Ice Breaker

If you could have a superpower that would help you see things others can't see, what would it be and why?

Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Kent explores the concept of living in a false reality versus the true reality of God's kingdom. He begins with a story about a woman who believed she was coughing up bugs and worms, illustrating how people can become trapped in delusions. Kent then applies this to Christians, explaining that when we accept Christ, we enter a new reality - we become new creations, are rescued from darkness, gain citizenship in heaven, and are no longer of this world. However, many Christians continue living as if the worldly reality is the only one that matters, placing themselves at the center rather than Christ.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather today to discuss what it means to live in Your kingdom reality rather than the world's false reality, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your truth. Help us to see where we have placed ourselves at the center of our stories instead of You. Give us the courage to be honest with ourselves and with each other as we discuss these challenging ideas. May Your Holy Spirit guide our conversation and help us to understand what You want us to learn today. In Jesus' name, amen.

Key Verses

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. Colossians 1:13
3. Philippians 3:20
4. John 17:16
5. Ezekiel 36:26

Questions

1. In what ways do you find yourself living according to the world's reality rather than God's kingdom reality?
2. The pastor mentioned that we often act as though we are the king or queen of our own story. How have you seen this play out in your own life?
3. John the Baptist said, "He must become greater; I must become less." What is one area of your life where you need to apply this principle?
4. How does understanding that you are a "new creation" change how you view yourself and your struggles with sin?
5. The sermon mentioned that our citizenship is in heaven. How should this truth affect our engagement with politics and current events?
6. What false realities do you see Christians commonly living in today?
7. The pastor suggested that we often spend more time on social media than in God's Word. How has this affected your perspective on what's important?
8. What practical steps can you take this week to make Jesus greater and yourself less in your daily life?

Life Application

This week, practice daily silence before God. Set a timer for 3 minutes each day and pray the simple prayer, "Jesus, You must become greater; I must become less." During this time, identify one specific area of your life (ambition, desires, use of resources, need for recognition, etc.) where you need to surrender control to Christ. Write down what God reveals to you and take one concrete action to make Jesus greater in that area of your life.

Key Takeaways

1. As Christians, we have entered into a different reality than the one we were born in - we are new creations with citizenship in heaven.
2. Many Christians still live as though the world's reality is the only one that matters, placing themselves at the center rather than Christ.
3. John the Baptist's statement "He must become greater; I must become less" should be our guiding principle.
4. We are not the center of the story - Jesus is. Our role is to point to Him rather than seeking recognition for ourselves.
5. God promises to remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh when we surrender to Him.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, we confess that we have often lived as though we are the center of our own stories. Forgive us for the times we've sought our own glory rather than Yours. Thank You for rescuing us from the dominion of darkness and bringing us into Your kingdom. Help us to live as citizens of heaven, with our hearts and minds set on eternal realities rather than temporary ones. This week, increase Your presence in our lives as we decrease. Remove our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh that beat in rhythm with Yours. May everything we do point others to You as the true King. In Your mighty name we pray, amen.