Kingdom Encounter Part 6: Belong
The Kingdom Encounter Series focuses on cultivating a missional mindset within the church, urging believers to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else. It emphasizes the importance of living with purpose and intention, engaging in activities that advance God’s mission on earth. The series encourages the church to go beyond simply meeting together for worship and instead adopt an outward-facing approach that reaches the community, brings people into the kingdom, and reflects God’s love and justice in all aspects of life. It challenges believers to live as active participants in God’s redemptive work, making a tangible impact both locally and globally.
Dan Robinson starts by talking about how common it is for people to feel like they don’t belong. He acknowledges that this can be a difficult experience and that it might take people a long time to find a place where they feel at home.
God’s Invitation
He then transitions into talking about how God invites everyone to belong to His family. Dan explains this is more than just a label; it’s a real relationship with God and other Christians. He emphasizes that this relationship requires people to accept God and be willing to grow in their faith.
Dan quotes John 1:12 (NIV):
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
This verse highlights the transformative power of believing in Jesus—it grants the right to become part of God’s family.
Dan compares the church to a family and points out that through Christ, people are no longer disconnected from God. He then quotes Ephesians 2:19 (NIV):
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”
This scripture emphasizes that belonging to God means being part of a larger, eternal family, the Church, with support, love, and connection.
Dan shares personal experiences of going through difficult times, when members of his church supported him. He sees these events as proof that God places people in each other’s lives to help them through challenges.
The Wrong Kind of Belonging
Dan cautions, however, that people can sometimes look for belonging in the wrong places. He uses Matthew 13:1-8 (NIV), the Parable of the Sower, to illustrate this.
In this parable, Jesus describes how a farmer scatters seed on different types of ground. Only the seed that falls on good soil grows into a healthy plant. Dan relates this parable to people seeking a sense of belonging.
He shares an experience from his own life when he spent a lot of time at a bar, feeling a sense of belonging. However, he now realizes that it was a shallow, temporary connection. He compares this experience to the seed that falls on bad soil and fails to grow.
Dan then contrasts this with the seed that falls on good soil, representing finding a real sense of belonging in God’s family. He points to Matthew 13:8 (NIV):
“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
This scripture signifies that true belonging in God’s family leads to real growth, as the seed planted in good soil produces lasting fruit.
How to Live Out Belonging
Dan then talks about ways to show we belong to God’s family. He emphasizes the importance of creating environments where people feel loved and accepted. This starts with individuals but also extends to churches, which are called to be inclusive.
He encourages Christians to follow Romans 12:15 (NIV):
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
This scripture stresses the importance of empathy—genuinely listening to others, sharing in their joys and sorrows.
Dan also points to James 5:16 (NIV):
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Here, he sees vulnerability and honesty as key to building trust and helping others feel less alone. Confession and prayer create a deeper connection, allowing people to experience healing together.
Dan encourages Christians to reach out to those on the margins of society, citing Galatians 6:10 (NIV):
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
This reminds Christians to show kindness to everyone, particularly those who are part of the faith community.
Dan emphasizes that Christians are called to break down barriers that divide people, whether those are differences in belief, lifestyle, or social status. He stresses the importance of celebrating diversity and helping everyone thrive. He calls on his listeners to follow Romans 15:7 (NIV):
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
This verse highlights the importance of accepting others, just as Christ has accepted us, to honor God and promote unity.
Conclusion
Dan concludes by reminding people that a relationship with God provides a sense of belonging that cannot be found anywhere else. This relationship is eternal, and it comes with purpose and connection. He urges his listeners to accept God’s invitation to belong to His family and to help others find their place in it.
