The Connection Podcast

Kingdom Citizen // Ask Seek Knock

How can you critique others or hold others accountable for what you excuse in yourself?

If you search your own heart, and find the sin that is there, and you are able to rightly see!! (v5) You will be able to help your neighbor from a position of humility and graciousness. You won’t judge them for failure when you know that you struggle and fail as well. Seek forgiveness from God and he will grant it. If you, a sinner, know how to be gracious with others, how much more gracious will your father in heaven be if you ask him.

Kingdom Citizen // Eyes for the other Kingdom

There is a comparison between earthly and heavenly treasure. Reality is earthly possession doesn’t last, and you will not be taking it with you.I f you belong to the kingdom of God, do you trust your king to know what you need and provide for you? or would you rather build your own kingdom and worry about providing for yourself? This does not mean I can sit on the couch and God will provide. Our concern over provision ought to be concern for one another.

Kingdom Citizen // Practices of the Kingdom

Your practices are perfectly designed to give you the results you have. If you do it for others then your reward comes from what you receive from others not from God. What practices make a good Christian? Giving, prayer, fasting...mercy, compassion, sacrifice. They shape our hearts, and give glory to our Father in heaven.

Kingdom Citizen // Oaths and Promises

Jesus continues to re-center his followers on the intent of the biblical commands and laws, by not viewing them so much as laws or rules to follow, but as a life shaped by being in God’s kingdom. Last week we went to the heart with anger and lust. And the examples this week really aren’t different. The sermon on the mount holds a mirror to our hearts.

Kingdom Citizen // Concerning The Heart

You have heard it said... That’s the tip off phrase that he is referring to the law and prophets or at least the standing interpretation of the pharisees that everyone was supposed to follow. Anger is the same as murder. Abusive, harsh language is as well. v 22 if you insult... or say “you fool” you will be liable to hell.

Journal Prompt: 
What anger or lust are you holding in your heart that you need to release, and how might you go about releasing it this week?

Kingdom Citizen // Salt & Light

Living the life of a citizen of God’s kingdom sets you apart from the world. Jesus warns us in 11-12 that living in a kingdom that is here but not complete that values the inverse of what the world holds up will lead to us being separated and persecuted.

The beatitudes cultivated in us make us salt and light. As salt we engage the world. As light we never allow that engagement to compromise who we are.

Kingdom Citizen // The Beatitudes

Jesus gives his followers the blessings or benefits of kingdom membership. These are the lifestyle of those who repent for the kingdom is near. If you have repented, you are in reconciliation and peace with God. You would think kingdom members who live this way would be loved by the world, but Jesus promised persecution for the way we live.

Divine Disruptions // Jesus

At creation light entered the physical darkness. At the birth of Jesus the light of the world disrupts a world filled with spiritual darkness. All of history turns on the revelation of God in Jesus.It is at Christmas that the world encounters God in the flesh, in person, dwelling among us. The ultimate disruption.

 

Divine Disruptions // Joseph

Joseph has found out that Mary is expecting a baby even though they have not lived together yet.  But, he didn’t know what we know as the readers of Matthew. He has to assume the worst.

What does this reveal about God? God will accomplish his plan of redemption. God normally reveals himself and works through normal circumstances, but when he has to he will take decisive steps to accomplish his plan. He can be trusted, and we cannot screw that up. Therefore we have hope and peace and joy.

Divine Disruptions // Mary

We are often perplexed about what God is doing. Especially if something that is happening in our life is completely disruptive. Our reaction still ought to be similar to Mary’s. Uncertainty about how God will do something is part of our faith journey, but the response of "here I am, your servant" is the right response.