The Really Big Idea - Jason Brown

The Really Big Idea - Jason Brown

Yesterday we heard that Jesus lived to bring the Kingdom of God to earth.  (We also heard that I lived for the Iowa Hawkeyes as a 4th grader!)

Because Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God so much (in the book of Matthew, it's referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven), this is the interpretive lens I’m using to understand his activity and teaching.  It really does seem like he brings the truth and transformation, the healing and blessing of heaven wherever he goes.  He is also teaching people how to do the same.  Joining Jesus in building the Kingdom of God is the essence of discipleship.

Is the Kingdom of God a new idea for you?  Though the gospels and the teaching of Christ are laced with Kingdom-of-God language, I’m wondering if you’ve thought much about it.  As I’ve spoken with people about the Kingdom of God coming to earth -- even those of us who have spent several years in church -- many have confessed it’s a new concept. 

Where are you?  

  • Have you thought much about the Kingdom of God? 
  • Have you understood that your role as a follower of Jesus is to bring heaven to earth – or is this a new thought? 
  • As we’ve been reading through Luke, how have your thoughts on discipleship changed? 
  • What have you been learning about the Kingdom of God?
  • What questions do you have about the Kingdom of God?

I realize the challenge of exploring these questions publicly (I run into several of you each week who tell me you were planning on writing, but were afraid of what others might think), but I believe all of us will benefit from doing so.  

Take a minute to join the conversation – even if it’s a sentence-long thought or a short question. 

Posted on Mon, March 17, 2008 by Jason Brown

5 comments (Add your own)

1. Emilie wrote:
Warning: slightly weird thought ahead: Something happened to me yesterday in the church service. I had this picture flash through my mind: a big hand wiped clear a very messy and chaotic space. A white, clean slate appeared and I felt relieved, at peace. The idea of trying to bring heaven to earth each day and in every situation, for some reason, sounded like fun! (I told you it was kind of weird; but I think, in me, God uses pictures to communicate ideas.) I did some more thinking later in the day. The fact that I'm a regent or worker in the Kingdom of God feels like it could be an easy yoke rather than a heavy one. To know (believe) that as a member of the Kingdom, I've been given the Holy Spirit to, in turn, offer peace, joy, faith, goodness, self-control, etc. to others makes my "job" as a disciple sound like a really good gig (truly rewarding and possible)! And to think that God doesn't want me to get bogged down by stuff and unholy habits seems like pure grace. Anyway, I'm just relishing the moment and hoping/praying it moves me to action.

Mon, March 17, 2008 @ 9:55 AM

2. A Former Hawkeye wrote:
Jason, appreciated the sermon last Sunday...thanks!

Regarding bringing heaven to earth, I was struck by the movie trailer at
http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playground.php
(Cut and paste this link in the web browser if you can't get there by clicking on it.)

It appears to show that some have paid a price for just refering to heaven while on earth.

Tue, March 18, 2008 @ 9:31 PM

3. Lauren wrote:
For months I have been saying that I would like to start a women's bible study, but I didn't want to start it until we had a house because right now we live in an apartment so it would probably be a little snug. We actually found a house that we really liked and we were really excited about it and I thought...."finally, a place to have a bible study". We ended up not getting the house....so I put the bible study on hold.

Well, something finally clicked and I said, maybe God is telling me that we don't need a house to have a bible study.....maybe I should just have a Bible study in my little apartment. So, I'm starting off small, but I sent out invitations to the women in my family and some friends and I am going to try this! i have no idea if people are going to come, if they're going to like it, or if they're going to think that I'm wierd. But I'm going to go for it! :)

So even though I don't have that house it's okay because I think that the time spent with these women learning about the Lord is going to be amazing!And I am feeling a little more confident because the sermon mentioned something along the lines.... that Jesus had nothing but the clothes on his back....not even a coin. So, with all that he had, which was basically nothing, he still managed to accomplish so much. So that's what I'm praying for in my upcoming Bible study. And I guess this has changed my thoughts on discipleship because I thought that everything had to be perfect before I actually took the initiative to do something like this. But someone told me that if we wait until everything is perfect (which will never be the case), we'll never do it. So I'm going to break my chain and try it.

P.S. good job on the sermon!

Wed, March 19, 2008 @ 3:48 PM

4. ken dingle wrote:
What a blessing you are to us. It comes down to who a persons God is. Things? Or the reality of Christ. Keep up the good work of teaching this very important reality. We love you. Ken & Gail

Thu, March 20, 2008 @ 1:27 PM

5. A loyal Trojans fan wrote:
After those rude comments about my beloved Trojans(who by the way defeated IOWA very, very convincingly, I was able to still listen to Jason's words and contemplate in my heart what the message meant to me. I have to confess, the Kingdom of God is not in my guts. I know that I am given the special task of bringing the kingdom of God here on earth. I used to think that there are more qualified people than me and it is up to Pastors and other godly people to bring the kingdom of God here. But I am realizing that just by spending time with people and getting to know them, and chosing to invest in them, we slowly bring the Kingdom of God here. We do not have to know all the answers (because we don;t and if we act like we do, we sound and look very arrogant). What we need to be is faithful and willing and realize that it is an awesome gig to be part of a team that brings the kingdom of God here on earth. I hope I made sense. I tend to think faster than I type.

ps, Jaason you are an encouragement to me and Amanda.

Thu, March 20, 2008 @ 2:11 PM

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