Lecture Notes: Kingdom vs Religion

Main Thesis

• Religion postpones the kingdom to a future experience.
• Christianity is a religion, not the kingdom.
• Religion focuses on leaving Earth rather than impacting it.
• The kingdom should be experienced now, not in the future.

Problems with Religion

• Religion offers future hope to justify present ineffectiveness.
• Belief in a future kingdom prevents appropriation of the kingdom now.

Entering the Kingdom

• The desire of God is for individuals to enter the kingdom life now.
• The kingdom is a lifestyle, not a religion.
• Citizenship in the kingdom is practical, unlike nebulous religious membership.

Natural Benefits of Kingdoms

• Root scripture: Matthew 6:33, emphasizing seeking the kingdom first.
• Jesus' life was about restoring individuals to the kingdom.
• The kingdom is a governing influence of a king over a territory.

Differences Between Kingdom and Democracy

• In a kingdom, the wealth is common, contrasting with capitalism.
• Democracy necessitates poverty for capitalism to work.
• Commonwealth exists in kingdoms; everyone is taken care of by the king.

Kingdom Citizenship

• Kingdom is not measured by wealth accumulation, but by access.
• A kingdom citizen reflects the king's desires, nature, and purpose.
• Kingdom wealth is about access, not ownership.

Jesus’ Teachings on the Kingdom

• Jesus never preached prosperity because, in a kingdom, everyone is prosperous.
• Citizens’ prosperity reflects the king’s reputation.

Entering Kingdom Life

• Jesus uses a child to explain entering the kingdom; it’s about expectation and trust.
• The story of the Rich Young Ruler highlights the challenge of relinquishing ownership.

The Test of Ownership

• Kingdom living means recognizing God’s ownership over all.
• Wealth in the kingdom is about distribution, not accumulation.

The Importance of Access in Kingdom Life

• Kingdom citizens should focus on their purpose and assignment, not on accumulating wealth.
• Citizenship in the kingdom means inheriting everything in the kingdom automatically.

Conclusion

• Entering the kingdom involves a shift in mindset from ownership to access.
• The priority is not wealth accumulation but fulfilling one's purpose and reflecting the king's nature.