Living in the Present Kingdom: A Call to Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with Eternal Realities

Our new life in Christ calls us to focus on the eternal realities of God's kingdom, setting our minds on things above rather than earthly concerns. This shift in perspective allows us to live from a place of divine assurance and purpose. By seeking the invisible kingdom, we are invited to transcend the temporary distractions of this world and embrace the eternal truths that guide our lives. This involves a conscious effort to align our thoughts and affections with the values and priorities of God's kingdom, which is characterized by love, peace, and righteousness. As we do so, we find that our earthly challenges and concerns are put into perspective, and we are empowered to live with a sense of purpose and assurance that comes from knowing we are part of something greater than ourselves. [01:26]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one earthly concern that has been consuming your thoughts lately? How can you intentionally shift your focus to align with the eternal realities of God's kingdom today?

Day 2: Treasure Within Temporary Vessels

Our earthly bodies and circumstances are temporary vessels, but within us lies the eternal treasure of knowing God through Jesus Christ. This understanding transforms how we view our lives and challenges. The knowledge of God is a profound treasure that surpasses all earthly wealth and achievements. It is through this relationship with Christ that we gain a new perspective on our lives, recognizing that our true worth and identity are found in Him. As we embrace this truth, we are empowered to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our ultimate treasure is secure in Christ. This eternal perspective allows us to navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and resilience, trusting that God is at work in and through us. [03:12]

2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

Reflection: In what ways have you been valuing temporary things over the eternal treasure of knowing God? How can you begin to shift your perspective today to prioritize your relationship with Christ?

Day 3: Participating in God's Present Kingdom

The kingdom of God is not a future promise but a present reality. It is the realm where God's will is done, and we are invited to participate in His work by aligning our lives with His purposes. This present kingdom is characterized by the active presence and power of God in our lives and the world around us. As believers, we are called to seek this kingdom and participate in its unfolding by living in accordance with God's will and purposes. This involves a shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, as we align our lives with His desires and participate in His ongoing work. By doing so, we become agents of His kingdom, bringing His love, justice, and peace to the world around us. [10:24]

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: How can you actively participate in God's kingdom today? What is one specific action you can take to align your life with His purposes and bring His love and justice to those around you?

Day 4: Spiritual Growth through Grace and Effort

Spiritual formation requires both divine grace and our informed effort. It is not about earning God's favor but about engaging in the process of becoming more like Christ through daily choices and actions. This journey of spiritual growth is a response to God's grace, as we cooperate with His Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. It involves a daily decision to take up our cross, surrender our will, and trust in Jesus for everything. As we engage in this transformative process, we become more attuned to God's presence and purposes in our lives, and we are empowered to live as His disciples in the world. This growth is not a passive process but an active pursuit of Christlikeness, as we seek to embody His love, humility, and righteousness in all that we do. [15:22]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to grow spiritually? How can you actively engage in this process of growth through both grace and effort today?

Day 5: Embracing the Cross and Discipleship

Taking up our cross means surrendering our self-will and embracing the life of discipleship. This involves trusting Jesus completely and allowing His teachings to guide our lives, even when it challenges our natural inclinations. The call to discipleship is a call to radical surrender, as we lay down our own desires and ambitions to follow Christ wholeheartedly. This journey requires a willingness to embrace the challenges and sacrifices that come with living as His disciples, trusting that His ways are higher and better than our own. As we take up our cross daily, we are invited to experience the abundant life that comes from living in alignment with His will and purposes. This life of discipleship is not about perfection but about a continual pursuit of Christ and His kingdom, as we seek to embody His love and grace in all that we do. [28:13]

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through Colossians 3, we are reminded of the profound truth that as believers, we have been raised with Christ. This new life calls us to set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This is not about seeking celestial bodies but about aligning our thoughts and affections with the eternal realities of God's kingdom. Our earthly existence is but a vessel, perishable and temporary, while the treasure within us is eternal and glorious. This treasure is the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, which transforms our perspective and priorities.

Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians 4 further illuminate this contrast between the visible and the invisible. The outward man perishes, but the inward man is renewed daily. This renewal is rooted in our ability to see the invisible, to recognize God's kingdom at work in and around us. The story of Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6 serves as a vivid illustration of this dual landscape—one visible, filled with fear, and the other invisible, filled with divine assurance.

The kingdom of God is not a distant reality but a present invitation. It is the range of God's effective will, where what He desires is accomplished. Our task is to seek this kingdom, to align our lives with His will, and to participate in His ongoing work. This requires a shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, from visible to invisible, from temporal to eternal.

Spiritual growth, then, is a response to God's grace and our informed effort. It is not about earning salvation but about engaging in the transformative process of becoming more like Christ. This involves a daily decision to take up our cross, to surrender our will, and to trust in Jesus for everything. The gospel of the kingdom is not just about life after death but about abundant life here and now, as we live as disciples of Christ in His present kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Will:** Taking up our cross means surrendering our self-will and embracing the life of discipleship. This involves trusting Jesus completely and allowing His teachings to guide our lives, even when it challenges our natural inclinations. [28:13]
** [28:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Introduction to Colossians 3
[01:08] - Setting Our Minds on Things Above
[02:26] - The Landscape of the Kingdom
[03:12] - Treasure in Earthen Vessels
[04:54] - The Church's True Aim
[06:23] - Renewal of the Inward Man
[07:28] - Seeing the Invisible
[09:22] - The Kingdom of God Explained
[11:42] - Experiencing God's Kingdom
[14:13] - The Power of God's Word
[17:45] - Understanding God's Kingdom
[21:00] - Human Responsibility in Creation
[24:37] - The Human Kingdom and God's Kingdom
[28:13] - The Cross and Discipleship
[31:28] - Trusting Jesus for Everything

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Colossians 3:1-4 instruct believers to focus their minds on, and why is this significant? [01:26]
In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, what is the contrast Paul makes between the outer self and the inner self? [02:51]
How does the story of Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6:16-17 illustrate the concept of seeing the invisible? [07:28]
According to the sermon, what is the "treasure" that believers hold in their "earthen vessels"? [03:12]

Interpretation Questions

How does setting our minds on things above, as instructed in Colossians 3, change our daily priorities and actions? [01:26]
What does the renewal of the inner self mean in the context of 2 Corinthians 4, and how can believers experience this renewal? [06:23]
In what ways does the story of Elisha's servant challenge believers to trust in God's unseen protection and provision? [07:28]
How does the concept of the kingdom of God as a present reality, rather than a future promise, affect a believer's understanding of their role in God's work? [10:24]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas where you need to shift your focus from earthly concerns to eternal realities? How can you make this shift this week? [01:26]
Identify a situation in your life where you feel your "outer self" is wasting away. How can you seek renewal of your inner self in this context? [02:51]
Think of a time when you were overwhelmed by visible circumstances. How can you practice seeing the invisible, like Elisha's servant, in your current challenges? [07:28]
What steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's will and participate in His kingdom work? Consider one specific action you can take this week. [10:24]
How can you incorporate the practice of taking up your cross and surrendering your self-will into your daily routine? What might this look like practically? [28:13]
Consider a recent decision or action. Was it driven by self-centeredness or God-centeredness? How can you ensure future decisions align with God's purposes? [10:24]
Identify one area of your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully. What is one practical step you can take to deepen your trust in Him this week? [31:28]

Sermon Clips

"If you have been raised with Christ, seek those things that are above where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." [00:00:40]

"Our life is a matter of a treasure in a vessel, and the problem is that we tend to be obsessed with the vessel and not with the treasure. Once you understand that principle, you'll understand a lot that we talked about in the last hour about church organizations and so on." [00:04:34]

"Paul goes on to say the outward man is perishing, but the inward man is being renewed day by day while we look not at things that are visible but at things that are invisible. So one of the things you get when you get born again is the ability to see the invisible." [00:06:21]

"The kingdom of God is what God is doing. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What is that? It's God acting. Very simple. Now, of course, that includes reigning because God acts in many ways, and the kingdom of God is present in many forms." [00:10:02]

"Spiritual growth comes in response to intelligent informed effort. Now that's the human side of holiness. We have to learn and we have to make the effort, and if we do nothing, nothing will happen. No, if you have a theology that has got you frozen to the point you can't do anything." [00:15:22]

"The cross is the end of your kingdom. That's what the cross is. That's why you have to take it to follow Jesus. You cannot be my disciple unless you take your cross daily and follow me. You can't do it. It means you can't succeed with it because the demands of discipleship will overwhelm you." [00:28:03]

"Life in the kingdom is available to us now. We can experience the kingdom and live in it by placing our confidence in Jesus for everything and by being his constant students precisely because we have confidence in him. So now the only saving advice if you wish is yes, trust Jesus." [00:31:18]

"Put your confidence in Jesus, the whole person, live with him as his disciple now in the present kingdom of God. Now you do that by faith and response to God's action. The new birth is from above and by the way, it's the same place that Pilate's power was from." [00:47:07]

"Set your mind on things that are above, where Christ is on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth because you are dead. That's the good news. That's the good news. Now then the issue of the human side of holiness becomes a matter of how do you." [00:48:03]

"Spiritual formation is what to do. Spiritual growth comes in response to intelligent informed effort. Now that's the human side of holiness. We have to learn and we have to make the effort, and if we do nothing, nothing will happen. No, if you have a theology that has got you frozen to the point you can't do anything." [00:15:22]

"The kingdom of God is what God is doing. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What is that? It's God acting. Very simple. Now, of course, that includes reigning because God acts in many ways, and the kingdom of God is present in many forms." [00:10:02]

"Paul goes on to say the outward man is perishing, but the inward man is being renewed day by day while we look not at things that are visible but at things that are invisible. So one of the things you get when you get born again is the ability to see the invisible." [00:06:21]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?