“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’” – John 18:36

As a follower of Jesus, it’s crucial that you understand His Kingdom. After all, you’re a citizen and ambassador of that Kingdom here on earth! How can you represent what you don’t understand?!? As Jesus explains to Pilate, His Kingdom is IN the world but it isn’t OF the world. What does that mean???

It means that Christ’s Kingdom isn’t like earthly Kingdoms. It doesn’t have political or geographical boundaries. It isn’t restricted to one particular part of the world. It doesn’t expand by force or violence. It doesn’t have an earthly government (it has a King!) and doesn’t seek political power on earth. It shouldn’t be seeking to control national politics. You will hear Christians today speaking of Christ’s Kingdom taking authority over the politics and government of this country. This is false teaching!!!

Christ’s Kingdom is a kingdom of changed hearts and transformed lives. Christ’s Kingdom transcends every border, boundary, language, and ethnicity. Christ’s Kingdom exists wherever Jesus is praised and worshipped. Christ’s Kingdom absolutely influences the earthly nations because Kingdom citizens love their neighbors, work for the common good, seek to influence government for the good, and bear witness to Jesus in public and private. But it is a Kingdom of influence, persuasion, and love, not power, force, and hate. Christ’s Kingdom must never be tainted by the ways of the world (it certainly has in the past). His Kingdom is marked by radical obedience to His commands that leads others to want to enter His Kingdom.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, take His Kingdom seriously but work to advance His Kingdom HIS way, not in the way of the world. #FollowJesus

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” – John 13:3-5

The power of this moment isn’t just that our Lord and Savior willingly did a yucky job before commanding us to do the same for each other. It isn’t just that Jesus voluntarily did work that was beneath the lowest slave of the day. It isn’t just that the teacher washed the feet of His students and said because I did this, there’s nothing “beneath” you. It’s that Jesus did it confident in the knowledge that everything had been given into His hands. Jesus washed grimy feet because He knew He’d come from God and soon would be back in heaven with God. He had no concerns for how other people thought of Him and He had no pride He needed to protect from indignity.

It’s because Jesus was absolutely confident in His authority that He was able to be humble and vulnerable in serving His disciples. As His followers, we need to humbly work from that same confidence. We’re also headed to be with the Father one day. We also have blessings and honor bestowed upon us. We are in union with Christ, indwelt by God’s Spirit, and given authority to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. With that confidence, we’re empowered to do all sorts of work that’s “beneath” us. We’re empowered to be vulnerable and humble in loving and serving others.

As a follower of Jesus, your exalted status sets you free to minister in the darkest, lowest situations and to love those who are most neglected, abused, and ignored. As an heir of God the Father, you don’t need to concern yourself with displays of status. You can simply love and serve others. Whatever it takes, wherever it leads. What is the “foot-washing” work that Jesus has called you to? Are you doing it? Or are you holding back out of fear for your reputation, status, or cleanliness? In Christ, you’re already clean, so go ahead and get dirty for Jesus! #FollowJesus

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

This is a timely reminder from God’s Word that whether your favorites won or lost their elections this week, your responsibilities are the same. We must all pray for our elected leaders. You must pray for the ones you like and the ones you don’t like. Pray for the ones you agree with and the ones you don’t agree with. Pray for their salvation (if they’re unsaved). Pray for their spiritual growth if they are saved. Pray for wisdom and openness to the leading of God. Pray for blessing and a concern for freedom and justice. Pray they will serve all their constituents well and honor God in the way they lead. Pray that they would change their heart and mind if those are on the wrong path.

Once elections have passed, followers of Jesus must first and foremost pray. It’s both a command and our most powerful tool of influence. Pray for ALL your elected leaders. We pray for them so that whether they’re followers of Jesus or haters of Jesus, we can most effectively move forward with our gospel work in peace, freedom, and dignity. You can also certainly advocate, donate, petition, call, write, and protest. But you must always pray. #FollowJesus

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5

What a perfect vision for all biblical teaching and study! As followers of Jesus our studies should always help us grow in our expression of Christ’s love. If we aren’t becoming more loving as we study, something is probably wrong! It’s critical our “love” isn’t about a false appearance of love stemming from wrong motivations or a desire to fit a certain image. As you study God’s Word your love should flow not out of guilt or fear but out of the three things Paul mentions in this verse…

1. A Pure Heart. As we study, learn, worship, and praise Jesus, God’s Word should be transforming our hearts. We should be growing in holiness and purity. Christ’s sacrifice has already made us holy in God’s eyes, but as Christians we should be actively working to crucify our sinful desires, flee whatever tempts us, and purify our hearts. Out of a heart made pure like that of Jesus will flow true love for God and neighbors.

2. A Good Conscience. As we navigate life in this fallen world we must constantly make decisions. Some are big, many are small. Some are public, most are private. As we’re transformed by God’s grace into the likeness of Jesus we should be increasingly making the same decisions He would. Even in situations the Bible doesn’t address directly, our ability to think like Jesus should help demonstrate love in a challenging world with a good conscience.

3. Sincere Faith. Our love won’t last if it’s coming from a place of fear, guilt, shame, box-checking, or rule-following. True, lasting, Christlike love must flow out of our sincere and saving faith in Jesus Christ. We must grow in our understanding and appreciation of God’s grace and His work in our lives. Our of our confident hope in our present and future state, we’re freed to pour out the love of Jesus wherever we go and on everyone we encounter.

#FollowJesus

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” – Titus 3:4-5

If Jesus is your Savior, never lose sight of what saved you. It wasn’t your righteousness. It was God the Father’s mercy and grace poured out upon you. It was God the Son’s loving kindness toward you. It was God the Spirit’s work of regeneration and renewal in you. God saved you as a gift. He didn’t save you because He owed you, but because he loved you. Through faith in Jesus, He has given you a gift of love, kindness, mercy, and grace.

You have been washed. You have been made new. You have been forgiven and welcomed into God’s family. God did all the work and you receive all the blessing and benefit. Praise the Father! Praise the Son! Praise the Spirit! Your 3-in-1 God has made you new creation! God sees you with eyes of love. He sees the righteousness of Jesus in you. He sees the seal of the Holy Spirit upon you. So He welcomes you into His throne room with your prayers, your praises, and your worship. Praise Him!

As nice as you might imagine it would be to be righteous enough to save yourself, it’s far nicer to be saved by the righteousness of Jesus! Because of His sacrifice, you’re free from the burden of legalistically trying to save yourself by following rules. You are free to respond to God’s grace. Free to live a righteous life because you’re already saved rather than burdened by trying to save yourself. You are free. You are loved. You are clean. #FollowJesus