Living as Evidence of God's Kingdom Today
Summary
In Luke 17, Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is not something to be observed outwardly, but is present wherever His followers are. The presence of Christ within believers means that wherever we go, we carry the atmosphere of His kingdom. Our attitudes, words, and actions create an environment that either reflects Christ or detracts from Him. This is a profound responsibility and privilege: to be the living evidence of God’s reign in a world that is often dark and confused.
Jesus also warns about the days leading up to His return, drawing parallels to the days of Noah and Lot. People were living their lives, oblivious to the coming judgment, until it was too late. The call is to be ready—not in fear or panic, but in steadfast faith and relationship with Jesus. His return will be unmistakable, like lightning flashing across the sky. There is no need to worry about missing it; what matters is being prepared in heart and life.
God’s pattern throughout history is to deliver the righteous before judgment falls. Just as Noah and Lot were rescued before destruction came, so God knows how to protect His people. This assurance should lead to gratitude for salvation and a deep trust in God’s faithfulness, even when the world seems increasingly hostile or chaotic.
Yet, the reality is that many will ignore the warnings. The wicked will continue in their ways until the very end. Our role is to keep warning, keep loving, and keep living righteously, even when it seems fruitless. The separation between the righteous and the wicked is ultimately God’s work, but we are called to be faithful witnesses.
A crucial warning is not to look back, as Lot’s wife did. The past, with its sins and regrets, must be left behind. Pressing forward in Christ means valuing nothing above Him—not possessions, not reputation, not even our own lives. When the time comes, nothing on earth will compare to the worth of being with Jesus. The call is to die to self, to be alive in Christ, and to be ready every day, knowing that salvation is found in Him alone.
Key Takeaways
- The Kingdom of God Is Within Us
The kingdom is not a distant place or a future event to be located, but a present reality wherever believers are. Our lives, attitudes, and presence create an atmosphere that either welcomes or resists the reign of Christ. This means every interaction and environment we enter is an opportunity to manifest God’s kingdom, making the invisible God visible through our conduct. [53:14]
- Christ’s Return Will Be Unmistakable and Demands Readiness
Jesus assures us that His return will be as visible and undeniable as lightning across the sky. There is no need to fear missing it or to be anxious about the timing; instead, the call is to live in a state of continual readiness, rooted in relationship with Him. Readiness is not about frantic activity, but about a heart that is surrendered and attentive to Christ. [48:54]
- God Delivers the Righteous Before Judgment
Throughout Scripture, God consistently rescues those who are His before judgment falls on the wicked. This is not a promise of an easy life, but of ultimate security in God’s hands. Our confidence is not in our ability to escape trouble, but in God’s faithfulness to preserve and deliver His people, even in the darkest times. [55:53]
- The World Will Ignore Warnings, But We Must Remain Faithful
Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, many will continue in sin and ignore every warning until judgment comes. Our responsibility is not to force repentance, but to faithfully warn, love, and live righteously. The separation of the righteous and the wicked is God’s work; our part is to persevere in holiness and truth, trusting God with the results. [01:01:21]
- Don’t Look Back—Let Go of the Past and Earthly Attachments
Lot’s wife looked back and was lost, a warning that clinging to the past or to earthly possessions can cost us everything. True discipleship means letting go of what is behind and pressing forward to what is ahead in Christ. No possession, memory, or regret is worth more than the salvation and future we have in Jesus; we must die to self and live fully for Him. [01:05:54]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[46:26] - Opening Prayer and Blessing
[47:40] - Faith Like a Mustard Seed
[48:54] - The Kingdom of God in Our Midst
[50:22] - Days of Noah and Lot: A Warning
[51:15] - The Suddenness of Christ’s Return
[52:19] - The Kingdom Within Believers
[53:14] - Creating an Atmosphere of Christ
[55:53] - God Delivers the Righteous
[57:25] - Assurance of God’s Protection
[01:01:21] - The World’s Indifference to Warnings
[01:03:38] - Don’t Look Back: Lessons from Lot’s Wife
[01:05:54] - The Worthlessness of Earthly Possessions
[01:09:45] - The Meaning of the Vultures and Eagles
[01:13:05] - “Look Alive”: Are You Born Again?
[01:14:40] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:17:30] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Luke 17 and the Kingdom in Our Midst
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### Bible Reading
- Luke 17:20-37
- Genesis 6:7-8
- 2 Peter 2:4-10
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### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 17:20-21, how does Jesus describe the coming of the kingdom of God? What does He say about where it is found?
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways our attitudes and actions can create an “atmosphere” that reflects Christ? [[53:14]]
3. In Genesis 6:7-8 and 2 Peter 2:4-10, what pattern do we see in how God deals with the righteous and the wicked?
4. What warning does Jesus give about looking back, and what happened to Lot’s wife? [[01:03:38]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that “the kingdom of God is in your midst” or “within you”? How does this change the way we think about God’s presence in our daily lives? [[48:54]]
2. Why do you think Jesus compares the days before His return to the days of Noah and Lot? What is He trying to communicate about people’s attitudes and readiness? [[50:22]]
3. The sermon says God delivers the righteous before judgment falls. How should this truth affect the way believers view difficult or chaotic times in the world? [[55:53]]
4. Why is it so important not to “look back” or cling to the past, according to both Jesus’ warning and the example of Lot’s wife? [[01:03:38]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says that wherever we go, we carry the atmosphere of Christ’s kingdom. Think about your home, workplace, or school—what kind of atmosphere do you usually bring? Is there a specific place where you want to be more intentional about reflecting Christ? [[53:14]]
2. Jesus says His return will be unmistakable, like lightning across the sky. Are you living in a way that you would be ready if He returned today? What would “readiness” look like for you personally? [[48:54]]
3. The world often ignores spiritual warnings, just as in the days of Noah and Lot. Is there someone in your life who seems uninterested in faith? How can you keep loving, warning, and living righteously around them, even if it feels fruitless? [[01:01:21]]
4. The sermon warns not to look back, as Lot’s wife did. Is there something from your past—maybe a regret, a sin, or even a good thing—that you are tempted to cling to? What would it look like to let go and press forward in Christ? [[01:03:38]]
5. When you think about your possessions, reputation, or even your own plans, is there anything you value more than being with Jesus? How can you practice “dying to self” this week? [[01:05:54]]
6. The pastor mentioned that God knows how to protect His people, even in dark times. When you feel anxious about the world, what is one way you can remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and protection? [[57:25]]
7. The sermon ended with a call to be sure of your salvation. Have you ever taken time to honestly assess your relationship with Jesus? If not, what is holding you back from doing that today? [[01:14:40]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you live as a carrier of His kingdom, to let go of the past, and to be ready for Christ’s return—trusting in His faithfulness and protection.
Devotional
Day 1: The Kingdom of God is Wherever Christians Are
Wherever believers go, they carry the presence and atmosphere of God's kingdom with them. Jesus told the Pharisees that the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed outwardly, but is in their midst—meaning that He, the King, was present among them. For those who have acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God, the kingdom is within, and their lives radiate His presence. As Christians, we create an atmosphere wherever we go; if we are filled with the Spirit, we bring light and the reality of God's kingdom into every situation, impacting those around us even without words. [52:19]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
Reflection: Where will you go today that needs the atmosphere of Christ’s kingdom, and how can you intentionally bring His presence into that place?
Day 2: When Jesus Returns, You Will Not Miss Him
The return of Jesus will be unmistakable and visible to all; there is no need to fear missing it or being left behind. Jesus compared His coming to lightning that flashes across the sky, seen by everyone. The world may be filled with confusion and false claims about His return, but believers can rest assured that when the Son of Man comes, it will be clear and undeniable. There is no need for anxiety or speculation—just readiness and joyful anticipation. [53:14]
Luke 17:22-24 (ESV)
And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.”
Reflection: What fears or uncertainties do you have about Jesus’ return, and how can you replace them with confident hope in His promise?
Day 3: God Delivers the Righteous Before Judgment
God is faithful to protect and deliver those who belong to Him before He brings judgment upon the wicked. Just as Noah was brought into the ark before the flood and Lot was led out of Sodom before its destruction, God knows how to rescue the godly from trials. Even in a world that seems increasingly dark and hostile, believers can trust that God’s grace and protection are sure for those who endure patiently and remain faithful. [57:25]
2 Peter 2:4-9 (ESV)
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God’s protection and deliverance, even when circumstances seem overwhelming?
Day 4: Don’t Look Back—Let Go of the Past
Looking back with longing to the past or to sin can keep you from fully embracing the new life God has for you. Lot’s wife looked back and was lost, not just because of a glance, but because her heart was still attached to what God was calling her to leave behind. The Apostle Paul declared that he forgets what is behind and presses on toward the prize in Christ. Letting go of past failures, regrets, or even former comforts is essential to moving forward in faith and freedom. [01:03:38]
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
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: Is there something from your past—an old habit, regret, or hurt—that you need to release today so you can move forward with Jesus?
Day 5: No Earthly Possession Is Worth More Than Salvation
Nothing in this world—no possession, achievement, or comfort—is worth holding onto at the expense of your relationship with Jesus. When the time comes, Jesus warns not to go back for anything, for all earthly things will pass away. The call is to value salvation above all else, to run with Jesus and not look back, knowing that the true prize is eternal life with Him. Let go of anything that would keep you from following Christ wholeheartedly, for He alone is worth everything. [01:07:10]
Luke 17:31-33 (ESV)
On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
Reflection: What is one possession, comfort, or ambition you are tempted to hold onto too tightly, and how can you surrender it to Jesus today?
Quotes
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