In God's Kingdom, We Are Sons and Daughters, Not Servants
Constitutionals Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Remember this, the King of Heaven wants sons and daughters, not servants. Religion produces servants. It revels in the spirit of servitude. Sons and daughters of the King see service as a privilege; religious people see it as an obligation.
Keep in mind, Jesus came that we might "receive the full rights of sons". This is a legal term or language. It refers to legal rights and entitlements based on relationship of birth. We are sons and daughters of God. Sonship is our right by creation. Christ did not die to improve us; He died to regain and confirm us. This price He paid was not to make us worthy but to prove our worth. He did not come to enlist an army or servants. He has the angels for that. He came to restore the King's sons and daughters to their rightful position; rulership as heirs of his Kingdom.
Constitutional Scripture: Romans 8: 16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Remember, if we are heirs and are destined to rule our Father's Kingdom, then we had better learn to understand His Kingdom and how it operates. We must learn how to think, talk, and live like Kingdom citizens. The Kingdom is the most important message of our age and the answer to the dilemma of ancient and modern man.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Describe the difference between a servant who serves and a son and daughter of the King of Heaven who serves. How can you tell the difference as you watch people serve in the world around you?
2. Why would the world see "service as a privilege" as being illogical according to its concepts of serving? How can we change how the world views service?
3. Have you received your entitlement? What does this mean to you? To what are you entitled?
4. Explain the role Christ's death had in the lives of sons and daughters of the King of Heaven. How does His death become more meaningful in this life when we see what His work accomplished for our relationship with God.
5. What do you think it means to "think, talk and live" like Kingdom citizens? of these three, what is easiest for you to do? What needs the most work?
Focus Thought: According to Jesus the Christ, everyone is trying all they can to find it and forcing their way through life to lay hold of it!
Constitutional Scripture: Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
Question: Now consider Luke 16:16. In what ways do you see people forcing their way through life to lay hold of the Kingdom?
Remember this, the King of Heaven wants sons and daughters, not servants. Religion produces servants. It revels in the spirit of servitude. Sons and daughters of the King see service as a privilege; religious people see it as an obligation.
Keep in mind, Jesus came that we might "receive the full rights of sons". This is a legal term or language. It refers to legal rights and entitlements based on relationship of birth. We are sons and daughters of God. Sonship is our right by creation. Christ did not die to improve us; He died to regain and confirm us. This price He paid was not to make us worthy but to prove our worth. He did not come to enlist an army or servants. He has the angels for that. He came to restore the King's sons and daughters to their rightful position; rulership as heirs of his Kingdom.
Constitutional Scripture: Romans 8: 16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Remember, if we are heirs and are destined to rule our Father's Kingdom, then we had better learn to understand His Kingdom and how it operates. We must learn how to think, talk, and live like Kingdom citizens. The Kingdom is the most important message of our age and the answer to the dilemma of ancient and modern man.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Describe the difference between a servant who serves and a son and daughter of the King of Heaven who serves. How can you tell the difference as you watch people serve in the world around you?
2. Why would the world see "service as a privilege" as being illogical according to its concepts of serving? How can we change how the world views service?
3. Have you received your entitlement? What does this mean to you? To what are you entitled?
4. Explain the role Christ's death had in the lives of sons and daughters of the King of Heaven. How does His death become more meaningful in this life when we see what His work accomplished for our relationship with God.
5. What do you think it means to "think, talk and live" like Kingdom citizens? of these three, what is easiest for you to do? What needs the most work?
Focus Thought: According to Jesus the Christ, everyone is trying all they can to find it and forcing their way through life to lay hold of it!
Constitutional Scripture: Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
Question: Now consider Luke 16:16. In what ways do you see people forcing their way through life to lay hold of the Kingdom?
