Understanding the True Essence of God's Kingdom

 

Summary

The focus of this evening's message is the profound truth about the Kingdom of God as articulated in Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." This passage underscores the essence of the Christian faith, which is often misunderstood both outside and within the church. The Kingdom of God is not about external observances or religious rituals, but about a transformative relationship with God through righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The confusion surrounding the Christian message is not due to a lack of clarity in the Bible, but rather a misinterpretation of its teachings. The New Testament clearly presents the Kingdom of God as something that transcends human traditions and religious practices. It is not about adhering to dietary laws or observing specific days, but about seeking God's righteousness and living in His peace and joy.

The Kingdom of God is fundamentally different from any earthly kingdom. It requires a new birth, a new mind, and a new understanding. It is not about external changes but an internal transformation. The message of the New Testament is that through Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God has come near, and we are invited to enter into it and experience its blessings.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses the confusion among the early Christians who were arguing about trivial matters like what to eat or drink and which day to observe as holy. He emphasizes that these are not the essence of the Kingdom of God. Instead, the Kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This righteousness is not about our own moral efforts but about being made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Peace follows righteousness. Once we are justified by faith, we have peace with God, ending our futile struggles to earn His favor. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but is a deep, abiding peace that comes from being reconciled to God. Finally, joy in the Holy Spirit is the natural outcome of this peace. It is a joy that is independent of external conditions, a joy that remains even in the face of trials and tribulations.

Key Takeaways:

- The Kingdom of God is not about external religious practices or rituals but about a transformative relationship with God through righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This righteousness is not our own but is given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. [11:19]

- True peace comes from being justified by faith and reconciled to God. It is a peace that surpasses understanding and is not dependent on external circumstances. This peace is a gift from God that ends our struggles and striving. [41:44]

- Joy in the Holy Spirit is a defining characteristic of the Kingdom of God. It is a joy that is independent of worldly conditions and is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and our relationship with God. [47:53]

- The message of the Kingdom of God challenges us to look beyond our own efforts and morality and to rely solely on the righteousness of Christ. It calls us to a life of faith and trust in God's provision for our salvation. [33:48]

- The Kingdom of God offers a hope that transcends this life. It assures us of eternal life with God, where we will experience the fullness of His love and joy. This hope gives us strength and courage to face the challenges of this life. [53:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 14:17
- [00:36] - The Kingdom of God Explained
- [01:12] - Addressing Confusion in the Church
- [02:04] - Returning to the New Testament
- [03:08] - The Essence of the Kingdom
- [04:18] - The Kingdom's Distinct Nature
- [05:17] - Misunderstandings of the Kingdom
- [07:02] - Religion vs. the Kingdom
- [09:08] - Context of Paul's Letter
- [11:19] - The True Nature of the Kingdom
- [13:26] - The Problem with Religion
- [16:13] - Christianity vs. Morality
- [19:54] - The Joyless Religion
- [23:11] - The Test of Righteousness
- [36:01] - The Double Cure of Sin
- [41:44] - Peace with God
- [47:53] - Joy in the Holy Spirit
- [53:44] - The Hope of Glory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Kingdom of God

Bible Reading:
- Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 14:17, what are the three key elements that define the Kingdom of God? How do these differ from external religious practices? [00:12]
2. What were some of the trivial matters that early Christians in Rome were arguing about, according to the sermon? [09:50]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between religion and the Kingdom of God? [08:49]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the result of being justified by faith in terms of our relationship with God? [41:44]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the concept of righteousness in the context of the Kingdom of God, and why is it not based on our own moral efforts? [33:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that peace with God is different from peace that depends on external circumstances? [41:44]
3. How does the sermon describe the joy in the Holy Spirit, and why is it considered a defining characteristic of the Kingdom of God? [47:53]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between the Kingdom of God and earthly kingdoms or human traditions? [05:17]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any external religious practices or rituals that you have been focusing on more than your relationship with God? How can you shift your focus to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit? [00:36]
2. The sermon mentions that peace with God ends our futile struggles. Are there areas in your life where you are still striving to earn God's favor? How can you embrace the peace that comes from being justified by faith? [41:44]
3. Joy in the Holy Spirit is described as independent of worldly conditions. Can you identify a recent situation where your joy was challenged by external circumstances? How can you cultivate a joy that is rooted in your relationship with God? [47:53]
4. The sermon challenges us to rely solely on the righteousness of Christ. Are there aspects of your life where you are still relying on your own efforts? How can you practice trusting in God's provision for your salvation? [33:48]
5. Consider the hope that the Kingdom of God offers, which transcends this life. How does this hope influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [53:44]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of a transformative relationship with God. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him and experience the blessings of His Kingdom? [04:00]
7. How can you share the message of the Kingdom of God with someone who may be confused about the essence of Christianity? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate righteousness, peace, and joy in your interactions with them? [11:53]

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom's True Essence
The Kingdom of God is not about external religious practices or rituals but about a transformative relationship with God through righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This righteousness is not our own but is given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the Kingdom of God transcends human traditions and religious practices. It is not about adhering to dietary laws or observing specific days, but about seeking God's righteousness and living in His peace and joy. This transformative relationship with God is the essence of the Christian faith, inviting believers to experience a profound internal change rather than focusing on external observances. [11:19]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been focusing on external religious practices rather than nurturing your relationship with God? How can you shift your focus to seek His righteousness, peace, and joy today?


Day 2: Peace Beyond Understanding
True peace comes from being justified by faith and reconciled to God. It is a peace that surpasses understanding and is not dependent on external circumstances. This peace is a gift from God that ends our struggles and striving. Once we are justified by faith, we have peace with God, ending our futile struggles to earn His favor. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but is a deep, abiding peace that comes from being reconciled to God. It is a peace that allows believers to rest in the assurance of God's love and grace, regardless of life's challenges. [41:44]

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are striving for peace through your own efforts? How can you invite God's peace to reign in that area today?


Day 3: Joy Rooted in Salvation
Joy in the Holy Spirit is a defining characteristic of the Kingdom of God. It is a joy that is independent of worldly conditions and is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and our relationship with God. This joy is the natural outcome of the peace we have with God, a joy that remains even in the face of trials and tribulations. It is a joy that is not based on external circumstances but is deeply rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [47:53]

"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." (1 Peter 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy in your life that is independent of your current circumstances? What steps can you take to root your joy in the assurance of your salvation?


Day 4: Relying on Christ's Righteousness
The message of the Kingdom of God challenges us to look beyond our own efforts and morality and to rely solely on the righteousness of Christ. It calls us to a life of faith and trust in God's provision for our salvation. The Kingdom of God is not about our own moral efforts but about being made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This reliance on Christ's righteousness invites believers to live a life of faith and trust, recognizing that our salvation is not earned but given through grace. [33:48]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in Christ's righteousness? How can you begin to shift your reliance to Him today?


Day 5: Hope Beyond This Life
The Kingdom of God offers a hope that transcends this life. It assures us of eternal life with God, where we will experience the fullness of His love and joy. This hope gives us strength and courage to face the challenges of this life. The assurance of eternal life with God provides believers with a hope that goes beyond the temporary struggles and trials of this world. It is a hope that empowers us to live with strength and courage, knowing that the fullness of God's love and joy awaits us. [53:44]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the hope of eternal life with God influence the way you face challenges today? What practical steps can you take to keep this hope at the forefront of your mind?

Quotes

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." [00:00:20]

"The message of the New Testament is about the coming of this person because it is in him and through him and by him that the kingdom of God has come near to us and we can enter into it and that is the good news." [00:03:36]

"Religion can be the greatest enemy of Christianity. What do I mean? Well, I mean something like this: there are some people who think that Christianity simply means attendance at a place of worship, nothing more. That all it means to them, if they go to a place of worship on Sunday morning, they say, 'I am religious.'" [00:12:49]

"Christianity is confused with morality. It's been very common in this country in all ranks of society. It is what is sometimes called public school religion. It was started by Dr. Thomas Arnold of Rugby. His idea, you see, of Christianity was that it is a morality touched with emotion, nothing more." [00:19:28]

"Righteousness, not my morality, not my ideas as to what's right and what's wrong, not how I think men should live and others think I'm intuitive. No, no, we're also haven't. Stop, it says, God. The word righteousness immediately lifts us into the presence of God, for God is eternal righteousness." [00:25:07]

"Once you understand righteousness as defined by God, all your goodness becomes vile. It becomes manure, it's refuse, it's ugly, it's foul, it's festering, it's putrid. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness." [00:33:37]

"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, an end of all my futile struggles. Go back to Luther, there it is all in a perfect picture: the striving and the agony and the restlessness of the pain and all the futility. Suddenly he saw it: the just shall live by faith, and peace came into his soul." [00:41:44]

"Peace, peace, perfect peace in this dark world of sin. The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. The end of the struggle and the futile striving. God himself has reconciled me unto himself in Christ, and what he's done through him, I am at peace with God." [00:43:59]

"Joy in the Holy Ghost. Do you know, my friends, the Christianity which doesn't make you happy is not worthy of the name. But as long as you're just model, you'll never be happy, you'll never know the joy of the Holy Ghost." [00:47:53]

"The joy of the Holy Ghost is independent of everybody and everything. Not only serves, is this a puzzle that we rejoice also in tribulations. In tribulations, we rejoice, though everything is against us, we still rejoice." [00:51:26]

"To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain, to be with Christ, which is far better. You see, this joy cannot be quenched, it cannot be removed, it cannot be destroyed. It doesn't matter what they do to you, even death." [00:53:44]

"This is the kingdom of God, not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. My dear friend, you can have it. You are but to believe, simply believe as you are here and now, cast yourself upon him." [00:56:47]

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Transcript
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