This past Sunday, we turned our attention to a foundational truth in the teachings of Jesus with the message “The Culture of the Kingdom.” To understand the Kingdom of God, we must also understand its culture, because every kingdom operates by a distinct set of values, priorities, and ways of living. The Kingdom of God is no different.
Culture reveals what is normal, what is valued, and how people behave within a kingdom. When Jesus preached the Kingdom, He was not simply offering spiritual ideas or moral suggestions. He was introducing a completely different way of thinking and living. The Sermon on the Mount was not a list of religious rules. It was Jesus teaching the culture of the Kingdom and what life looks like for those who belong to it.
The Kingdom culture stands in contrast to the culture of the world. Where the world elevates power, self-promotion, and independence, the Kingdom elevates humility, servanthood, and dependence on God. Where the world values status and recognition, the Kingdom values faithfulness and obedience. Jesus made it clear that Kingdom citizens would live differently because they are shaped by heaven’s values, not earthly ones.
One of the key takeaways from this message was that the Kingdom is not just something we believe in, it is something we live out. When we pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are asking God to establish His culture in our lives. That prayer is not passive. It is an invitation for transformation. It means allowing God’s way of thinking to reshape our attitudes, our relationships, and our priorities.
Kingdom culture is seen in how we love, how we forgive, how we respond to conflict, and how we treat others. It is expressed through mercy instead of judgment, generosity instead of greed, and peace instead of retaliation. These are not natural responses. They are the result of living under the rule of the King and allowing His Spirit to shape our character.
This message also reminded us that Kingdom culture is learned and practiced. Just as people adapt to the culture of a new country, believers must intentionally learn the ways of the Kingdom. That happens through time in the Word, submission to the Holy Spirit, and obedience in everyday life. The more we live in alignment with the Kingdom, the more natural its culture becomes to us.
As a church, we are called not just to talk about the Kingdom, but to model its culture. The world is not simply looking for better arguments or louder voices. It is looking for a different way of living. When the culture of the Kingdom is visible in our lives, it becomes a testimony that points people to Jesus.
May we continue to allow the King to shape our culture. May our lives reflect the values of heaven. And may the culture of the Kingdom be evident in everything we say, do, and pursue.
With Kingdom perspective,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Church
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”
