Restoration: Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of God—God’s Vision for Restoration

The kingdom of God is not just a distant hope or a future reality; it is God’s vision for the world reordered around the powerful love of Christ, restoring what was lost and broken back to His original intention. Through Jesus, God’s rule and reign are made present on earth, inviting us to participate in bringing heaven to our daily lives, our communities, and every corner of creation. This is not about waiting for rescue someday, but about living now as citizens of a new kingdom, where God’s ways saturate every aspect of life and where restoration and transformation are possible through Christ. [34:21]

Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV)
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to invite God’s kingdom—His rule, His priorities, and His love—to take over today?

Day 2: Seek First the Kingdom—Prioritizing God’s Way Above All

Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that as we do, God will provide for our needs and reorder our lives according to His purposes. This means putting God’s ways above our own ambitions, desires, and worries, and allowing His right way of living to shape every decision, relationship, and pursuit. When we prioritize God’s kingdom, we trust Him to care for us and to use us as agents of restoration in the world around us, even when it requires letting go of our own “kingdoms.” [41:27]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: What is one “kingdom” of your own—an area of control, comfort, or ambition—that you need to surrender so you can truly seek God’s kingdom first today?

Day 3: Love God and Love Your Neighbor—The Heart of the Kingdom

At the very center of God’s kingdom is the call to love: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus teaches that these two commands are inseparable and foundational, and that all of God’s law and purpose hinge on them. When we live this way, our faith becomes visible and tangible, and the world around us can see the reality of God’s kingdom through our actions, relationships, and compassion. [37:47]

Mark 12:29-31 (ESV)
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Reflection: Who is one neighbor—whether at home, work, or in your community—that you can intentionally show God’s love to in a practical way today?

Day 4: Living the Kingdom Now—Bringing Heaven to Earth

Following Jesus is not just about waiting for heaven, but about actively participating in God’s work of restoration here and now by living out the values of His kingdom every day. This means forgiving those who have wronged us, being peacemakers, giving generously, serving others, and seeking unity among believers. As we do this, people around us will see the difference and be drawn to the hope, healing, and awe of God’s kingdom in action, just as those who witnessed the impossible in Jurassic Park were left amazed. [48:46]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out a kingdom value—such as forgiveness, generosity, or peacemaking—in your daily routine this week?

Day 5: The Church’s Mission—Restoring What Was Lost

God has entrusted the church with the mission of helping restore the world to His kingdom by following Jesus, making Him both Savior and Lord, and living out His love in community. When we do this together, our lives become a testimony that points others to Jesus, inviting them to experience rescue and restoration. The world is longing for hope, purpose, and healing, and it is through the visible, lived-out faith of God’s people that others are drawn to the kingdom and left in awe of what God can do. [53:43]

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV)
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Reflection: Who in your life is longing for restoration or hope, and how can you intentionally show them the reality of God’s kingdom through your actions or words this week?

Sermon Summary

The longing to recover what has been lost is a deep part of the human experience. This desire is at the heart of stories like Jurassic Park, where people dream of bringing back dinosaurs, but it’s also woven into the very fabric of our souls. We all want to reclaim something that feels gone forever—whether it’s innocence, hope, purpose, or a sense of belonging. This longing is not just a quirk of our imagination; it’s a reflection of the story God is telling in the world.

From the very beginning, God created everything good, including us. But rebellion—our turning away from God—brought brokenness, loss, and separation. Yet God didn’t leave us in that state. He made a promise to restore what was lost, a promise fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus didn’t just come to offer us a ticket to heaven; he came to bring the kingdom of God to earth, to reorder the world around the powerful love of God, and to invite us to participate in that restoration now.

Jesus’ teaching, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, reveals what it means to live as citizens of this kingdom. It’s not about religious rituals or waiting for a future rescue; it’s about loving God with all we are and loving our neighbors as ourselves. When we live this way, we become living parables—visible signs of God’s kingdom breaking into the world. People around us, whether they realize it or not, are searching for this kind of restoration and hope. Our calling is to help them see and experience the kingdom of God through our lives.

This means making Jesus not just our savior, but our Lord—letting him lead every part of our lives. It means seeking God’s kingdom above our own ambitions, forgiving, serving, and loving in ways that reflect God’s heart. When we do this together as a church, our communities will notice. They’ll see something different, something awe-inspiring, and they’ll be drawn to the source of that restoration—Jesus himself. Our mission is not to wait for heaven, but to bring more of heaven to earth, restoring what was lost and pointing people to the King who makes all things new.

Key Takeaways

1. The Deep Human Longing for Restoration Every person carries a longing to recover what has been lost—whether it’s innocence, hope, or a sense of purpose. This longing is not accidental; it’s a reflection of the story God is telling, where creation was good, rebellion brought loss, and God promises restoration. Recognizing this longing in ourselves and others helps us understand the universal need for Jesus, who came to restore what was broken. [27:47]
2. The Kingdom of God: More Than a Future Hope Jesus didn’t come just to secure our place in heaven; he came to bring the kingdom of God to earth, reordering the world around his love. The kingdom is God’s rule and reign breaking into every part of life, restoring what was lost and making things right. Our calling is to actively participate in this kingdom now, not just wait for a future rescue. [34:21]
3. Loving God and Neighbor: The Heart of Kingdom Living Jesus summarized all of God’s commands in two inseparable actions: love God with everything you have, and love your neighbor as yourself. True love for God is demonstrated in how we treat others, and this is the core of what it means to live in God’s kingdom. When we filter every decision through the question, “What does love require of me?” we embody the kingdom in practical, transformative ways. [37:47]
4. The Church’s Mission: Restoration Here and Now The church is called to be a community that helps restore the world to God’s original intention, not just by preaching but by living out the kingdom. This means making Jesus Lord over every area of our lives, seeking his kingdom above our own, and living out forgiveness, generosity, humility, and unity. When we do this, people see the kingdom in action and are drawn to Jesus, often more by what they witness than by what they hear. [41:27]
5. Awe and Transformation: The Power of a Kingdom Life When people see the kingdom of God lived out—lives being rescued, restored, and transformed—they are left in awe, just as the characters in Jurassic Park were when they saw the impossible become real. Our lives should provoke wonder and curiosity in others, leading them to ask what makes this restoration possible. It is through our visible, daily faithfulness that others are invited into the story of rescue and restoration Jesus offers. [54:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Jurassic Park and the Longing for What Was Lost
[05:45] - Movies as Modern Parables
[09:30] - The Bible in Five Words: Creation, Rebellion, Promise
[14:20] - God’s Promise and the Arrival of Jesus
[18:55] - The Kingdom of God: Jesus’ Central Message
[22:40] - The Sermon on the Mount and Kingdom Living
[27:47] - Not Just a Ticket to Heaven
[34:21] - Defining the Kingdom of God
[37:47] - The Greatest Commandments: Love God, Love Neighbor
[41:27] - Living Out the Kingdom Together
[43:22] - Awe and Wonder: Jurassic Park and the Church
[48:46] - Bringing Heaven to Earth Now
[52:39] - Practical Steps for Kingdom Living
[54:49] - Camille’s Story: Seeing the Kingdom in Action
[57:38] - Challenge and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 5–7 (The Sermon on the Mount) — “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2, ESV)
(Read the full Sermon on the Mount for context.)

Matthew 6:9-10 (The Lord’s Prayer) — “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” (ESV)

Mark 12:29-31 (The Greatest Commandments) — Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (ESV)

Observation Questions

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), what are some specific ways Jesus describes life in the kingdom of God?
According to Matthew 6:9-10, what does Jesus teach us to pray for regarding God’s kingdom?
When Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment in Mark 12:29-31, how does he summarize all of God’s commands?
The sermon mentions that people are “searching for purpose and hope” even if they don’t realize it. What examples did the pastor give of this longing in everyday life? [37:47]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus connects loving God and loving your neighbor so closely? What does it mean that these are “two sides of the same coin”? [37:47]
The pastor said that the kingdom of God is “the vision of the world reordered around the powerful love of God in Christ.” How does this definition challenge or expand your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus? [34:21]
The sermon emphasized that Jesus didn’t just come to give us a “ticket to heaven,” but to bring restoration now. How does this change the way we think about our daily lives as Christians? [27:47]
The story of Camille showed that seeing the kingdom of God in action can be more powerful than just hearing about it. Why do you think lived-out faith is so compelling to others? [54:49]

Application Questions

The longing to “get back what was lost” is something everyone feels. What is something in your own life that you wish could be restored—whether it’s hope, purpose, innocence, or something else? How might Jesus want to meet you in that longing? [27:47]
Jesus calls us to seek God’s kingdom above our own ambitions (Matthew 6:33). What is one area of your life where your own “kingdom” or priorities might be getting in the way of God’s kingdom? What would it look like to surrender that area to Jesus this week? [40:00]
The sermon challenged us to ask, “What does love require of me?” in every situation. Think of a recent conflict or difficult relationship. What would it look like to filter your response through that question? [50:50]
The pastor described the church’s mission as helping to restore the world to God’s original intention—not just by preaching, but by living out the kingdom. What is one practical way your small group could show God’s love and restoration in your community this month? [41:27]
When people see the kingdom of God lived out, it should leave them in awe and curiosity. Has anyone ever asked you about your faith because of something they saw in your life? If not, what is one change you could make so that your life points more clearly to Jesus? [43:22]
The story of Camille showed that people are often drawn to Jesus by seeing the kingdom in action, not just by hearing sermons. Who is someone in your life who might need to see God’s love in action? What is one thing you could do for them this week? [54:49]
The sermon ended with a challenge to “bring more heaven to earth now.” What is one step you can take this week to make Jesus not just your Savior, but your Lord—letting him lead every part of your life? [48:46]

Sermon Clips

If you're going to be a part of God's kingdom, if you're going to be a citizen of his kingdom, this is how you live. This is how you act. This is how you operate as a follower of me. And that's what he teaches. The kingdom was what Jesus came to preach and to bring to this world. [00:31:42] (15 seconds) #KingdomLivingWithJesus

Jesus didn't just come to rescue us and get us to heaven one day. He came to bring heaven to earth and he came to bring the kingdom of God. What the kingdom does, the kingdom of God restores us in this world back to God's original intention. This is what God sent Jesus to do. [00:35:02] (20 seconds) #JesusBringsHeavenHere

When it comes to following Jesus, the kingdom of God is what matters most, is what Jesus taught about most. Because when we miss the kingdom of God, we miss out on life. The life that Jesus came to give us, that he teaches us in John 10, 10, that he came to give us life to the fullest, not just life later for eternity, the life here and now, following Jesus into the kingdom of God. [00:38:36] (23 seconds) #KingdomIsLifeNow

Our world is dying to get back what it lost. Whether the world realizes or not, they are searching for purpose and hope. And maybe you're searching for purpose and hope. They're searching for love, and they're looking for salvation. They're looking to understand God and what God's purposes are. They're longing for this stuff. [00:39:02] (21 seconds) #WorldLongsForHope

Too often Christians have too much of a future view of following Jesus, that we follow Jesus just to get to heaven one day and just to have Jesus to come back one day eventually. And eventually Jesus will come and fix everything. And eventually Jesus will take care of all of our enemies. But that's not what Jesus calls us to do. He calls us to live in the here and now of following him. [00:48:49] (22 seconds) #PointToJesusKingdom

A life following Jesus isn't about waiting to get to heaven, but bringing more heaven to earth now. This is what Jesus calls us to do. And he calls all of his followers to do that. That we help restore what was lost. Because this is what our world longs for. And Jesus is the answer to what the world longs for. And it's our job to show them that. [00:50:24] (24 seconds) #FollowJesusNow

When we love God and love others, people will be rescued and restored and they will be in awe of the kingdom of God. So Northbridge, that is my challenge to you and me and one church. Let's go live out the kingdom of God so that people see it, they experience it, they're left in awe of it and they are rescued and restored like Camille was. [00:57:22] (27 seconds) #KingdomInAction

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the biblical story of creation, rebellion, and promise?

How does Jesus define the kingdom of God?

In what ways should believers live out God's kingdom daily?