For the kingdom of God is not . . . Sometimes it’s good to ask what something is NOT . . . before asking what it is.
What the Kingdom of God is NOT
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14.17, NRSV
The Apostle Paul seldom writes “Kingdom of God”? What does he mean? Sometimes it’s good to ask what something is NOT . . . before asking what it is.i. The Kingdom of God is NOT… eating and drinking
Romans 14.11-17 Eating and drinking could refer to communion, or eating and drinking could also refer to various religious traditions. There are many people from various religious traditions in the New Testament Church. All of these religious traditions have their own religious feasts. So, the NT Church is NOT any one particular religious tradition about eating and drinking. Yes, we want to have communion together, but all the ways we fellowship together are not supposed to be a big issue.ii. We are NOT approved by God and man because we are “right”
Romans 14.18-19 You can be right all day, but still do your friends wrong. This illustration is loosely adapted from St. John Chrysostom: People do NOT approve of you because you’re the Dark Knight, you have the resources, you’ve got all of your colleagues figured out including their weaknesses, you’re the Dark Knight, you’re Batman, you’re a perfect man. No, Paul and the NT Church says the world does NOT approve of perfection. The world is looking for an people of authenticity, known for peace and good relations.*Complete sermon notes: CLICK HERE
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