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Jesus Lives in an Upside-Down House:

In this lesson we learn about two kingdoms–the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. These two kingdoms employ completely different laws.

The teachings of this world lead to death and destruction, the kingdom of God offers truth and life. When we begin a new life in Christ, we must learn to walk in the laws and principles of our new citizenship.

We are children of God living by the principles of our Father’s Kingdom even while we are still here on Earth. To the world around us, it may seem odd. It may seem strange–it’s an upside-Down Kingdom.

We recommend the following music with this message:

1) 1 Peter 5:5b (Humble Yourselves) 

2) The Servant King 

3) Humble Me 

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Jesus Lives in an Upside-down House; A Different Kind of Kingdom. 

Presentation Transcript

Suggested Next Slide – Song: “1 Peter 5:5b – Humble Yourselves” A Memory Verse Song https://youtu.be/ZtWvaD1m-wA   

Imagine a teacher tells her students to line up for candy & whoever is first in line will get 2 pieces. What do you think would happen?

Then she gives the first boy 2 the pieces. She gives the second & third child 3 pieces each. Then, she gives the last girl 5 pieces… WHAT!?!

Then the kids remembered what Jesus had  said:

“Many who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.”

Mat. 19:30 (ICB)

What do you think the children learned about Jesus and being humble?

A modern trend of hanging Christmas trees upside-down has its roots in the Middle Ages.

To teach German pagans about the trinity, a missionary used the triangle shape of an upside-down evergreen.

According to legend, a missionary named Boniface came upon pagans worshiping the false god “Thor” by sacrificing their children to him beneath Thor’s so-called “holy” oak.

He stopped the ritual, the story is told, by taking a hatchet to the trunk of the tree and inviting “Thor” (if he was truly real) to strike him dead.

Nothing happened—people were shocked! He used the three corners of the tree as an object lesson to explain to them the Trinity…

The Father, The Son—Jesus & The Holy Spirit.

Many believed and, as a reminder, began to bring evergreen trees into their homes every Christmas.

To this day, it is customary in parts of Germany to hang the Christmas tree upside down.

It has also become popular in many other countries.

Today, we will compare the upside-down tree with the Kingdom of God.

Actually, it’s quite appropriate for something that represents Jesus Christ and His entrance into this world to be displayed upside-down.

In every way, His kingdom and the world’s are exact opposites.

What is up? What is down?

What is first? What is Last?

Which has the greatest reward?

Which is good and which is bad? You can’t always tell by appearances.

Which man is greatest in God’s kingdom?

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (CEV)

“My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn’t think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame.” We are looking at two

completely different kingdoms. Everything that is right in one is wrong in the other.

Everything that is first in one is last in the other. These two kingdoms have two completely different sets of laws. For Example, the world says:

“Look deep within yourself to find your inner strength.”

But the Word says:

“Let us look only to Jesus. He is the one who began our faith, and he makes our faith perfect…” Heb. 12:1 (ICB)

Even the phrase “self-improvement” is erroneous worldly kingdom thinking.

More Worldly Thinking: “To thine oneself be true.”(No, to Christ be true.)

 “Be all that you can be.” (No, be less of you and more of Christ.)

“Visualize what you want, and it will happen.” (No, obey what God wants of you.)  Etc., It was said of Jesus’ disciples:

“These men, who have turned the world upside down, have come here also.”  Acts 17:6

They didn’t literally turn the world upside-down; they turned the world’s thinking, culture and values on its head. “What is truth?”

Suggested Next Slide: “The Upside-Down House” https://youtu.be/OMjlQ-MLHbo

In contrast to this world’s ways, our Savior Jesus, might be said to live in an upside-down house! Like inside  this tourist attraction, He does everything just the opposite of the way the world does things. Compared to worldly values, Jesus’ Kingdom is quite like the Upside-Down House. Up is down, first is last  & master is servant.

Compared to worldly values, Jesus’ Kingdom is quite like the Upside-Down House. Up is down, first is last  &master is servant. It’s enough to make the new believer a bit dizzy while trying to navigate the higher laws of God’s Heavenly Kingdom. Okay Lord, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done.” John 18:36 (ESV)

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’”

When the Greeks conquered Judea, they replaced all the Hebrew books

with Greek language books. Even now, when the Russians occupied parts of Ukraine,
they replaced their books. Satan (and the world he controls) have replaced Heavenly Kingdom thinking with worldly kingdom thinking. Our minds are filled with it.

Romans. 12:2 (AMP)

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs] but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”

The first thing Jesus taught us to ask the Father for (even before our own needs and requests) is this:

“May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:10 (NLT)

The first thing Jesus wants us to pray for is that God’s Kingdom (His values & His Truth) will replace the world’s evil teachings and ways. How To Live in an
Upside-down Kingdom

Suggested Next Slide: Video “Servants Are Better than Masters” Download Here: https://youtu.be/fmtAMUuFfkk

Last is Better than First

Mark 2:17 (NIV)

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Lowest Seat  is Better than the Highest

Luke 14:7-11 (NLT)

“When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:

When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Heartfelt Repentance is Better than Self Righteousness

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Psalm. 138:6 (NIV)

 “Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.”

Psalm 138:6 (NIV)

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

Our King is Humble

• Born a human, He slept in an animal food trough
• Never owned a home
• Rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey
• Washed His disciple’s feet
• Allowed Himself to be arrestedBorn a human, He slept in an animal food trough
• Never owned a home
• Rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey
• Washed His disciple’s feet
• Allowed Himself to be arrested
• Allowed Himself to be whipped & crucified
• “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” Isa.50:5 (NIV)

Pride is Brought Low

“O shining star, son of the morning!

You have been thrown down to the earth,

For you said to yourself,

‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars…

Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead…” Isaiah 14:12-15 (NLT)

Humility is Exalted

“Although he was in the form of God and equal with God,

he did not take advantage of this equality. Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans,

by having a human appearance. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross…

Humility is Exalted cont.

…This is why God has given him an exceptional honor—

the name honored above all other names—so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11 (GW)

The Father exalted

   His humble Son.

These two kingdoms have two completely different
sets of
laws.

Suggested Next Slide – Video: “This Was No Ordinary King Download Here: https://youtu.be/lJLxaVDdZh0

Suggested Next Slide – Song: “The Servant King” Download Here: https://youtu.be/DwIukabdw3E

Suggested Next Slide – Song: “Humble Me” https://youtu.be/TH1CQ5qUF4Q

Is Jesus Speaking to You?

“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’”

John Wesley Said:

“…the preacher was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ and I felt my heart strangely warmed.”

Jesus makes His presence Known by a small voice!

What is the Sinner‘s Prayer?

This is a prayer we can pray when we are ready to admit we are sinners and need Christ’s forgiveness.

It must be prayed with faith in our hearts and a readiness to have a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…”

…Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God.” James 4:8 WNT

Saving Faith is a Leap of Trust in Jesus.

A prayer of faith à Pray this prayer:

If you never have before

You have in the past, but you think it would mean more today.

You have been walking afar off and you want to come back.

You want to set an example & show others how it is done.

You just like to give your heart to Jesus again & again.

Do you want to meet Jesus as your savior right now?

Do you believe He died to save you from your sins & that He rose from the dead?

Dear Jesus,

I know I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness.

I believe you died for my sins.

I now turn from sin.

Come into my heart I pray.

Please wash away my sin.

“But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God.”  John 1:12

We Declare Our Faith Publicly Because Jesus Declared His LOVE Publicly “If you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you belong to me.”

“If you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you belong to me.”

What did you learn today?

What have you been thinking about God lately?

What do you want to tell others about Jesus?

Close in Prayer