Exploring Kingdom Life and Religion

Sep 11, 2024

Lecture Notes: Kingdom of God and Religion

Key Themes

  • Religion vs. Kingdom: Religion often postpones the experience of the kingdom to a future life, focusing more on the afterlife than impacting the current world.
  • Kingdom Now: The lecture emphasizes entering the Kingdom life now, not waiting for the afterlife.
  • Citizenship in the Kingdom: More than membership in a religion, citizenship in the Kingdom involves a practical lifestyle reflecting the values of a king.

Important Points

Religion's Limitations

  • Religion often promises future relief instead of addressing current life issues.
  • It focuses on leaving Earth rather than impacting it.
  • Religion justifies its ineffectiveness by offering future hope.

The Concept of Kingdom Life

  • Kingdom Life: It's a lifestyle, not a religion.
  • Citizenship: Real practice, unlike nebulous religious membership.
  • Matthew 6:33 emphasizes seeking the Kingdom first and righteousness to have needs met.

Kingdom vs. Religion

  • Religion and the Cross: The cross is a means, not the end. The end goal is to be restored to Kingdom life.
  • Definition of a Kingdom: A kingdom is a governing influence of a king over territory, impacting it with his will and intent.
  • Citizenship: Reflects the king’s desires, nature, and purpose in citizens.

Differences Between Kingdom and Democracy

  • Democracy: Capitalism leads to wealth and poverty coexisting; wealth isn't common.
  • Kingdom: Wealth is common; the king takes care of citizens.

Understanding Kingdom Economics

  • Commonwealth Concept: In a kingdom, wealth and resources are shared.
  • Poverty in Democracy: Necessary for capitalism but not in a kingdom.

The Role of Citizenship

  • Prosperity in the Kingdom: Not about wealth accumulation but having access to resources.
  • Importance of Citizen Wealth: Reflects on the king's reputation.

Spiritual Insights

  • Salvation and Kingdom Life: Not just about going to heaven but experiencing life fully now.
  • Obeying Laws of the Kingdom: Aligning with the government's laws brings life.

Practical Application

  • Children’s Faith: Entering Kingdom life requires childlike dependence and trust.
  • Ownership and Wealth: True Kingdom life means recognizing that God owns all, and we are conduits, not owners.

Final Thoughts

  • Entering the Kingdom means seeking citizenship, inheriting all within it, and living under the King’s governance.