The Kingdom Perspective

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

We must always be careful not to be gullible—accepting everything that comes to us in the name of “spiritual truth”. Rather, the Bible calls us to investigate whether something is truly from God.

And how do we do that? Let me give you a three question test:

First, are you merely being told what you want to hear? The Bible warns of teachers “tickling” people’s ears. However, the truth is often hard. Therefore, we should be skeptical of those suggesting otherwise. Remember that line from “The Princess Bride”: “Life is pain…. Anyone who says differently is selling you something.” 

Second question: Is it true to the whole of Scripture? It does not matter that someone has a Bible verse as proof. The devil came at Jesus with Bible verses. The question is: How does this verse fit with the whole of Scripture? The Bible is a big book, and so, any part must be understood in terms of the whole. A text without context is pretext.

Final question: Does it make much of the person and work of Jesus, the Creator God who came to save us? Is Jesus the center and orienting principle of all else? As the Apostle Paul put it in his letter to the Colossians:

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority… (Colossians 2:8-10)

Jesus and His work for us is always the bottom line.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

~ Colossians 2:6-10 (ESV)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

Life is a marathon and not a sprint. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for the long haul.

Sprints require a short burst of energy; marathons require endurance.

Endurance is something in short supply in modern America. We want quick fixes. We easily give up on relationships, commitments, our church, etc., especially when things are too hard or take too long. This inability to endure should concern us, severely.

The Scriptures everywhere commend an endurance mentality. Biblically, perseverance is essential to our faith. Consider these passages:

In Romans 5 we are told to “exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope….”

In Colossians Paul prays that we would be “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

Jesus himself warns us: “…many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:10-13 ESV)

It is not surprising then that the writer of Hebrews describes the Christian life as a marathon: “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB).

In all your ups and downs, the Lord has one big goal: to grow you in endurance. 

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

~ Romans 8:18-25 (NASB)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

The central claim of Christianity—namely that Jesus is Lord—does not remove us from the affairs of this world. We are still citizens of the United States (or whatever land we call our own). However, it does affect the way we imagine and engage in the affairs of this world. As Christians, we know that the kingdoms of this world (whether they are left or right, capitalist or communist, Democrat or Republican) are not ultimate kingdoms. All the kingdoms of this world will come and go, but His kingdom is forever.

It is particularly important at this moment for followers of Jesus to lean into this reality. As we become an increasingly secular society, we tend to make more and more of the kingdoms of this world. By “secular,” I do not mean that we don’t “believe in God.” The data suggests we are as “believing” a nation as ever. Rather, by “secular” I mean we think our primary hope—and so our primary citizenship and allegiance—is to be found in this world. We are convinced that we must find heaven on earth. This makes us desperate, especially if we feel things are not going our way. We become anxious that “our kingdom” is crumbling. This not only makes us irritable, but also, as Christians, it makes us ultimately useless for representing Jesus in the world.

But the gospel reminds us that, first and foremost, we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). This gives us confident hope anchored in eternity, which then allows us to move into the changing kingdoms of this world and serve our neighbors. We know that the real and lasting kingdom comes not by the love of power but by the power of love, not by superiority over others but by serving others, not by the crown but by the cross.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

~ Philippians 3:17-21 (NASB)

Transcript:

Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective!

Human government must be limited, precisely because it is a delegated authority from a higher power. As the Apostle Paul put it in Romans “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). Thus, human authority is legitimate only to the degree that it functions according to God’s designated purpose.

But that begs the question: for what purpose are these human authorities established? What must these delegated authorities do to maintain their legitimacy?

Well, the Apostle Peter tells us:

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14 NASB95, emphasis added)

Did you catch that? The essential and necessary work of human government is: 1) to squelch evil and 2) to support the good. Again, it exists “for the punishment of evildoers, and the praise of those who do right”. Authorities and administrations function properly when they nurture an atmosphere in which a healthy society can flourish. To the degree that any human authority loses sight of this, to that degree it has lost its way.

Therefore, it is critical for Christians (and others of good will) to engage in the public square, in a manner that would promote both good order and good ends. We as individual citizens, families, and churches must not only hold our rulers to account for these purposes but also strive to live for them ourselves.

Are you?

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

~ 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NASB95)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

What is the most political thing you will do this week?

Christian theologian Oliver O’Donovan points out that the act of public worship is a political act. Have you ever thought of it that way? 

What is the outrageously bold political act that we do every Sunday? Well, we gather publicly and declare our allegiance to King Jesus—that He is both Christ (the anointed King) and Lord of heaven…and earth! The kings, congresses, and courts of this world do not ultimately determine our fate. Jesus does. Furthermore, we declare that He is coming back to judge the living and the dead—that the citizens of planet earth and its rulers are all ultimately accountable to but one King—a King who was brutally executed for us on a bloody Roman cross, a frightful symbol of state authority and power in the Ancient World.

Now, how this has escaped our notice can only be explained by how severely we have neutered the historic gospel. Our contemporary notion of Jesus is way too innocuous, way too harmless. He has become merely a “personal savior” endowed only with as much power that we allot Him in our compartmentalized world. But such a Jesus is not the true Jesus. The true Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.

And when we fix our eyes on this Jesus, it undercuts the angsty hopelessness that plagues us in these modern times. As we see the kingdoms of this world tremble and even crumble, we remember that the real king was already “crucified, dead and buried for us…. He rose again from the dead…and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”1

No one and no thing can escape the reach of King Jesus.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Therefore Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “You are the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

~ John 18:33-38 (NASB)

1 Excerpts from the Apostles Creeds.

Transcript:

Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective!

In Romans 13, the early church leader the Apostle Paul, issued a radical statement to the Christians in Rome. He said:

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

Sadly, this has been misused over the years by some in authority to demand that those under them blindly and unreservedly obey. But this is not at all what Paul says. Paul doesn’t command the Roman authorities to force their power upon the people. This is not addressed to the Roman authorities at all! In other words, God doesn’t say to Caesar: “I’ve given you unlimited authority, so do as you please.” No! Quite the opposite!

He is saying, all human authority is a delegated authority. It doesn’t lie in the person or the office, but ultimately in God, the author of all things (note the connection of “author” to “authority”).

This was a radical idea in the history of the world. No human being has any legitimate authority except to the extent it is given as a stewardship from the throne of heaven.

Now, certainly, this means that Roman Christians (and we) therefore should be respectful of those in authority. Rulers are ministers/servants of God, as Paul will go on to say (Romans 13:4); and we should expect to be accountable to them. But just as important, it tells us that no earthly authority is ultimate. All authority is itself accountable to the Divine Authority of heaven. God designed human government to be limited, for it is a delegated authority of a higher power.

And that’s something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."

~ Romans 13:1-7 (NASB95)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

In times of great political division, our thinking tends to become what some sociologists have dubbed “apocalyptic.” We begin to believe that what takes place at this moment—in the next election, during the next session of Congress or the next ruling from the Supreme Court—is going to determine the fate of our lives, indeed, the fate of all history. One side says: “If this person wins the White House or this party wins the Congress, we are all doomed.” And the other side says: “If that person wins the White House or that party wins the Congress, we are all doomed.”

Such thinking is not only false, but also revealing. It reveals where our real hope is. (Interestingly, the word “apocalyptic” literarily means to “unveil” or to “reveal”.)

Christians, however, need not think like this—not because there are not issues at stake in any given election or that what happens in Washington is of no significance. Rather, Christians have an anchor that goes beyond the chaos of the present moment. Our hope ultimately does not come from the White House in Washington but from our Father’s House in Heaven. Our hope is not in human power, but in the power God.

As the Psalmist put it:

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)

Such confidence allows us to enter the public square, not desperately seeking salvation, but rather seeking to serve. We are free to bring the hope of the true Savior to a world bent on finding it in earthly saviors destined only to disappoint.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

 He will answer him from His holy heaven

 With the saving strength of His right hand.

  Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

 But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

  They have bowed down and fallen,

 But we have risen and stood upright.

  Save, O Lord;

 May the King answer us in the day we call.”

~ Psalm 20:6-9 (NASB)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

Many indications suggest to us that the church in America is not in good shape. What should we do? We should weep over our worldliness and put our trust in God alone.

This sense of brokenness—of knowing our neediness as sinners before a gracious but holy God—should characterize the whole of our lives; but all the more so when we see the kingdoms of our world crumbling all around. This crumbling should remind us that God never intended us to trust in ourselves. He never intended us to put our hope in riches or status. Everything is a gift from God, and it given for the service of God and others. That’s why the New Testament writer James presses us:

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. (James 5:1-3)

What’s the remedy? James tells us: Repentance—turning our trust away from ourselves to God. Listen to what he says:

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:8-10)

Note that well: “Humble yourself and God will exalt you.” You see, repentance never ends with sorrow but always moves through sorrow to exaltation. In the Kingdom of God, the way up is always down.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”

~ James 4:13-5:6 (ESV)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to the Kingdom Perspective.

What a privilege we have as Christians! There is no greater comfort than the fact that the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth is our Heavenly Father for Jesus’s sake.

The Heidelberg Catechism, a doctrinal teaching device developed in 1563 and still used by many churches around the world, nails this fact very succinctly. Listen to question-and-answer number 26:

Question 26: What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”?

Answer: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son.

I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world.

He is able to do this because he is almighty God; he desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.

Because of Jesus, God is not only the Sovereign King of Creation, but also my faithful Father. Remember, Jesus said that not a sparrow can fall to the ground without the will of your Father in heaven (Matthew 10:29-31). Are you not of more value to him than a sparrow? (Matthew 6:26).

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

““So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven..”

~ Matthew 10:26-33 (ESV)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to the Kingdom Perspective.

What is the point of life? What is the goal you should be aiming for each and every day?

The Bible suggests to us that nothing is more important than knowing God, and nothing is more practical. The great 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon put it this way:

“I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.” (morning sermon on January 7, 1855, at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, England)

God is our designer (He made us), and God is our destiny (He is our final judge). We were made by Him and for Him. We were made to know Him and be in relationship with Him. But to know and be in relationship with someone requires knowing something about that person. Thus, to begin to know God, we must first know something about Him.

So, what can you do to grow in this knowledge about God? I recommend that you grab a classic book that faithfully distills the teaching of Scripture, such as Knowing God by J.I. Packer. If you want to start on a more basic level, try R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God. And, if you are looking for something more advanced, you’d be hard pressed to find anything more impressive than the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

Bottom line: You should pursue the knowledge of God and make knowing Him your highest goal.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.’”

~ John 17:1-3 (ESV)