Living the Reality of Two Kingdoms

JFBC sermon series Citizen
Matt 5:1-3
1 Peter 1
"This is who we are"

Crawford Lorrits gathered several young pastors together to shepherd them, including Clay, Clay Scroggins, FBC Woodstock, and Fellowship Bible Church to do a joint sermon series. Crawford preached to the young pastors (and to all the 4 congregations).

Our divided world needs a united church.

Matt 5 is specifically for disciples of Christ.
1. These are descriptions of citizens of heaven. Because you are a Christian, live like this
2. We are the recipient of these blessings.

1 Peter gives a framework, as well as the Beattitudes. Peter was there to hear what Jesus preached. Later Nero was turning up the heat on Christians. Peter made statements that anchor 1 Peter…
1. No matter what happens around you, remember that you are saved. Decide to be distinctively a Christian no matter what.  Our salvation is a living hope we have, a living confidence, in God - not in politicians. We don't need to panic.
2. We have an untouchable inheritance v 4 it is  imperishable or contaminating, it can't be taken away.
3. Our salvation is tested and proven and is genuine, not fragile. Don't be ashamed, those in office don't control or destroy us.

Politics is not the 4th member of the trinity. Our faith stands alone. We need to be branded by the pursuit of holiness.

When Nero persecutes, people are watching our reaction. 1 Peter 1:15 quotes Leviticus be holy and set apart, as I an holy. Be like God, pursue God. Our salvation is on public display.

1 Peter 2 we are the dwelling place of God, his parking place. Our local church is God's dwelling place. Don't be self centered…
1. We are special. Live it out. We are a chosen people. We are God's special emissaries, a holy nation not of this world. Quit trying to be everything to everyone. We represent God.
2. We don't belong here v 11-12 we are exiles. The best way to impact those around us is to realize this. We have eternal values. We don't get our values from a political party.

We can't let the world dilute our values. Get on our knees, open our Bible, and ask God what we should do.

Clay's takeaways…
1. As believers, don't let fear drive our agenda, like the world tries to do to us. A spirit of fear can't coexist with Jesus
2. Make sure your heavenly citizenship governs your earthly citizenship
3. help your church be a countercultural witness of God's kingdom. Be different. Don't use the ways of the world to advance God's kingdom.
4. God is Lord of all. His kingdom will not perish, unlike the USA

JFBC pastor Clay Smith's sermons are usually a pretty good length. At North Point they make a point of keeping the service almost exactly to one hour. North Point does great at ending the service. What I dislike is that at JFBC once the sermon ends its "one more thing" after "one more thing". They'll sing a closing song, and drag it out several verses. Then the person who gave the announcements comes back to give several reminders. It goes on and on. Just end it already. Goodness.

Sunday during the service JFBC showed a brag video about how important it was to the music people to write and record their own original music. Good for them. Yes, I know the verse is "sing to the Lord a new song". Actually the new song they sang yesterday was almost like an old style choir anthem, with lots of harmony, so of course I liked it. Man JFBC has a lot of musicians and singers on their paid staff, including interns.

Sunday School notes: Brian Fox

Luke 4:14-30 although there were widows and lepers nearby Isaiah 61 he only ministered to those who were far away. This was the beginning of Jesus' ministry when he read the Isaiah passage and said that he was the fulfillment of the prophesy, making the priest mad. They were expecting judgement, but Jesus said that the judgement would come in the future.  

Brian's Takeaways…
1. The Gospel is offensive. Be careful not to remove the offense when sharing it. The Israelites were being told that they were spiritually bankrupt. How would I react to that news? Jesus didn't heal everyone. He healed as a sign of who he was. Faith is our response, which is a gift from God.
2. Don't put the work of the Spirit in a box, only expecting God to respond the way we want
3. God blesses the pious poor, no matter where they are. Those who are humble.
4. Beware of warping Jesus' message to fit my own political viewpoint.

There was a young missionary visiting our Sunday School class. He had just moved back to the States to figure out what his next mission will be. After class C asked him – he had been a classmate of Matthew's. He had grown up at JFBC.

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