Two Kingdoms - Part 3Sample

Have you ever gone fishing? Or maybe you have watched a fishing show or even a movie where others have gone fishing? It's so annoying to hook your line on something you weren't fishing for like seaweed or moss! Or how about catching something in a net that is worthless to you like an old boot or a dead fish? All that hard work and hours on a boat and you catch trash? No, thank you!

Go deep: Okay, we all know Jesus isn't talking about an old boot or moss or even gross fish. He uses the example of the good fish and the bad fish in this parable to give us a picture of people who live wicked lives and those who live righteously. Righteous? What does that even mean? Being righteous can feel big and impossible sometimes. Righteous doesn't mean sinless - that IS impossible. A call to being righteous is about living according to the Kingdom of God and not the kingdom of this world. It is about following Jesus' examples so we can reflect our relationships with Him to the world and so others can know Him because of the way we live.

Think about your week: Would the people around you say you have acted righteously? Has it been a difficult week or have things seemed simple and light? Is there anything you need to do to be more like Jesus today? Do you believe you can be righteous? If not, what is the lie you are believing about yourself? Talk to God about anything that comes up for you.

Be bold: Jesus spent His days on earth loving and serving others. We can live righteously by being like Jesus. What will you do today to follow Jesus' example of loving and serving others?

There's a promise and hope in there, too! When we work to be like Jesus, we are blessed! This week, remember this promise by memorising Matthew 5:6.

Memorise it: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." - Matthew 5:6 NIV