Jesus | The Gospel is the Kingdom
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
January 2, 2022
In this new year, we are going to be delving deeply into the Sermon on the Mount. This is Jesus’ most famous sermon. It’s been called the greatest sermon ever preached. His main subject is the Kingdom of God; who it’s for, how it manifests, and the ways in which we live it out. Throughout the year, we’ll be periodically returning to this amazing manifesto – the Magna Carta of the people of God. But to fully appreciate what Jesus has to say to us, we have to begin with a basic understanding of what Christ means when He speaks of the Kingdom of God. Join us this weekend for what is sure to be an informative, challenging, and inspiring message on Jesus Christ’s favorite subject.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. The Kingdom of God is the very antithesis of the kingdoms of this world. In what ways is the Kingdom of God different from what we see and experience in this world? Write or describe those differences.
2. The dictionary defines “bread and circuses” as something offered as an expedient means of pacifying discontent or diverting attention from a source of grievance. Rome made use of bread and circuses to do just that. The modern equivalent is what some have termed “the politics of distraction.” In what ways are people pacified or otherwise distracted from some of the real and larger issues happening in government?
3. God’s Kingdom is a de-centered kingdom. What He is doing is happening in the margins and far from the centers of power. He builds His kingdom from the bottom up not the top down. In what ways did having power or influence at times corrupt the church? Pastor Keith emphasized that the only way to avoid the temptations of power and money is to be a church FOR the margins ministering FROM the margins. What does that look like? How do we become more effective as a church in doing both of those things?
4. Take some time to pray the Lord’s prayer privately or together as a group. This prayer is kingdom praying. But it’s not just in declaring “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done”, it’s everything about this prayer. As you pray it alone or together as a group, talk about how the different aspects of the prayer represent God’s kingdom heart.
5. The German pastor and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, said after reading the Sermon on the Mount, “We are called to be a surprising people.” Sadly, many so-called Christ-followers are anything but that. When was the last time you were surprised, had your breath taken away, because of what you witnessed happening in an exchange between a believer and non-believer?
6. Culture can be shifted, changed, even radically transformed by a dedicated minority of folks. It only takes 2% - just a small group of people – who have a new and just vision for society to bring about change. Discuss what it takes to be a part of that 2%.
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