Your Kingdom Come (Part 3 of 3)
July 12, 2020
Below are notes from our conversation with the Lead Pastor, Mike Aitcheson, from Christ United Fellowship in Downtown, Orlando.
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exciles on earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16
The Kingdom & Compassion
- Abraham looked to a city whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10)
- Our allegiance is to King Jesus and everything else is secondary. As a result, the direction of redemptive history should excite us for the hear and now.
- We don’t respond with stastistics or politics first.
- There is a kingdom ethic in which we are called to walk.
- Are we taking the call to live in unity (John 17) seriously?
- We respond to one another with the Word of God and Kingdom ethics.
- The redemptive work of Jesus Christ did all that was necessary to satisfy the laws requirements on our behalf.
- We are invited into one family under the lordship of Jesus Christ. We are called to stand with and for one another in times of need.
The Kingdom & Priviledge
- Priviledge as is idea is seen throughout the Bible
- Book Mentioned: Our Kind of People by Lawerance Graham
- Priviledge does not mean inherently wrong or quilty. Priviledge is recongnizing one’s increased opportunity and using it to advocate for others. Will we use our priviledge for reform or will you simply look away.
- Philippians 2:3-5 “Be humble, thinking of others as better than ourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
The Kingdom & Culture of the Church
- Goal: Revelation 5 paints a beautiful pucture of all peoples, and nations worshipping around the throne of Jesus Christ. The desire is to create an atompshere within our church that allows for different ethinicities to participate without feeling pushed out one one dominant culture.
- The kingdom of God is larger than the person you see in the mirror everyday.
- Leadership – how do we respond to people of a different cultural background who may communicate differently than us?
- Music – is something that must be considered as part of the diverse cultural expression of worship.
The Kingdom & Hope for Change
- Book Referenced: Generous Justice by Tim Keller
- The grace of God makes us more just. As Christians, there are numerous avenues for us to bring justice (right treatment or correction of mistreatment).
- Justicial System, economics (lending practices and intentional aide), abortion, law enforcement (by serving and advocacy), education, mentoring and discipleship.
- Recognitize, affirm, and build upon the person’s dignity. Advocacy and help is not an opportunity to pat ourselves on the back but rather to humble ourselves in service to lift up another person through the love of Christ.
- Book Referenced: Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
- Healing and change will take place as the priviledged and under-priviledged kneel before Jesus in worship.