Podcast Summary: North Point Community Church

Episode: The Last Kingdom, Part 3: Beyond Pledging Allegiance
Speaker: Joel Thomas
Date: February 2, 2025

Overview

In Part 3 of the “Last Kingdom” series, Joel Thomas challenges listeners to move beyond merely pledging verbal allegiance to Jesus as Savior and to instead actively surrender to Jesus as King in their daily lives. He explores the New Testament’s emphasis on Christ as King, the concept of God’s kingdom as a present reality, and the disconnect between Christian profession and practice. Through biblical exposition, personal stories, and practical questions, Joel encourages believers to identify areas where they resist God’s rule and to seek first the values and priorities of Christ’s kingdom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Identifying With Roles vs. Identity

• Joel shares a humorous story about being recognized as “the chalkboard guy,” illustrating how people are often identified by roles rather than true identity.
  • “This is something I do, but it’s not who I am.” (03:15)
• Parallel drawn to how Christians can misidentify Jesus, reducing him to a role (Savior) rather than embracing him fully as King.

2. The Core Identity of Jesus: King, Not Just Savior

• Jesus is referred to as "Christos" (King/Anointed One) almost 500 times in the New Testament.
• Kingdom language—references to Jesus’ reign and the new kingdom—appear 150+ times.
• “To just say that Jesus was a savior is actually incomplete.” (08:12)
• Jesus’ primary announcement: “The time has come... The kingdom of God has come near.” (Mark 1:15) (12:06)
• Jesus asks people to repent (change their mind through thoughtful consideration) and pledge allegiance to him as King, not merely accept a get-out-of-jail-free card.

3. Jesus’ Radical Kingdom: Backwards and Upside-Down

• The values of Jesus’ kingdom (service, sacrifice, putting others first) contrast sharply with worldly kingdoms, both in Jesus’ day and today.
• “The kingdom of God is led by a king who’s come to serve, not to be served.” (21:37)
• The critique of Christians: Many claim allegiance to King Jesus but live in practical defiance of his way and values.

4. Examining Our Allegiance: Practice vs. Profession

• Joel calls out the common Christian disconnect:
  • Singing “King of Kings,” but not letting Christ rule daily decisions.
  • Resisting Jesus’ authority in areas like finances, relationships, sexuality, business, priorities, and private life.
  • “Many are quick to proclaim Jesus as the ruler of the world, just not ready to surrender or submit to him as the ruler of their world.” (28:27)
• Thought-provoking question: “If someone was investigating our seeking first his kingdom, would there be enough evidence to convict us as followers and subjects of King Jesus?” (30:11)

5. Why We Resist King Jesus

• Deep-rooted reasons:
  • Mistrust of authority due to negative earthly examples (parents, leaders, rulers).
  • The core: “I trust me for what’s best for me, even above trusting God.” (35:30)
• Traces this struggle back to Genesis 3 and the fall—humankind’s timeless reluctance to cede control.

6. God’s Intent: Our Deepest Happiness & Goodness

• Cites Ignatius of Loyola:
  • “Sin is the unwillingness to trust that what God wants from me is only my deepest happiness.” (39:54)
• Reflection on the Lord’s Prayer as an act of surrender—not just asking for heaven on earth, but choosing to do God’s will.
• “His kingdom comes as the will of the kingdom is done in our lives.” (44:15)

7. Trust Stems from Knowing Character

• Joel illustrates with a memorable story about taking advice from an unassuming, highly accomplished mentor (ex-FedEx executive).
• “Because of who he was and what he had done, I was willing to trust him.” (51:30)
• Parallels the trustworthiness of Jesus—who serves, sacrifices, and leads for our good.

8. Personal Application: What Are You Resisting?

• Directs listeners to honestly consider:
  • Where do you resist submitting to King Jesus?
  • What are you afraid to let go of—relationship, finances, influence, control?
  • “The reason our relating to Jesus often gets limited to ‘Savior’ is because that way we only have to surrender in an area we have no control over anyway.” (58:32)

9. The Invitation: Surrendering Today, Not Just Eternity

• “To only experience Jesus as savior is to miss out on the goodness he can and will provide in your life as your king.” (01:02:01)
• Urges listeners to consider: The thing you won’t surrender is actually what’s holding you back from his goodness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Misidentifying Jesus:
  “For many of us, our perspective on Jesus got stuck there and he was reduced to not just a savior, but to fire insurance in our lives and a get-out-of-jail-free card.” (07:30)
• On Kingdom Priority:
  “Instead of worrying about all this stuff, here’s what I want you to make priority. I want you to seek first the kingdom of God, his righteousness, and all that other stuff that you’re worried about, that’ll be taken care of.” (17:49)
• On Trusting God’s Will:
  “His kingdom comes as the will of the kingdom is done in our lives.” (44:15)
• On Human Nature:
  “Left to our own devices, we fight for rulership of our own lives.” (01:03:46)
• The Heart of the Invitation:
  “The invitation is to join the King in bringing the kingdom goodness today. Not just one day, here and now, on Earth, in this life as it exists in heaven.” (01:01:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jesus as King vs. Savior: 07:00 – 13:00
• The Kingdom’s Radical Values: 21:30 – 29:00
• Challenge: Practice vs. Profession: 28:00 – 31:00
• Why We Resist God’s Rule: 34:00 – 40:30
• Application and Personal Story: 49:30 – 53:00
• Self-Examination & Call to Surrender: 57:30 – 01:05:00

Reflection & Call to Action

• Self-examination:
  • What are you holding onto that you’re unwilling to surrender to King Jesus?
• Challenge:
  • Don’t just relegate Jesus to Savior of your eternity. Invite him to rule in the details of your daily life—for your good and the world’s.
• Closing Prayer & Exercise:
  • Joel invites listeners to clench their fists as a symbol of what they’re holding onto—and to consider opening their hands in surrender to Jesus as King.

This episode compels believers not to stop at faith as mere insurance for the afterlife, but to live lives marked by ongoing, practical, and courageous allegiance to God’s kingdom and its King—starting now, in every area of life.