Living as Ambassadors in God's Spiritual Kingdom
Summary
In the exploration of the concept of a spiritual kingdom, the focus is on understanding the nature of a king who is described as possessing all power and authority, one who has triumphed over death itself. This king is not just a figure of authority but also a symbol of victory and power, who willingly laid down his life and had the capacity to summon divine intervention but chose not to. This king is identified as the central figure in a kingdom that is not confined to a physical location but extends as a domain from heaven to earth.
The idea of citizenship in this kingdom is emphasized, highlighting that such citizenship comes with rights, privileges, and access. The kingdom is portrayed as robust and complex, mirroring the nature of God, and it is suggested that no amount of teaching can fully encapsulate its vastness. The king of this kingdom is described in the biblical book of Revelation as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, embodying both divinity and humanity during his time on earth.
The kingdom is also presented as a perspective on life, a mindset that requires seeing oneself as both a citizen and an ambassador. This mindset involves recognizing the backing of heaven while operating in foreign territory, as the kingdom's citizens are in the world but not of it. The call is to adopt an ambassadorial identity and to bring the kingdom's culture into everyday life, especially into the workplace where individuals spend a significant portion of their time.
The kingdom culture is further defined as a set of beliefs and practices that are passed down within a society, encompassing manners, language, religion, rituals, and art. It is a way of life that is centered on daily dependence on the king, a lifestyle of worship, and a culture of honor, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. The culture of the kingdom is one where citizens are encouraged to live generously and abundantly, reflecting the character of the king.
The concept of the "buddy system" is introduced, based on the belief that when two or more people agree on something on earth, it will be done by the Father in heaven. This system is seen as a reflection of the king's promise to be present when his followers gather in his name. The culture of the kingdom is also one where every citizen is endowed with a spiritual gift, which they are expected to use as ambassadors teaching the culture of the king.
A personal story is shared to illustrate the practical application of kingdom principles in the workplace. The individual recounts a time when they were called upon to pray for a coworker's sick mother, highlighting the tension between maintaining a private faith and stepping into the role of an ambassador. The experience led to a realization that the workplace is a prime location for demonstrating the kingdom's culture of healing and prayer.
The narrative also touches on the importance of character, using the example of Daniel from the Bible, who distinguished himself through an extraordinary spirit, which is equated with a spirit of excellence. This excellence is characterized by integrity, trustworthiness, and commitment to doing what is right, regardless of whether one is being watched. The emphasis is on the character of the king shining through in everyday actions, more than any spiritual gifts or overt religious expressions.
In conclusion, the kingdom's citizens are encouraged to pray for their workplaces, including their bosses and coworkers, and to bring the culture of the kingdom into their daily lives. They are reminded that they are ambassadors with the authority to bring about change and to represent the king's interests on earth.
Key Takeaways:
- The kingdom of God is a spiritual domain that transcends physical boundaries, and its citizens are called to live as ambassadors, bringing the culture and values of the kingdom into every aspect of their lives, including the workplace. This requires a mindset shift to see oneself as a representative of the king's authority and purpose wherever one is placed. [13:27]
- Citizenship in the kingdom comes with divine rights and privileges, but it also entails responsibilities. As ambassadors, individuals are equipped with spiritual gifts meant to be used in service to others, reflecting the king's generosity and desire for all to experience the fullness of life. [19:08]
- The character of the king is paramount in representing the kingdom. Actions rooted in integrity, trustworthiness, and excellence speak louder than words and are essential for effectively conveying the culture of the kingdom to others. [31:21]
- Prayer is a powerful tool for ambassadors of the kingdom, allowing them to intercede for their environment and the people within it. Through prayer, ambassadors can invoke the king's presence and power in their daily lives, impacting their surroundings with the culture of the kingdom. [25:55]
- The concept of the "buddy system" within the kingdom culture emphasizes the collective power of agreement in prayer and the promise of the king's presence. This principle encourages collaboration and unity among believers as they seek to manifest the kingdom's influence in their communities. [18:20]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 1:8 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
2. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
3. Daniel 6:3 - "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Revelation 1:8 reveal about the nature and authority of the king in the spiritual kingdom?
2. How does Matthew 6:10 relate to the idea of the kingdom of God extending from heaven to earth? ([10:49])
3. According to the sermon, what are some characteristics of the kingdom culture? ([15:52])
4. How did Daniel's "extraordinary spirit" influence his position in the kingdom, as mentioned in Daniel 6:3? ([30:35])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be both the Alpha and the Omega, and how does this impact our understanding of his authority? ([11:41])
2. How can believers adopt an ambassadorial mindset in their daily lives, especially in the workplace? ([13:27])
3. Why is the character of the king important in representing the kingdom, and how does it relate to the concept of integrity and trustworthiness? ([31:21])
4. How does the "buddy system" in prayer reflect the collective power and unity among believers? ([18:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current mindset. Do you see yourself more as a citizen or an ambassador of the kingdom? How can you shift your perspective to embrace an ambassadorial role more fully? ([13:27])
2. Think about your workplace. What are some practical ways you can bring the culture of the kingdom into your daily work environment? ([14:14])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to demonstrate more integrity and trustworthiness. What steps can you take to improve in this area? ([31:21])
4. How can you incorporate the "buddy system" in your prayer life? Is there someone you can partner with to pray for specific needs in your community or workplace? ([18:20])
5. Consider a recent situation where you had the opportunity to act as an ambassador of the kingdom but chose not to. What held you back, and how can you prepare yourself to respond differently in the future? ([21:51])
6. How can you use your spiritual gifts to serve others in your workplace or community? Identify one specific gift and a way to use it this week. ([19:08])
7. Reflect on the story of Daniel. How can you cultivate a spirit of excellence in your own life, regardless of your job title or position? ([30:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Ambassadors of Heavenly Authority
As citizens of a spiritual kingdom, we are called to embody the culture and values of this realm in every aspect of our lives. This includes the workplace, where we spend much of our time and can influence others by demonstrating the kingdom's principles. We are representatives of the king's authority and purpose, tasked with bringing a heavenly perspective to our earthly environments. [13:27]
Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you more actively represent the values of God's kingdom in your workplace this week?
Day 2: Living with Kingdom Responsibility
Our citizenship in the spiritual kingdom is a gift that comes with divine rights and privileges, but also with the responsibility to serve others. We are equipped with spiritual gifts, not for our own benefit, but to reflect the king's generosity and to help others experience the fullness of life. [19:08]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What spiritual gift have you been given, and how can you use it to serve someone in your community today?
Day 3: Character Reflects the King
The true measure of our ambassadorship in the kingdom is not found in overt religious expressions but in our character. Integrity, trustworthiness, and a spirit of excellence should permeate our actions, reflecting the character of the king more than any spiritual gifts we possess. [31:21]
Daniel 6:3 - "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate integrity and excellence in your daily tasks, even when no one is watching?
Day 4: Prayer as the Ambassador's Power
Prayer is the powerful tool given to us as ambassadors of the kingdom. Through prayer, we can invoke the king's presence and power in our daily lives, impacting our surroundings with the culture of the kingdom. It allows us to intercede for our environment and the people within it. [25:55]
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: Who in your workplace or community can you commit to praying for this week, and what specific outcomes will you ask God for on their behalf?
Day 5: Unity in the Spirit of Agreement
The "buddy system" within the kingdom culture emphasizes the collective power of agreement in prayer and the promise of the king's presence. This principle encourages collaboration and unity among believers as they seek to manifest the kingdom's influence in their communities. [18:20]
Matthew 18:19-20 - "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
Reflection: Can you identify a fellow believer to partner with in prayer this week, and what will you agree to pray about together?
Quotes
1) "Our King is handing out gifts; every citizen gets a gift in this Kingdom culture, a spiritual gift that we are supposed to show and use while we are at work as ambassadors teaching the culture of the king." [19:08]
2) "You're the one that's supposed to bring the kingdom in... you have a spirit solution to a spiritual problem. You are the Ambassador and the King has given you rights to pray, language to pray, he's giving you access to healing." [25:55]
3) "No Ambassador goes in with their own opinion about anything. An ambassador goes into that foreign territory with the mind of the king, saying there are things that the king wants to accomplish here." [26:33]
4) "When you're dealing with a kingdom, power and authority is based upon who the king is... when you're in the delegation, there are rights and Privileges and honor that comes with it, and you still have to do what you're supposed to do." [29:19]
5) "Our job as ambassadors are to be messengers of the king, representing our nation, the kingdom of God, a spiritual Kingdom that is meant to touch Earth to let people know his power, his glory, the culture that he wants to give them." [14:14]
6) "The kingdom must be at work at work. We're not being ambassadors in the embassy; Sunday morning is the embassy. So Monday through Saturday, that's when we're being ambassadors." [15:09]
7) "It's hard to give the culture of the kingdom when you don't have the character of the King... if we don't reflect at work the character of the king, they don't want the culture of the king." [17:35]
8) "We are citizens of a God who has a kingdom that is unmatched, unlimited... it is a domain that reaches from heaven and comes to Earth." [11:41]
9) "The kingdom of God is this perspective of life, too. It's a mindset where you see yourself as a citizen and an ambassador, with the backing of Heaven behind you in a foreign territory." [13:27]
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