Kingdom or Empires

Before Preaching:

Welcome & thank everyone.

Speak on New Website.

Explain Good Friday Time of reflection (Show Slide)

April 18th, 5-11PM

Quiet time of reflection, come & go as needed, no childcare provided.

Invite & explain to families Pizza Garden Event. (Show Slide)

The Kingdom of God Title Slide.

Pray

Question: What is one of the most incredible buildings/set of buildings you have ever visited/want to visit?

While I’m wouldn’t call myself an architecture buff, I do enjoy seeing different designs from all sorts of time periods. My favorite set of buildings to see is the downtown historical area in St. Augustine, Florida (show slide). Now, many of you know that I grew up in northern Florida. I love the Jaguars, Gators, beaches; really anything from my home area. But this downtown area of St. Augustine takes it to the next level! If you’re not aware, St. Augustine is the nation’s first city. Founded by the Spaniard, Juan Ponce DeLeon in the 1500’s. Juan, like many other conquistadors embarked to a new world in search of God, Gold, & Glory, but mostly the Gold & Glory… He settled in north Florida, observing its natural beauty, and immediately claimed it for Spain. In a relatively short period of time, Spain developed Juan’s discovery into bustling colony. By the way, in my education, I must have learned 20 times as much about Juan and St. Augustine, as I did Lewis & Clark. I think its safe to say what Florida’s department of historical education was.

Fast-forwarding to today, walking though the downtown area of St. Augustine is incredible. I love the city’s desire to preserve as much of the original settlement, while pairing it with innovative buildings. Walking on the cobble-stone roads, and holding a coffee from a specialty roaster. Or seeing one of the first homes smacked side-to-side to thriving businesses. Or even, exploring Fort Mantanzas and watching huge cruise ships sail past by is a site to see. I think what makes this area so special, is that over 500 years of development has withstood the test of time, because people all throughout that timeframe, could see that this was to be something special. People had the foresight to construct something that would last and are continue to produce in a way that doesn’t decimate it’s original charm.

Compare that to our next building I’m about to show you. (Show the Eyesore on I-4.)

Now this building here isn’t quite as nice… from a distance and not knowing any of the history of this building, you probably wouldn’t think too much about it. Maybe it looks like an early-to-mid 2,000’s business center. You would think so. What if I told you that this building here is almost 25 years old and have never once been used? In fact, windows were only added to this building within the last few years. According to Wikipedia, this building is called The Majesty Building, but it’s better known as The Eyesore on I-4. This project started from a media company in 2001 that didn’t want to go into debt. What was supposed to stand proudly in the north Orlando, Florida area, quickly became the laughing stock of all of the state. The Majesty was set to be a 2-year project, completed in the spring of 2003. Due to a lack of funding and poor planning, it gained the reputation as only a shell of what could be.

This morning, I would ask you, what is being built in and through your life? Is what’s built something that holds firmly or is it something that when the curtains are pulled back, it reveals something lacking?

(Show Kingdom or Empires Slide) Today, we’re going to continue on with our The Kingdom of God series. In the last two months, we’ve been exploring the idea of what the Kingdom of God is and how do we participate in it? We’ve spent all of our time exploring this theme within the Old Testament. We spoke on how God is covenantal, He cares about the cries of injustice, the desire for good kings/shepherds, and last week, Michael preached on the call & role of the prophet; which leads us to where we are today. This morning, we’re in the transition piece as we’re going to soon see Jesus directly teaching and demonstrating the Kingdom within the Gospels, but for today, we’re finishing with my favorite bible character, John the Baptist.

John is known as the last of the Old Testament prophets, was often compared to Elijah, the forerunner to the Messiah, and most recognizably of all, the dude living in the wilderness who wore camel’s fur and ate locust and honey.

But for today, here’s what I want you to know about John, his central message and theme was repentance.

Matthew writes this about John:

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ” Mt 3:1–3.

So what is repentance?

Repentance is a change of mind leading to a change of action.

Often times, repentance is treated as an event reserved for a church altar time, on someone’s deathbed, or on their knees after hitting rock bottom. While these and similar events certainly have a part in creating some amazing stories of God’s goodness, this isn’t how the bible treats it. It’s a lifestyle that requires daily connection with Jesus. It’s comparing ourselves and our ways to Jesus, and then continually choosing to submit it all to Him. As both, John and Jesus teach, Repentance is required to participate in God’s kingdom. This morning, I want us to think about repentance as a foundational piece of carrying out God’s kingdom, or say, the building of something magnificent; on the flip side, think of the absence of His kingdom as an empire; to be more specific, an empire that’s the shell of what it could be. As we do this, we’re going to view four different pieces of John’s life and see how different pieces of repentance contribute to the Kingdom of God.

1. Joy vs Pain

Luke 1:5–25

5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. Lk 1:5–7.

Take time to continue to explain the story, up until,

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Lk 1:18.

continue with telling the story with Zachariah becoming mute.

Zachariah was in pain from no children. Could you imagine Zachariah’s struggle? I’m guessing that throughout his lifetime, he must have blessed hundreds of newborn babies, cried alongside others dealing with infertility, and celebrated with those being able to conceive. All the while, grappling with their own infertility.

pain often restricts out ability to see what can be, Zachariah was literally face-to-face with an Gabriel, the angel and still couldn’t believe the idea that God could do such a wonderful thing. I think if we’re being honest. Our hurts and pain distort our views of God and what He can do. This can make the idea of repentance difficult. I mean, if God isn’t seemingly entering into one of the most tender areas of my being. How can I really trust that when He says to turn away from what I’m doing and place my eyes on Him, that I won’t be even more injured?

I’m convinced that Zachariah’s period of becoming mute, was actually a time for healing. His pain spoke through him and caused this restriction. Repentance is an agent of healing. Oftentimes, the places of pain are where God wants to work in and through us. Elizabeth understood this...

23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” Lk 1:23–25.

I wonder why Elizabeth was able to look with joy through the pain? I’m assuming that being barren was even more embarrassing for her. Explain Elizabeth and Mary’s interaction.

44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Lk 1:44–45.

Is there something that God has said to you that you need to believe Him about? Joy fuels us to take the next step, especially when it’s painful.

John jumps for joy in the presence of Jesus and it affects his mother. She too, is filled with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes making the step to joy over pain, brings along the blessing. Joyful-repentance turns us to the one who desires to fulfill the deepest longings of our souls.

57 When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. 58 And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. 59 When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” 61 “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” 62 So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. 63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. 65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Lk 1:57–66.

God’s joy through baby John spilt over into everyone around them.

Zachariah choose to pursue joy and joined in on what God was

Repentant-joy cannot be contained. It overflows to others around us. He uses the deepest longings and sources of pain to become the vessels where joy overflows. The kingdom pursues repentance with joy; empires build up walls that insulate our pain.

2. Forward vs Backward

Luke 3

At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! 5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’ ” Lk 3:2–6.

The kingdom of God advances; it doesn’t retreat. John prepares the people for what is to come, Jesus! I love how later in this passage, people that were considered the outsiders, sinners, and of low stature were the ones eager to look forward and repent. John teaches them to look forward and to live differently.

Repentant people are looking forward to what Jesus will do. If you feel like the outsider, outcast, and caught up in sin; good news, the kingdom of God is for you. Just stop turning back, and look at this new way of living. If you’re caught up in sin or shame, know that kingdom of God absolutely is for you. Just don’t look back.

7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” 10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?” Lk 3:7–10.

Backward people focus on what was done, often missing His heart.

backward living lays out extra steps and relies on other things that make it unnecessarily difficult. Are you focused on what was instead of what God is preparing? John warns us that this kind of living gets burnt and turns to ash. Maybe you’re here and you haven’t had a genuine moment with God in a long time. Maybe you said to God, that what was is good enough. Can I be honest with you, this will destroy you. If you’re still breathing, His work isn’t finished. Let go of what was and look forward to what He wants to do in and through you. Kingdom-repentance is looking forward while holding onto His faithful promises; Empire-living relishes on the past.

3. Humility vs Control

Matthew 3:13–17

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ” 4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River Mt 3:1–6.

John knew what His role was. This was the central theme of his life and he embraced it. He did what it took to turn and followed God’s heart. Repentance speaks from a place of humility. His humility informed him of who he was. In other passages, John was famous and people wanted to be with him. His fame; however, didn’t deter him from his role. He know what the Father had sent him out to do; to prepare people for the kingdom and His son.

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. Mt 3:13–15.

John had a moment to control what was happening, but trusted Jesus at His word. He humbled himself to Jesus’ authority and accepted his role. How often do we bring our ideas to God and say, you do it this way? John knew that this wasn’t Jesus’ way. In humbling himself, he participated in the christening of Jesus’ public ministry. How often does control hinder our participation in God’s kingdom?

Kingdom-repentance embraces our humble role; Empire-living tries to hijack it.

4. Trust vs Fear

Mark 6:14–32 “Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.” Others said, “He’s the prophet Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.” When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.” For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her. John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. Herodias’s chance finally came on Herod’s…”

At the end of his life, John lived in a prison, because he was willing to confront Herod Antipas and speak truth to his. Herod lived in fear and the approval of others, but also feared and respected John. I won’t go into details Herod was afraid of John, but even more afraid of those around him. known as a paranoid person.

Jesus leaves out the section of the prisioner being freed as a response to John’s disciples asking for him.

Doubt and questions do not equal distrust and fear.

Can I trust God with what’s unseen and after me, even if it’s really bad or will I succumb to fear?

Ask worship team to come up

Wrap Up