1. Think and serve the Kingdom[OO1]
Three Key aspects:
- Kingdom Priority
- Kingdom Values
- Kingdom Lifestyle
a. Kingdom Priority- Mt 6:33- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”
Priority is not visible except in what is done repeatedly. What is done is a product of values, thought, attitude, and decisions.
Jesus’ example: A heart surrendered. For further study-Pr 23:26; Jn 5:19, 30; 8:28; Lk 22:42 (Mt 26:39,42); Phil 1:20, 21
Living for Christ’s honour[OO2] is our goal!
b. Kingdom Values- Rom 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
- Righteousness-the quality of being morally right or justifiable, hence, good, integrity, honour, pure
- Peace– freedom from disturbance; wholeness, prosperity
- Joy– feeling of great pleasure
c. Kingdom Lifestyle- Mt 23:23; Micah 6:8; Mt 5:13[OO3] -16
The Law was the instrument of the Kingdom in the Old Testament.
Ps 35:5; Jer 5:1; 9:24; Zec 7:9
- Justice– do, treat, or represent someone or something with due fairness
- Mercy– compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them
- [OO4] – Deny self to identify with people.
- Faithfulness– quality of being true, expressed in steadfastness or loyalty, assuring.
- Peace– Peacemaking
- – Helping- meeting necessary needs e.g emotional, physical, health etc
- – Mending- restoration of ‘brokenness’ in lives and communities.
- Joy-
Based on relationship with God.
If we live kingdom values, people will see Christ in us.
d. Guide your actions
- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things Phil 4:8
- But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Jas 3:17
e. Discussion
- How can you internalize these Kingdom values and make them personal?
- In what practical ways can you serve your community with Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness?
[OO1]The Kingdom of God is the rule of God. God’s system of government as opposed to the world.
[OO2]Christ is identified through our actions and decisions and is thus glorified.
[OO3]As salt- the salt metaphor relates to our mercifulness by identifying with the community or people around us and serving their needs
As light- the light metaphor relates to truth- justice and faithfulness.
[OO4]Without humility we cannot identify with people we want to serve with justice, mercy, faithfulness and peace. It is the central upholding attitude of the Kingdom
[OO5]Alignment with Christ in thought, motive and action will always bring joy.