Living as Kingdom People: Presence, Love, and Trust
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the concept of being a "man on a mission," drawing parallels between the determination of a character in a heist movie and Jesus' resolute journey towards Jerusalem. This journey marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where he shifts focus from performing miracles to teaching about the kingdom of God and what it means to be a citizen of this kingdom. The essence of kingdom culture is not just about doing things for God but being with God, seeking His heart, and living out His values in our daily lives.
We delved into the story of Mary and Martha, highlighting the importance of prioritizing presence with Jesus over the busyness of tasks. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, embodying the kingdom value of seeking God's heart above all else. This is a countercultural stance, especially in a world that equates value with productivity. Jesus' teachings on prayer further emphasize this point, encouraging us to engage in a two-way relationship with God, where we not only present our concerns but also listen for His voice.
The narrative also challenges us to examine our adherence to religious laws versus understanding the heart behind them. The Pharisees' focus on legalism often overshadowed the core of God's desire for love and humility. Jesus' interactions with them reveal that true kingdom living is about aligning our lives with God's will, which He describes as entering through the "narrow door."
Moreover, we discussed the importance of living out kingdom culture through acts of love, generosity, and repentance. The parable of the Good Samaritan serves as a powerful reminder that kingdom people are called to love beyond cultural and religious expectations. Repentance is crucial in this journey, as it involves turning away from worldly lies and aligning with God's truth.
Finally, we touched on the kingdom perspective on material possessions, where reliance on God's provision replaces the pursuit of wealth. Jesus teaches that our focus should be on seeking His kingdom, trusting that God will provide for our needs. This perspective challenges the consumer-driven culture that equates happiness with material abundance.
As we strive to be kingdom people, we must continually ask ourselves if our lives reflect the culture of God's kingdom or the world around us. This introspection is vital for being a light in the dark places of this world.
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Key Takeaways:
- Presence Over Productivity: In the story of Mary and Martha, we learn that being with Jesus is more important than doing for Jesus. This challenges the cultural norm that equates value with productivity, reminding us that our worth is found in our relationship with God, not in our accomplishments. [41:34]
- Prayer as a Two-Way Street: Jesus teaches that prayer is not just about presenting our requests but also about listening to God. This two-way communication is essential for knowing God's heart and aligning our lives with His will, emphasizing the importance of intentional time spent in His presence. [45:20]
- Beyond Legalism: The Pharisees' focus on the law often missed the heart of God, which is love and humility. Jesus' interactions with them reveal that true kingdom living involves understanding the intent behind God's commands and prioritizing love over legalism. [48:15]
- Living Out Kingdom Culture: The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates that kingdom people are called to love beyond cultural and religious boundaries. This involves being open to interruptions and opportunities to show love and generosity, even to those we might consider enemies. [01:02:44]
- Trusting in God's Provision: Jesus teaches that kingdom people rely on God's provision rather than their own wealth. This challenges the consumer-driven culture that equates happiness with material abundance, reminding us that true contentment comes from seeking God's kingdom first. [01:07:14]
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Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [36:27] - Jesus' Mission to Jerusalem
- [41:34] - Mary and Martha: Presence Over Productivity
- [45:20] - The Essence of Prayer
- [48:15] - Legalism vs. God's Heart
- [01:02:44] - The Good Samaritan: Living Kingdom Culture
- [01:07:14] - Trusting God's Provision
- [01:10:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:51 - "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."
- Luke 10:38-42 - The story of Mary and Martha.
- Luke 11:1-4 - The Lord's Prayer.
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 9:51, what does it mean that Jesus "resolutely set out for Jerusalem"? How does this reflect His mission? [36:27]
2. What are the key differences between Mary and Martha's actions in Luke 10:38-42, and how does Jesus respond to each of them? [41:34]
3. According to Luke 11:1-4, what are the main components of the prayer Jesus teaches His disciples? How does this prayer reflect the values of the kingdom of God? [45:20]
4. How does Jesus' interaction with the Pharisees in Luke 14:11-14 challenge their understanding of the law and God's heart? [48:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' determination to go to Jerusalem, as described in Luke 9:51, teach about His understanding of His mission and purpose? [36:27]
2. How does the story of Mary and Martha illustrate the tension between cultural expectations of productivity and the kingdom value of presence with God? [41:34]
3. In what ways does the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4) encourage believers to align their lives with God's will and kingdom values? [45:20]
4. How does Jesus' teaching in Luke 14:11-14 about humility and generosity challenge the cultural norms of His time and ours? [48:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there moments where you prioritize tasks over spending time with God, similar to Martha? How can you create space for being present with Jesus this week? [41:34]
2. Consider your prayer life. How can you incorporate more listening into your prayers, as Jesus teaches in Luke 11:1-4? What might God be trying to communicate to you? [45:20]
3. Think about a time when you focused more on following rules than on showing love and humility. How can you shift your focus to align more with God's heart? [48:15]
4. Identify a person or group in your life that you find difficult to love. How can you demonstrate love and generosity towards them, as illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan? [01:02:44]
5. Reflect on your attitude towards material possessions. Are there areas where you rely more on your own provision than on God's? How can you practice trusting in God's provision this week? [01:07:14]
6. Consider the cultural messages you receive about success and productivity. How can you resist these messages and focus on obedience to God, regardless of the results? [01:02:44]
7. What steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects the culture of God's kingdom rather than the world around you? How can you be a light in the dark places of this world? [01:07:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Presence Over Productivity
In a world that often equates value with productivity, the story of Mary and Martha offers a countercultural lesson. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing presence with Him over the busyness of tasks. This choice reflects the kingdom value of seeking God's heart above all else. It challenges us to find our worth not in our accomplishments but in our relationship with God. By being with Jesus, we align ourselves with His values and learn to live out His kingdom culture in our daily lives. [41:34]
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: What is one task or activity you can set aside today to spend intentional time in the presence of Jesus, seeking His heart and listening to His voice?
Day 2: Prayer as a Two-Way Street
Prayer is more than presenting our requests to God; it is a two-way communication that involves listening to Him. Jesus teaches that knowing God's heart and aligning our lives with His will requires intentional time spent in His presence. This practice of listening in prayer helps us understand God's desires and guides us in living according to His kingdom values. By engaging in this two-way relationship, we deepen our connection with God and grow in our spiritual journey. [45:20]
1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV): "And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"
Reflection: During your prayer time today, take a moment to pause and listen. What might God be speaking to you about your life and His desires for you?
Day 3: Beyond Legalism
The Pharisees often focused on the law, missing the heart of God, which is love and humility. Jesus' interactions with them reveal that true kingdom living involves understanding the intent behind God's commands and prioritizing love over legalism. This challenges us to examine our adherence to religious laws and traditions, ensuring that our actions reflect God's love and humility. By aligning our lives with God's will, we enter through the "narrow door" of kingdom living. [48:15]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Consider a religious practice or tradition you follow. How can you ensure that your observance of it reflects God's love and humility rather than mere legalism?
Day 4: Living Out Kingdom Culture
The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates that kingdom people are called to love beyond cultural and religious boundaries. This involves being open to interruptions and opportunities to show love and generosity, even to those we might consider enemies. By living out kingdom culture, we demonstrate God's love in tangible ways, breaking down barriers and building bridges of compassion and understanding. This call to love challenges us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the radical love of God's kingdom. [01:02:44]
James 2:8 (ESV): "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. How can you show them an act of kindness or generosity today that reflects the love of God's kingdom?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Provision
Jesus teaches that kingdom people rely on God's provision rather than their own wealth. This perspective challenges the consumer-driven culture that equates happiness with material abundance. By seeking God's kingdom first, we trust that He will provide for our needs, finding true contentment in His provision. This trust in God frees us from the pursuit of wealth and allows us to focus on living out His kingdom values in our daily lives. [01:07:14]
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you are relying on material wealth for security. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's provision and seek His kingdom first?
Quotes
"Mary and Martha, they're close friends. And we suspect that their brother Lazarus is probably there as well. And many of you know the story. But in summary, Martha, she's busy, isn't she? She's got a long list of things to do. She's got to get the house ready. She's got to get the food ready for her guests. There's so much to do. Mary, on the other hand, her sister, is found just hanging out with Jesus, sitting with Jesus and his other disciples, listening and learning and being with Jesus." [00:40:00] (32 seconds)
"And Jesus looks at her with such fondness and kindness and grace and love and says, just stop worrying about all the little things. Stop worrying. There's so much to do, but stop worrying and just focus on being present. He says, Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed, or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her." [00:40:59] (35 seconds)
"Kingdom people like Mary seek to know the heart of God, despite the fact that there's always, always plenty to do for Jesus. The priority is being with Jesus. And this is countercultural for the day then, just as it's countercultural for us today now. I don't know about you, but over the years, I've found it way more easy to do lots of things for Jesus than to simply stop and just be with Jesus." [00:41:34] (36 seconds)
"And now Jesus teaches us, of course, about prayer and that prayer isn't kind of just a one-sided thing. He encourages us to bring our concerns to him, to bring our worries, our anxieties, our pain, our suffering to him. Robert Mulholland describes this as worrying in God's general direction. And I really like that. And Jesus says that's a part of prayer. That's a big part of prayer." [00:44:50] (31 seconds)
"For them, keeping the law was more important than knowing the heart of God. Behind every law given to God's people was God's heart. But the Pharisees got so caught up in the details of what was the right way of doing things, what was the wrong way of doing things, that they lost the heart behind the law, the intent of the law. As N.T. Wright says, the rule mattered more than the reality." [00:46:41] (33 seconds)
"God's greatest desire is for his people to know him and to be people of love. And the Pharisees were so caught up in the law that they were neglecting God's desire for them to be people of love. At one particular dinner party that Jesus had with the Pharisees that we find in Luke chapter 14, Jesus shares his heart, God's heart for people, what he values." [00:47:21] (33 seconds)
"Now here, Jesus indicates that there will be people who think they are kingdom people, but their lives don't reflect kingdom values or kingdom culture. God will say those haunting words, I do not know where you come from. In other words, you say that you know Jesus and that you know his teaching, but your life doesn't reflect the transformation that happens when you truly seek God's heart." [00:49:06] (38 seconds)
"Living out kingdom culture is about being obedient to God's direction no matter what the results end up being. As Luke records Jesus saying in chapter 11 blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it the blessing is in the obedience not necessarily in the results the culture of our world says focus on the results the results are what matters they will tell you whether you succeed or not kingdom culture says focus on obedience and let God take care of the results." [00:50:33] (47 seconds)
"Love everybody even their worst enemies they're happy to be interrupted by an opportunity to show love and generosity to people they will go over and above what is expected of them culturally was expected of them religiously traditionally to love their neighbor and that parable is still a challenge to us today how many times do we literally or figuratively cross to the other side of the road when we someone when we see someone in desperate need of love kingdom people live out kingdom culture." [00:55:12] (44 seconds)
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