Reigning with Christ: Our Call to Kingdom Living
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound concept of being part of God's divine family, called to rule and reign with Him through King Jesus. This idea, rooted in the opening verses of Romans, challenges us to see ourselves not just as saved individuals but as active participants in God's kingdom. Historically, rulers have claimed divine rights to justify their authority, but our calling is distinct. We are not given carte blanche to rule as we please; instead, we are training to reign with Christ, learning His ways and aligning our lives with His kingdom principles.
In our modern context, the separation of church and state has often been misunderstood. While it's crucial to prevent the establishment of a state church, it doesn't mean that faith should be absent from public life. Interestingly, as society has distanced itself from traditional spirituality, politics has filled the void, becoming a new form of religion for many. This shift has led to a fervor and division reminiscent of religious zeal, highlighting the need for a true understanding of Jesus' lordship.
The rise of the "nones"—those who identify as spiritual but not religious—reflects a growing trend of seeking spirituality outside traditional religious structures. Yet, this often leads to a superficial engagement with ultimate truths. As followers of Christ, we are called to engage deeply with our faith, understanding that Jesus' lordship is not just a personal belief but a transformative reality that impacts every aspect of life.
Paul's message in Romans emphasizes the gospel as a royal proclamation of Jesus' kingship. This announcement is not just about personal salvation but about the reordering of the world under Christ's rule. As believers, we are called to live out this reality, embodying the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This involves a shift from seeing faith as a private matter to recognizing it as a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus, the true Lord of all.
Key Takeaways:
- Training to Reign with Christ: Our calling as believers is not just to be saved but to actively participate in God's kingdom. This involves learning His ways and aligning our lives with His principles, recognizing that we are being prepared to reign with Him in the coming kingdom. [01:05]
- Faith and Politics: The separation of church and state is often misunderstood. While it's important to prevent a state church, faith should inform our public life. As politics becomes a new form of religion for many, we must navigate this tension by declaring Jesus as Lord and living out His kingdom values. [03:00]
- The Rise of the "Nones": Many today identify as spiritual but not religious, seeking meaning outside traditional structures. This trend highlights the need for a deep engagement with faith, understanding that Jesus' lordship is a transformative reality that impacts every aspect of life. [05:50]
- The Gospel as a Royal Proclamation: The gospel is not just about personal salvation but a declaration of Jesus' kingship. This announcement reorders the world under Christ's rule, calling us to live out this reality and embody the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. [12:05]
- Our Identity as Holy Ones: As believers, we are called to be holy ones, part of God's divine family. This identity transforms how we live and relate to one another, recognizing that we are training to reign with Christ and are seated with Him in the heavenly realms. [24:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - Training to Reign with Christ
[02:01] - Divine Right and Historical Context
[03:00] - Faith and Politics
[04:43] - Politics as the New Religion
[05:50] - The Rise of the "Nones"
[06:44] - Spirituality and Politics
[08:20] - Jesus as King and His Kingdom
[09:10] - The Gospel in Romans
[10:30] - Jesus Declared Son of God
[12:05] - The Gospel as a Royal Proclamation
[13:36] - Roman Culture and Divine Rulers
[14:34] - The Evangel and Its Implications
[16:28] - Benefits of the Gospel
[19:07] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of Promises
[20:30] - Jesus Declared Son of God in Power
[21:45] - The Power of the Gospel
[24:26] - Our Identity as Holy Ones
[27:04] - The Logic of the Gospel
[30:54] - Unity in Christ
[32:22] - The Transformative Gospel
[34:17] - Called to be Saints
[37:13] - Holy Ones in Scripture
[39:52] - Living as God's Holy Ones
[42:15] - A Taste of the Kingdom
[44:19] - Engaging in Kingdom Politics
[47:54] - Living as Part of God's Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:1-7
- Psalm 89:5-9
- Deuteronomy 33:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 1:1-7, how does Paul describe his calling and the purpose of the gospel? What does this reveal about the nature of the gospel message?
2. According to the sermon, what historical context does the term "Son of God" have in Roman culture, and how does this contrast with the Christian understanding of Jesus as the Son of God? [13:36]
3. How does the sermon describe the rise of the "nones" and their impact on spirituality and politics? What societal changes does this reflect? [05:50]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and politics, and how should believers navigate this tension? [03:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "training to reign with Christ" challenge the traditional understanding of salvation as merely personal? What implications does this have for a believer's daily life? [01:05]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that politics has become a new form of religion for many? How does this affect the way people engage with faith and public life? [04:43]
3. How does the sermon interpret the gospel as a "royal proclamation"? What does this mean for how believers should live out their faith in the world? [12:05]
4. What does it mean to be called "holy ones" according to the sermon, and how does this identity transform a believer's relationship with God and others? [24:26]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of "training to reign with Christ." How can you actively participate in God's kingdom in your daily life? What specific actions can you take this week to align your life with His principles? [01:05]
2. Considering the sermon’s discussion on faith and politics, how can you ensure that your political views are informed by your faith rather than the other way around? What steps can you take to engage in political discussions with grace and truth? [03:00]
3. The sermon mentions the rise of the "nones" and the superficial engagement with spirituality. How can you deepen your engagement with your faith and ensure it impacts every aspect of your life? [05:50]
4. How does understanding the gospel as a "royal proclamation" change your perspective on evangelism and sharing your faith with others? What practical steps can you take to embody the values of God's kingdom in your community? [12:05]
5. Reflect on your identity as one of God's "holy ones." How does this identity influence your interactions with others, especially those who are different from you? What changes can you make to live out this identity more fully? [24:26]
6. The sermon suggests that believers are part of God's divine family. How does this understanding affect your sense of belonging and purpose within the church community? How can you contribute to fostering a sense of family within your small group? [39:52]
7. In light of the sermon, how can you balance your responsibilities as a citizen of your country with your identity as a citizen of God's kingdom? What specific actions can you take to live out this dual citizenship faithfully? [43:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Training to Reign with Christ
As believers, we are not merely saved individuals but are called to actively participate in God's kingdom. This involves a process of learning and aligning our lives with the principles of Christ's kingdom. We are in training to reign with Him, preparing for the coming kingdom where we will rule alongside Him. This calling is not about exercising authority as we please but about embodying the values and ways of Jesus in our daily lives. Our journey is one of transformation, where we grow in understanding and living out the reality of being part of God's divine family. [01:05]
"For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to align more closely with the principles of Christ's kingdom? How can you begin this process today?
Day 2: Faith and Politics
The separation of church and state is often misunderstood, leading to the exclusion of faith from public life. However, faith should inform our public actions and decisions. As politics increasingly becomes a new form of religion for many, it is crucial to navigate this tension by declaring Jesus as Lord and living out His kingdom values. This involves recognizing that our allegiance to Christ should shape how we engage with societal issues, ensuring that our faith is a public declaration of His lordship. [03:00]
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Romans 13:1, ESV)
Reflection: How can you allow your faith to inform your engagement with political and social issues in a way that reflects Jesus' lordship?
Day 3: The Rise of the "Nones"
In today's world, many identify as spiritual but not religious, seeking meaning outside traditional religious structures. This trend often leads to a superficial engagement with ultimate truths. As followers of Christ, we are called to engage deeply with our faith, understanding that Jesus' lordship is a transformative reality that impacts every aspect of life. This involves moving beyond a surface-level spirituality to a profound commitment to living out the teachings and values of Jesus in all areas of our lives. [05:50]
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your engagement with your faith to ensure it is a transformative reality in your life?
Day 4: The Gospel as a Royal Proclamation
The gospel is not just about personal salvation but a declaration of Jesus' kingship. This announcement reorders the world under Christ's rule, calling us to live out this reality and embody the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives. It challenges us to shift our perspective from seeing faith as a private matter to recognizing it as a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus, the true Lord of all. This involves actively participating in the reordering of the world according to His kingdom principles. [12:05]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make the gospel a public declaration in your life, demonstrating your allegiance to Jesus in your daily actions?
Day 5: Our Identity as Holy Ones
As believers, we are called to be holy ones, part of God's divine family. This identity transforms how we live and relate to one another, recognizing that we are training to reign with Christ and are seated with Him in the heavenly realms. Understanding our identity as holy ones calls us to live in a way that reflects our status as members of God's family, embodying His values and principles in our interactions and relationships. [24:26]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a holy one influence the way you live and interact with others? What changes can you make to better reflect this identity?
Quotes
1) "In a world where, and this is what I was testing out with my friends last night who are not Jesus followers and certainly not conservative in any way. In a time where we've said no to spirituality or no to spiritual things or no to these different religions, we have this vacuum. That needs to be filled. Like, where were the ultimate things come from? And so people are playing at politics like it's the ultimate thing. It's become a religious fervor sort of thing. You've seen this or experienced it. The kind of fervor and excitement and passion and shame on you and all of that that we used to apparently do in religion is now like in politics." [04:43] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "On the cross, Jesus was lifted up. Jesu Nazarenes, Rexu the Oram. Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews. Very symbolically, he's like, I will be lifted up. And draw all men to myself. Somehow, all the scripture, the gospels that we have declare that on the cross, he was pronounced king. And in his resurrection and in his ascension, he now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. Where, scandalously, we are somehow seated with him as says scripture. This is very interesting. And as Jesus takes his throne and as he is King Jesus, his Lord of all. That's a, that's a very political thing to say." [09:10] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "So the word evangelion or evangel, we'll just try to say that, like our word evangelism, is a royal proclamation that something is completely different about your world. Everything is shifted. Everything is reorganized. It's a big, big announcement. And it might be that the blessed defeat of your armies, which kept you in, you know, pagan or whatever superstition or whatever. Your armies have been defeated now. And Caesar has acquired your territory. And isn't that a good thing? You kind of have to cheer, don't you? Like, yay, Caesar. Okay. Yay, it's good." [12:53] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And so throughout the Roman Empire, you'd find inscriptions in different places that taught people what to believe about their rulers. They would call the emperors things like manifest God, universal savior, God from God, savior and benefactor, the lord of the whole world. So Julius Caesar was called manifest God, universal savior. Augustus was God from God. Even Nero, known for his cruelty, was described as the good God of the inhabited world, which is so thankful." [13:36] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "And so this word gospel, it sounds nice because it's gospel. If we look at the English, it means it's a good spell or a good word, a good message. That comes out and that's true. And so we talk about the benefits of the gospel all the time. Well, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God. We have a future that's secured. We have all these these benefits that add onto it. And this seems to be the central deco this is what Paul says. This is, this is the gospel which promised beforehand through his profits in the holy scripture concerning his son who has descended from the king." [16:28] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "And we like to have Jesus always agree with us. Don't we like that? Jesus, I know, man, those people, what's wrong with them? I know, yeah, I know, that's what I was saying. What's wrong with them? And we've buddied up with Jesus to a point where he thinks exactly like us, magically, because he probably doesn't, right? I was talking to my friends about that last night. Like, part of the problem of thinking Jesus is always on our side is that we always think he agrees with us and doesn't have a word to say to us." [33:41] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "And so you can just take a bite out of it and just say, I guess that's the story on there. guess that's it. I'm called to be saint. And because of the declaration of the gospel, I'm called to be a holy one. And I'm given access to the Father so I can speak a word for my brother and my sister. I can approach the throne room and receive grace and mercy in my time of need. I have access. I'm seated with Christ in the heavenlies. And this is the story that I'm in." [39:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "And I think sometimes we just get off on our stories. And we start thinking that I am supposed to make all this happen. I am supposed to figure this out. I am supposed to declare my purpose and manifest it to the world. And I'm supposed to do this. And I'm supposed to figure all these things out. And Jesus is like, no, we got all that figured out. It's all settled, actually. Jesus, the Christ, is Lord. The glory of God the Father and grace and peace flows down to you." [40:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "And if so, then the way we live together, the way we encourage one another, the way we say, hey, can we go grab coffee? Can we go talk about, I'd love to walk with you through that journey. The way we do this life together, some of you are experiencing it, so I'm just cheering that on. But the way that we live together is going to shift. If you look around the room, go ahead and look around the room. If that person across the way has declared their allegiance to Jesus, has said, I want his blood to cleanse me, then these are the people that we'll be ruling and reigning with in the new creation that God brings." [41:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "And then let's see, what would it look like? And some of the best ideas are out there, people. Our job as elders in this church, anybody with a gift is called to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. I'm not the idea factor, but we do know the one who does know. What should we do in this city, in this time? How do we be a people? It's an oasis for God. We're holy ones, we're going to say. We're called to be holy ones. Like, I'm no saint. You're like, tell Jesus that. And he'll confront you and say, do you pledge your allegiance to me? Oh, yeah. Then you're a holy one." [45:27] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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