Living Between Two Kingdoms: A Call to Faith

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of the two kingdoms, a crucial understanding for grasping the teachings of Jesus. This concept is not just a theological idea but a transformative perspective that shapes how we live out our faith in the world. The two kingdoms represent the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world, and understanding this distinction is vital for living a life that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus.

The story of my encounter with a psychologist during my time as a conscientious objector in the Army illustrates the tension between these two kingdoms. The psychologist challenged my beliefs by pointing out what she saw as inconsistencies, such as paying taxes while opposing military service. However, I explained that my actions were guided by the Bible, which instructs me to love my enemies and pay my taxes. This encounter highlighted the fundamental dividing line between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world.

The teachings of Jesus, particularly the famous passage in Matthew 22 about rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's, emphasize the need to discern what belongs to each kingdom. The early church understood this distinction clearly, and when the two kingdoms are mixed, history shows that it leads to disastrous consequences, as seen in the atrocities committed by those who believed they were serving God.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live as sojourners in this world, not entangled with its affairs but committed to the kingdom of God. This means living by the laws of God, loving our enemies, and refusing to obey laws that contradict God's commands. Our weapons are not earthly but spiritual, and our ultimate victory is through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.

To be part of this kingdom, Jesus taught that we must be born again, a concept that has become trite but is essential for understanding His teachings. Being born again means being born of the Spirit, not of the flesh, and it is through this new birth that we can truly grasp the teachings of Jesus and live them out in our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The two kingdoms represent the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. Understanding this distinction is crucial for living out the teachings of Jesus and avoiding the disastrous consequences of mixing the two. [04:22]
• 2. As followers of Christ, we are called to live as sojourners in this world, committed to the kingdom of God and not entangled with the affairs of this life. This means living by God's laws and loving our enemies. [06:48]
• 3. To be part of the kingdom of God, we must be born again, born of the Spirit, not of the flesh. This new birth is essential for understanding and living out the teachings of Jesus. [11:15]
• 4. The teachings of Jesus are not abstract meditations but are meant to be lived out in reality here on earth. They are a beautiful symphony that God wants His church to sing and live out. [52:47]
• 5. Our ultimate victory is through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, representing the kingdom of God on earth and showing the world what it would look like if everyone obeyed the King. [48:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:10] - Introduction to the Two Kingdoms
• [01:07] - Encounter with the Psychologist
• [04:22] - The Dividing Line of the Two Kingdoms
• [05:58] - Living as Sojourners
• [09:20] - Being Born Again
• [12:00] - The Essence of Our Faith
• [14:28] - The Anabaptist Perspective
• [17:20] - Jesus Before Pilate
• [19:29] - The Lord's Prayer and Kingdom Living
• [22:10] - God's Plan for Humanity
• [28:47] - The Role of Government
• [40:26] - The Prophets' Vision
• [44:30] - Jesus' Mission and the Kingdom
• [52:47] - The Symphony of God's Word

1. Matthew 22:21 - "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
2. John 3:3 - "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
3. 1 Peter 1:17 - "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear."

1. What was the psychologist's challenge to the pastor regarding his beliefs, and how did he respond? ([02:26])
2. How does the sermon describe the early church's understanding of the distinction between the two kingdoms? ([05:02])
3. What does the pastor mean by saying that our weapons are not earthly but spiritual? ([08:19])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of being "born again" and its importance in understanding Jesus' teachings? ([09:37])

1. How does the pastor's encounter with the psychologist illustrate the tension between living in the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world? ([02:54])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that mixing the two kingdoms can lead to negative consequences? ([05:21])
3. What does it mean to live as a sojourner in this world, according to the sermon? How does this perspective affect a Christian's daily life? ([06:48])
4. How does the concept of being "born again" transform a person's understanding and application of Jesus' teachings? ([11:03])

1. Reflect on a time when you felt caught between the expectations of the world and your commitment to God's kingdom. How did you navigate that situation? ([02:54])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not mixing the two kingdoms. Can you identify areas in your life where you might be blending worldly values with your faith? How can you address this? ([05:21])
3. What practical steps can you take to live more as a sojourner, not entangled with the affairs of this life, but committed to the kingdom of God? ([06:48])
4. Consider the idea of being "born again." How has this concept impacted your spiritual journey, and what steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Jesus' teachings? ([11:03])
5. The sermon mentions loving our enemies as part of living by God's laws. Is there someone in your life you find difficult to love? What specific actions can you take to show love to them this week? ([08:03])
6. How can you be an ambassador of Christ in your community, showing the world what it would look like if everyone obeyed the King? ([48:52])
7. The pastor describes the teachings of Jesus as a symphony meant to be lived out. What is one teaching of Jesus you find challenging to live out, and how can you work on this in the coming weeks? ([52:47])