Our Role in God’s Kingdom Part 1
We’re beginning 2009 with a series about Our Role in God’s Kingdom. Before we get into the specifics of our spiritual gifts, I wanted to share a bit about the kingdoms of this world, and the Kingdom of God. Here’s the first message:
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Did any of the statements at the beginning surprise you? What kingdoms of this world try to divert our attention from The Kingdom? What do you believe the role of the local church is?
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4 Comments
by Bruce
On January 7, 2009
The kingdom of this world are, at least in North America, is consumerism. Even us ‘Christians’ are so involved in consumerism and an attitude of me first and wanting to practice our rights. Did we not give up our rights when we chose to follow Christ. It is also evident in the thinking that we North Americans are blessed with all our material wealth that has been provided for us. An American went to an Africa nation and asked how they could trust God when there was so much poverty, the response he got was how could you trust God when you have no need. Is our wealth a blessing or a curse?
I believe the local churches role is to be the church, a cliche that is maybe over used. In the movie ‘Robots” the main character’s father said “see a need fill a need.” We are asked to look after the orphan and widow. James 1:27. That is wether here in our own town or around the world. We are also told in Luke 10:27 that there is only two commandments, Love God and love our neighbour, and Jesus was very specific in who our neighbour is; basically all mankind.
by Kristle
On January 8, 2009
The kingdom that diverts my attention from The Kingdom is probably religion. I know the Christian religion very well. I know how to act, what to do and what to say. Ask me about salvation, forgiveness, freedom, and grace and I can give you the textbook answer, but is my life truly a demonstration of what it means to be saved, forgiven, and free? Do I offer freedom, forgiveness, and mercy to those I meet? Or is it just lip service?
The Kingdom of God is about love. Absolute, unconditional, unhindered, limitless, ever-lasting love.
I struggle with loving my family like that, nevermind the rest of the world. But I sure know how to smile and act like I do.
When Jesus came to the earth it was the pharisees, the religious pretenders of the day that he spoke most vehemently against. God’s kingdom is about authenticity. There is no room for pretenders. The kingdom of religion has taught me to be a pretender. It diverts my attention from God’s kingdom and the truth that I and the world needs.
by wayne welden
On January 16, 2009
Quite a sermon there Steve… Is not the Kingom of God that Jesus brought, in our hearts? This being so would then effect the world around us. At no other place in the scriptures are we told that it is possible for us to be part of the Kingdom of God, but until after the Cross was accomplished by Jesus Christ. This brings us a chance to be Christ’s Kingdom on earth. Though only by living in holiness and righteousness is it possible ….not as carnel christians. Here in lays the root of many christians delusions…. how do we live in hoilness and righteuousness….JUST GET RID OF THE “I” IN OUR SOULS. Easy to say hard to practice, Christ needs to replace the “I”. The local church is to centre the christians on Christ in the heart and thought and deed. It is not I that lives but Christ in me…..when we can truely say this not as parrots but from our hearts…almost like Christ speaking from within ….then we are the Kingdom of God on earth.
by Jeanetta van Leeuwen
On January 19, 2009
I appreciated your comment about the church being there to shelter us once a week, fill us up, and then off we go and live the Kingdom of God out in the world we live in.
Church is such a small part of our overall lives when you look at the big scheme of things. Of the 168 hours we are given each week, 56 (give or take) are spent sleeping, 40 are spent working, 68 are “ours” and 3-4 we spend in church. So if the Kingdom of God did only reside in church we are in big trouble.