We’ve grown accustomed to the false understanding that we have authority in this world, that the things we own actually belong to us, and that a lifestyle conditioned on our desires is to be accepted and encouraged.
The truth is, everything belongs to Christ. His rulership is the non-negotiable of the Christian faith. Although sin and rebellion may still occur until resurrection, our response shows that we’re “slaves to God,” and no longer slaves to sin.
Our study this morning addresses the nature of Jesus’ rule, His Kingdom, and our inheritance in it.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:3-5
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Under Christ’s rule:
- “sexually immoral” becomes SEXUALLY MORAL
- “idolators” becomes GOD-WORSHIPPERS
- “adulterers” becomes FAITHFUL
- “homosexual partners” becomes SEXUALITY AS GOD DESIGNED
- “thieves” becomes GIVERS
- “greedy” becomes GENEROUS
- “drunkards” becomes SELF-CONTROLLED
- “verbally abusive” becomes VERBALLY AFFIRMING
- “swindlers” becomes TRUSTWORTHY
- How is this possible?
1. Washed – Made as new by the Spirit
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”
2. Sanctified – Made holy and acceptable
1 Corinthians 1:2
“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours.”
3. Justified – Made right and free from accusation
Romans 8:33
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.”
Conclusion on the Kingdom:
A Christian…
1. …is no longer in rebellion to Christ’s rule
2. …is not the same as they once were
3. …has been made as new, made holy, and has been made right with God
Application:
“don’t be deceived”
1st – Live changed: as children of God, under Christ’s rule
2nd – Change your perspective in how you view the world
– show them where they can become as new!
Luke 17:20-21 (NASB)
20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Philippians 3:4-9
4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.