The Kingdom Has Power!

The Kingdom Has Power!

Psalm 111

Colossians 3: 1, 2

April 26, 2026

In a community like ours, many of us have spent decades building meaningful lives, careers, families, homes, and legacies. We’ve invested wisely. Many contribute generously. Folks in our church community, spread across several towns, have made a difference.

But Colossians 3 gently and boldly, with no apologies, asks a deeper question. “What kind of difference are we making? Are we making the kind of difference that lasts into eternity?” Because it is entirely possible to succeed in the things of earth….. and still miss the full impact of the Kingdom of God.

Notice as Paul writes to the church in Colossae, that he doesn’t begin with behavior. Paul begins with identity and perspective. “Since you have been raised with Christ….. “

This is not advice. It is a declaration. As believers, we are already living a resurrected life – or at least we are supposed to be living resurrected lives. One of the powerful implications of that resurrected life is that no longer is status, security, comfort, or even personal fulfillment seen as the chief aims of a successful life.

Instead, your life is anchored in Christ’s Kingdom reality.

For many in our congregation this is incredibly important. You have the resources, influence, and time to make a profound difference. But the question is, “Will your vision stay earthly….. or be lifted to Kingdom purpose?”

Paul says, “Seek the things that are above.” Other translations put it, “Set your affections on things that are above.”  That word “set” means an intentional focus. It’s not passive, it is aggressive, these are words chosen and used in such a manner that it is a direction of ultimate importance.

Let’s be honest. Even as faithful believers, our hearts can subtly drift toward maintaining a lifestyle, preserving comfort zones, staying busy but not transformed. Yet the Kingdom of God calls us to something more. Living fully in the Kingdom of God calls for faithful hearts captivated by

justice where there is brokenness,

hope where there is despair,

generosity that stretches beyond convenience.

The history of this congregation is one of a radical willingness to step up in faith to the challenges that life and ministry bring us in south Orange County. Our history is one of a demonstrated willingness to meet the challenges of faith head on.

But Colossians pushes us further. Our text asks us to consider resurrection living not just when asked; not just when a major event occurs. Our text asks us to live as people whose hearts are fully aligned with God’s mission each and every day. That’s Kingdom life, that’s resurrection living!

“Set your minds on things above.” This is about how we think, about how we interpret life. In our community, many people are thoughtful, educated, and globally aware. That’s a strength. But it can also lead to a subtle trap. We begin to see the world primarily through financial logic, political frameworks, or cultural preferences instead of through the lens of the Kingdom.

A Kingdom mindset asks different questions. A Kingdom mindset does not ask, “What’s safest?” but instead, “What’s faithful?” A Kingdom mindset does not ask “What benefits me?” but “What reflects Christ?” A Kingdom mindset does not ask “What’s comfortable?” but instead, “What transforms lives?” A Kingdom mindset does not ask “What does my favorite talking head say on television?” Instead, a Kingdom mindset asks, “What does Jesus call us to do and be?”

This is especially powerful in a community like ours where people already care deeply about global issues and philanthropy. Demographic reports suggest that our many in our church world see themselves as part of a “global village” and actively support causes that matter.

But here’s the distinction. The Kingdom of God is not just about doing good things. It’s about participating in God’s redemptive work through Christ and working towards God’s will and purpose for our land.

There’s a college student that, for our purposes this morning, we will call Emily. She’s at a competitive university. High expectations. Busy schedule. Social pressure everywhere, grades, internships, fitting in. At first glance, she’s just like everyone else.

But there is something radically different about Emily. Emily has taken Colossians 3:1-2 seriously. She has quietly decided that

Her identity isn’t built here.

Her life is hidden with Christ.

Emily is consciously, intentionally, faithfully living for God’s Kingdom.”

What does that look like? It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. But it’s powerful.

When others cut corners academically, she chooses integrity, even when it costs her. Yes, depending on which study one is reading, 86% of high school and college students admit to cheating, with the only – the only – concern about cheating being whether or not they will get caught. Emily has chosen to be a relatively small minority.

When gossip spreads in her friend group, Emily gently redirects the conversation. When Emily notices the one student sitting alone, she consistently invites them in. Emily started a small prayer group before exams, not to show off faith, but to anchor herself and others in peace.

At first, people don’t think much of it. But over time, things began to happen. A stressed-out classmate asks, “Why are you so calm?” A friend going through anxiety says, “Can you pray for me?” Someone who had written off Christianity says, “You’re different than what I expected.”

Then slowly, quietly, at least in the sphere of influence that Emily exists, the atmosphere changed. Not because Emily is extraordinary, but because she is living in the power of the Kingdom.

Kingdom power doesn’t always look like miracles or dramatic moments. Sometimes, Kingdom power looks like

consistent integrity,

intentional kindness,

and a quiet courage to live differently.

In a world where many young people feel pressure, anxiety, loneliness (things we know are very real in today’s culture), that kind of Kingdom honoring life stands out powerfully.

Friends, Kingdom impact or Kingdom power is not just what you do; it is also who you raise, who you disciple, and who you pour yourself into with time and resources. Imagine grandchildren living like this, students from our youth group living like this, young adults mentored by this church stepping into the world like this. THAT is Kingdom work. That is Kingdom power, and that is also Kingdom multiplication.

Many in our community understand investing. You diversify, you plan long-term, you think about legacy. Imagine someone who spent decades building a flawless portfolio - real estate, stocks, retirement accounts - all carefully managed for ultimate return.

These worldly and wise people then retire comfortably. Financially secure. Well done. Life is good! But then they realize that they have never invested in anything that outlived them. Oh sure, money was passed down, but no lives changed. No faith passed on. No Kingdom impact. Nothing of eternal, lasting significance.

Now compare that with someone who also invested wisely, but along the way they mentored a younger believer, they supported missions that transformed communities, and they gave sacrificially so others could encounter Christ. Same financial wisdom but a completely different eternal return.

Friends, that’s the difference between earthly thinking and Kingdom thinking. Jesus doesn’t say earthly investments are wrong, but he does say that they are incomplete if they’re not aligned with eternity.

So what does this look like practically for us? It means becoming a church where:

Generosity becomes transformational, not transactional. Not just funding ministry but fueling Kingdom impact.

Relationships become an intentional mission field.

It will be about being in neighborhoods filled with people who are spiritually curious, sometimes uncertain about God, often seeking meaning but these folks have not seen the church as a safe place to ask those questions. Oh, we need to embrace the questioner!

Friends, what difference is your life making in God’s Kingdom?” In one of the churches we have served, we had an individual who took that question very seriously. Dan decided to mentor teenagers who were struggling with life. Dan poured himself into teenage young males who had no spiritual father figure to exert influence in their lives. Dan showed up in their world – at games, at concerts, at academic competitions. Dan spent several hours each day praying for these students – and others – who were in need.

Life went on. Busy schedules. Normal routines. A successful company that he managed and ran. But over time, many of those young men that he had mentored came to faith - and eventually began mentoring others. One neighbor he prayed for started attending church - and found hope during a difficult season. His generosity helped fund a ministry that reached people he would never personally meet.

Years later, someone asked him, “What made the biggest difference in your life?” He didn’t talk about his career. He didn’t talk about his achievements. Dan simply said, “The biggest difference was the moment I stopped asking, 'What do I want from life?’ and instead started asking, ‘What does God want to do through me?’”

Here’s a Kingdom truth: the Kingdom of God often doesn’t begin with big, visible moments.

It begins with a shift. It begins with a heart set on things above, a mind aligned with Christ, and a willingness to be used. God takes your ordinary faithfulness and creates something of extraordinary, eternal impact.

When you set your heart and mind on things above, your life becomes more than successful - it becomes significant. One day, you will look back and realize that the Kingdom of God made a difference in the lives of countless people and difficult situations because the Kingdom was working through you. Amen.