Living as Kingdom Disciples in a Worldly Culture

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound calling to be in the world but not of it, aligning our lives with the prayer of Jesus: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This call to action is not just a personal journey but a collective mission to build kingdom disciples who embody the comprehensive rule of God in every aspect of life. This vision, championed by Dr. Tony Evans, emphasizes the visible manifestation of God's kingdom agenda, which seeks to transform lives and communities through the power of God's word.

Dr. Evans, a trailblazer in the evangelical community, has dedicated his life to spreading this transformative message. His ministry, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, and the Urban Alternative media broadcast have reached millions across the globe, offering hope and restoration through the application of biblical truths. His ability to communicate complex theological concepts in a simple yet profound manner has made his teachings accessible and impactful to a diverse audience.

The essence of this message is the transformative power of living under God's rule, which not only changes individual lives but also has the potential to influence families, churches, and entire communities. Dr. Evans' dream is to see lives transformed by the values of God's kingdom, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the present generation. This vision calls us to actively participate in God's work, ensuring that His kingdom values are lived out and passed on to future generations.

Key Takeaways:

1. Kingdom Discipleship: Being a kingdom disciple means living in the world without conforming to its values. It involves a commitment to embodying God's will on earth, reflecting His kingdom in our daily lives. This requires intentionality and a willingness to stand apart from worldly influences. [00:08]

2. Visible Manifestation of God's Rule: The kingdom agenda is about making God's rule visible in every area of life. This means allowing God's principles to guide our decisions, relationships, and actions, thereby transforming our environments and communities. [00:41]

3. Transformative Power of God's Word: The word of God has the power to restore hope and transform lives. By applying biblical truths, individuals and families can experience profound change, leading to healthier communities and stronger churches. [01:40]

4. Legacy of Faith: Dr. Evans' vision extends beyond the present, aiming to produce transformed lives that carry forward the values of God's kingdom. This legacy of faith is about ensuring that future generations continue to live out and spread God's principles. [01:51]

5. Collective Mission: Building kingdom disciples is a collective mission that requires the participation of the entire body of Christ. By working together, we can effectively promote God's kingdom agenda and make a lasting impact on the world. [02:11]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - In the World, Not of the World
[00:26] - Dr. Tony Evans' Vision
[00:41] - The Kingdom Agenda
[00:54] - Global Impact of the Ministry
[01:06] - Communicating Theological Truths
[01:16] - Dr. Evans' Leadership
[01:27] - Publishing Milestones
[01:40] - Restoring Hope and Transforming Lives
[01:51] - Dream of Transformed Lives
[02:11] - Thy Kingdom Come

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 17:15-18 - "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
2. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be "in the world but not of the world" according to the sermon? How does this relate to Jesus's prayer in John 17? [00:08]

2. How does Dr. Tony Evans describe the "visible manifestation of God's rule" in our lives and communities? [00:41]

3. What role does the application of biblical truths play in transforming lives and communities, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:40]

4. How does Dr. Evans envision the legacy of faith being passed on to future generations? [01:51]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the concept of "kingdom discipleship" challenge the values of the world? How might this look in practical terms for a believer today? [00:08]

2. How can the "visible manifestation of God's rule" influence our daily decisions and interactions with others? What might be some challenges in living this out? [00:41]

3. What are some examples of how the transformative power of God's word can restore hope in individuals and families? How does this align with Dr. Evans' vision? [01:40]

4. How does the idea of a "collective mission" to build kingdom disciples encourage unity within the church? What might be some obstacles to achieving this unity? [02:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you are conforming to the world's values rather than embodying God's will? What steps can you take to align more closely with kingdom discipleship? [00:08]

2. Consider your community or workplace. How can you contribute to making God's rule visible in these environments? What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's principles? [00:41]

3. Think of a time when you experienced the transformative power of God's word. How did it impact your life? How can you share this experience with others to encourage them? [01:40]

4. What are some practical ways you can help ensure that the values of God's kingdom are passed on to future generations in your family or church community? [01:51]

5. How can you actively participate in the collective mission of building kingdom disciples within your church? Are there specific ministries or groups you can join or support? [02:11]

6. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from hearing about the hope and restoration found in God's word. How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation this week? [01:40]

7. Reflect on the legacy of faith you are building. What changes might you need to make to ensure it aligns with the vision of transforming lives for God's kingdom? [01:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Distinctly in a Conforming World
Living as a kingdom disciple means embodying God's will on earth, reflecting His kingdom in our daily lives. This involves a conscious decision to live in the world without conforming to its values. It requires intentionality and a willingness to stand apart from worldly influences, choosing instead to align with the principles of God's kingdom. This journey is not just about personal transformation but also about influencing those around us by living out the values of the kingdom. As you navigate your daily life, consider how your actions and decisions can reflect the kingdom of God, setting you apart as a disciple committed to His will. [00:08]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you intentionally choose to live differently from the world today, reflecting God's kingdom in your actions and decisions?


Day 2: Manifesting God's Rule in Daily Life
The kingdom agenda is about making God's rule visible in every area of life. This means allowing God's principles to guide our decisions, relationships, and actions, thereby transforming our environments and communities. When we live under God's rule, we become agents of change, influencing our surroundings with the values of the kingdom. This visible manifestation of God's rule is not just a personal endeavor but a collective mission to bring about transformation in our communities. Consider how you can allow God's principles to guide your daily interactions and decisions, making His rule evident in your life. [00:41]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow God's principles to guide a specific decision or relationship in your life today, making His rule visible to those around you?


Day 3: The Restorative Power of God's Word
The word of God has the power to restore hope and transform lives. By applying biblical truths, individuals and families can experience profound change, leading to healthier communities and stronger churches. This transformative power is not just about personal growth but also about influencing those around us with the hope and restoration found in God's word. As you engage with Scripture, consider how its truths can bring about change in your life and the lives of those around you, leading to a ripple effect of transformation. [01:40]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: What specific biblical truth can you apply to a current challenge in your life, allowing God's word to bring hope and transformation?


Day 4: Building a Legacy of Faith
The vision of transformed lives extends beyond the present, aiming to produce a legacy of faith that carries forward the values of God's kingdom. This legacy is about ensuring that future generations continue to live out and spread God's principles. It involves actively participating in God's work and passing on His values to those who come after us. As you consider your own legacy, think about how you can invest in the spiritual growth of others, ensuring that the values of the kingdom are lived out and passed on to future generations. [01:51]

"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally invest in the spiritual growth of someone in your life today, contributing to a legacy of faith that extends beyond your own lifetime?


Day 5: Embracing the Collective Mission
Building kingdom disciples is a collective mission that requires the participation of the entire body of Christ. By working together, we can effectively promote God's kingdom agenda and make a lasting impact on the world. This mission is not just about individual efforts but about coming together as a community to embody and spread the values of the kingdom. As you engage with your community, consider how you can contribute to this collective mission, working alongside others to bring about transformation in the world. [02:11]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in your church community today, contributing to the collective mission of building kingdom disciples?

Quotes


what god is looking for are a group of people who will be in the world but not of the world people who have decided to answer jesus's prayer that thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven building kingdom disciples is the vision and calling of dr tony evans [00:01:28]

together with his wife lois they founded oak cliff bible fellowship and the urban alternative media broadcast ministry to promote god's kingdom agenda which is the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of god over every area of life his ministry and sermons are known across the world reaching millions of people in over 146 countries [00:37:20]

communicating complex theological truths through simple yet profound illustrations is one reason his words have touched so many lives as one of the country's most respected evangelical leaders dr tony evans has served as a pastor author speaker and now the first african-american to publish a full study bible and commentary [01:06:08]

every day his work restores hope and transforms the lives of individuals and families in churches and in communities through the proclamation and application of the word of god now and for generations to come his dream is to produce transformed lives that transfer the values of the kingdom of god [01:31:68]

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Transcript
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