City of God - Kingdom Story - Tim Holley

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;repent and believe in the gospel."  Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, came to earth to usher people into the kingdom of God. This kingdom was counter to Israel's expectations; it wasn't about building through political power and military might but instead about restoring a kingdom that was always intended in the garden. In this garden city, there was meant to be relationship and harmony with God and the entire created order.  Through the saving work of Jesus, he inaugurates this city of God. But stepping back into God's city or kingdom requires an entire recalibration of our identity, purpose, relationships, and vision for our lives.  This isn't a future recalibration but is for the here and now as we learn to be citizens of a new kind of city. Jesus' salvation brings a future hope of one day going to heaven and a present reality of bringing heaven down wherever his people are found. Over the next three months, we seek to understand that Jesus' saving work isn't merely a story, a theological framework, or a list of moral values but a way of life. As his apprentices, our responsibility is to follow him  wherever he leads.