Sun, November 3, 2024 – Calling in the Context of Collapse –Kingdom vs Kin(g)dom

I Samuel 8:1-20; Matthew 13:1-9

Intro –

We are deep into Parable of the Sower this week we are up to Chapter 9 in the book. Last week

we began our conversation about Kin(g)dom and particularly the Kin side of the equation and

the ways that the community that Lauren grew up in displays some particular strengths –

1. Ubuntu - Acknowledge that they need each other to survive!

2. Don’t have to agree on everything to covenant with each other

3. Find the balance between personal freedom and collective responsibility

This Week – We are looking at the dangers of Kingdom.

 It is a moment of great tension in our country and the outcome is unclear

 But as we have repeated during this series – God is Still Calling in the Midst of Chaos

 Folks think the only issue is which candidate we choose

 (I want to be transparent that I do think it matters and I urge you all to get out and vote,

and to remind the people in your life – especially beyond MA to vote too.)

 But I also want to see that there is a deeper thing going on beyond the candidates

 All around the world people are choosing authoritarianism and fascism over democracy

 There is growing anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ sentiment and it is hurting people –

and could get worse.

 Bigger than one candidate, but about who we are and where we are going

 NOTE – Critique of one doesn’t = endorsement of other. It’s bigger than candidates

Exegesis– The allure of Kingdom [Talking to the children if they are present]

 Look at the words Kingdom and Kin(G)dom and explore the difference

 The story of Israel is that God gave them prophets – people who were chosen because

of their relationship with God and their ability to translate God’s ideas to the people

 But the people wanted a traditional King

 Why – (1) Because the people around them had a king,

(2) They were tired of being bullied and afraid and thought a king could fix that

(3) They wanted someone who would “build them up” rather than stretch them

like God was doing.

 God warns them about the king -

1. He will draft your children into war,

2. He will make

your children serve him in the palace,

3. He will take taxes from you

 But they want one anyway – and what do you think happens?

 There were good, decent, bad and horrible kings – on the whole they lost more than

they gained

 I believe that system of kin(G)dom that is laid out in Jubilee is the answer to this.

o Rooting in connection and belonging rather than hierarchy and

We are in a moment where we are being asked to choose between Kingdom and not Kingdom

but options of Kin(G)dom are not really there – I believe that work is ours to do. In our small community and in the world!

But for this week – Make sure you get out and vote.

Reflection Questions -

1. Where do you see the Israelites challenges showing up in your own life. Do you want to be like everyone else? Are you moving from a place of fear? Do you want to always be affirmed rather than challenged? Look at how these human tendencies may be

motivating your decisions.

2. Take some time to write out or draw out your vision for kinship? [After you are donewriting or drawing look at - Who does it include? Who is left out? How can you allow God to keep expanding that vision?

3. Where is God giving you an opportunity to practice kin(g)dom and kinship in your life? At New Roots? On your job? In your neighborhood? What small or big steps can you take to start making it a reality?