Kingdom Citizens

Kingdom Citizens

Lk.8:10 – “…The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you…” (His disciples)

1. His Kingdom is different than this world’s.

a. Jn.18:36 - Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world…”

i. James 4:4 – “…Friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can’t be a friend of God.”

ii. 1 Jn.2:15-17 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

b. The contrast between citizens of the 2 kingdoms: make a list:

i. 1 Cor.6:9-11 - Don’t you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers – none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God. There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.

ii. Gal.5:19-25 - When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

iii. Rom.14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2. He invites us to be a part of His kingdom.

a. Lk.22:29 – “I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me.”

b. Jn.3:3 – “In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

c. Col.1:13 - For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

d. Heb.12:28 - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

e. Eph.2:12-13 - you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

3. Kingdom citizens repent: think and act differently.

a. Mt.4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

i. Metanoeo - To change one’s mind or purpose.

b. Eph.4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

i. Mt.21:31-32 - I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

1. Because they had believed and repented.

4. Kingdom citizens submit to God’s Lordship.

a. James 4:10 - When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.

b. Heb.12:9 - Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever.