North River Podcast

What did Jesus say about what is needed to enter His Kingdom?

What does God plan to do about the evil and injustice in the world?

How did Jesus talk about the Kingdom of God?

Jordan Massey, evangelist at North River, continues our series on the Kingdom of God. 

THE KINGDOM OF GOD: ALLEGIANCE

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-13)

For reflection:

• We can enter the Kingdom of God only if we submit to King Jesus and declare Him Lord of our lives. He must have our allegiance and devotion over all other kings and kingdoms. 
  • How is that difficult today?
  • What other kings and kingdoms are trying to pull us from the Kingdom of God?

Matthew 6:24

• Why is it impossible to serve both God and money?
• What other "masters" are we drawn to serving?

Matthew 10:1-4

• What had Simon and Matthew, as a zealot and a tax collector, given up to follow Jesus?
• Do you identify with a particular political party or ideology (Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist, or other)? If so, are you more loyal to that party/ideology or to Jesus?
• Who do you trust to take care of your family more: political/social solutions or God’s kingdom?
• What makes you more happy: seeing your party gain the presidency or seats in Congress, or knowing King Jesus sits on throne?
• What angers or breaks your heart more: when you see your party lose a debate or on a law, or when you see God’s kingdom not being lived out?
• What allegiance do your social media accounts reflect: allegiance to Jesus or allegiance to earthly "kingdoms" (parties, organizations, or ideologies)? 

Philippians 2:1-11

• How can Jesus's attitude and life help us overcome the divisive issues of today in our lives and in the church?
• What are ways that we can imitate his humility and obedience as other kingdoms are vying for our allegiance?

Practicals from Jordan:

• Pray through your loyalties in this world.
  • Write out why you trust Jesus more than them.
  • Why did you first make that good confession that “Jesus is Lord”?
• Read a book on Kingdom:
  • The Kingdom of God by Jones and Brown
  • Escaping the Beast by Burns
• Pray for both party leaders (1 Tim 2:1, Matt 5:43-44).
• When it comes to social media:
  • Pause. Pray. Love first. Lift up King Jesus over your opinion. Unite over divide.
  • Consider getting off social media/news for a week.

Who gets to be a part of God's Kingdom?

What does it mean to be part of the Kingdom of God even with everything going on in the world right now?

Guest speaker Ed Anton from Hampton Roads Church joins us from his home in Virginia. Our identity as members of the Kingdom of God is found in Christ!

THE KINGDOM OF GOD: IDENTITY

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)

Matthew 3:1-2

• How did liberation from sin and the call to repentance impact your purpose in life?
• How does God’s Kingdom affect our worldview? Or How does God’s Kingdom give us a shared worldview?
• Is Christianity only about being liberated from sin?

Matthew 3:13-17

• What does this passage have to say about Jesus’ identity?
• What is God’s role in the process?
• What does it mean to fulfill all righteousness?

Galatians 3:26-29

• How does God's Kingdom give each of us a new identity?
• How does God’s Kingdom make all of us one?
• How does identity politics get in the way of our new identity in Christ?
• How is identity politics a worldview different from God’s Kingdom worldview?
• How do our other identities tug at us?

Philippians 3:3

• What is the difference between a righteousness of our own and one that comes from God?
• What are the main things that make up your identity? When do they come into conflict with your identity in Christ?

For Reflection:

• How would your life be different if you saw your identity though God’s eyes?
• How can you align and deepen your convictions to embrace the truth of who you are in God’s eyes?

Pray this week to be able to better view yourself through the lens of Kingdom identity, and ask God to show you ways to use His righteousness to bless others.

The Kingdom that Jesus brought was very different than normal, earthly kingdoms.  How does that affect the way we live in it?

God announces the coming of His Kingdom in an unusual way. Are we still willing to listen?

Jesus is described as the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith in the opening sentences of Hebrews chapter 12.  How can we be inspired by His example as we run our race called life today?