Getting tired of this "kingdom?"

Getting tired of this world?

It can happen easily. Our culture is intoxicated with sin. It is hard to follow Jesus in this world because we are bombarded by things that compete for our attention and we are so easily distracted.

And if the presence of sin doesn't seem to be troubling you lately turn on the news. You will hear nothing that inspires about this "kingdom."

They will talk to you about a health care crisis, two struggling wars, and economic recession and then they will bring in two people to yell at each other about whose fault it is.

Ours is a kingdom divided. Red state or blue state? Republican or Democrat? Liberal or Conservative? Modern or post-modern?

We may live in best country in the world but in case you haven't noticed it isn't exactly a rose garden over here.

Our culture's infatuation with sin, the functional decline of our society, and the divisiveness of our government are enough to make you wish that you belonged to a different kingdom.

Let me remind you this morning....We do!

Ours is a kingdom where the people will not be intoxicated with sin but infatuated with the Redeemer.

Ours is a kingdom where there will never be a need for health care, war, or decline of any kind.

Ours is a kingdom where there will be no division because everyone will agree that God is the just and merciful ruler.

It is that kingdom that God looks forward to in Jeremiah 32:37-41

Behold, I will gather them from all the countries (including our sin intoxicated / economically receding / politically divisive one) to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and my soul.

Let me just point out a few things from this passage that those of us who are tired of this kingdom will find refreshing.

1) We do not belong to this kingdom.

We are simply pilgrims waiting for the day when God gathers us from our countries and includes us in his eternal kingdom.

2) In the eternal kingdom, God's anger will be no more.

God's people were scattered, instead of being in the Promised Land, because God drove them in [His] anger and [wrath] and great indignation, but the time for gathering will mark the end of the time for anger.

3) There will no more fear of exile or anything else.

And once God gathers us into His kingdom then we not need to be afraid of any more punishment or attacks from the outside because God will make [us] dwell in safety.

4) Our relationship with God will be perfect.

No more sin. No more separation. God promises that we will be [His] people and [He] will be [our] God.

5) There will be no more division.

Our eternal kingdom will be one without any division but with people of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping Jesus Christ in complete unison. God will give [us] one heart and one way.

6) God will never stop blessing us.

There will no more judgment only blessing. God says, "I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them...I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

So, today you live in this sin-intoxicated, economically declining, divided nation as a pilgrim but soon you will be a part of the glorious eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ!