Living with Kingdom Values
As followers of Jesus, we become dual citizens – citizens of this earth, but also citizens of a kingdom that is here but not yet complete, a kingdom that Jesus came to announce and will bring to completion upon His return.
The invitation to follow Jesus is an invitation into the Kingdom. But, we are not just meant to enter the kingdom and enjoy the fringe benefits, we are called to be participating members of this kingdom – helping to expand it.
So we have to ask, what are the defining characteristics of kingdom living? What makes it different?
Several Core Kingdom Values:
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Humility – least are considered the greatest, become like a child, self-denial, serve others Matthew 10:38-39, 16:24-25, 18:3-5, 19:30, 20:16
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Freedom – spiritual freedom, victory over darkness, “freedom to the captives” “bind up the broken hearted” Isaiah 61:1
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Living from the inside out – integrity, good tree – good fruit, true righteousness, authenticity Matthew 12:33-34
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Love is the greatest command – do unto others, holistic love (mind, body, soul, heart) Mark 12:34, Matthew 7:12, 22:37-39
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Faith – trust in God Matthew 17:20-21, 21:21-22
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Overcoming darkness with light / evil with good – Jesus inaugurated this with his overcoming of death, now we are left to continue in overcoming evil of this world with the goodness of God
5-27-07
A Well Ordered Heart
What does it mean to live a balanced life?
The Problem with Balance
What are some problems that occur when we devote ourselves to balanced living?
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Compartmentalization (spiritual vs. non-spiritual)
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Our idea of balance changes (ex. Peach cobbler)
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On a deeper level, it does not “capture the sense of compelling urgency worthy of human devotion.”
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John Ortberg calls it a “middle-class pursuit” (ask hungry children in Africa if they are interested in helping us live balanced lives)
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It lacks any notion that there is something bigger than “me” worthy to devote myself to.
Many of us seek to live a “balanced” life. This is often starts off ok, but there is a flaw in trying to live a “balanced” life. The problem is that when we are the ones to determine what “balanced” looks like, we very quickly get off balanced. Our priorities change (for the good and the bad) and therefore what “balanced” looks like changes also.
Jesus, didn’t say, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and lead a balanced life.”
However, un-balance is not the answer either!
What we are seeking is a life “beyond balance.”
When we seek to live a “well-ordered heart” instead, everything falls in line with Christ.
Saint Augustine suggests that to have a well-ordered heart is to love:
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The right thing
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To the right degree
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In the right way
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With the right kind of love
We cannot do this alone because of the fall. We now have “disordered affections.” We love wrong.
Living in the name of Jesus
In working towards the goal of a well-ordered heart, we can look to Paul’s words for guidance:
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
What does it mean to do something in the name of Jesus?
It has to do with his character. Doing it the way He would.
How would Jesus wake up? Drive? Work? Shop? Etc….
What are some specific things that we can do in Jesus’ name?
John Ortberg says, “People tend to laugh at the suggestion of acting in Jesus’ name, but it is in just such ordinary, seemingly “non-spiritual” activities as these that “doing everything in Jesus’ name” must make a difference if it is to mean anything at all.”
Rule of Life
A “rule of life” is a rhythm for living in which we can grow connected to God. It involves things such as when we pray, how we handle finances, how we work, how we are involved in Christian community – all the areas of life arranged in a strategic way so that our hearts grow increasingly more well-ordered.
6-3-07
Vision, Intention, Method
Vision – the vision of what lie ahead
Vision is the thing that motivates us. We get a glimpse of what our lives can be.
Intention – the will to change
When we are motivated to change, it leads us to make the decision to move forward.
Method – how to change
Once we have made the decision to move forward into change, we need a method, otherwise we will find ourselves stalled and discouraged.
Training vs. Trying
William Paulsell said, “It is unlikely that we will deepen our relationship with God in a casual or haphazard manner. There will be a need for some intentional commitment and some reorganization in our own lives. But there is nothing that will enrich our lives more than a deeper and clearer perception of God’s presence in the routine of daily living.”
The reality of life proves that “trying” our hardest at something can only get us so far.
The same is true when it comes to spirituality. What we need to do is realize that there is a huge difference between training to do something and trying to do something.
Transformation is a matter of training wisely.
1 Corinthians 9:25, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 4:7
Spiritual Discipline defined: “an intentionally directed action by which we do what we can do in order to receive from God the ability (or power) to do what we cannot do by direct effort.” – Foster.
We can turn most anything that causes us to move closer to the “goal” into a “spiritual discipline”
We must simply see them as “a path that places us where change can occur.”- Foster.
Image – (a long narrow ridge, on one side human striving for righteousness –moralism. On the other side, the absence of human striving – antinomianism. The path – the path of the Disciplines of the spiritual life.)
Grace is a gift, but to grow in grace we must choose this path. Grace is free, but it is surely not cheap.
Two disciplines that we will look at: celebration & slowing.
