Living as Kingdom People in a Divided World
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound calling to be "Kingdom People" amidst the tumultuous backdrop of political elections and societal divisions. Our focus was on understanding how to live as people marked by faith, hope, love, wisdom, and courage, regardless of political outcomes. The Kingdom of God is not merely a future promise but a present reality where God's will and ways break into our lives, bringing shalom—peace and flourishing. This Kingdom invites us to transcend political victories or losses, which are temporary, and instead root our identity in Jesus, the true Messiah, who was not on any ballot.
We delved into the spiritual power that enables us to live as Kingdom People, drawing from Colossians 1. The Apostle Paul’s prayer reveals that the power to live such lives comes from Jesus' spiritual victory, which rescues us from darkness and releases the Kingdom of God within us. This victory is not about our own strength but about the spiritual resources Jesus provides: being qualified, rescued, redeemed, and forgiven. These are the power tools God gives us to live out our calling.
We also reflected on the cultural impact of Christianity, acknowledging that the church has historically contributed to societal good, such as equality and justice. However, these fruits are inseparable from the spiritual roots in Jesus' victory. The challenge is to embrace both the spiritual and the practical aspects of our faith, recognizing that our identity in Christ frees us to love and serve others selflessly.
As we move forward, the invitation is to live as people who are deeply rooted in these spiritual truths, allowing them to transform our daily lives and interactions. This week, I encourage you to pray through the spiritual resources Jesus has given us, allowing them to shape you into a Kingdom Person who brings peace and hope to a divided world.
Key Takeaways:
- Identity in Christ: Our identity as Kingdom People is rooted in Jesus, not in political affiliations or societal status. This identity frees us to love and serve others selflessly, transcending temporary victories or losses. [06:42]
- Spiritual Resources: The power to live as Kingdom People comes from Jesus' spiritual victory, which provides us with the resources of being qualified, rescued, redeemed, and forgiven. These are the tools that empower us to live out our calling. [12:08]
- Cultural Impact: The church's historical contributions to societal good are inseparable from the spiritual roots in Jesus' victory. Embracing both the spiritual and practical aspects of our faith is essential for true transformation. [15:29]
- Living with Hope: Even in disappointment, we are called to be people of hope, drawing strength from the eternal truths of the Kingdom of God. This hope is not dependent on circumstances but on the spiritual reality of Jesus' victory. [09:44]
- Prayer and Practice: Engaging in daily prayer, focusing on the spiritual resources Jesus provides, can transform our lives and interactions, enabling us to be Kingdom People who bring peace and hope to a divided world. [32:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:39] - Introduction of Jared and Shelly Jung
- [06:42] - Kingdom People Amidst Elections
- [09:44] - Invitation to Hope
- [12:08] - Spiritual Power from Colossians 1
- [14:22] - Cultural Impact of Christianity
- [15:29] - Fruit and Root of Christianity
- [17:20] - Identity and Freedom in Christ
- [18:36] - Characteristics of Kingdom People
- [19:38] - Challenges of Living as Kingdom People
- [21:38] - Joyful Thanksgiving and Spiritual Realities
- [24:10] - Qualified for the Kingdom of Light
- [25:30] - Rescued from Darkness
- [26:28] - Redeemed and Forgiven
- [29:20] - Living as Forgiven People
- [32:05] - Prayer and Communion Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom People
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:9-14
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of "Kingdom People" as described in the sermon? [06:42]
2. According to Colossians 1:9-14, what are the spiritual resources that Jesus provides to believers?
3. How does the sermon describe the cultural impact of Christianity over the last 2,000 years? [15:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between political outcomes and our identity in Christ? [09:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "qualified, rescued, redeemed, and forgiven" empower believers to live as Kingdom People? [22:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the spiritual victory of Jesus influences the practical aspects of our faith? [17:20]
3. How does the sermon challenge the idea of separating the spiritual roots of Christianity from its cultural fruits? [15:29]
4. What does it mean to live with hope, even in the face of disappointment, according to the sermon? [09:44]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current identity. How can you root your identity more deeply in Christ rather than in political or societal affiliations? [06:42]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on the spiritual resources Jesus provides. How can you begin to do this? [22:40]
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt divided from others due to differing opinions. How can you apply the sermon’s call to love and serve others selflessly in that context? [09:44]
4. The sermon encourages daily prayer focusing on spiritual resources. What specific time each day can you set aside for this practice? [32:05]
5. Consider a cultural or societal issue you are passionate about. How can you engage with it in a way that reflects both the spiritual and practical aspects of your faith? [15:29]
6. Reflect on a recent disappointment. How can you bring this to Jesus and allow it to transform into hope? [09:44]
7. Identify one person in your life who may not share your beliefs. How can you demonstrate the love and peace of the Kingdom of God to them this week? [17:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Rooted Identity in Christ
Our identity as Kingdom People is deeply rooted in Jesus, transcending political affiliations and societal status. This identity liberates us to love and serve others selflessly, regardless of temporary victories or losses. In a world often divided by political and social lines, the call is to anchor our identity in the eternal truth of Jesus as the true Messiah, who was not on any ballot. This rootedness in Christ allows us to rise above the temporary and focus on the eternal, fostering a community marked by faith, hope, and love. [06:42]
"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively demonstrate your identity in Christ today, especially in interactions that might challenge your patience or love?
Day 2: Empowered by Spiritual Resources
The power to live as Kingdom People comes from Jesus' spiritual victory, which provides us with the resources of being qualified, rescued, redeemed, and forgiven. These spiritual tools are not of our own making but are gifts from Jesus, enabling us to fulfill our calling. This empowerment is not about personal strength but about relying on the spiritual resources Jesus has already secured for us through His victory. As we embrace these resources, we are equipped to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and courage. [12:08]
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Which of the spiritual resources—being qualified, rescued, redeemed, or forgiven—do you need to lean into more today, and how can it change your perspective?
Day 3: The Church's Cultural Impact
The historical contributions of the church to societal good, such as equality and justice, are inseparable from the spiritual roots in Jesus' victory. Embracing both the spiritual and practical aspects of our faith is essential for true transformation. The church's impact on culture is a testament to the power of living out the Kingdom values in everyday life. As Kingdom People, we are called to continue this legacy by integrating our spiritual convictions with practical actions that promote justice and peace in our communities. [15:29]
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to societal good in your community this week, reflecting the spiritual roots of your faith in practical ways?
Day 4: Living with Hope
Even in times of disappointment, we are called to be people of hope, drawing strength from the eternal truths of the Kingdom of God. This hope is not dependent on circumstances but is anchored in the spiritual reality of Jesus' victory. As Kingdom People, we are invited to live with a hope that transcends the temporary and focuses on the eternal, bringing peace and encouragement to those around us. This hope empowers us to face challenges with a perspective that is rooted in the promises of God. [09:44]
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to shift your focus from temporary disappointments to the eternal hope found in Jesus?
Day 5: Prayer and Practice
Engaging in daily prayer, focusing on the spiritual resources Jesus provides, can transform our lives and interactions, enabling us to be Kingdom People who bring peace and hope to a divided world. Prayer is a powerful tool that aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to live out our calling with intentionality. As we commit to a life of prayer, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to be conduits of God's love and peace in our daily interactions. [32:05]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate a specific time of prayer into your daily routine this week, focusing on the spiritual resources Jesus has given you?
Quotes
"I want to add my welcome to those of you who are new here, whether you are in person or online. Welcome, welcome, welcome. My name is Alex, and we are thrilled if you're joining us here for the very first time. What we are all about is really simple. It's all about connecting, connecting people to God, connecting people to each other, so together we can engage our world for good. We hope you experience a little bit of all those things here this morning." [00:00:03] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"No political loss could steal your peace and your joy unless you give it that power. And it's not to say that for those of you who are really struggling with what went down, and I've talked to many people, I'm not trying to rush you here. No shame, no guilt. I'm not trying to sort of say you got to hurry up and get through things. If you feel deeply disappointed and discouraged, the invitation for all of us is to, to bring that disappointment, that heartache to Jesus." [00:09:19] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The invitation is to walk with Jesus, to be people of hope. And here's why, here's why you know, you can still be people of hope, even if you're really, really upset about the election. Because people in much worse situations that we have right here right now are still people of hope, people of peace." [00:09:57] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Christians have done remarkable things because their identity isn't in their politics. It's in Jesus. When you're not chasing after money or fame or power, it frees you to love your neighbor. It frees you to care for people in ways that you didn't expect. When you're not chasing after what everyone else is chasing after, when you're freed from that in the spiritual realm, when you have a deep sense of, hey, you are forgiven, and you're not living lives of shame or guilt, there's a lot of freedom that comes with that to do extraordinary things." [00:16:59] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God has called us to do this crazy kingdom people project, but he's giving you the power tools to do it. God put it this way, God has not just told us what we should do. He has done for us what we can't do to empower us to do it. That we might become the kind of kingdom people God created us to be." [00:23:02] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"These four beautiful verbs. Qualified, rescued, redeemed, forgiven. This is the spiritual power to do this crazy stuff. Live a life worthy of the Lord. Please God all the time, every day. Bear fruit and have a good work. Growing in the knowledge of God. Have great endurance and patience. Joyful thanksgiving to God. Don't try to do this in your own willpower. You'll be good for about five seconds." [00:29:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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