"Fight Club" Study

I'm pumped! We had a great men's Fight Club this morning. Every Saturday men gather in the church Cafe for relationship, Bible study and most of the time breakfast. Today the eggs and ham were plentiful and the study time was sensational.

This morning we began a series that focuses on the core truths about Jesus. The verses we used for our discussion today were Mark 1:14-15 and Luke 11:20. Our "core truth" was that Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God and focused it around His own person. Let me highlight where our discussion went ....

First, the question was raised by one in attendance: "What was the "gospel" in Christ's day? One man drew our attention to Luke 7:18-28 and the question asked by John the Baptist, "Jesus are you the Messiah?" We noted how Christ's response seems to define the Kingdom of God as involving the restoration of the whole person.

Then another man referenced Matthew 23:37 where the Kingdom of God is further defined as a relationship with Christ. A relationship that is spoken of in Matthew 3:2 as "one that leads one to repentance and surrender of life to the Lordship of Jesus."

Another man then asked, "What is the Kingdom of God?" After some discussion we agreed that all people are in the Kingdom of God but only those who have a relationship with Christ are a citizen of the Kingdom with full benefit (such as eternity in heaven, fullness of the Spirit, etc.). Through Jesus all have received a passport (or maybe Visa is more applicable) to experience (visit) in God's Kingdom but only those who request citizenship have full manifestation of God's grace.

Living in the Kingdom of God consists of God's Omni-benevolence for all of mankind which can lead to citizenship. Citizenship however refers to God's reign and rule in the heart of man. All are "in" the Kingdom of God but not all are "of" it.

A question I asked the men about this core truth was "What implications does this have to you and the Church today?" Response: (1) As a citizen of the Kingdom of God we have the fullness of God with us all the time. (2) We have a responsibility to take the Kingdom to the world so they "can taste and see that the Lord is good." (3) Taking the Kingdom to the world is emulating the life and teachings of Jesus. (4) The glory of God is man fully alive in Christ.

A final question I asked but we did not have time to discussed at length was, "What examples are there of how this core truth could be carried out?" We must emulate the life and ministry of Jesus for others to see. As they use their Visa (passport) to visit in the Kingdom (whether they know it or not) it is our responsibility to demonstrate the benevolent nature of God. To be a tour guide, if you will.

Can you add anything more to our study this week? I would like to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian