Living in the Upside-Down Kingdom of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in the Body of Christ

Unity among believers is essential for the mission of the Church. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the importance of interconnectedness and collaboration within the body of Christ. This unity transcends individual preferences and denominational boundaries, reminding us that we are all co-laborers in Christ. We must move beyond a consumer mindset and see ourselves as part of a larger mission, collaborating and supporting one another in our shared goal of making disciples. This unity is not just a theoretical concept but a practical reality that should influence how we interact with one another daily. [01:01:04]

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: Think of a fellow believer with whom you have had disagreements or misunderstandings. How can you take a step towards unity and reconciliation with them today?

Day 2: The Right Foundation

The gospel is the bedrock of our faith. Paul reminds the Corinthians that Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are not just historical events but the very foundation upon which our faith stands. This truth must be central to our lives, influencing how we live and how we share the gospel with others. Without this solid foundation, our faith would be unstable and easily shaken. By revisiting the basics of the gospel, we are reminded of the core truths that should guide our daily actions and decisions. [01:04:44]

1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV): "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on how the gospel has shaped your life. How can you make the truth of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection more central in your daily decisions and interactions?

Day 3: Life Beyond This Body

Our earthly bodies are like seeds that must die to bring forth new life. Paul uses this metaphor to explain the resurrection, shifting our focus from accumulating worldly treasures to embracing the upside-down way of the cross. This perspective helps us understand that true life is found in sacrifice and service, not in the pursuit of material wealth or comfort. By embracing this truth, we can live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our ultimate hope lies in the resurrection and the life to come. [01:22:13]

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV): "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are focused on worldly success or comfort. How can you shift your focus to embrace the upside-down way of the cross in that area?

Day 4: Living the Upside-Down Kingdom

If the gospel is true, it must radically transform our lives. We should not look like every other kingdom but should live in a way that reflects the upside-down values of the cross. This means using our authority to serve others, giving away our gifts, and living in unity. The upside-down kingdom defies worldly wisdom and calls us to a life of humility, service, and sacrifice. By living out these values, we demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel to the world around us. [01:18:26]

Matthew 20:26-28 (ESV): "It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: Identify one way you can use your position or resources to serve others this week. How can you embody the values of the upside-down kingdom in your daily life?

Day 5: Eternal Perspective

Understanding the end helps us live purposefully in the present. We are part of an eternal kingdom that defies worldly wisdom. By keeping our focus on the resurrection and the life to come, we can live in a way that reflects this truth. This eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and encourages us to work together, stand firm on the gospel, and look forward to the resurrection. Living with an eternal perspective transforms our daily actions and decisions, aligning them with the values of God's kingdom. [01:27:39]

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: How can you shift your focus from temporary, worldly concerns to eternal, kingdom-focused priorities? What practical steps can you take today to live with an eternal perspective?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, City Hill! Today, we explored the profound truths found in the final chapters of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. We began by discussing the concept of the "upside-down kingdom," a kingdom that defies worldly wisdom and remains the only kingdom that endures. This kingdom is built on three foundational truths: unity in the body of Christ, the necessity of a solid foundation, and the understanding that this life is not the end.

Firstly, we emphasized the importance of unity among believers. Paul’s letter concludes with practical instructions and greetings, highlighting the interconnectedness of the early churches. This unity is a reminder that we are all co-laborers in Christ, working towards the same end. We must move beyond a consumer mindset and see ourselves as part of a larger mission, collaborating and supporting one another in our shared goal of making disciples.

Secondly, we delved into the necessity of having the right foundation. Paul revisits the basics of the gospel in chapter 15, reminding the Corinthians—and us—that the gospel is the bedrock of our faith. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are not just historical events but the very foundation upon which our faith stands. This truth must be central to our lives, influencing how we live and how we share the gospel with others.

Lastly, we explored the concept that this life and this body are not the end. Paul uses the metaphor of seeds to explain the resurrection. Just as a seed must die to bring forth new life, our earthly bodies must perish to be raised imperishable. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating worldly treasures to embracing the upside-down way of the cross, where true life is found in sacrifice and service.

In conclusion, understanding the end helps us live purposefully in the present. We are part of an eternal kingdom that defies worldly wisdom. Let us live in a way that reflects this truth, working together, standing firm on the gospel, and looking forward to the resurrection.

###

Key Takeaways

1. laborers in Christ, working towards the same end. This unity transcends individual preferences and denominational boundaries. We must see ourselves as part of a larger mission, collaborating and supporting one another in our shared goal of making disciples. [01:01:04]
2. The Right Foundation: The gospel is the bedrock of our faith. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are not just historical events but the very foundation upon which our faith stands. This truth must be central to our lives, influencing how we live and how we share the gospel with others.

3. Life Beyond This Body: Our earthly bodies are like seeds that must die to bring forth new life. This metaphor helps us understand the resurrection and shifts our focus from accumulating worldly treasures to embracing the upside-down way of the cross, where true life is found in sacrifice and service.

4. Living the Upside-Down Kingdom: If the gospel is true, it must radically transform our lives. We should not look like every other kingdom but should live in a way that reflects the upside-down values of the cross. This means using our authority to serve others, giving away our gifts, and living in unity.

5. Eternal Perspective: Understanding the end helps us live purposefully in the present. We are part of an eternal kingdom that defies worldly wisdom. Let us live in a way that reflects this truth, working together, standing firm on the gospel, and looking forward to the resurrection.

### [61:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[55:00] - Introduction to the Upside-Down Kingdom
[55:56] - Overview of Chapters 16 and 15
[56:44] - The Only Kingdom That Remains
[57:31] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[58:14] - Prayer and Reflection
[58:57] - Practical Instructions and Greetings
[61:04] - The Importance of Unity
[63:58] - The Right Foundation
[64:44] - Revisiting the Basics of the Gospel
[68:04] - The Historical Reality of the Resurrection
[69:59] - Translating the Gospel to Others
[70:39] - The Futility of a Life Without Resurrection
[72:53] - The Cosmic Argument for the Resurrection
[75:01] - The Order of Resurrection
[77:42] - The Reality of Paul's Suffering
[78:26] - Living the Upside-Down Kingdom
[80:12] - This Life is Not the End
[82:13] - The Metaphor of Seeds
[84:02] - The Futility of Worldly Wisdom
[85:31] - Embracing the Upside-Down Way
[87:39] - The Eternal Perspective
[88:47] - Benediction and Final Thoughts

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 (ESV) — > "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain."

2. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
> "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

3. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV)
> "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."

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Observation Questions

What are the three foundational truths of the "upside-down kingdom" as discussed in the sermon? [[56:44]]
According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, what is the significance of the gospel for believers?
How does Paul describe the resurrection of the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44?
What practical instructions and greetings does Paul include in the final chapter of 1 Corinthians? [[58:57]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is unity among believers emphasized as a key aspect of the "upside-down kingdom"? How does this unity transcend individual preferences and denominational boundaries? [[01:01:04]]
How does Paul’s reminder of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 serve as the foundation for the faith of the Corinthians and for us today?
What does the metaphor of seeds in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 teach us about the resurrection and our perspective on life and death? [[01:22:13]]
How does understanding the end (resurrection and eternal life) help believers live purposefully in the present? [[01:27:39]]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own church experience. Do you see yourself as part of a larger mission, collaborating and supporting other believers, or do you find yourself in a consumer mindset? How can you shift towards a more collaborative approach? [[01:01:42]]
The gospel is described as the bedrock of our faith. How central is the gospel in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure it influences how you live and share your faith with others? [[01:04:44]]
Paul uses the metaphor of seeds to explain the resurrection. How does this perspective change your view on accumulating worldly treasures versus embracing sacrifice and service? [[01:22:13]]
In what ways can you live out the values of the "upside-down kingdom" in your daily life? Consider specific actions you can take to use your authority to serve others and give away your gifts. [[01:18:26]]
How does having an eternal perspective influence your decisions and priorities? Share an example of a recent decision where this perspective made a difference. [[01:27:39]]
Think of a time when you felt disconnected from other churches or believers. What practical steps can you take to foster unity and collaboration with other parts of the body of Christ? [[01:00:03]]
How can you translate the gospel into the language of the people around you, making it relevant and understandable to those who may not be familiar with Christian concepts? [[01:09:59]]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The upside down kingdom is the only kingdom that remains. That's the end. So we've been talking about what is this crazy upside down wisdom of the cross that's different than everything else that we know in our hearts. Everything else that we know in the world. This upside down topsy turvy doesn't really make sense. That's the only kingdom that remains. And that's the end." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The foundation of the upside-down kingdom is the gospel. It's the cross. It's knowing this. And guys, if you've kind of known this for a long time. You just keep going to church. And this is very nice. You have community. And you want lots of good things. And you need to remember the importance of this. You need to come back to this. And you need to be able to translate it into the language of the people around you." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If this is true, if this is the only kingdom that will remain, and knowing that Jesus died and rose again to save you, if this is true, then why don't we live like it? Why do we look like every other kingdom? Why don't we look upside down? Why don't our lives look drastically different? Are you looking to the end? That this is the only kingdom that matters?" (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If it's true, it has to matter. And if it's not true, it doesn't matter. So pick one. Don't sit in between. Just like, yeah, I'll kind of go through the motions. I prayed this prayer once. It was kind of cool, so I think I'm saved. But like, I just go to church and it gives me some community. That's not the upside down kingdom. That's not radically different." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We the body and all the other Christians who've ever called Jesus Lord. For all of history, we're going towards the same end. To participate in the upside down kingdom. To bury ourselves. To die. And then come back when Jesus comes back. To be raised imperishable, incorruptible. I don't even know what it looks like, but I'm excited. Because in the end, this is all that there is left." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "But reading this chapter again and studying it, it really hit me that I don't, still think I have, I don't think I have the upside-down view. Of the other churches. Because when I see Paul writing this letter, it's like, hey, we're working together. We're working together towards the same end. We're on the same mission. We're on the same team. Let's talk. Let's greet one another. Let's bless one another. Let's coordinate logistically. Because we're all making disciples and we're all trying to do something together." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you've been coming to church for a long time. This may seem boring to you. Like, yeah, yeah, we got that. And if you've never been to church before. That would be very confusing. Why does it matter that some random dude died 2,000 years ago? I just reinstalled Candy Crush on my phone and wanted to play that. Like, why does this matter to my life? And so we're in this place where we've forgotten how important and how fundamental just this basic thing is." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "But if it is real, if it is true, then this kingdom that doesn't make sense, this crazy way of doing life where when you get authority, you use it to give other people glory. When you free other people and you give gifts to other people and you have unity and you don't follow celebrity leaders, but you work together. This crazy way of life, that's the only kingdom that will remain. Because that's what this passage says. Jesus is coming back and he's destroying every other rule and every other authority. They will all disappear, no matter how great and rational or wise or logical that they seem. They will all be destroyed." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "But if a seed dies in the ground, then something, true life, comes from that. It's not that death is great. This is how we beat death. By dying. Bury yourself. Sounds kind of morbid. But, okay, but, like, picture the seed. Picture our scoreboards and our idols. Right? Our scoreboards, like how we win at life. Remember? Like, all the things we want. We want money or power or wealth or all the things that you know that you're doing great. Or all the idols we have. All the comfort we try to have. You know, picture that if you're a seed trying to collect wealth and comfort. Think of how dumb you look." (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Therefore my beloved brothers. Be steadfast. Immovable. Always abounding in the work of the Lord. Knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. It's not in vain. Being a seed. Being shamed. Being upside down. Being broken. Being sacrificial. They're not in vain. Because Jesus came back from the dead. And so will you." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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