Values: A Kingdom Mindset
March 23, 2021
Who or what shapes your thinking? Is it the books you read, the podcasts you listen to, the media you watch every night? Is it the doctrines of your political party, the movies you watch or the music you hear? Who or what shapes your thinking? You see, whatever you allow to influence your thoughts will create your beliefs, which will form your values and will dictate your behaviors – how you choose to live this life.
Now what I find interesting, is that experts estimate that your brain, thinks between 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts a day. About 2500 – 3,300 thoughts per hour. That means while I’m speaking today, you will have anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 thoughts. And when you start to think about that, well that’s kind of mind blowing! For as the writer of Proverbs once wrote: “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
So how you think not only determines how you will live, but it also influences how we do ministry together as God’s people. That’s why as we talk about the kind of values that we want to govern how we do life together as Rock Springs Church – having a kingdom mindset must be one of the values we embrace as we serve together as God’s people. So that’s the value we’re going to look at together today: A Kingdom Mindset.
Now if you are here for the first time today, or have missed the past few weeks, let me catch you up. We are in a series where we are taking a fresh look at the values we hold to as Rock Springs Church. We’ve identified five values God wants us to embody in our lives and relationships as God’s people:
Unleashed Potential. Each one of us has a God given potential to live like Jesus, to bear much fruit with Jesus and bring glory to God’s name. We have this potential because Jesus lives in us – and He wants to unleash that potential in each one of us.
Mutual Interdependence. Jesus made each one of us an essential member of His body and gave us gifts that are necessary for the health and well-being of His body. That means every person in God’s family is needed for us to function as God intends. We need you and you need us. And that makes you an indispensable asset for what God wants to do in and through His Church.
Extravagant Generosity. Jesus gave his all so we might give like him. God desires that His grace might be so powerfully at work in us that we would become peddlers of grace in a world devoid of grace. That we would give or our time, our talents, our treasures and especially ourselves, so that we might be a blessing to others.
Radical Inclusivity. Jesus wants us to love like He does, by including like He does. Jesus wants us to open our arms to love the unlovely and welcome those who don’t fit in to fit in with us. Jesus wants us to create a culture of grace where anyone and everyone is welcome all day, every day.
Today, we’re going to unpack our fifth value: A Kingdom Mindset. So if you brought your Bible with you today let me encourage you to open it to John 3, where we’re going to look at what a kingdom mindset is, and how we can cultivate this mindset so we can be truly different from the world But before we do that, we need to spend a few minutes looking at what a kingdom mindset is not:
First, It is not human wisdom. The Bible tells us that human wisdom arises from the hollow and deceptive philosophies of man. Paul writes, See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8
This Scripture reminds us we are in a battle for our minds. There are those who want to capture your thinking with empty and deceitful teachings so that you will have nothing to do with Jesus. In fact, God’s Word compares human wisdom to foolishness by saying, For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 In other words, human wisdom is useless, ineffective, and empty in comparison to God’s wisdom. God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts – by a long way. Man’s thoughts have no power to give life, joy, peace, hope or salvation. But the spiritual forces of this world are working overtime to present human wisdom as the only option available to humankind. And it is these spiritual forces that feed the pride of man and attack the Word of God. But God’s Word says that the thoughts of man are hollow and deceptive. Human thinking is foolishness in comparison to God’s thinking. So kingdom thinking is not human thinking.
Secondly, kingdom thinking is not political thinking. In 1 Corinthians 2:6 Paul spells it out for us saying: We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. Again, God’s Word is very clear in telling us that the political rulers of this age have nothing to say to us. Their thinking doesn’t add up. There is no real life in their thinking. What troubles me today is that too many Christ followers expose themselves to a constant diet of political wisdom. But this diet doesn’t feed your soul, encourage your faith, nor help you glorify God. Now, not all political wisdom is worthless, for much of the foundation of this country – its laws and practices had its roots in kingdom thinking. But sadly, much of political thinking today has abandoned the authority of God’s Word and as such comes to nothing. So let’s not put our hopes in political thinking. For political thinking is not even close to kingdom thinking.
Thirdly, it is not religious thinking. Religious thinking focuses on rules over relationship. Religious thinking focuses on rituals rather than love. Religious thinking weighs you down rather than lifts you up. And religious thinking says performance is the way to God… That’s why when Jesus came proclaiming the good news that the kingdom of God was near – he was offering a new way to God – not through religious works, but through faith in Him. In fact, it’s become popular today to say that “all religions lead to God.” But when Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, he declared once and for all that NO RELIGIONS LEAD TO GOD. So, kingdom thinking is not religious thinking. It’s not human thinking and its not political thinking. So just what is kingdom thinking?
First, It is a New Way of Thinking Look now with me at John 3, beginning in verse one:
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” John 3:1-2 Now, look at what guided Nicodemus’ thinking. First, he was a Pharisee. Now, Pharisees made it their business to know the law, and make sure everyone else was keeping the law. So Nicodemus was steeped in religion. And as Israel’s teacher, he was THE leading authority on their religion. But more than that, he was also a member of the Jewish ruling council. So then, politics also played a part of Nicodemus thinking. So who better for Jesus to set straight on just what kingdom thinking is: Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Right here, Jesus tells Nicodemus that he doesn’t have the capacity to see the kingdom of God. Having the ability to see or to understand the truths of the kingdom does not come from human reasoning. That to see the kingdom of God – you need something beyond human thinking: you need a spiritual rebirth – to be born again. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
Do you see what Jesus is doing here? He is telling Nicodemus that kingdom thinking is not of this world: it’s not human thinking. Nicodemus is thinking on a human level. He thinks that being born again means crawling back into his mother’s womb. And right here, he illustrates for us just how foolish human thinking truly is… So in teaching Nicodemus Jesus reveals that Kingdom Thinking is different kind of thinking. It’s a spiritual way thinking that you cannot attain on your own. That is why Jesus says you be born again. And this was not just true for Nicodemus. That is true for any of us.
In order for any one of us to have a kingdom mindset, for any one of us to see the kingdom of God, we must be born again spiritually.
And the reason why we must be born again, is that our sins separated us from God. We were dead to God. And that apart from God’s mercy to us in Jesus we’d be left to die this state, never knowing God, never knowing His forgiveness, never having any hope. But the good news is this: When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior Titus 3:4-6 Here’s the good news: It is the Holy Spirit who makes us alive to God. It is the Holy Spirit who give us spiritual birth so we can see the kingdom of God. For at the moment you put your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives you a new spiritual life. He takes up residence in your life so you can know the mind of God.
That is why every Christ follower is called to have a kingdom mindset. God gives us a new life in Jesus so we can have a new way of thinking. That’s why Paul writes in Colossians 3: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
Do you realize how amazing this is? Now because we have new life in Christ, we’ve not only been born again spiritually, we have access to the very mind of God. This means you can know God’s thoughts, and God’s thoughts can change how you think, what you value and how you live. And all you have to do is set your mind on the stuff of heaven. And when you do, you’ll soon discover the stuff of this earth is over-rated.
You see, the good news is that we no longer have to be captive to the world’s way of thinking. The world wants you to value what it values. But now the Holy Spirit has given you the capacity to value what Jesus values. That’s why Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. For life in the Kingdom is a whole new kind of life: a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. You see, becoming a Christian is not about becoming a better version of yourself, it’s about becoming a whole new person who’s been given the mind of Christ so you can learn to live life the way God meant it to be lived. That’s what it means to have a kingdom mindset.
So the question for us today is this: How do I cultivate a kingdom mindset? How do I set my mind on things above not on earthy things, so that I can live this new life the way God intended? Well, here’s a few things we can do to cultivate a kingdom mindset:
First, Put Your Trust in Jesus. Remember what Jesus said, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. The Bible says that you are dead spiritually. Your sins have separated you from God. But Jesus came to remove your sins, by dying for you on the cross. Jesus died for your sins, to reconcile you to God, make you right with God, so you can know God and be accepted by God forever. And the moment you turn from trusting in yourself, to trusting in Jesus, the Bible says, you are not just forgiven, but you are born again! So for some of you here today, this is why you are here. God is drawing you to faith in Jesus, so you can know the life He created you to know – so you can receive His forgiveness and enter the kingdom of God. If that’s you, then put your trust in Jesus.
Second, Take Charge of Your Mind. Remember, you are in a battle for your mind, and the world wants not only to take your mind captive but also wants to brainwash you so you will embrace the empty and deceptive values of the world.. So how do you take charge of your mind? Paul tells you how in Romans 12: Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 If you don’t guard what’s going into your mind, the world is more than happy to fill your mind with ungodly and empty human wisdom. But if you take charge of your mind, if you start reading God’s Word, start memorizing God’s Word, God will renew your mind and pretty soon His thoughts will be your thoughts and His ways will be your ways. Let me challenge you here. Most households watch 20 or more hours of television every week. What if you turned off your television for a week and only read God’s Word? Try it and see what happens. Take charge and fill your mind with God’s good, pleasing and perfect will, and let God renew your mind.
Third, Look for Ways to Serve. Now, why would I say this? Well, the number one philosophy in the world is to serve yourself. But Jesus came to serve us. So if Jesus came to serve us, then serving is one way to cultivate a kingdom mindset. This is the example of Jesus. God’s Word says, In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature] of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:3-7 So start in your own home. Look for ways to serve your spouse. Then as you’re out and about interacting with your friends and neighbors, look for ways to serve your neighbors. One of the best ways to do this is by listening. This is one I’m working on. I’m trying to learn how to ask good questions and then just learn. The more we learn about what’s going on in the lives around us, God will show us where we can serve. And as we are looking out for the interests of others, we will cultivate a kingdom mindset.
Fourth, Live in the Sermon on the Mount Digest Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. For it is in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus reveals the way God has always intended us to live. From Jesus’ teaching here and in Luke 6, Jesus shows us that God’s way of thinking is vastly different than the world’s way of thinking. Let me give you one example from Luke 6, that shows how uniquely different God’s way of thinking really is. In Luke 6 Jesus says to us: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:32-36
Look at what Jesus does here. He expands the scope of who we are to show kindness and mercy to. Obviously, it is easy for us to love those who love us. We get this don’t we? We love our friends. We love those who are like us. We love those who root for the same teams as us, have the same politics as us, share the same beliefs as us, have the same morals as us. We love people who think, act and believe like us because it’s SAFE to be with them; and EASIER to love them. But Jesus says that this mindset is no different than the mindset of “sinners.”
“Sinners” in Jesus day were a distinct category of people. Sinners were those who had no regard for the law, no fear of God and no place in the culture of the Jews. Such people were so despicable to the Jews, that you despised them. You’d never be caught dead associating with one in any social or religious setting. Yet Jesus says, when you love only those who are just like you, you are no different than sinners.
This is the kingdom mindset Jesus calls us to embrace. It is an entirely new way of seeing the worst among us. To see the worst among us, like how He saw you, when you were at your worst before Him. For it was then that God opened the floodgates of His love for you… That’s kingdom thinking: It’s letting God’s thoughts invade your thoughts so that you see every person as someone Jesus’ loves.
So may we cultivate this kingdom mindset together. May we trust in Jesus. May we continue to be transformed by God’s Word. May we serve one another with the humility of Jesus, and may Jesus help us see everyone as someone to love. May His thoughts become our thoughts so that we might live and love like Jesus.
Let’s pray.
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