Jesus and the Kingdom Series

The Upside-Down Kingdom by Pastor Gabriel Cordeiro

John 1:1-5

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.

Since the fall of man, humanity has been living under the oppression of the spiritual rebels, that since Genesis have been repeatedly deceiving humanity into thinking we can achieve godlike status by our own strength. These spiritual rebels, called demons, led by the satan, trick humanity into worshiping money, sex, military and political power, so they can be worshiped instead.

Mainly, the reason that our world is filled with so many issues can be attributed to the influence of darkness over humanity (The satan and its fellows). In fact, that's where the bible tells us the problems really come from.

Ephesians 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We are still constantly trying to elevate ourselves to stand out from the crowd, whether is by being successful in our jobs, how much money we have, how good we look, how we can do things better than others, and the list goes on.

Years ago, in the beginning of my career as a drummer, one of the best feelings I had, was to stand out from the crowd. Since we were musicians in events which people would sometimes pay big money to get in, we were treated as V.I.P's (Very Important Person). We would eat the best dishes from the kitchen, have the best beverages (or drinks for those who drank alcohol) and on top of it all, be on a stage displaying our talents to the crowd which was sometimes thousands of people.

But at the end of the day we would get paid very little. And people that used to enjoy our music, have no clue who I am today. But simply the feeling of being recognized as somebody important for a couple of hours would make me want to do it again. It's a false feeling of relevance and importance.

My point here is that what was driving me at that time was the need to be recognized and the need to stand out. It wasn't my career as a musician per se, nor my passion for music.

The darkness of this world deceives us into thinking that we are more important than the others; that we can be better, have more things, worship brands, artists, riches and fame. These are sets of values that the Bible calls worldly, or carnal values. This is the kingdom of this world.

We are pretty familiar with the worldly values, and some of you might even relate to my story. But what does the Kingdom of God look like?

Jesus declared many times that the Kingdom of God is at hand or near. But in practical terms, what does it look like?

A new set of Values that is the opposite of the world (upside down).

John 1:5 says that darkness, which is one of the descriptions of the powers of this world, did not understand Him. The world can not understand the ways of Jesus. The Bible tells us that the wisdom of the world and its values are different from the Kingdom of God. In fact, it says they are foolish and disgusting to God. 1 Corinthians 3:19 says “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” And also Isaiah 64:6 says:”But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

The Kingdom of God values godly righteousness which is the opposite of the world’s values:

Matthew 5:1-12

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

From the world’s standpoint, all these verses above don’t sound too much like a blessing. They sound pretty different from what I was pursuing back in my drumming days. It requires humility and surrender instead of self-glorification and worldly recognition.

A new way of living

So, logically if the values of the Kingdom of God are the opposite of the world, the citizens of His Kingdom must also act differently. And I would even say, contrary to the citizens of the world.

Out of all the characteristics of a Kingdom’s citizen, the greatest one is love.

Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

The citizens of the Kingdom are called to love one another in a supernatural way. By doing so, the world will take notice and people will want to join the Kingdom.

John 13

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

To enter the Kingdom only through Jesus

Jesus made a way for us to enter the Kingdom.

John 10:9-16

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

You Must be Born Again

The Kingdom is from heaven and from heaven we need to be born.

John 3

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus came to establish a new Kingdom that exists, but not here yet! (On earth as it is in Heaven.)

The Kingdom of God starts here on earth, but it will only be fully established when Jesus comes back and reunites heaven and earth. Although the Kingdom is already here within us believers, this time here on earth is also a preparation for what is to come. So we ought to walk in the ways that Jesus taught us to keep and teach His commands, as well as invite those who are lost to join the Kingdom of God, while we wait for Lord’s return. By doing society will be impacted by us