Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom
Summary
This morning, we gathered to remember the security, strength, and hope we have in Jesus Christ. We are reminded that our trust in Him is not just for this life, but for eternity. As a church, we are called to seek the Lord together, to pray, to fast, and to encourage one another, knowing that our intentional pursuit of God shapes our hearts and our community. We are not here by accident; God has a purpose for each of us, and He works through our weaknesses, not our strengths, to accomplish His eternal work.
Turning to 1 Timothy 6, we explored Paul’s instructions to bondservants—those under the yoke of slavery in the Roman world. Paul’s teaching is radical: servants are to regard their masters as worthy of all honor, regardless of whether those masters deserve it. This is not a validation of injustice, but a call to a kingdom mindset. Our actions, even in the most difficult circumstances, reflect on the name of God and the teaching of Christ. We are not just employees, parents, or community members; we are people who bear the name of Jesus, and our conduct can either bring honor or dishonor to Him.
This kingdom mindset is rooted in the reality that we have been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. This world is not our home; our true home is with the Father, and we are learning to live as citizens of His kingdom even while we are here. Our lives are meant to reflect the values and attitudes of heaven, not the world around us. We are called to act differently, to love differently, and to serve differently, because we represent Christ.
Moreover, we have been entrusted with the teachings of Jesus. To disregard or twist these teachings is to reject Christ Himself. Our mission is clear: we are commissioned by the King to carry His name and His message into the world. Every action, no matter how small, is an opportunity to testify to the reality of the gospel. Our lives should provoke questions from those around us, not because we are perfect, but because we are being transformed by the love and grace of Jesus. In all things, we are called to humble ourselves, to trust God, and to walk in His ways, knowing that our joy and purpose are found in Him.
Key Takeaways
- Kingdom Mindset Transforms Relationships
Embracing a kingdom mindset means recognizing that our true citizenship is in heaven, not on earth. This perspective radically changes how we relate to authority, injustice, and even those who mistreat us. We are called to honor others, not because they deserve it, but because our actions reflect the character and name of Christ whom we represent. This upside-down way of living is only possible as we grow in understanding our new identity in God’s family. [36:47]
- Bearing the Name of Christ Is a Sacred Responsibility
When we put our faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family and now bear His name in every context—work, home, and community. Our actions, attitudes, and words are a testimony to the world about who God is. The question we must continually ask ourselves is: whose name am I most concerned about—my own, or Christ’s? Our daily choices either bring honor to God or provide opportunity for His name to be slandered. [44:38]
- The Teachings of Jesus Are Non-Negotiable
To follow Christ is to submit to His teachings, even when they challenge our cultural assumptions or personal preferences. Rejecting or twisting the words of Jesus is not a minor issue; it is a rejection of Christ Himself. True godliness is not about outward appearance or religious activity, but about allowing the words of Christ to shape our hearts, minds, and actions. [49:34]
- Our Mission Is to Carry the Gospel in Word and Deed
We are not merely passing through this world; we have been commissioned by Jesus to make disciples, to bear His name, and to teach others to obey all that He has commanded. Every interaction, no matter how mundane, is an opportunity to display the reality of the gospel. Our lives should provoke curiosity and even confusion in the world, pointing people to the transforming power of Christ. [53:54]
- Humility and Surrender Lead to True Joy and Purpose
Jesus, though equal with God, humbled Himself to the point of the cross for our sake. We are called to have the same mindset—laying down our rights, surrendering our hurts and failures, and trusting God to raise us up. In this posture of humility, we receive God’s grace, instruction, and joy, and we become vessels through whom His life and love flow to others. [01:08:22]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[15:01] - Seeking the Lord Together: Prayer and Fasting
[17:05] - Upcoming Events and Community Life
[23:29] - Transition to the Word: 1 Timothy 6
[24:30] - God Uses Our Weaknesses
[25:36] - Reading and Context: Slavery in the Roman World
[26:58] - Bondservants and the Kingdom Perspective
[29:14] - Honoring Masters: A Radical Call
[32:14] - The Challenge of Kingdom Thinking
[33:55] - Why Our Actions Matter: The Name of God
[35:44] - Blessing Believers in Authority
[36:47] - Transferred to the Kingdom of Christ
[38:34] - The Lord’s Prayer and Our True Home
[40:09] - This World Is Not Our Home
[43:55] - Bearing the Name of God
[47:27] - Our Actions as Testimony
[48:17] - The Importance of Sound Doctrine
[49:34] - Rejecting Christ’s Teachings
[51:06] - Commissioned by the King
[53:54] - The Great Commission and Our Identity
[55:17] - Everyday Testimony
[56:22] - The Teachings of Christ in the Church
[57:06] - Apostolic Authority and the Word
[59:14] - The Danger of Rejecting God’s Word
[01:01:24] - Humility Before God
[01:08:22] - Prayer for a Kingdom Mindset
[01:13:43] - Final Surrender and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
1 Timothy 6:1-5 (ESV)
> Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Colossians 1:13 (ESV)
> He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
> And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Timothy 6:1-2, what reason does Paul give for why bondservants should regard their masters as worthy of all honor?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say happens to us when we put our faith in Christ, according to Colossians 1:13? [[36:47]]
3. What does Paul warn against in verses 3-5 regarding those who teach a different doctrine? What are some of the results he lists?
4. In Matthew 28:18-20, what are the two main things Jesus commands his followers to do as part of the Great Commission?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that honoring those in authority—even when they don’t deserve it—is not about validating injustice, but about having a “kingdom mindset.” What does it mean to have a kingdom mindset in difficult relationships? [[29:14]]
2. The pastor mentions that we have been “transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.” How should this new identity affect the way we see our daily lives and relationships? [[36:47]]
3. According to the sermon, what does it mean to “bear the name of Christ” in our workplaces, homes, and communities? How does this responsibility impact our actions? [[44:38]]
4. The sermon warns that rejecting or twisting the teachings of Jesus is a serious matter. Why is it so important to submit to the teachings of Christ, even when they challenge our preferences or culture? [[49:34]]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a relationship or situation where you feel someone in authority over you is undeserving of honor. What would it look like to honor them “as unto the Lord,” and how might that reflect Christ to others? [[29:14]]
2. The sermon says our actions at work, at home, or even at the grocery store reflect on the name of God. Can you recall a recent situation where your actions either honored or dishonored Christ? What could you do differently next time? [[55:17]]
3. The pastor asked, “Whose name am I most concerned about—my own, or Christ’s?” In what areas of your life are you tempted to protect your own reputation over Christ’s? How can you shift your focus? [[44:38]]
4. The sermon calls us to submit to the teachings of Jesus, even when they are hard. Is there a specific teaching of Jesus you struggle to accept or obey? What is one step you can take to trust Him in that area? [[49:34]]
5. The message says our lives should “provoke questions” from those around us because of the transformation Jesus brings. Has anyone ever asked you about your faith because of how you live? If not, what might need to change? [[53:54]]
6. The pastor talked about humility and surrender leading to true joy and purpose. Is there a hurt, failure, or “right” you need to lay down before God this week? What would it look like to trust Him with it? [[01:08:22]]
7. We are commissioned to carry the gospel in word and deed. Who is one person in your life you can intentionally encourage, serve, or share the love of Christ with this week? What will you do? [[53:54]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help you live with a kingdom mindset, to bear His name well, and to walk in humility and obedience to Jesus’ teachings.
Devotional
Day 1: Living with a Kingdom Mindset
As believers, we are called to adopt a mindset that is shaped not by the world around us, but by the reality that we have been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. This means our values, attitudes, and responses are to be shaped by the unseen but very real kingdom of Christ, not by earthly standards. As we grow in faith, our perspective shifts: we begin to see our lives, relationships, and even our hardships through the lens of eternity, learning to pray and live so that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. This new mindset changes how we relate to others, how we handle injustice, and how we view our purpose here, reminding us that our true home is with the Father, and we are learning to live as His children even now. [38:34]
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 area of your life do you most struggle to see things from a kingdom perspective rather than a worldly one? Ask God to help you see this situation through His eyes today.
Day 2: Bearing the Name of Christ
When we put our faith in Jesus, we become representatives of His name in every context—at work, at home, and in our communities. Our actions, attitudes, and words reflect on the name of God, and the world is watching to see if our lives match the message we proclaim. This means that even in difficult or unfair situations, our chief concern is not our own reputation or rights, but the honor of Christ’s name. As we bear His name, we are called to act in ways that bring glory to God, showing the world what He is like through our humility, integrity, and love. [44:38]
1 Timothy 6:1 (ESV)
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your response could have reflected Christ’s name more clearly. How can you intentionally honor His name in your actions this week?
Day 3: Commissioned for a Purpose
We are not simply passing through this world without purpose; we have been commissioned by Jesus Himself to carry on His mission. Just as Christ was sent to save sinners, we are sent to make disciples, to share the good news, and to teach others to obey all that He has commanded. Our daily lives, no matter how ordinary they may seem, are opportunities to live out this commission—bearing witness to the transforming power of the gospel and inviting others into the family of God. Every interaction, every act of service, and every word we speak can be part of God’s mission to bring salvation and hope to a world in need. [53:54]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally encourage or share Christ’s love with this week as part of your commission?
Day 4: Embracing Christ’s Teachings Wholeheartedly
The teachings of Jesus are not just suggestions or religious traditions—they are the very words of life, given to guide us into godliness and true freedom. To disregard or twist these teachings is to reject Christ Himself, but to embrace them is to be shaped into His likeness. In a world full of controversy and competing voices, we are called to ground ourselves in the sound words of our Lord, letting His truth shape our beliefs, our relationships, and our daily choices. This wholehearted embrace of Christ’s teaching leads to a life that is distinct, marked by humility, love, and a desire to honor God above all. [01:01:24]
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (ESV)
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Reflection: Is there a teaching of Jesus that you find difficult to accept or obey? What would it look like to trust Him and submit to His word in that area today?
Day 5: Living as Testimonies of Grace
Our actions are not just private matters—they are a living testimony to the reality and power of Christ’s grace. When we respond to injustice with honor, to hardship with hope, and to others with love, we demonstrate that we are no longer who we once were. Instead, we are new creations, shaped by the love and humility of Jesus, and our lives point others to the hope and salvation found in Him. Even when the world does not understand, our distinct way of living can open doors for the gospel and invite others to experience the same transforming grace we have received. [01:07:03]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: In what specific way can you let your actions today be a testimony to the grace and transformation you have received in Christ?
Quotes
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