Life in the Upside Down Kingdom (The “Offensive” Church part 4)

Life in the Kingdom of God is the opposite of life outside of it.  Loving enemies, seeking righteousness before worrying about basic needs, and storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth are but examples of Kingdom living.  The world’s “me first” mentality gives way to an ethic of looking for the place of least honor.  In our upwardly mobile culture, Jesus calls us to the downward way of humility, deference, and service.  Real life is found when you’re willing to give yours up.  Are you ready to be turned upside down?

(note:  regrettably, the first minute has some significant static which is only slight after that, but it clears up completely about 7 minutes in)

God's Mission Has a Church

Part 3 of the "Offensive Church" series

Churches often get caught up in trying to discover their mission. While this isn’t a problem on the surface, it does suggest that things are upside-down. God has a mission, to redeem and restore a broken and sinful world through Jesus Christ. The Church is God’s chosen instrument in completing this mission. We need to remember that God sets the agenda—not us. It is not so much that God has a mission for His Church in the world as much as God has a Church for His mission in the world.