Skip to content

Outside the Box – A Message from Luke 5

March 1, 2009 – Coast Vineyard – Michelle Wilson

The Kingdom of God is Now.

  • The Kingdom of God has already come. – “the kingdom God is upon you”
  • The Kingdom of God has yet to come in full. – We live in a tension where we hope and take part in the realization of the kingdom.
  • The Kingdom of God is coming right now. – We are in the middle of the greatest event ever happening.

The Kingdom of God is New.
To enter into it, we need to:

  • Take off what we think we know.
  • Put on what God is doing now.

The Kingdom of God cannot be contained by our old selves.
To become carriers of it, we must:

  • Ask to be made new.
  • Ask for the kingdom to come within us.
  • Expect turbulence (don’t confuse this with the actual presence of God).
  • Expect to be used by God (bring healing and freedom).

For me, this message challenged me to consider tangible ways on how to bring the Kingdom of God into the lives and places that I come in contact with.  Three questions helped me visualize this idea.

  1. Write down names of people or places that I want to see the Kingdom of God come into.  Draw a box around those words.
  2. Write down truths, promises, experiences of the Kingdom of God that you have heard of or believe outside the box.
  3. Connect the words that are outside the box with words that are inside the box as you see fit.  On those lines write ideas and actions about how to make them a reality.

This illustration can continue to grow as we learn and experience more of the Kingdom of God and how it works.  If I keep my drawing in my head it helps me be more consciously prayerful throughout the day.

Posted in Sermons.

Tagged with , , , .

Comments

By ddhoffman – March 11, 2009

  • I knew you were the idea guy.

    What're some examples of ideas/actions you've come up with? My first inclination is bigger Bible, thump harder.

    Also how do you consider active vs. passive, IE lifestyle evangelism vs streetcorner evangelism, that sort of thing?
  • The cliche answer for one of the words on one of my lines is prayer, especially in terms of seeing the Kingdom of God come into Jenn's Dad's life. I desperately want to see healing and restoration in his life, and yet I do not pray for it enough. I've started the habit of writing him letters to try and include in our life, since otherwise there is a physical and mental disconnect. Often I find myself too tired to write, but I know that I must write, consistently sharing with him the daily happenings of my life.

    The distinction of active and passive really isn't helpful for me. I think that having a perspective of openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit into both of what you term lifestyle / street corner evangelism is most important. Sharing the Kingdom of God is active. It's never passive. Back to openness. Being open allows you to be sensitive to meet people where they are at, whether that be a random person on the street or a close friend who you've known for years.
blog comments powered by Disqus
« »