Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom
Summary
In our journey through the book of James, we have been confronted with the stark reality of what it means to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. James, with piercing clarity, calls us to a life that is radically different from the patterns of this world. He challenges us to examine our hearts, our motives, and our actions, urging us to align ourselves with the wisdom that comes from above.
We are called to submit ourselves to God, to resist the devil, and to draw near to God with the assurance that He will draw near to us. This submission is not a sign of weakness but a declaration of allegiance to the King of kings. It is in this posture of humility that we find strength, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
James holds up a mirror to the church, revealing how we have often failed to live out the values of the kingdom. We have allowed quarrels, judgment, and self-interest to mar the beauty of our community. We have sought after earthly wisdom and temporary gains, neglecting the eternal riches that come from living in obedience to Christ.
As we reflect on our lives, we must ask ourselves where we have harbored sin, where we have allowed bitterness to take root, and where we have not fully surrendered to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. It is in the moments of honest reflection that we can turn back to God, receive His grace, and continue the journey of being recreated in His image.
The church is not merely a gathering of individuals; it is a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven on earth. We are called to live in such a way that others can see the goodness of God through our love, service, and submission to one another. Our lives should be a testament to the reality that the kingdom of God is here and now, with Jesus as its reigning King.
In closing, we are reminded that our faith is not a ticket to a distant heaven but an invitation to live out the values of God's kingdom here on earth. We are to be bearers of God's image, reflecting His character and love to a world in desperate need of hope. As we go forth, may we be conscious of God's presence with us, guided by His Spirit, and faithful to His call to be witnesses of the Gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- Submission to God is the gateway to spiritual strength and victory. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, we are lifted up, and the enemy's influence is diminished. This act of submission is not a loss of freedom but an embrace of the true liberty found in Christ's lordship. [01:18:52]
- The church is meant to be a living demonstration of the kingdom of heaven on earth. Our interactions, decisions, and priorities should reflect the values of God's kingdom, where love and service are paramount. When we live out these kingdom principles, we offer the world a glimpse of God's transformative power. [53:30]
- True wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge or achieving personal success; it is about seeking God's will and aligning our lives with His purposes. When we ask for wisdom with pure motives, we are granted the insight to navigate life in a way that honors God and benefits others. [01:00:37]
- The pursuit of earthly pleasures often leads to spiritual emptiness. When we seek God's blessings solely for our own satisfaction, we miss the opportunity for genuine transformation. True joy is found in surrendering our desires to God and allowing Him to shape our hearts and lives. [01:01:56]
- Our identity as believers is not defined by our perfection but by our pursuit of God's heart. We will make mistakes, but our relentless quest for God's wisdom and our commitment to living out His kingdom values set us apart. In this pursuit, we find the grace and strength to overcome the world's temptations. [01:14:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 4:1-10
2. Matthew 6:33
3. Proverbs 3:34
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 4:1-2, what causes fights and quarrels among believers? How does this reflect on the church's behavior? [57:05]
2. What does James mean when he says, "You do not have because you do not ask God" in James 4:2-3? How does this relate to the motives behind our prayers? [01:00:43]
3. In James 4:7-8, what are the steps James outlines for drawing near to God? How does this process affect our spiritual strength? [01:19:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the church's role as a "foretaste of the kingdom of heaven on earth"? [53:11]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. James 4:1-3 discusses the internal desires that lead to conflict. How do these desires contrast with the values of the kingdom of heaven? [57:05]
2. The sermon mentions that submission to God is not a sign of weakness but a declaration of allegiance. How does this perspective change the way we view submission in our daily lives? [01:18:52]
3. Reflecting on James 4:6, why does God oppose the proud but give grace to the humble? How does this principle apply to our interactions within the church community? [01:10:48]
4. The sermon emphasizes that true wisdom is about seeking God's will. How does this align with the message in Matthew 6:33 about seeking first the kingdom of God? [01:00:37]
#### Application Questions
1. James 4:1-2 talks about quarrels and conflicts arising from our desires. Can you identify a recent conflict in your life that stemmed from unmet desires? How can you address it in a way that aligns with kingdom values? [57:05]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of submitting to God. What is one area of your life where you struggle with submission? How can you take a step towards surrendering that area to God this week? [01:18:52]
3. Reflect on a time when you sought God's blessings for personal satisfaction rather than genuine transformation. How can you shift your focus to seek God's will and wisdom in your prayers? [01:01:56]
4. The sermon calls the church to be a living demonstration of the kingdom of heaven. What practical steps can you take to reflect the values of God's kingdom in your interactions with others this week? [53:11]
5. James 4:6 mentions that God gives grace to the humble. How can you practice humility in your daily life, especially in situations where you are tempted to be proud or self-reliant? [01:10:48]
6. The sermon discusses the pursuit of earthly pleasures leading to spiritual emptiness. Identify one earthly pleasure that distracts you from your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to minimize its influence in your life? [01:01:56]
7. The sermon encourages us to be conscious of God's presence and guided by His Spirit. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily routine? [01:37:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Humble Submission
Submission to God is the gateway to spiritual strength and victory. When individuals humble themselves before the Lord, they are lifted up, and the enemy's influence is diminished. This act of submission is not a loss of freedom but an embrace of the true liberty found in Christ's lordship. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a powerful stance that aligns one with the wisdom of God. It is a declaration of allegiance to the King of kings, and in this posture of humility, one finds strength, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. This submission allows for a closer relationship with God, as He promises to draw near to those who draw near to Him. [01:18:52]
James 4:7-8 ESV
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today to demonstrate your submission to God's authority in your life?
Day 2: Reflecting the Kingdom in Community
The church is meant to be a living demonstration of the kingdom of heaven on earth. Our interactions, decisions, and priorities should reflect the values of God's kingdom, where love and service are paramount. When believers live out these kingdom principles, they offer the world a glimpse of God's transformative power. The community of faith is called to be different, to resist the patterns of quarrels, judgment, and self-interest that are prevalent in the world. Instead, the church should embody the beauty of a community united in Christ, serving one another in love and humility. [53:30]
1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: How can your actions today reflect the values of God's kingdom and contribute to the unity and beauty of your church community?
Day 3: Pursuing Godly Wisdom
True wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge or achieving personal success; it is about seeking God's will and aligning our lives with His purposes. When one asks for wisdom with pure motives, they are granted the insight to navigate life in a way that honors God and benefits others. This wisdom comes from above and is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. It stands in stark contrast to earthly wisdom, which is driven by selfish ambition and envy. [01:00:37]
James 3:17-18 ESV
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you can seek God's wisdom instead of relying on your own understanding or the world's standards?
Day 4: Finding Joy in Surrender
The pursuit of earthly pleasures often leads to spiritual emptiness. When one seeks God's blessings solely for their own satisfaction, they miss the opportunity for genuine transformation. True joy is found in surrendering our desires to God and allowing Him to shape our hearts and lives. This surrender involves letting go of the temporary gains and seeking the eternal riches that come from living in obedience to Christ. It is in the moments of honest reflection and turning back to God that one can receive His grace and continue the journey of being recreated in His image. [01:01:56]
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking earthly pleasures, and how can you begin to surrender that area to God's transformative work?
Day 5: Relentless Pursuit of God's Heart
Our identity as believers is not defined by our perfection but by our pursuit of God's heart. We will make mistakes, but our relentless quest for God's wisdom and our commitment to living out His kingdom values set us apart. In this pursuit, we find the grace and strength to overcome the world's temptations. It is a journey of constant growth, where one is continually being shaped and molded by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ. [01:14:55]
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV
"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to actively pursue God's heart and live out His kingdom values in your daily life?
Quotes
- "The church is not a building, it's not even a religion to live by, it is a community of people who declare by their words, but even more by the way they live, by their actions, that there is another kingdom at play." [53:30] (Download | )
- "The gospel proclamation, the euangelion, the good news that a new kingdom has arrived on the scene with a new king. The good news that Jesus proclaimed is that the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God was here, and Jesus is king." [50:20] (Download | )
- "James looks out across the church and he sees believers, members of the community of believers in King Jesus who left his throne above to be poured out of everything he had to be one of us and to die for us while we were still in rebellion to him." [54:59] (Download | )
- "God earnestly, earnestly desires for his Holy Spirit to take up residence in our heart. And not just metaphorically, but to actually be the motivator in our lives, to be our guide, to be our purpose." [01:09:56] (Download | )
- "The church is not merely a gathering of individuals; it is a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven on earth. We are called to live in such a way that others can see the goodness of God through our love, service, and submission to one another." [01:30:38] (Download | )
- "Submit to God. The author, the creator, the sustainer of life and not death. Submit yourself to Him. Resist the king of darkness and death and evil. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." [01:18:52] (Download | )
- "We need Jesus. It says he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. And that way is always grace." [01:12:44] (Download | )
- "Truly receiving the gift of grace, it doesn't leave you unchanged. Unless you choose to turn away, unless you choose to reject again the wisdom of God and find yourself again on the outside of his kingdom." [01:14:55] (Download | )
- "The problem with that kind of approach to life where my faith in Christ has little effect on the way that I live or even that my faith in Christ is reduced to my ticket into heaven at the end of life is that it stands in contrast to the gospel proclamation." [50:20] (Download | )
- "My prayer and benediction over you is that with each new day, you would be consciously aware of the personal presence of God with you and the Holy Spirit. That you would see and hear His guidance in your life." [01:37:03] (Download | )
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