Kingdom Consummated Part 2 with Discussion Guide

Kingdom Consummated Part 2 Discussion Guide

Summary

In this sermon, Pastor discusses biblical hope through the lens of Revelation 21:1-5, connecting it to God’s original design in Genesis. He explains that Eden was God’s dwelling place on Earth, where He intended to partner with humanity to extend His kingdom throughout creation. Though humanity’s failure led to separation from God, Jesus offers us new birth and the opportunity to become ambassadors of God’s kingdom once again. The sermon emphasizes that God’s ultimate plan is not to destroy creation but to renew it completely. The New Jerusalem described in Revelation represents God’s dwelling place coming down to Earth, fulfilling His original intention to live with His people. This renewal includes everything – a new heaven, new earth, and new bodies for believers – where there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. Christians are encouraged to live as ‘new creation people’ now, serving as ambassadors of God’s kingdom in their daily lives.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word and the hope You’ve promised us, we ask that Your Spirit would guide our conversation. Open our hearts to understand the magnitude of what it means that You are making all things new. Help us to see beyond our current circumstances to the glorious future You have prepared. Lord, we want to be ambassadors of Your kingdom today. Show each person in this group exactly what You want them to learn and apply from our time together. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ice Breaker

If you could design your perfect dwelling place, what would be one unique feature you would include and why?

Key Verses

Revelation 21:3-5
Genesis 2:8-10
John 3:3
Isaiah 65:17-19

Questions

The sermon describes Eden not primarily as humanity’s home but as God’s dwelling place on Earth. How does this perspective change your understanding of the creation story?
What does it mean to be an ‘ambassador’ of God’s kingdom rather than the ruler of your own life? How might this shift in identity affect your daily decisions?
The pastor mentioned that ‘the issue was the choice, the definition to define right and wrong for one’s self.’ In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to surrender your own definitions of right and wrong to God’s?
Revelation 21:5 says, ‘I am making everything new.’ How is God’s plan to renew creation different from simply destroying and replacing it? Why is this distinction important?
What emotions arise when you read about God wiping away every tear and eliminating death, mourning, crying, and pain? Is this promise difficult for you to believe or embrace?
The sermon describes our future hope as ‘life after life after death’ – a physical resurrection rather than an ethereal existence. How does this physical dimension of our hope impact how you view your current physical life and body?
What specific situations in your life right now need to be viewed through the lens of God’s promise to make all things new?
How might living with the hope of God’s renewal change how you respond to suffering, injustice, or brokenness in the world around you?

Life Application

This week, commit to reading Revelation 21:1-5 each morning and then praying, ‘Lord, help me live today in the hope of your renewal.’ Choose one relationship or situation where you can intentionally practice being an ambassador of God’s kingdom. This might mean offering forgiveness, serving someone sacrificially, responding with patience instead of frustration, or bringing comfort to someone who is hurting. At the end of each day, reflect on how viewing yourself as God’s ambassador rather than the ruler of your own life affected your actions and attitudes.

Key Takeaways

God’s original intention was for humans to partner with Him in extending His kingdom throughout creation, not to be puppets but partners who choose to follow Him.
Through Jesus, we have the opportunity to experience new birth and become ambassadors of God’s kingdom, reflecting His image into the world.
The biblical hope described in Revelation is not about escaping to a distant heaven but about God’s dwelling place coming down to Earth in a complete renewal of creation.
God promises to make all things new – not just replacing everything, but renewing and restoring what was broken by sin.
As believers, we can live as ‘new creation people’ now, allowing glimpses of God’s future kingdom to break into our present reality through how we live and love.

Ending Prayer

Lord God, thank You for the incredible hope You’ve given us through Your promise to make all things new. We confess that sometimes we place our hope in lesser things that will ultimately disappoint us. Help us to live as ambassadors of Your kingdom, reflecting Your character and purposes in our homes, workplaces, and communities. When we face suffering or witness injustice, remind us that the current broken order of things will pass away. Give us the courage to partner with You in bringing glimpses of Your renewal into our world today. May we live in such a way that others see in us a hope that transcends circumstances and points to Your coming kingdom. In Jesus’ name, 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.