Living the Kingdom: Understanding and Applying Jesus' Teachings
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of understanding who Jesus is and applying his teachings in our lives. I stressed that Kingdom living is not just about receiving Jesus's teachings but also about serving others so they can glorify God. I highlighted the importance of believing in Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and applying his teachings in our lives. I also discussed the importance of making disciples of all nations and teaching them about Jesus. I further emphasized the need to have a personal revelation of Jesus through the demonstration of his teachings and Kingdom power in our lives.
I also touched on the dangers of putting anything before our relationship with God, using money as an example. I stressed the importance of dealing with our own righteousness before judging others. I emphasized that Jesus's teachings are strong and powerful, dealing with the heart issue on top of the action of wrongdoings or sin. I concluded by reiterating the importance of knowing who Jesus is and celebrating that Jesus is Lord.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding who Jesus is and applying his teachings in our lives is crucial [ 16:21]
- We should serve others so they can glorify God [ 17:08]
- We need to make disciples of all nations and teach them about Jesus [ 17:52]
- We should not put anything before our relationship with God [ 13:33]
- We need to deal with our own righteousness before judging others [ 14:13]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:15-16 [16:21]
2. Matthew 28:19 [17:52]
3. Mark 1:1 [22:28]
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the lamp and its placement in Matthew 5:15-16?
2. In Matthew 28:19, what does Jesus command his disciples to do?
3. How does Mark 1:1 introduce Jesus and why is this significant?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the lamp in Matthew 5:15-16 relate to our role as Christians?
2. What does it mean to "make disciples of all nations" as instructed in Matthew 28:19?
3. How does the introduction of Jesus in Mark 1:1 shape our understanding of his identity and mission?
Application Questions:
1. How can you let your "light shine before others" in your daily interactions?
2. What is one specific way you can "make disciples" in your current context?
3. How can you personally relate to the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah in Mark 1:1? How does this impact your faith journey?
4. Can you think of a situation where you can demonstrate God's Kingdom power through your actions, similar to Jesus in Mark 1:1?
5. How can you apply the teachings of Jesus in your life to serve and love others more effectively?
Devotional
Day 1: The Idolatry of Money
Money is often an idol that we put before our relationship with God. Jesus uses finances as an example to illustrate that nothing in our lives should come before our relationship with Him. This is not just about money, but about any idol that takes precedence over God in our hearts. [13:33]
Proverbs 11:28 - "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."
Reflection: What are some idols in your life that might be taking precedence over your relationship with God?
Day 2: Self-Righteousness and Judgement
Jesus teaches us to deal with our own righteousness before we judge others. It's like the airplane safety instruction to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Once we are right with God, we can then help others to be right with God. [14:13]
Matthew 7:5 - "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Reflection: How can you work on your own righteousness before judging others?
Day 3: Kingdom Living
Jesus's teachings expand on what Moses taught and give us a new understanding of the Kingdom of God. The foundation of Kingdom living is not just understanding who Jesus is, but also applying His teachings to our lives. [15:38]
Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: How can you apply Jesus's teachings to your life to live out the Kingdom of God?
Day 4: Accepting Jesus
Accepting Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior is the first step to experiencing His love and salvation. It's not just about knowing about Him, but making the decision to let Him have control over our lives. [56:16]
John 1:12 - "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
Reflection: How can you surrender control of your life to Jesus and accept Him as your Lord and Savior?
Day 5: Making Disciples
Once we have accepted Jesus and His teachings, we are called to make disciples of all nations. This means taking what we have learned about Jesus and teaching others about Him. [17:52]
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Reflection: How can you take what you have learned about Jesus and teach others about Him?
Quotes
1. "Do you know who you are in Christ? Good, the kingdom of God is for you. Jesus came to seek and save you if you fit in any category you can come up with in our world today, in our world yesterday, and in our world tomorrow. Jesus came to save you." - 42:33
2. "Jesus uses an example that's in everyone's heart, our finances, as a point to say that there is nothing in your life that should come before your relationship with God. He's digging at a heart issue." - 13:33
3. "Story after Story, Miracle after Miracle, we see Jesus's service to us and to his people through the power of God. Even the disciples get their own personal experience with Jesus. Jesus tells them to get on a boat and to go to the other side and I love how Jesus gives them the end of the story in the beginning." - 27:30
4. "When the storm comes, we forget everything that Jesus had promised us. What's Jesus doing on this storm? He's sleeping. Just like Jesus to be asleep during the worst time in my life. But then he calms the storm and the disciples get a personal revelation of who Jesus is in the middle of their crisis." - 28:50
5. "In the beginning, the word already existed. The word was with God and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him and nothing was created except through him. The word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in darkness and the Darkness can never extinguish it." - 47:34
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