ADVENTure: The Loud, Noisy, Roaring, Life Changing, Not So Silent NightShembull

The Adventure:

What is the thing you talk about most? Is it a certain sports team? A TV show? A book? A best friend? If we were to count up the minutes what’s the thing you talk about the most? Well, that one thing for Jesus is The Kingdom. Maybe you would have thought it was love, or justice, or sin. Nope. Jesus talked more about The Kingdom. Now you may be thinking, “Cool cool cool what is The Kingdom?” The Kingdom is God’s reign over the universe. It is The Kingdom of Light that is always opposite the Kingdom of Darkness.

When you think of kingdoms you may think of kings and queens, knights and dragons. That is partially right. A kingdom is somewhere where royalty rules. But for Christians, we have one King, Jesus. A simple way to know what God’s Kingdom is where the king gets His way. Not our way, not the world's way, but Jesus’ way. We see here in this verse what Jesus is commanding us to do. Put God’s Kingdom first.

You may ask yourself, “Do I need to live at the church, is that how I live out God’s Kingdom?” That answer is no. (Plus we don’t have a single bunk bed, it’s kind of lame.) God’s Kingdom is where we live out obedience. Live out following Jesus. It can happen in your schools, your house, your local Papa John's. Anywhere! Previously to be a part of God’s people you had to be born into God’s people, the Israelites. You had to be under kings like Saul, David, Solomon, and Josiah. Now anyone anywhere can join God’s Kingdom and live for King Jesus.

A lot of people think God’s Kingdom starts when we die and it’s just Heaven. When really God’s Kingdom is all around us and anyone can join at any time. To find the joy of Heaven, the peace of Heaven, and the hope of Heaven while we still live here on Earth. I don’t know about you but I want Earth to look more like Heaven. I want more light, not more darkness. The way we do that is to live as a follower of Jesus and a citizen of God’s Kingdom. So where do you start? Jesus tells us all things start and come back to loving God and loving people. That is living for The Kingdom of God when you love God and love people.

The Destination:

Every Kingdom needs a leader. Christmas is the celebration that our King was born. Jesus was in Heaven even before He was born because Jesus is God. That can be confusing but Jesus is both the Son of God The Father and God Himself. He has always been king and always be in charge. Jesus created everything and the birth of Jesus celebrates the start

Songs For The Journey:

King of Heaven by Hillsong United