Living as Citizens of Heaven in a Conflicted World

In a world that often feels upside down, it’s easy to sense the tension between the culture around us and the kingdom of God. The reality is, as followers of Jesus, we are called to live in a way that brings heaven’s culture into the world, even when it collides with the values and beliefs of society. This isn’t about politics or choosing sides in earthly debates; it’s about recognizing that Jesus is King, and His kingdom operates on a completely different set of values. Our allegiance is not to a party or a movement, but to the King of Kings, who calls us to live right side up in an upside down world.

Jesus Himself warned that following Him would bring division, not always peace, because the light of His truth inevitably collides with the darkness of the world. This collision isn’t about good people versus bad people, but about the reality that God’s truth will always stand in contrast to the lies and confusion of the world. As believers, we are entrusted with the keys of the kingdom—to bring heaven’s reality to earth, to stand for truth, and to live out our faith with courage and conviction.

Knowing who Jesus truly is forms the foundation of our lives. It’s not enough to rely on what others say about Him; we must have a personal revelation of Christ as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This knowledge shapes not only our understanding of God, but also our understanding of ourselves. Our identity is rooted in who He is, not in what the world, our families, or even our own feelings say about us.

Living as salt and light means we preserve what is good, add spiritual flavor to the world, and shine with the distinctiveness of Christ. This often comes with a cost—standing for truth may lead to rejection, loneliness, or even persecution. Yet, the reward is eternal, and the impact of living according to God’s kingdom far outweighs the temporary discomforts we may face.

Throughout history, God’s people have stood against the pressures of culture and authority when those pressures conflicted with God’s commands. Whether it was the Hebrew midwives, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or the early church, the pattern is clear: when forced to choose, God’s people choose Him every time. Our calling is to do the same, to love with truth, to stand with courage, and to let our lives reflect the upside down kingdom of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Heaven’s Culture Will Always Collide with the World’s Culture The tension we feel as believers is not simply a matter of politics or personal preference; it is the inevitable collision between the darkness of this world and the light of God’s kingdom. When we bring heaven’s values into our daily lives, we should expect resistance, misunderstanding, and even conflict, because the world cannot comprehend the ways of God. This collision is not a sign of failure, but a confirmation that we are living as citizens of another kingdom. [05:00]
• 2. Truth Is Not Hate—It’s the Foundation of Love In a culture that often equates disagreement with hatred, it’s vital to remember that speaking the truth in love is one of the most profound ways we can care for others. Truth exposes what is hidden, corrects what is wrong, and sets people free. As parents, friends, and followers of Jesus, our willingness to lovingly confront lies with God’s truth is an act of genuine love, not hostility. [11:57]
• 3. Personal Revelation of Jesus Shapes Everything It’s not enough to know about Jesus through the opinions of others or cultural assumptions. The question “Who do you say I am?” is central to our faith. When we truly know Jesus as King and Messiah, it transforms our identity, our purpose, and the way we engage with the world. Our lives are built on the rock of this revelation, not on shifting cultural sands. [16:30]
• 4. Our Identity Is Discovered in Christ, Not in the World The search for identity is universal, but true self-understanding comes only as we know Jesus more deeply. The world offers countless keys to unlock our sense of self, but only the keys of the kingdom—rooted in Christ—can reveal who we truly are. When we know who He is, we begin to understand who we are, and we are freed from the need to seek validation from others. [28:36]
• 5. Being Salt and Light Means Embracing Distinctiveness and Enduring Cost Jesus calls us to be both salt and light—to preserve, to flavor, and to shine. This means living in a way that is noticeably different, even if it leads to rejection or hardship. The cost of standing for God’s truth is real, but so is the reward. Our influence is not in blending in, but in standing out for the sake of Christ, trusting that our faithfulness will have eternal impact.
  
  ** [33:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - Honoring Brett and Kathy
• [01:31] - God’s Church: His, Not Ours
• [02:21] - Introducing the Upside Down Kingdom
• [03:52] - The Collision of Cultures
• [04:21] - Jesus’ Purpose: Not Political
• [05:29] - Upside Down Show Analogy
• [07:11] - Addressing Politics and Truth
• [08:16] - Opening Prayer
• [09:14] - Jesus: Not Always Peaceful
• [10:47] - Division and the Sword
• [11:22] - Preaching Truth with Patience
• [14:36] - Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
• [16:30] - The Foundation: Knowing Jesus
• [19:36] - Personal Relationship with Christ
• [22:08] - Thinking Kingdom, Not Political
• [23:16] - Heaven’s Culture vs. World’s Confusion
• [25:33] - God’s House: Pillar of Truth
• [28:23] - Knowing Who You Are in Christ
• [30:14] - The Cost and Reward of Following Jesus
• [32:06] - Salt and Light: Our Calling
• [34:50] - A Story of Standing for Values
• [38:31] - The Eternal Impact of Choosing God
• [39:21] - Biblical Examples of Standing Against Culture
• [41:51] - When to Choose God Over Authority
• [42:00] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Matthew 16:13-19 (ESV) — > Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 5:11-16 (ESV) — > “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV) — > I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 16:13-19, what question does Jesus ask his disciples, and how does Peter respond? What does Jesus say in return?
2. According to Matthew 5:11-16, what does Jesus say will happen to those who follow him, and what are his followers called to be in the world?
3. In 2 Timothy 4:1-2, what instructions does Paul give Timothy about handling God’s word and truth?
4. The sermon mentioned that bringing heaven’s culture into the world will cause a “collision” with the world’s culture. What are some examples the pastor gave of this collision? [[23:16]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus make such a big deal about Peter’s answer to “Who do you say I am?” How does this personal revelation become the foundation for the church? [[16:30]]
2. The sermon says that truth is not hate, but the foundation of love. Why is it important to speak truth even when it’s uncomfortable, and how can this be an act of love? [[11:57]]
3. What does it mean to be “salt” and “light” in practical terms, and why does Jesus warn about losing our saltiness or hiding our light? [[33:12]]
4. The pastor shared stories of biblical figures (like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the Hebrew midwives) who stood against culture or authority when it conflicted with God’s commands. What do these stories teach us about our own choices when God’s truth and the world’s values clash? [[39:21]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said our identity is rooted in who Jesus is, not in what the world, our families, or even our own feelings say about us. Are there areas in your life where you’ve let other voices define you? What would it look like to let Jesus define your identity instead? [[28:36]]
2. When have you felt the “collision” between heaven’s culture and the world’s culture in your own life? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [[05:00]]
3. The sermon talked about the cost of standing for truth—sometimes it means rejection, loneliness, or being misunderstood. Is there a situation right now where you feel pressure to compromise your faith or values? What would it look like to stand firm with courage and love? [[31:27]]
4. The pastor said, “Truth is not hate. Truth is love.” How can you speak truth in love to someone in your life this week, even if it’s hard? What might keep you from doing this? [[11:57]]
5. Jesus calls us to be both salt and light. In your daily life—at work, school, or home—do you think people notice something “different” about you because of your faith? If not, what is one small change you could make to be more distinct for Christ? [[33:12]]
6. The pastor shared a story about his daughter choosing to stand for her values, even when it meant going to a dance alone. Can you think of a time when you had to make a hard choice to follow Jesus, even if it cost you something? What did you learn from that experience? [[37:57]]
7. The sermon challenged us to “bring heaven’s culture” into our world. What is one specific way you can do this in your relationships, workplace, or community this week? [[05:00]]