Rethinking Life: Embracing God's Kingdom Now
Summary
Today, we embark on a journey of "second thoughts," a concept that invites us to reconsider our strategies for living. Our lives are shaped by the thoughts we harbor, which can lead to anxiety, fear, joy, or confidence. By examining the teachings of Jesus, particularly through the insights of Dallas Willard, we can transform our minds and, consequently, our lives. The word "repent" often carries negative connotations, but it is fundamentally about rethinking and reconsidering our approach to life. It is an invitation to embrace a new way of living, one that is grounded in the availability of life with God through Jesus.
Dallas Willard's analogy of the "kingdom of electricity" illustrates this beautifully. Just as electricity transformed the lives of rural farmers, the kingdom of God offers a new kind of life that is available to us right now. This life is not just about securing a place in heaven after death but experiencing a transformed life here and now. The power of God's kingdom is accessible, but it requires us to believe, understand, and take practical steps to rely on it.
We are invited to reconsider our default strategies for living. Many of us rely on wealth, health, success, or approval from others to find fulfillment, but these paths often lead to disappointment. Instead, we are called to trust in God's presence, goodness, and guidance. By becoming apprentices of Jesus, we learn to live life as he did, surrendering our personal agendas to become part of a greater project. This apprenticeship involves developing a "toolkit for the soul," where repentance becomes a tool for re-evaluating our thoughts and aligning them with God's will.
Key Takeaways:
- Reconsidering Repentance: Repentance is not about self-condemnation but about rethinking our approach to life. It involves having "second thoughts" and reconsidering our strategies in light of the opportunity to live with God through Jesus. This shift in perspective can lead to a transformed life. [02:37]
- The Kingdom of God is Here: The kingdom of God is not just a future promise but a present reality. Like electricity transforming rural life, God's kingdom offers a new way of living that is available to us now. Embracing this requires belief and practical steps to rely on God's power. [03:23]
- Default Strategies for Living: Many of us rely on external factors like wealth, health, or success for fulfillment. However, these often lead to disappointment. Instead, we are invited to trust in God's presence and guidance, making Him the foundation of our lives. [06:12]
- Apprenticeship with Jesus: Becoming an apprentice of Jesus means learning to live life as he did. It involves surrendering our personal agendas and becoming part of a greater project. Through this apprenticeship, we gain a deeper understanding of life and our purpose. [08:39]
- Developing a Toolkit for the Soul: Repentance is a tool for re-evaluating our thoughts and aligning them with God's will. By weighing our thoughts and considering whether they lead us towards God, we can develop a spiritual toolkit that guides us in our daily lives. [09:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Introduction to Second Thoughts
[00:42] - Living from Our Minds
[01:15] - Dallas Willard's Insights
[01:58] - Understanding Repentance
[02:37] - Reconsidering Our Strategy
[03:23] - The Kingdom of God
[03:50] - The Power of Electricity Analogy
[04:30] - Embracing Change
[05:17] - The Availability of God's Kingdom
[05:57] - Default Strategies for Living
[06:51] - Trusting in God's Presence
[07:27] - The Invitation to Apprenticeship
[08:39] - Surrendering to a Greater Project
[09:11] - Developing a Toolkit for the Soul
[10:13] - Closing and Resources
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:17 (NIV) - "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'"
2. Romans 12:2 (NIV) - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
3. John 15:4-5 (NIV) - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the word "repent" mean in the context of Jesus' teachings, as explained in the sermon? [02:37]
2. How does Dallas Willard's analogy of the "kingdom of electricity" help us understand the availability of God's kingdom? [03:23]
3. According to the sermon, what are some default strategies people use to find fulfillment in life? [06:12]
4. What does it mean to become an apprentice of Jesus, as described in the sermon? [08:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "second thoughts" challenge the traditional understanding of repentance? [02:37]
2. In what ways does the analogy of electricity illustrate the transformative power of God's kingdom in our lives? [03:23]
3. Why might relying on external factors like wealth or success lead to disappointment, according to the sermon? [06:12]
4. What does it mean to develop a "toolkit for the soul," and how can repentance be a part of this toolkit? [09:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current strategy for living. Are there areas where you need to have "second thoughts" and reconsider your approach? [02:37]
2. How can you practically rely on the power of God's kingdom in your daily life, similar to how one would rely on electricity? [03:23]
3. Identify one external factor you currently rely on for fulfillment. How can you shift your trust towards God's presence and guidance instead? [06:12]
4. What steps can you take to become an apprentice of Jesus and align your life with his teachings? [08:39]
5. Consider a thought or belief you hold that may not align with God's will. How can you use repentance to re-evaluate and transform this thought? [09:39]
6. Think of a situation where you felt anxious or fearful. How might trusting in God's presence change your response to similar situations in the future? [06:51]
7. What is one practical step you can take this week to develop your "toolkit for the soul"? [09:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Rethinking Repentance as a Path to Transformation
Repentance is often misunderstood as self-condemnation, but it is truly about rethinking our approach to life. It involves having "second thoughts" and reconsidering our strategies in light of the opportunity to live with God through Jesus. This shift in perspective can lead to a transformed life. By embracing repentance, we open ourselves to a new way of living that aligns with God's will and purpose for us. It is an invitation to let go of old patterns and embrace a life of spiritual growth and renewal. [02:37]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to have "second thoughts" and reconsider your approach in light of God's invitation to transformation?
Day 2: Experiencing the Kingdom of God Now
The kingdom of God is not just a future promise but a present reality. Like electricity transforming rural life, God's kingdom offers a new way of living that is available to us now. Embracing this requires belief and practical steps to rely on God's power. By understanding that the kingdom is here, we can begin to live in its reality, experiencing the peace, joy, and purpose that come from aligning our lives with God's presence. This transformation is not just about securing a place in heaven but living a life that reflects God's kingdom here and now. [03:23]
"And he said to them, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.'" (Mark 4:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: How can you take practical steps today to rely on God's power and experience His kingdom in your daily life?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Presence Over Worldly Success
Many of us rely on external factors like wealth, health, or success for fulfillment. However, these often lead to disappointment. Instead, we are invited to trust in God's presence and guidance, making Him the foundation of our lives. By shifting our focus from worldly measures of success to a deep trust in God's goodness, we can find true fulfillment and peace. This involves letting go of our reliance on temporary things and embracing the eternal security found in God's love and presence. [06:12]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you are relying on worldly success for fulfillment, and how can you begin to trust in God's presence instead?
Day 4: Becoming an Apprentice of Jesus
Becoming an apprentice of Jesus means learning to live life as he did. It involves surrendering our personal agendas and becoming part of a greater project. Through this apprenticeship, we gain a deeper understanding of life and our purpose. By following Jesus' example, we learn to live with humility, love, and service, aligning our lives with God's greater plan. This journey of apprenticeship is about growing in our relationship with Jesus and allowing His teachings to shape our lives. [08:39]
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29, ESV)
Reflection: What personal agenda do you need to surrender to become a true apprentice of Jesus, and how can you start this process today?
Day 5: Building a Spiritual Toolkit for the Soul
Repentance is a tool for re-evaluating our thoughts and aligning them with God's will. By weighing our thoughts and considering whether they lead us towards God, we can develop a spiritual toolkit that guides us in our daily lives. This toolkit helps us navigate life's challenges with wisdom and grace, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect our commitment to God's path. By continually refining this toolkit, we grow in our spiritual maturity and deepen our relationship with God. [09:39]
"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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thought pattern you need to re-evaluate today, and how can you align it with God's will to build your spiritual toolkit?
Quotes
Repenting is actually a word about thinking. Oh, it comes from two different words, meta after and then the other word has to do with mine have second thoughts, think it out again, or as he put it reconsider your strategy for living in light of a remarkable opportunity. [00:02:31]
Life together with God has become available as a possibility for you right where you are so you don't have to be afraid, you don't have to be worried, you don't have to give in to Greed or fear of missing out. [00:02:52]
His gospel is not primarily here's how to get into heaven after you die it's good news after death but it's good news before death, and it is a new kind of life that's available to you today right now this is the foundation of it all. [00:03:21]
But we had to believe in the electricity and its Arrangements understand them and take practical steps involved in relying on it. You may think the comparison rather crude in some respects it is but it will help us understand Jesus basic message about the kingdom of the heavens. [00:04:12]
The power that could make their lives far better was right near them, whereby making relatively simple Arrangements they could utilize it, strangely if you did not accept it they did not enter into the kingdom of electricity some just didn't want to change. [00:04:58]
Similarly the kingdom of God is now beside us, you can reach it from your heart with your mouth through even a shaking and stumbling confidence and confession that Jesus is the death conquering master of all. [00:05:26]
Reconsider your strategy for a living, and I might ask myself you might ask yourself today what's your default strategy for living, what are you betting on is going to deliver you the life that you have always wanted. [00:06:01]
God is present Right Where You Are and God is able and God is good, and so in my mind today I can turn my mind into the presence and availability with God and make a dependence on God trust in God for my well-being being Guided by God all through this day. [00:06:49]
Mostly I apprenticed myself to my friend Chuck who has mastered this craft, and he would say pick up this and put this into that slot and use this wrench use this tool and and and I didn't and so we did together what I could not do by myself. [00:08:10]
The craft that he has mastered is life and when I Surrender My Little Kingdom, my decisions my agenda my relationships my time my span on this earth into his it becomes part of a vastly greater project. [00:08:39]
Repent don't walk around trying to make yourself feel awful, reconsider your strategy for living, think again about your thoughts have second thoughts we'll talk about this a lot begin to weigh the thoughts as there uh as they come into Awareness on your mind is God in this thought. [00:09:08]
We will be developing a little toolkit for the soul as we walk through this, and have these wonderful tools like the possibility of repentance reconsidering my strategy what's my plan for this day to be with him to learn from him how to live like him. [00:09:39]
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