Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Living in the Kingdom of Light

The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness represent two distinct spiritual realms that govern our lives. The Kingdom of God is characterized by light, life, and truth, while the kingdom of darkness is marked by deception, cruelty, and strife. Every individual resides in one of these kingdoms, and our lives are influenced by the principles of the kingdom we belong to. Jesus offers redemption from the kingdom of darkness, inviting us to live under God's rule. This redemption is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms our daily lives. As citizens of God's kingdom, we are called to embody His love and truth in a world that often feels out of step with His ways. [06:01]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively choose to live in the light of God's kingdom today, even when surrounded by darkness?

Day 2: The Dual Nature of the Messiah

The prophecies concerning the Messiah encompass both His suffering and His glory. The Jews anticipated a reigning Messiah who would establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace, but they struggled to reconcile this with the suffering Messiah who died on the cross. Understanding these dual aspects of the Messiah helps us appreciate the full scope of Jesus' mission and the redemption He offers. It is through His suffering that redemption was made possible, and His glory assures us of the ultimate victory over sin and death. This duality invites us to embrace both the suffering and the glory in our own spiritual journeys. [25:07]

Isaiah 53:3-5 (ESV): "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: How can you find hope in the suffering and glory of Jesus when facing your own challenges today?

Day 3: The Power of Dialogue and Scripture

Paul's ministry in Ephesus highlights the importance of dialogue and scripture in spreading the Gospel. For three months, he engaged in discussions about the Kingdom of God, using scriptures to reveal the necessity of the Messiah's suffering and resurrection. Despite opposition, the message spread throughout Asia, birthing numerous churches and demonstrating the unstoppable nature of God's work. This example encourages us to engage in meaningful conversations and study the scriptures deeply, trusting that God's word has the power to transform lives and communities. [31:41]

Acts 19:8-10 (ESV): "And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."

Reflection: Who in your life can you engage in a meaningful conversation about the Kingdom of God, and how can you prepare for it with scripture?

Day 4: Hope in the Return of Jesus

The anticipation of Jesus' return and the establishment of His kingdom on Earth fills us with hope. The promised transformation of the world into a place of peace, abundance, and the knowledge of the Lord encourages us to live as faithful citizens of God's kingdom. Until that day, we are called to embody His love and truth, serving as beacons of hope in a world that often feels out of step with His ways. This hope is not passive but active, inspiring us to live with purpose and expectation. [16:37]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live in anticipation of Jesus' return and the establishment of His kingdom?

Day 5: The Expansive Nature of God's Work

The spread of the Gospel from Ephesus to the surrounding regions illustrates the expansive nature of God's work. When the Holy Spirit moves, it transcends geographical boundaries, reaching the uttermost parts of the Earth. This reminds us that God's work is not limited by human constraints and that we are part of a global mission to share His love and truth. As we participate in this mission, we are encouraged to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, knowing that God's word will not return void. [36:58]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: How can you be a part of God's expansive work today, and what steps can you take to share His love and truth beyond your immediate surroundings?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the profound concept of the Kingdom of God and its implications for our lives. We began by reflecting on the duality of kingdoms that exist in the universe: the Kingdom of God, characterized by light and life, and the kingdom of darkness, ruled by Satan. Every individual resides in one of these kingdoms, and our lives are governed accordingly. The world, as it stands, is under the influence of the kingdom of darkness, which explains the prevalence of cruelty and strife. However, Jesus came to redeem the world from Satan's grasp, offering us a path to live under God's rule.

We delved into the prophecies concerning the Messiah, highlighting the Jews' anticipation of a reigning Messiah who would establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace. This expectation led to their stumbling at the cross, as they could not reconcile the suffering Messiah with their vision of a triumphant king. Yet, the scriptures foretold both the suffering and the glory of the Messiah, and it is through His suffering that redemption was made possible.

Paul's ministry in Ephesus was a testament to the power of dialogue and persuasion in spreading the Gospel. For three months, he engaged in discussions about the Kingdom of God, using scriptures to reveal the necessity of the Messiah's suffering and resurrection. Despite opposition, the message spread throughout Asia, birthing numerous churches and demonstrating the unstoppable nature of God's work.

As we anticipate the return of Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom on Earth, we are reminded of the transformative changes that will accompany His reign. The world will be filled with peace, abundance, and the knowledge of the Lord. Until then, we are called to live as citizens of God's kingdom, embodying His love and truth in a world that often feels out of step with His ways.

Key Takeaways

1. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are the two spiritual realms in which we live. Our lives are governed by the principles of the kingdom we belong to, and Jesus offers us redemption from the kingdom of darkness. [06:01]
2. The prophecies of the Messiah encompass both His suffering and His glory. Understanding these dual aspects helps us appreciate the full scope of Jesus' mission and the redemption He offers. [25:07]
3. Paul's ministry in Ephesus highlights the importance of dialogue and scripture in spreading the Gospel. Despite opposition, the message of the Kingdom of God reached far and wide, demonstrating the power of God's word. [31:41]
4. The anticipation of Jesus' return and the establishment of His kingdom on Earth fills us with hope. The promised transformation of the world into a place of peace and abundance encourages us to live as faithful citizens of God's kingdom. [16:37]
5. The spread of the Gospel from Ephesus to the surrounding regions illustrates the expansive nature of God's work. When the Holy Spirit moves, it transcends geographical boundaries, reaching the uttermost parts of the Earth. [36:58]
** [36:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Opening Prayer
[00:44] - Upcoming Events
[03:39] - Introduction to Acts 19
[04:33] - Paul's Dialogue in Ephesus
[05:25] - Two Kingdoms: Light and Darkness
[07:18] - Jesus' Redemption Mission
[09:02] - Living in the Kingdom of God
[10:31] - Anticipating God's Kingdom on Earth
[13:22] - Prophecies of Peace and Righteousness
[16:58] - The Jews' Expectation of the Messiah
[19:37] - The Cross as a Stumbling Block
[25:48] - Paul's Ministry and Opposition
[31:41] - The Spread of the Gospel in Asia
[36:58] - The Global Impact of the Gospel
[39:17] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Acts 19:8-10
Isaiah 35:1-10
Isaiah 53:3-5

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Observation Questions:

In Acts 19:8-10, what approach did Paul use to communicate the message of the Kingdom of God in Ephesus, and how long did he persist in this effort? [03:57]
According to the sermon, what are the two kingdoms mentioned, and how do they influence the lives of individuals? [05:25]
What was the reaction of the Jews in Ephesus to Paul's message about the Kingdom of God, and how did this affect his ministry there? [28:14]
How does Isaiah 35 describe the transformation of the world when the Kingdom of God is established on Earth?

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the duality of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness help us understand the current state of the world and our role as believers? [06:01]
Why was the concept of a suffering Messiah a stumbling block for the Jews, and how does this understanding deepen our appreciation of Jesus' mission? [17:37]
In what ways does Paul's ministry in Ephesus illustrate the power of dialogue and scripture in spreading the Gospel, despite opposition? [31:41]
How do the prophecies in Isaiah 35 and Isaiah 53 complement each other in portraying the full scope of the Messiah's mission?

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: which kingdom do you feel governs your actions and decisions? How can you align more closely with the Kingdom of God? [09:02]
The Jews' expectation of a triumphant Messiah led to their stumbling at the cross. Are there expectations you hold about God that might be hindering your faith journey? How can you reconcile these with the reality of Jesus' mission? [17:12]
Paul's ministry faced opposition, yet he persisted. How do you handle opposition when sharing your faith? What strategies can you adopt from Paul's approach? [28:14]
Isaiah 35 paints a picture of a transformed world under God's reign. What specific changes in your community or personal life would reflect the values of God's kingdom?
The sermon mentioned feeling out of step with the world as a sign of being a child of God. When have you felt this way, and how did you respond? How can this feeling be a catalyst for living out your faith more boldly? [09:02]
Consider the global spread of the Gospel as described in the sermon. How can you contribute to this mission, whether locally or globally? [36:58]
The anticipation of Jesus' return fills us with hope. How can you cultivate and share this hope in your daily interactions with others? [16:37]

Sermon Clips

Paul went into the synagogue and he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. Paul has returned to Ephesus as he promised them that he would if it was the Lord's will, and he is now for three months been going to the synagogue and disputing and persuading the Jews concerning the kingdom of God. [00:03:48]

There are two kingdoms in the universe: the kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of light and life, and the kingdom of darkness, which is ruled by Satan. Every man, woman, lives in one of the other kingdoms. You are either living in the kingdom of God or you're living in the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of Satan. [00:05:25]

At the present time, the kingdom of darkness is ruling over this world in which we live. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, and he said in times past, you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air that even now works in the children of Disobedience. [00:06:07]

Jesus came to redeem it, and you remember that when he came, Satan took him up to a high mountain, showed him the kingdoms of the world, and he bragged. He said, all of these I'll give to you if you will Bow Down and Worship me for they are mine and I can give them to whomever I will. [00:07:27]

To those people who have yielded their lives to be controlled by God, they are now living in the kingdom of God. God is controlling, God is ruling, but those who have not yielded their lives to be controlled by God are living in the kingdom of darkness and are ruled by Satan. [00:08:31]

Jesus is coming again to establish the kingdom of God upon this Earth, and there will be some radical changes when that happens. How I long for the kingdom of God to come. The Bible tells us a lot of things that are going to be happening when the kingdom of God comes to this earth. [00:10:21]

Isaiah tells us in chapter 35 the Wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, the desert shall rejoice and Blossom as the rose. It shall Blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The Glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it the Excellency of Carmel and Sharon. [00:10:41]

The anticipation of Jesus' return and the establishment of His kingdom on Earth fills us with hope. The promised transformation of the world into a place of peace and abundance encourages us to live as faithful citizens of God's kingdom. [00:16:37]

Paul was talking for the three months, dialoguing with them concerning the kingdom of God, and no doubt using the scriptures that look forward to the Glorious reign of the Messiah but also pointing out to them those scriptures that spoke of the messiah's suffering and death. [00:26:00]

The outcome is exciting because we read that this continued by the space of two years so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus both Jews and Greeks. Ephesus was a center of Commerce, and it was the Hub of Asia at that time. [00:31:41]

When God does a work, he usually starts in one locality, but if it's a genuine work of the spirit of God, it can't really be confined to the one locality. It's soon reaching out branching out from that locality into the judeas the neighboring cities, and then it continues to Branch out into the samarias. [00:33:23]

Paul was there but the ministry and the effect and the influence of the ministry spread out into that whole area around there until all of the churches there in Asia were birthed out of the work that was there in Ephesus. [00:36:58]

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Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Living in the Kingdom of Light

Day 2: The Dual Nature of the Messiah

Day 3: The Power of Dialogue and Scripture

Day 4: Hope in the Return of Jesus

Day 5: The Expansive Nature of God's Work

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom

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