Kingdom Impact
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Vision, Mission, Values
Vision, Mission, Values
Welcome to Fellowship of Believers!
Vision
Vision
Fellowship of Believers is a Revival House and Jesus is our Revival.
Mission
Mission
It is our conviction that we gather people in God’s presence, grow in the way of Jesus, and go in the power of the Holy Spirit impacting Sarasota and the nations.
We are a Revival House that gathers, grows, and goes!
Values
Values
Righteous Living
Honor
Servant Leadership
Jesus Focus
Hospitality Communion
Rest
Kingdom Impact
Kingdom Impact
Kingdom Impact
We live open-handed and wholehearted, giving generously and serving with excellence so that our lives advance the Kingdom of God.
WHAT IS KINGDOM?
WHAT IS KINGDOM?
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
The Lord’s Prayer is formatted in a way of a person that is speaking to a king.
The First Half is all directed at God (the King).
This is adoration, priority, acknowledgement of the King’s authority.
The Second Half is a request of the King from the citizen.
Generosity
Forgiveness
Living a sanctified life, above reproach
Kingdom Defined
Kingdom Defined
A kingdom has some very basic elements:
A king - authority
A space or realm - where authority is exercised
Citizens of the kingdom - those who live under the rule of the king
As the will of the King is expanded to different citizens, we call this kingdom expansion.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
If God has established his throne and rules over all, why doesn’t our world look like Heaven?
HOW MANY KINGDOMS?
HOW MANY KINGDOMS?
Scripture consistently shows us that there are two kingdoms. It actually makes it very simple.
Kingdom of God
Kingdom of God
Light
Truth
Life
Righteousness
Spirit
Kingdom of Darkness
Kingdom of Darkness
Darkness
Lies
Death
Unrighteousness
Flesh
The Beginning
The Beginning
We see in Genesis 1-3 the establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth. He creates the realm called Eden and places his first citizens in that Kingdom. We then see those citizens led astray through the questioning of their king, which results in the removal of their residence in the king’s realm.
The beauty of this is the redeeming nature of our King.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
God is reigning with justice, love, mercy – if you’re willing to accept it.
The Devil is reigning with fear, pressure, and exposure – if you’re willing to accept it.
Which Kingdom Are You Living For?
Which Kingdom Are You Living For?
Each of us in this room is living more for one of these kingdoms.
The idea of KINGDOM IMPACT is something that is built into our function as human beings.
A Contrasting Choice
A Contrasting Choice
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
Turn to what? Turn back from the path that leads to death in the kingdom of darkness and return to the kingdom of light where you came from!
Exposure Will Come
Exposure Will Come
24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
<image of unripe wheat & tares>
The Kingdom exists as such. While everyone is living their life it may be hard to tell who is in the Kingdom of God and who is the kingdom of darkness.
While everyone is making daily choices, things “appear” the same.
However, once the harvest time comes, we see a distinct difference.
<image of harvest wheat and tares>
The wheat heads begin to bow over and they turn brown, showing a sign of dying to self & humility.
The tares however will continue to stand straight and proud.
You know why?
NO FRUIT. VAIN. EMPTY.
The wheat grew slow, steady, and bore fruit in the end.
The tares appeared good and yet provided nothing in the end.
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Again, the choices before us are simple: life & death – the one asking the question even gives you a massive hint on how to answer – CHOOSE THE KINGDOM OF LIFE!
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When John the Baptist came on the scene and as Jesus began to preach they shared the same message.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Repent = return
We saw this earlier, we are being called to return to God’s kingdom, under his authority, his jurisdiction, his protection, his blessing.
Remember: a kingdom is citizen living under the rule of the king.
The king’s decrees have been given to us - his very word, we don’t have to wonder what the king has said, it’s all laid before us in black and white.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
This sentence sums up teaching by Jesus about the cares of this world, anxiety, worry, money issues.
Top 10 Spiritual Searches
Top 10 Spiritual Searches
What happens after you die?
Does God exist?
Why does God allow suffering?
How do I pray?
What is the meaning of life?
Is Jesus God?
What does the Bible say about specific life issues?
Is there life after death?
What religion is true?
How can I find peace?
Every single one of these is a kingdom question.
People are searching the internet for answers to the deepest questions of life…but the Kingdom of God already speaks to every one of them.
So where is the gap?
The current citizens of the kingdom have opportunity to make kingdom impact!
The King’s authority is expressed through his citizens.
HOW TO MAKE KINGDOM IMPACT
HOW TO MAKE KINGDOM IMPACT
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
The Kingdom Begins Small
The Kingdom Begins Small
This tiny seed represents something that seems insignificant.
God’s work in your life will often start the same way. It isn’t noticeable to those around you, but God is working.
Kingdom Impact doesn’t appear shiny or attractive at the onset - in fact many times it’s very tough work.
Sticking with the agriculture - thing the plowing phase.
The Seed Contains a Hidden Potential
The Seed Contains a Hidden Potential
Although a seed is small, it contains what is needed to produce a full and life-giving plant.
Placed in the right conditions, that seed can’t help but gro.
The Growth is Exponential
The Growth is Exponential
That tiny seed becomes a large garden plant. Some mustard plants can reach 8-12 feet tall.
Looking at a seed, it is hard to imagine that something so small could one day be 2x bigger than yourself.
It Provides Shelter
It Provides Shelter
As the kingdom of God grows, it becomes a place where many will find shelter and refuge.
This is exactly what we are and are becoming more and more. A place where people can come and find rest, shelter, recharge, oasis.
The Kingdom Expands
The Kingdom Expands
Specifically the mustard plant is known to spread rapidly and in some ways invasively.
The Kingdom of God was meant to expand beyond man’s boundaries.
Violent Expansion
Violent Expansion
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.
I believe Matthew and Luke are describing the same thing with different perspectives.
Matthew is showing an expanding kingdom of God with opposition from the enemy.
Luke is showing and expanding kingdom of God that is growing so fast that people are pressing to enter the kingdom - think a crowd trying to get in a first come first serve event.
The Kingdom Often Grows Quietly
The Kingdom Often Grows Quietly
We love fanfare, headlines, and big moves of God that are publicized.
Interestingly enough the largest churches and christian gatherings in the world are not like this - yet they are growing.
A seed grows underground first, builds a root system, then the plant begins to become visible.
20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
Kingdom impact happens with many simple decisions.
Decisions to live open-handed, serve whole-heartedly, and live a life of excellence worthy of our King’s name.
We are not living for the approval of man, we are serving at the pleasure of the King.
As we serve the king, the kingdom will be advanced.
King Jesus calls us to be salt and light to those around us…Matthew 5:16 “16 I…so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Close
Close
Summing this up: it is not whether your life will make an impact - that is inevitable. What kingdom will your life advance?
