Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
To understand and live in the Kingdom of God, making the choice to serve God faithfully rather than being consumed by worldly possessions, as taught in Matthew 6:24.
Our focus today will be on a powerful teaching from the book of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 24, which challenges us to understand the Kingdom of God, to live it, and to bring it to Earth. As we embark on this journey, let's keep in mind the words of Pastor Rick Warren: "The Kingdom of God is a present reality. It's what we're to be living in now."
Let's read the scripture, Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." This verse reminds us of the choice we all have to make - to live for the Kingdom of God or to be consumed by the things of this world.
The Kingdom of God is about spiritual richness and divine authority. It's about living in accordance with God's will and being guided by His wisdom. It's about being part of a community that loves, serves, and honors God above all else. It's about being citizens of heaven while living on earth.
In the Kingdom of God, the last will be first and the first will be last. It's a kingdom where the humble are exalted and the proud are humbled. It's a kingdom where the poor in spirit are blessed, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are satisfied. It's a kingdom where the merciful receive mercy, the pure in heart see God, and the peacemakers are called children of God.
Understanding the Kingdom of God also means understanding that it's not fully realized yet. It's already here, but not yet complete. It's a present reality, but also a future hope. It's like a seed that has been planted, but is still growing. It's like yeast that's working through the dough, but hasn't leavened the whole lump yet. It's a kingdom that's advancing, but hasn't fully arrived yet.
The Kingdom of God is also about transformation. It's about being born again, not of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit. It's about being transformed by the renewing of our minds. It's about being conformed to the image of Christ, not to the pattern of this world. It's about becoming new creations, old things passing away and all things becoming new.
Understanding the Kingdom of God also involves understanding our role in it. We are called to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. We are called to live as ambassadors of the Kingdom, representing God to the world. We are called to be salt and light, preserving the world from decay and illuminating it with God's truth. We are called to be workers in the vineyard, bearing fruit for the Kingdom.
Understanding the Kingdom of God is a journey, not a destination. It's a process, not a product. It's a relationship, not a religion. It's about growing in our knowledge of God, deepening our relationship with Him, and becoming more like Christ. It's about discovering God's will for our lives, aligning our lives with His will, and living out His will in the world.
To live in the Kingdom of God, we must understand our identity in Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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