Dakota Community Church
May 20, 2007
Kingdom of God - I
This morning I want to begin what I believe will be a four week series of messages about the differences between the “Kingdom of God” and its citizens and the “Kingdoms of this world” and their citizens.
John 18:36
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest…
Jesus spent His entire ministry telling the disciples that He was setting up a kingdom that was completely different from the kingdoms of this world. They fought Him all the way on that because every Jew in first century Palestine was waiting for the Messiah to come and re-establish David’s Kingdom. They wanted an end to Roman occupation. They wanted a return to a God ordained dominant Jewish nation, they wanted a King who would fight for them and defeat all the “enemies” {people} that surrounded them.
Whenever Jesus talked about this new kind of Kingdom they objected.
Matthew 16:21-23
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
John 13:3-8
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
Jesus says to them that if they don’t get this they don’t get Him. This Kingdom of God is completely opposite to the Kingdoms of this world but we are so entrenched in the Kingdoms of this world that the Kingdom of God sounds ridiculous to us.
This morning I want to look at 3 ways the Kingdom of God is different from the Kingdoms of this world and then over the next few weeks I want to look at the Kingdom of God in a family, in a social setting, and in the church.
The Kingdom of God has:
1. Opposite Goals.
Control Outward Behavior vs. Transform Inner Character
The goal of the Kingdoms of this world is to control the citizens who live under its authority. Anywhere you have someone who is exercising authority over someone else you have a kingdom of this world.
Mark 10:42-43
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.
The kingdoms of this world are all about having power over others.
There are many forms of government used to achieve this goal, in some the citizens have very little say about who will govern them, in others they have a lot of say. Communist regimes control their people in one way and democracies control their people in a different way, but they are all kingdoms of this world because they are about one group exercising authority over anther group.
What is the purpose in this exercising of authority? It is the same for every kingdom of this world; everything is designed to benefit the ruler. The higher up you go in the kingdoms of this world the more benefits you receive.
This is the opposite of what Jesus did. Not so with you.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Corinthians 10:24 & 32-33
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Romans 15:1-3
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself…
In this Kingdom Jesus came to establish it is not the one who dies with the most toys who wins! Look whom Jesus says is “blessed”:
Matthew 5:3-11
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…
What do all of these have in common? They are losers in the kingdoms of this world!
They are all open to the life transforming power of Jesus.
Jesus comes on the scene, refuses to control people, refuses to do anything for his own benefit and does what, becomes Lord of all. The difference is his subjects serve by choice.
2. Opposite Responses.
Eye for an Eye vs. Extra Mile
What is the natural response we have when someone does us wrong? Whether we are talking about being cut off in traffic or cheated in a business deal, the natural thing to do is to try to get even.
Matthew 5:38-43
"You have heard that it was said, ’Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, ’Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
Jesus does not just instruct his followers to live in this way, he does it himself. He refuses to look out for his own interests. They beat him, mocked him, spit on him, and crucified him and he prayed for them.
He owned the universe yet had no place to lay his head.
He belonged on the throne yet washed the feet of those who would betray him.
He deserved the welcome and submission of Kings and princes, yet he associated with the poor and sick and rejected.
What about accountability? Do we just let people walk all over us? There is a place for that teaching - especially in the church, but what area do you think we need to focus on?
We are a personal rights based society and the Christians are no different, that should not be!
3. Opposite Tools.
Swords and Threats vs. Service and Love
The method by which power is gained and held in the kingdoms of this world is threats and strength. Citizens obey the laws because they are backed with the ability to inflict painful consequences.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We use different tools because we have a different enemy. In the kingdoms of this world the enemy is always someone else, another person, in the kingdom of God the enemy is not people.
Ephesians 6:12
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Instead of control, freedom, Instead of laws, grace, instead of self promotion, service and love.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
The kingdom of God is all about love. The kingdom of God looks and acts like Jesus.
1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
What tools do you primarily trust in?
Would you say that you typically love and serve, or would you say that you typically control through force, threats, judgment, shame, and pressure?
These are the determining criteria as to which kingdom you trust in, which kingdom you live in. The kingdom of God is made up of people who put His will above their own. Who serve others rather than themselves; who give sacrificially of themselves in order to bless others.
Portions of this sermon are based upon "The Myth of a Christian Nation" Chapter 2 - By Dr. Gregory A. Boyd
(A must read!)
Hear it Preached: www.dakotacommunitychurch.ca and click "Listen".
PowerPoint available (Free of charge) on request dcormie@mts.net
