Not of This World

Focus Statement

As citizens of heaven living on Earth,

we are called to be Christ’s heavenly ambassadors,

uncovering and sharing God’s truth

in a world that desperately needs it.

Point of Relation

How many of you have heard of Indiana Jones,

the renowned archaeologist and adventurer?

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Well, Indy finds himself caught in a Cold War conspiracy in “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

Set in 1957, Indy is forced by Soviet agents to locate a mysterious artifact with supposed otherworldly origins.

Indy’s quest leads him to Peru,

where he discovers that the artifact, a crystal skull, is linked to inter-dimensional beings often mistaken for aliens.

These advanced creatures once influenced ancient civilizations,

leaving behind powerful artifacts.

Like these beings, we Christians are also “not of this world,”

yet we are called to influence it profoundly.

Our lives should leave evidence of our heavenly citizenship -

ove, joy, peace -

just as these beings left their crystal skulls.

Indy’s mission to return the skull

mirrors our calling to bring God’s kingdom to Earth.

We navigate a world that often misunderstands us,

just as these beings were misinterpreted.

In the film’s climax,

the beings unite to share vast knowledge.

Similarly, we unite as Christ’s body to share God’s wisdom with a world in need.

Things to Consider

As inter-dimensional beings, or as the Paul puts it: citizens of heaven on earth, consider the following:

How does this change your view on daily challenges?

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In what ways can you better represent Christ’s kingdom in your life?

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How might this impact your relationships with believers and non-believers?

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Where in your life do you need to realign with your heavenly citizenship?

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What Scripture Says

In John 18:33-37,

we unearth profound truths about our identity as believers.

This passage is like an archaeological dig,

revealing our dual citizenship in this world

and the kingdom of heaven.

So, let grab our satchels and put on our Indiana Jones

hats as we rediscover an ancient truth.

We find Pilate questioning Jesus:

“Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus’ response invites us to dig deeper,

beyond worldly understanding. He declares,

“My kingdom is not of this world,”

a statement that uncovers our connection

to a realm beyond this dimension.

Jesus says, “I came into the world to testify to the truth.”

This reveals our mission: though we walk in this world,

we’re called to represent a higher truth,

like ambassadors from another realm.

“Everyone on the side of truth listens to me,”

Jesus concludes,

unveiling the key to our inter-dimensional existence:

our connection to truth itself.

This truth, friends, is echoed in Revelation 1:4b-8,

where we’re described as a “kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father,”

highlighting our dual role in both heavenly and earthly realms.

The passage reminds us that our true identity and allegiance lie in the eternal kingdom of God,

ruled by “him who is, and who was, and who is to come.”

These scriptures reveal that as believers,

we are the true “inter-dimensional beings,”

with one foot in this world and one in the next,

called to live out heavenly realities in our earthly context.

What This Means for You

As we uncover our true identity as inter-dimensional people, we realize we’re migrants in a foreign land,

with our citizenship firmly established in heaven.

This revelation challenges us to live differently.

Firstly, reassess your priorities.

Are you investing more in temporary, worldly pursuits or eternal, kingdom values?

Let your choices reflect your heavenly citizenship.

Secondly, embrace your role as an ambassador.

In your daily life, you represent a kingdom “not of this world.”

Let your words, actions,

and attitudes testify to Christ’s truth and love.

Lastly, find hope and perspective in this understanding.

When facing worldly challenges,

remember your eternal kingdom.

Approach problems with the wisdom of your heavenly citizenship.

Recognizing your “inter-dimensional” nature empowers you to live with purpose and integrity,

bringing Christ’s light to a world in need.

What This Means for Us

As a community of believers, our heavenly nature calls us to collective action.

We’re not just individual ambassadors,

but a united embassy of Christ’s kingdom.

Together, we’re challenged to create a culture that reflects our heavenly values.

This means fostering love, justice, and compassion within our church and beyond.

Our shared identity empowers us to stand firm against worldly pressures.

When society pushes against godly principles, we support each other in living out our true citizenship.

Ultimately, as Christ’s inter-dimensional community,

we’re called to be a beacon of hope.

Our unity and purpose should offer a glimpse of God’s kingdom to a world searching for meaning.

Let’s embrace our role as heavenly citizens on earth,

transforming our community through the power of Christ’s love. Amen. Amen?

Written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.