Kingdom Consummated Part 5 with Discussion Guide

Kingdom Consummated Part 5 Discussion Guide

Summary

This sermon focuses on understanding our identity as new creations in Christ, emphasizing that believers have been restored to righteousness through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Pastor teaches that righteousness means being restored to who we were created to be – reflecting God’s image and character. The message addresses three key points: becoming the righteousness of God, being aware of our spiritual enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy, and the importance of renewing our minds through the Holy Spirit. The pastor emphasizes that while we are made new in Christ, our minds still need ongoing renewal to align with our new nature, and that loving Jesus more deeply leads to godly desires and actions.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with grateful hearts, thanking You for gathering us together. Lord, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us through this time of discussion. Help us to be vulnerable with one another and to encourage each other in our faith journey. Holy Spirit, guide our conversation and help us to see ourselves the way You see us – as new creations, restored and righteous in Christ. May this time draw us closer to You and to each other. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s one thing you’ve seen restored or renovated that turned out even better than the original? It could be a house, car, piece of furniture, or anything else that was given new life.

Key Verses

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Romans 6:10-11
Ephesians 6:12
Romans 12:2
Ephesians 4:22-24

Questions

The pastor mentioned that we often feel ‘alive to sin and dead to God’ rather than the opposite. Why do you think this happens, and how can we combat these feelings?
What does it mean to you personally that righteousness is ‘the state of him who is as he ought to be’ – being who you were created to be?
The sermon emphasized that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. How does this change the way you approach conflicts and struggles in your life?
What are some ‘shortcuts’ the enemy tries to tempt us with that keep us from fully depending on God?
The pastor said ‘Love Jesus equals more good.’ How have you experienced this truth in your own life – that the more you love Jesus, the more repulsive sin becomes?
Paul writes about putting off the old self and putting on the new self. What are some practical ways we can ‘put on’ our new identity in Christ daily?
How does understanding that we’re not fighting FOR victory but FROM victory (since Jesus already won) change your perspective on spiritual battles?
The message mentioned that shame and guilt have no place in the life of a believer. What role do these emotions sometimes play in our lives, and how can we renounce them?

Life Application

This week, when you face temptation, discouragement, or the enemy’s lies about your identity, stop and remind yourself: ‘I am a new creation in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come.’ Choose one specific area where you’ve been listening to the enemy’s lies about who you are, and intentionally replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s Word. Spend extra time in prayer and Bible reading, pressing into your love for Jesus rather than trying to fight sin in your own strength.

Key Takeaways

We are new creations in Christ – the old self has been crucified and we are restored to righteousness, reflecting God’s image
We have a real enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy, but our battle is spiritual, not against flesh and blood
Renewing our minds is an ongoing process that aligns our thinking with our new nature in Christ
Loving Jesus more deeply naturally leads to godly desires and actions – we don’t fight sin in our own strength
We are called to the ministry of reconciliation, standing firm in victory that Jesus has already won

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for making us new creations and restoring us to righteousness. Help us to walk in the truth of who You say we are, not in the lies of the enemy. Renew our minds daily through Your Word and Your Spirit. Give us strength to resist shortcuts and to press into You when we face spiritual battles. May we live from the victory You’ve already won, reflecting Your image into our community as we participate in the ministry of reconciliation. Remove any shame or guilt that doesn’t belong in our lives, and help us to love You more each day. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.