“WE ARE THE CHURCH”

Heritage Christian Fellowship's sermon series from August 8 to September 5, 2021, delves into the challenging journey of discipleship. The series begins by setting a high bar for discipleship, defining, deconstructing, and reconstructing wrong notions, and highlighting the essential attributes of a true disciple. The exploration continues with insightful teachings on the Kingdom of God, abiding in Christ, and striving to emulate the stature of Christ. Join Heritage in this profound quest to deepen discipleship and enhance spiritual growth.

• Discipleship
• Sermon Series
• Heritage Christian Fellowship
• Kingdom of God
• Spiritual Growth

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1. DISCIPLESHIP SERMON SERIES, AUGUST 8 SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 Heritage Christian Fellowship WE ARE THE CHURCH AUG 8 Luke 14:25-35 The Cost of Discipleship (series intro) Set the bar of discipleship HIGH Set the sermon series up We ll be defining what a disciple IS NOT, and what a disciple IS. AUG 15 Matthew 5:1-7:29 Overview of the Sermon on the Mount Deconstruct wrong ideas / wrong understandings we have of what it means to be a disciple. Focus on the words of Jesus that do this deconstructing work. AUG 22 Colossians 1:15-29 The Kingdom of God Reconstruct discipleship through the lens of the Kingdom of God A biblical overview of Kingdom, anchored in the Colossians text AUG 29 John 15:1-17 Abiding in Christ as a Disciple Work through our definition of disciple: A disciple is someone who has faith in Jesus, is growing in the likeness of Jesus and is leading others to follow Jesus. SEPT 5 Ephesians 4:1-32 Striving to attain the fullness of the stature of Christ A framework for how Heritage seeks to make biblical disciples An invitation into our disciple-making process An introduction into our new-look Discipleship Communities 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 1

2. The Lords Prayer, Mat. 6: 9-13 ESV Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread 12 and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 2

3. The Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God Part 1: Biblical Development Part 2: The King Part 3: His Reign Part 4: His Subjects Part 5: Fulfillment 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 3

4. KOG Definition 1. God s people in God s prepared place under God s rule. A. Old Testament i. Garden of Eden ii. Noah s Ark iii. Promised Land B. New Testament I. His disciples and entourage during his earthly ministry. II. The Church. No longer a physical place. III. New Heavens, New Earth-a physical place. 2. Anywhere Jesus is. 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 4

5. Key Biblical Texts for KOG: OT Gen 1:26-27 Man created in God s image Gen. 17:5, Abrahamic Covenant; Descendants, Land, Kingly Rule Exod. 6:6-8, Mosaic Covenant: I will be their God and they my people, Law, Atonement-Substitutionary. Holy Living is required. 2 Sam. 7:8-17, Davidic Covenant: Eternal reign, (Throne, people, place) Ps. 2, 47, 110 At the end of the OT there were key unfulfilled promises: New Covenant Pouring out of the Holy Spirit Arrival of a Messiah 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 5

6. Key Biblical Texts for KOG: Gospels Mat. 3:16-17, Mark 1:10-11, Luke 3:22 Jesus Baptism-Spirit Rests on Him Mat. 4:1-11, Mark 1:12, Luke 4:1-13, Jesus temptation, defeats Satan, setting the captives free Mat. 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 4:43, John 3:3-Jesus starts ministry with Kingdom focus Mat. 5-7, Luke 6:20-49: Sermon on the Mount-Increases holiness req d Luke 7:18-28-John the Baptist s disciples question Jesus Luke 19:28-38-Triumphal Entry, cf. Messiah arrives John 18:33-37-Pilot Questioning Jesus Mat. 28:16-20-Ascension and Commission 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 6

7. Key Biblical Texts for KOG: NT Acts 1:3 and Acts 28:31-KOG s expansion theme of Acts Phil. 2:5-11-Humility to Exaltation of Jesus Eph. 1:10-Kingdom Purpose/Cosmic Gospel Eph. 2:10- Purpose of kingdom living Eph. 3:10- Church s purpose Col. 1:15-23-Supremacy of Christ Rev. 1:4-6-KOG now and forever Rev 21-22-Perfected Kingdom of God reigning with His people in His prepared physical place 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 7

8. Value of the KOG as Interpretive Model 1. It more fully explains God s Biblical plan a. Ties more things together in the Bible. b. Is the best philosophical explanation of the human experience and creation. c. Explains the church and its role in God s master restoration plan. d. Unites each of us to the biggest project the universe has going, the unification of everything under the reign of the Christ. e. Best explains how it ends, in a fully realized kingdom on earth. f. Broadens our understanding of the eternal state, of what heaven will be like in Rev. 22. 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 8

9. Value of the KOG as Interpretive Model 2. It unites us in the kingdom family. We are a community with a common enemy, mission, and weapons. This reality supersedes doctrinal differences, worship styles, sermon styles, how a Christian looks, talks or acts at Church on Sunday. It s not about Sunday. 3. It defeats meism. It is not about Mike at all, never was nor never will be. My wants and preferences are to become aligned with the Kingdom. 4. It explains more critically why Jesus had to come, suffer and die, why we need his righteousness, why we need the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, why we need to love and submit to the King s authority. 5. It focuses our energy on action now, not after Jesus comes again. We were created for good works by God himself, Eph. 2:10. 6. Our vision of the Christ event (Incarnation thru Ascension) is not just forgiveness of sins and eternal life. It is a call to active duty in the kingdom of Christ. We go through holistic training to stop doing things of Satan s dominion and start doing things of Christ s kingdom. 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 9

10. Jesus and the KOG Jesus did not promise the forgiveness of sins; he bestowed it. He did not simply assure men of the future fellowship of the Kingdom; he invited men into fellowship with himself as the bearer of the Kingdom. He did not merely promise them vindication in the day of judgment; he bestowed upon them a present righteousness. He not only taught an eschatological deliverance from physical evil; he went about demonstrating the redeeming power of the Kingdom, delivering men from sickness and even death. This is the meaning of the presence of the Kingdom as a new era of salvation. To receive the Kingdom of God, to submit oneself to God s reign meant to receive the gift of the Kingdom and to enter into the enjoyment of its blessings. The age of fulfillment is present, but the time of consummation still awaits the age to come. (Ladd, Presence of the Future, 217) 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 10

11. Biblical Reality of Our Existence Col. 1: 9-14 Kingdom of Light Dominion of Darkness Satan was created and rebelled against God Satan has authority over mankind due to Sin/Fall Satan s rule consists of lies about reality, promotes self autonomy as preferred life Destroys Good Destined to Lake of Fire Jesus the Christ reigns overall Jesus is the Agent of God s Restorative Plan A New Humanity Inverted Rule from World Restores brokenness to Good Destined to City of God 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 11

12. Col. 1:15-23 Christ s Cosmic Supremacy 15-17 V 15: Image of God, Preeminent over creation V16: Because in him all things created, through him and for him all things were created v17: He is before all things and holds all things together Jesus Mike Creator Sustainer Created Sustained Ruler Ruled Independent Dependent 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 12

13. Col. 1:15-23 The God-Man 18-20 18 He is the head of the church 18b The beginning and the firstborn from the dead 19 The fullness of God dwelled in Him 20 Through Him God reconciles all things to Himself I am reconciled to God not just for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. I certainly am that. I am reconciled to be the first fruits of the master restoration plan. You and I, by walking in the Kingdom of God, live out the power and ethics of the kingdom to all the cosmos. We are a saving grace to some, and a condemning witness to others. God has made us his agents of reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5:19. 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 13

14. Col. 1:15-23 21-22: Process of Reconciliation In concluding this section Paul encourages the church at Colossae, and Heritage today, that this same Jesus Christ, Cosmic Ruler and Sustainer, the Head of the Church, is intimately caring for their (and Heritage s) little community. Each local church is a part of this cosmic restorative plan which cannot fail because of who Jesus is. 23 Exhortation to Keep On in the Faith. How do we do this? 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 14

15. Col. Chp 3 V1-4 Think on heavenly, not earthly things V 5-11 Put Off the Old (Wordly) Things V12-17 Put on the things of the Kingdom of Light 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 15

16. To enter into the fullness of human life as God intended it- and thus become the kind of persons we would expect from looking at Jesus and His teachings- requires us to live our lives in the kingdom of God. Dallas Willard, The Kingdom Life 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 16

17. The Cosmic Church 1 Most of us live our lives with far too little awareness of the stupendous realities around us. Most of us go through day after day and seldom feel the impact of the magnitude of what we are caught up in by belonging to Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the ruler of the universe. And we don't take enough time to meditate on how our jobs, our home life, our leisure, our church involvement how each of these fits into the cosmic significance of the church. And consequently our lives often lack the flavor of eternity and the aroma of something ultimate. O, that there might be more people among us whose manner of life mirrors something mysterious and wonderful and whose words have a cosmic significance. John Piper, The Cosmic Church Sermon. 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 17

18. The Cosmic Church 2 The church of Jesus Christ is the most important institution in the world. The assembly of the redeemed, the company of the saints, the children of God are more significant in world history than any other group, organization, or nation. The United States of America compares to the church of Jesus Christ like a speck of dust compares to the sun. The drama of international relations compares to the mission of the church like a kindergarten riddle compares to Hamlet or King Lear. And all pomp of May Day in Red Square and the pageantry of New Year's in Pasadena fade into a formless grey against the splendor of the bride of Christ. John Piper, The Cosmic Church Sermon 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 18

19. Take aways The meaning and purpose of creation, of you and I is not only found in Jesus but is sustained and ruled by him. Be discerning, submissive, and serve. We need to get over ourselves and expand our existence beyond our wants. Much grander things are going on in our midst and we are blind to them. True love, joy, peace, and fruit are found when we are serving the kingdom. If Christ is lord of the universe, is he not lord of me, of my life, of my heart and mind? Does he not sustain everything in my life? Do I live moment to moment understanding my existence this way? Or is Christ a Sunday event? Why am I attending Heritage? Is it to be spiritually fed, be entertained, scratch a religious itch, or is it to serve the Creator and Sustaining king? We need to expand our understanding of the Gospel to the breadth described by the KOG. Then walk in it by faith as a community. Growing as kingdom disciples and discipling each other in truth and love. 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 19

20. Take Aways To truly engage in spiritual life, then, we have to get past a view of atonement in which all that matters in salvation is Jesus taking the punishment for our sins. The problem with such a reductionistic view is that once salvation is taken care of and heaven after death is assured, that is the end of it-period. It s all done for us, and it s all over and done with. So, what are we going to do now? What about discipleship? Not required, and not even natural to the saved condition. Saved in the reductionist view just means my sins are forgiven. Let me assure you, lest you misunderstand me, it certainly means that. It certainly means your sins are forgiven, but remember that the basic act of salvation from God s point of view is the impartation of life. It is regeneration. And that life imparted is resurrection life, an ongoing, developing reality. Dallas Willard, The Kingdom Life 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 20

21. The Lords Prayer, Heritage Our Father in heaven, awesome is your name. Your kingdom work and your will be done, in me, my house, and at Heritage. Give us our needs for today and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Keep us from temptation and deliver us from the dominion of darkness. Let us live fully under the reign of Jesus our king in the kingdom of light; Being transformed into His image, discerning and submissive to His will And exercising the realities of His Kingdom in the Rogue Valley and the world through service. Amen 8/22/2021 Towards A Kingdom Theology: M. Robinson 21