THE KING AND THE KINGDOM - part 4 - Pastor Deborah Cobrae

Main message: The sermon taught that the central rule of God's kingdom is the royal law of agape love — a self-giving, sacrificial love — and Christians are called to live as citizens of that kingdom (born again), operating by faith, humility and the power of grace rather than the force, fear and lust of the kingdom of darkness.

Key points:

• The kingdom of God is now-but-not-yet; Jesus inaugurated new life (born again) to redeem what was broken by the Fall.
• The Fall broke four things: our relationship with God, our identity, human relationships, and creation; Jesus restores those through redemption.
• Contrasts between the kingdoms: power (force/violence vs. grace/meekness), economy (fear vs. faith), attitude (pride/independence vs. humility/dependence), treasury (deception vs. God's truth/promises).
• The royal law is agape love — “your needs at my expense” — which fulfills the law (James 2; Romans 13) and is described in 1 Corinthians 13 as enduring, hopeful, and never failing.
• Spiritual growth requires a heart that receives the Word (parable of the soils), enduring faith, obedience (crucifying the flesh), and living out 1 Corinthians 13 in daily life.

Scriptures mentioned: Luke 17:20-21, Matthew 11 (vv.7–19 context), John 3 (Nicodemus/born again), Genesis 2, Genesis 3:15, Romans 5, Romans 7, Romans 8, James 2:8, Romans 13:8, Romans 13:10, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, Galatians 5:6, Colossians (Christ in us reference), Matthew 6, 1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 20-21, Hebrews 7:25