus' proclamation that the kingdom has come near invites us to live out this reality in our daily lives, bringing God's justice, love, and restoration to our communities. This means actively participating in God's work here and now, being agents of His kingdom in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. By living out the values of the kingdom, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's love in a broken world. [01:00:42]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"
Reflection: How can you acknowledge and live out God's reign in your daily life today? What specific actions can you take to bring His justice, love, and restoration to your community?
Day 4: Community is Essential in the Kingdom
Jesus' call to follow Him was also a call to community. As His disciples, we are invited into a supportive and encouraging community where we can grow together in our faith. This communal aspect is essential as we strive to live out the kingdom-centered life, helping each other to submit every aspect of our lives to Christ. Being part of a faith community means sharing our burdens, celebrating our joys, and encouraging one another in our spiritual journeys. It is through this community that we experience the fullness of God's love and support. [01:10:13]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Think of someone in your faith community who may need support or encouragement. How can you reach out to them this week and offer your help or a listening ear?
Day 5: Living Under Jesus' Kingship
To live a kingdom-centered life means to submit every area of our lives to Jesus' leadership. This includes our careers, relationships, and personal ambitions. By doing so, we become agents of God's kingdom, advancing His purposes in the world and bringing His transformative power to every aspect of our lives. Living under Jesus' kingship requires us to trust His guidance and surrender our own desires to His will. It is a daily commitment to follow Him and allow His teachings to shape our lives. [01:12:59]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
1. "I want to be the type of person that merely talks about God. We don't want to be the type of person that talks about things to do with God, but seldom spends time with God. We want to be interacting with the very things we sang in our worship. We want to be interacting with His Word. We want to be people who listen and don't just ignore all the things and let it roll over the top of us and go back to the way things were before." [46:51] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The message of the kingdom-centered life series is that you and I can be agents of a good king, representing him and reclaiming his rule for his glory in a broken world. We can be part of his merry men, I guess, if you want to put it that way. What if I were to tell you that you didn't just choose to come to church this morning, but that God called you to be a part of what he's doing as a kingdom representative?" [50:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you realize this, if you've never thought about this before, that God has a wonderful purpose for each of us that goes far beyond the petty and fleeting pleasures of self-fulfillment, self-sufficiency? It's true. Not only does he have a purpose for each and every one of us as we live out our lives in our homes, but also in the places that we work, the places that we reside, the places we go to. It involves our gifts, our friendships, our hopes, our ambitions, our time, our money, our priorities, everything about our lives, even our future, our community, and by extension, God's purpose is in the world." [51:34] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To repent isn't just being sorry for something we've done, but it's rejecting the entire way of thinking that led to it. You with me? To repent is akin to someone walking in a certain direction and then realizing they're heading into danger or to self-destruction, and the appropriate thing to do isn't to keep going in that direction, but to turn away from it and head in a different direction altogether. That's actually what the word in its original context means. Stop and realize that you are going the wrong way, turn around and head down a different path." [56:20] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To repent means to change the direction we're going in, to realize I need God, to realize some of the choices I make are taking me away from God, to realize that I can't save myself. I need God. I cannot try to live my life anymore independent of the real God and think that I'm going to somehow find fulfillment, sufficiency, identity, and purpose. See, that's nonsense. That's a lie. And to change the way I live according to that understanding. No, that sort of thinking is the wrong path. So let's stop, turn around, and get up and go to the next step. Get on the right track. See, that's what repentance is all about." [59:02] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The kingdom of God is wherever God's reign and people live, according to his edict. It's not a, you know, when we use the word kingdom, we think of a country with boundaries and borders. But that's not what we're talking about here. It's wherever Jesus' reign and rule extends and it's brought to bear. Wherever things are not right, wherever things are broken, wherever God comes in to restore and change those things, there is the kingdom of God being inaugurated. The kingdom is breaking in to our world. And it starts in our hearts and it extends from there." [01:05:24] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus invites everyone to be a part of his kingdom. And this is part of what it means in the most famous prayer. We're going to look at it in a few weeks. That we know in the Christian faith when we say, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We want to see all things come under the rightful rule of the true king. Your life, your church, your school, your neighborhood, your community, eventually the world. So again, the kingdom of God can't just be reduced to heaven after we die. But it's about everything underneath him right now." [01:06:30] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What would it mean for us to assign everything that we do, not just when we're in church, to be underneath the kingship of Jesus? What would it mean to consider your career as not just something to be making money by, but advancing God's kingdom in the world? I had a friend, Alistair is his name. He was a top honors student at Cambridge University. In England. He delayed his PhD to live and work in a country called Belarus, where he officially was there to teach English, but what he was actually doing is sharing his faith and teaching people the Bible." [01:07:26] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The kingdom of God is drawing near when we are submitted to his leadership every day. Is this making sense? And that's what a lot of our classes in the open house that you went through and looked at in there, that's what they're about. So we don't pretend that everybody knows how to do this. That's why we have all of these groups and classes and small groups is so that we can do it together and we can discover what it means to submit every aspect of our lives to Christ and to pray for each other, to meet each other in our struggles as we do so." [01:10:13] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Who really wears the crown in your life? Will you trust in Jesus Christ, the good king's leadership and his rule over all areas of your life? Even those secret areas. Including your hopes and your ambitions and your career and your family and the things you struggle with. You see we need to become followers. Students of Jesus. And that's what today is about. That's what our series coming up, The Kingdom-Centered Life is all about." [01:12:59] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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