WELCOME TO THE UPSIDE-DOWN KINGDOM

This summer, the Upside-Down Kingdom wove its way through communities across the country. Each Thursday over 5 weeks, we wanted to remind you of a few aspects of this Kingdom that we hope you will continue to talk about and live into long after this summer’s mission trip.

 

 

Kingdom.

 

When I think about that word, I imagine castles and motes, sweeping countryside from east to west, Kings and Queens, Knights and princesses. I think of Narnia and Lord of the Rings and – yes – Disney, too.

 

And I also can’t help but think of a guy who 2,000 years ago kept telling people about a new Kingdom that was unlike any kingdom before or after – an Upside-Down Kingdom that would overturn the ordinary and exceed expectations. And he didn’t just pass out information about the Kingdom, he invited people to become citizens of this new Kingdom, and 2,000 years later, that invitation still stands.

 

Jesus continues to invite us to be part of this Kingdom that he mentions over 100 times in the first four books of the New Testament. And if Jesus thought this Kingdom was so important, I want to know, what is this Kingdom Jesus talked about, and what’s my place in it?

 

I think a good place to start answering those questions is in Matthew 6. Jesus is in the midst of a long talk called the Sermon on the Mount. He is talking about the values of purity and honesty and service and love. As usual, Jesus is saying surprising things that introduce a deeper way to love others and pursue God.

 

In the midst of this sermon – perhaps for the very first time – Jesus introduces what it looks like to live in the Kingdom. And he does it by way of inviting his listeners to take part in the Kingdom. He welcomes them in, and one way he does it is by telling them how to pray.

 

Check out how Jesus says to pray. This prayer might be very familiar to you, but as you read think about what this prayer says about participating in the Kingdom.

 

Read Matthew 6:9–13.

 

In this prayer, Jesus says a number of important things about what it looks like to participate in the Kingdom, so lets look at each line:

 

Verse 9: “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name…”

The first two lines acknowledge that God is to be honored. Hallowed means sacred or holy. So when we pray, we are praying to a holy God who cares for us like a good father cares for his children.

Verse 10: “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The next three lines express hope that the Kingdom will show up in this place – right now, right here – just like it does in heaven! There is a desire here for God to be making things right in the world. That means participating in what God is doing – the Kingdom – includes hoping for it… looking for it… expecting it!

Verse 11: “Give us today our daily bread…”

This verse is about trusting God – having faith that God will give us what we need each day. Participating in the Kingdom means having faith in the King. Trusting that God will take care of us.

Verse 12: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

This is a prayer for repentance – that God would forgive the wrongs (aka: sins) between us and God and that we would do the same with others. Participating in the Kingdom means pursuing right relationships with God and with others.

Verse 13: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

This is a prayer for protection and freedom from the things that are enslaving us, particularly spiritual things. Participating in the Kingdom means relying on God’s protection and seeking God’s freedom in our lives.

 

I think there’s one last thing to notice: the pronouns. It isn’t “give me today my daily bread” or “forgive me my debts” or “deliver me from the evil one” – it’s “give us today our daily bread” and “forgive us our debts” and “deliver us from the evil one.” Participating in the Kingdom isn’t something you do on your own. It’s something we do together!

So just to recap, taking part in what God is doing includes…

• Hoping for and praying for the Kingdom

• Trusting in God

• Seeking forgiveness and pursuing right relationships with God and others

• Relying on God’s protection and freedom

• Doing it together

Maybe this prayer has helped you start to form a picture of what God’s Kingdom looks like. Today, take time to think about each of these bullet points connects with your life. What are Jesus’ words inviting you to do and how might you participate in this Kingdom Jesus talked about?

 

In the pages that follow, we’ll think more about how the Kingdom is established, what the Kingdom is worth and what it looks like to be a citizen of this Kingdom. Like the people Jesus first told about the Kingdom, maybe you will be surprised by how God chooses to work. Maybe it will overturn what the world is telling you about what matters and how you should live, but that is what God’s Upside-Down Kingdom does.

 

God’s Kingdom exists wherever God is making things right – in and through God’s people as they follow Jesus. So keep your eyes open, desire God’s Kingdom to take root all around you, and step in and participate in what God is doing!

 

Before you do, though, pause. Take a moment to make this prayer your own. Think about who the “us” is in this prayer – your family, your friends, the team you’ll spend your summer with… Linger on each line. Back your words with a real desire to participate in the Kingdom-work God is doing in and around you.

 

 “‘Our Father in heaven,

     hallowed be your name,

  your kingdom come,

     your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

  Give us today our daily bread.

 And forgive us our debts,

     as we also have forgiven our debtors.

  And lead us not into temptation,

     but deliver us from the evil one.”

  [For yours is the Kingdom

    and the Power

     and the Glory

  Forever and ever, Amen.]”

 

CONSIDER…

1. In what ways can you actively hope for God’s Kingdom to come?

2. How could you more fully trust God?

3. How can you pursue a better relationship with God? How about with others?

4. How can you rely more fully on God’s protection and freedom?

5. What is one way you could join others as you seek God’s Kingdom?

 

 

 

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Sam Townsend helps write training, programming and marketing materials for YouthWorks mission trips. When he isn’t hanging around teenagers at church or digging into seminary homework, he is generally looking for a good conversation and a hole-in-the-wall restaurant to have it in. Sam still considers his first couple summers working for YouthWorks in Virginia and Pennsylvania communities some of the most transformative times of his life.