New Normal - Jesus' Kingdom of Heaven

New Normal

Theme - What does the “New Normal” look like from Jesus’ perspective?

Nobody’s Perfect

Recap what we’re doing with New Normal.

Jesus teaches that his Kingdom of Heaven is a new normal for all who choose to follow him. We’ve looked at how his teaching is a new normal in the areas of:

anxiety

wealth

our lives foundation

Today we’re going to look at how Jesus describes the people in his new normal. His new kingdom.

I’m going to describe various situations and you tell me in the chat box what kind of people will be in these situations.

At an airport

At your barangay fiesta

At SM

At your university

These can be somewhat humorous stereotypes and aren’t always true. But I think what’s interesting is that in each scenario (setting) the people are a certain way, they act a certain way, think a certain way. The same is true in Jesus’ Kingdom.

Tonight we’re going to look at the standards in Jesus’ Kingdom and how people who follow him in his kingdom look, act and think!

English Standard Version Chapter 5

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

In other words:

If you are going to be in the new normal your life has to look perfect.

Think of a person in your head right now. Who do you know that is most likely going to heaven? It's like Jesus is saying you have to have a more perfect life than even that person.

There’s a problem though, none of us are perfect. Maybe some of us think we’re perfect.

Nobody’s Perfect

I think that’s why Jesus gives us two examples to measure ourselves against in his new Kingdom.

Anger

Jesus starts with one of the 10 commandments. He starts with a commandment most of us have probably kept. Here it is:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.

How many of you have ever murdered someone? Alright, we’re good then, right? We can be in Jesus’ New Normal. Let’s see what Jesus goes on to say in the next verse:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Anger

Jesus says that even anger will make someone liable for the same judgment that murder will. He’s not saying its the same thing like if I’m already angry it’s okay to kill since I’m already angry. No. He’s upping our standards. It’s not enough to just not kill someone, I mustn’t be angry at others either.

Nobody’s Perfect

But what does that mean for us today? There’s really two answers:

if you’re a follower of Christ

His teaching here is reconciling with a brother and settling disputes quickly with an accuser.

While in quarantine, if you’re like me, you probably have relationship strain with either too much time around family members or having to keep relationships up online. Think through how we can reconcile with those whom we have hurt. Apologize if needed.

If you’re not a follower of Christ

maybe this teaching is showing you that you’re not perfect and you’re not trusting in the perfect one to get you into this new kingdom. Naa koy maayong balita para namo!

English Standard Version Chapter 5

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Nobody’s Perfect, but One

Since he’s perfect, he offers us the trade of a lifetime. Take him up on it.

Sexual Desire

Jesus’ second example is another of the 10 commandments. Here it is:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.

A lot of you aren’t married so you may be thinking, “I haven’t broken this one either! I’m good to go. Not so fast! Jesus isn’t done with us yet.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The standard of adultery is looking at someone with lustful intent or inappropriate sexual desire. Pornography falls under this category. This isn’t in Jesus’ kingdom, it’s not in his new normal.

What does this mean for college students today?

If you’re following Christ

Jesus get’s pretty serious here

English Standard Version Chapter 5

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

In Jesus’ new normal he’s saying do whatever you can to not sin. If your phone causes you to sin, get rid of your phone. If you need help, ask someone to help.

Sexual Desire

If you’re not following Christ

Remember! God’s standards are high, they are impossible, they are perfection. If our lives aren’t perfect, we need a new life. One that only Jesus can give us.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Respond to that love.

Turn from your sin. Trust him with all of your life. Treasure him as your greatest possession.