The Kingdom is Here!

Recap:

I remind you of our guiding word for this year: “Rooted.” My prayer is that we would stay firmly planted in God—letting our spiritual roots sink deep into His character—so that, together, we can distinguish truth from the lies surrounding us.

In keeping with this focus, we memorized Romans 3:23:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I realize this verse can sound harsh to modern ears, but its message is central: we humans, despite carrying God’s sacred image, are also broken by sin. Our culture often insists that we’re inherently good and merely misguided. However, Scripture tells us we have all turned from God’s perfect way. It’s precisely why Jesus came—to bridge that gap no one else could close.

In the weeks prior, we traced God’s plan to restore humanity through the covenant He established and ultimately through His own Incarnation. God became human in Christ so that the penalty of sin would be answered, and we could find our way back to Him. Now, as we turn a page toward learning about Jesus Himself, I would like for you to memorize another verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17:

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”

Think about that—God promises a brand-new life. It’s the greatest hope we can share with our weary world. Yet sometimes, we look around and say, “This isn’t the way things are supposed to be.” Broken families, distrust at work, wounded friendships—it all stems from that initial fracture back in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve chose their own way over God’s. Their decision to seize autonomy scattered humanity’s sense of peace and harmony—what Scripture calls Shalom—into a thousand pieces.

The good news is that Jesus didn’t stop short at diagnosing the problem. He came declaring, “The Kingdom of God is near!” (Mark 1:15). The heart of His message wasn’t solely about love (though that remains fundamental), but about the arrival of God’s reign. For so long, we’ve tried to build our own little kingdoms, but Jesus confronts us with a bold invitation: Leave your old ways behind, come under My rule, and find the restoration and wholeness your soul craves.

Now, I shared the image of a torn photograph and picture frame of my son to illustrate how sin damages our lives. Many of us feel like those shredded edges and broken pieces of glass, uncertain how we might ever be made whole again. But our gracious Father excels at doing the impossible. He takes the broken scraps of our existence and recreates something more beautiful than before. Through Christ, every accusation that shame hurls at us loses its power. No longer do we need to hide our faces in fear.

Finally, let’s ask ourselves: Who is your King? Will you continue trusting your own best efforts, or will you bow before the One who can truly make all things new? Understand that salvation is not about a one-time prayer—it is daily surrendering to the lordship of Jesus. In that posture, we discover the gift of being “new creations,” sons and daughters of the Most High.

If today you feel splintered by regrets, uncertain about the future, or plagued by guilt, I want you to know the invitation stands. Jesus offers to rule in love over your life. Lay down the burden of doing it alone, and allow Him to breathe new life into your soul. As we close, I invite you to pray from your heart, asking Jesus to be the King of your life. In that moment of trust, He gathers every broken piece, fashions it into something redeemed, and welcomes you into His glorious Kingdom. For, indeed, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us: The old life is gone; a new life has begun.

Group Questions:

Icebreaker Questions

Spring Anticipation
- What is one sign of spring that really excites you, and why?
Rooted in Random
- If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for an entire month, which would it be and why?
Highs and Lows
- What was the high point and/or low point of your week?

Sermon Discussion Questions

Rooted in Truth
- The church’s word for the year is “Rooted,” and we learned Romans 3:23:
  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
  In your own words, what does this verse mean, and why is it important for staying rooted in Christ?
Sacred Yet Sinful
- The sermon emphasized how each person is both sacred (made in God’s image) and sinful.
  How does recognizing both truths impact the way you view yourself and others?
Fracturing and Shalom
- We heard the illustration of things “not being the way they’re supposed to be,” and the concept of Shalom as God’s intended wholeness.
  Where in your life have you seen or felt that sense of fractured relationships or brokenness? Where do you long for God’s Shalom?
The Kingdom Message
- Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom of God rather than just teaching about love.
  Why do you think “the Kingdom of God is near” was such a central part of Jesus’ ministry, and how might that shape our understanding of the Christian life?
Torn Photo Illustration
- In the sermon, a torn photograph represented how sin fractures our lives.
  Can you recall a time you felt too broken to be restored? How does Jesus’ power and promise of new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) speak to that feeling?
New Creation
- 2 Corinthians 5:17:
  “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”
  What does living as a “new creation” look like in practical, everyday terms?
Who Is King?
- A key question from the sermon was “Who is your King?”
  If someone asked you to explain the difference between living under your own rule versus living under Jesus’ kingship, how would you answer?

Application and Prayer

Personal Reflection
Are there areas in your life where you’re still trying to maintain control instead of letting God reign? What step can you take this week to surrender those areas to Jesus’ rule?
Group Prayer
- Pray for one another to experience the “new creation” reality in Christ.
- Ask God to help each person remain rooted in Him, discerning truth and living fully under His loving kingship.