August 4, 2019 - Summer Series Building Blocks, Belong in Community Kingdoms + Covenants

August 4, 2019 KINGDOM OF GOD Most basically: people governed by Jesus. Five Differences Between The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the World 1. A contrast of trusts 2. A contrast of aims 3. A contrast of scopes 4. A contrast of responses 5. A contrast of battles CHURCH The church then is what is present and peopled in the realization of the kingdom[of God] now...There is no kingdom now outside the church...I contend kingdom and church need to be seen as much closer than most see them today (McKnight, KC, 87). (CF Matthew 13:16-17, Colossians 1:13, 4:11; Revelation 1:6). Paul uses the word “Church” amongst many other possibilities... First, the Greek world behind our “church” is ekklesia Second, usage of the term “church” reveals a tighter connection to kingdom Third, this term “church (ekklesia,ἐκκλησία) refers to Israel Expanded throughout the Roman Empire, now gathered out of the world and over against the world The term “fellowship” (koinonia, κοινωνία) refers to the inner life that creates unity of life in the ekklesia in the world. The term “church” then defines a community under the God of Israel and King Jesus, over against those who are not part of that people of God. Kingdom mission is church mission, church mission is kingdom mission, and there is no kingdom mission that is not church mission (McKnight, KC, 96). FINAL THOUGHTS We are about belonging to a new family, new kingdom, and sustained by new ways of thinking about others (Covenant). We are about three major concepts of belonging: Covenant, Kingdom, and Church. Abraham’s One Family (Galatians 3:26–29) COVENANT, KINGDOM, AND CHURCH COVENANT God as Covenant Keeper Key Biblical concept of how God relates to the world Covenant vs. Contract “A contract is something like an employment agreement or a purchase agreement; a house purchase, a car purchase, or something of the sort, whereas a covenant is like a marriage.” protect self vs. promises for the sake of another deal vs. pledge between people vs. the whole person. law vs. love evaluative vs. accepting conditional vs. unconditional “When we place covenantal trust in him and pledge our covenant fidelity to him—when we exercise “faith”—we are incorporated into Christ and pronounced “righteous,” which in covenantal terms means we are put in a right relationship with God because we are made participants of Christ’s right-relatedness”. Jesus fulfills both sides of human and God covenant. We join with Jesus in a community centred on him These are all centred on Jesus. When they are not, they cease to be church, kingdom of God, and covenant. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV): 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. These are empowered by the Holy Spirit, not simply our will. This is what makes them possible. God’s power at work in and through them. You were made for more than “contractual” consent-based relationships, but deeper and better covenant-based relationship is true belonging.