Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Thy Kingdom Come
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Featuring: R.C. Sproul
Release Date: March 7, 2025

Introduction

In the March 7, 2025 episode of Renewing Your Mind, hosted by Nathan W. Bingham, R.C. Sproul delves deep into the theological significance of the Lord's Prayer, specifically focusing on the petition, "Thy Kingdom Come." Sproul explores the concept of God's sovereignty, human cultural inclinations towards monarchy, and the transformative power of prayer. This episode is the culmination of a ten-message series aimed at enriching Christians' understanding of God and applying Scriptural truths to daily life.

God’s Sovereignty vs. Human Monarchy

Sproul begins by contrasting divine sovereignty with human traditions of monarchy:

"Your God does not rule by referendum. As has been often said, the Ten Commandments are not ten suggestions that can be modified by popular vote. God reigns over his creation with sovereignty."
— R.C. Sproul [00:00]

Pageantry and Human Fascination with Monarchy:

Sproul shares an anecdote about observing the British royal pageantry, highlighting humanity’s enduring fascination with ceremonies and monarchic traditions. He reflects on how such rituals seem outdated in our modern society yet continue to captivate people across generations.

"We may enjoy the trappings of royalty. There may be a certain nostalgia in our culture where we long in some hidden way for the restoration of monarchy."
— R.C. Sproul [00:22]

Cultural Aversion to Sovereignty:

He recounts a conversation with his friend John Guest, an evangelist from England, who felt conflicted about preaching the kingdom of God in America—a culture that declares, "We serve no sovereign here." This highlights the cultural resistance to acknowledging divine sovereignty.

"Suddenly I was filled with fear and consternation. I thought, how can I possibly preach to people about the kingdom of God when they have built into their culture this profound aversion to sovereignty."
— R.C. Sproul [02:30]

The Lord's Prayer and Divine Priorities

Transitioning from Veneration to Kingdom:

Sproul emphasizes the structure of the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus first instructs believers to "Hallowed be thy name" before petitioning, "Thy kingdom come." This sequence underscores the primacy of honoring God before seeking the establishment of His kingdom.

"The first petition that he gave to the church was the petition that we should pray, Hallowed be thy name... The very next petition is, what? Thy kingdom come."
— R.C. Sproul [05:15]

Understanding the Role of Prayer:

He outlines two fundamental rules for prayer:

1. Remember Who You Are Speaking To: Acknowledge God’s sovereignty and holiness.
2. Remember Who You Are: Recognize your position as a creature before the Creator.

"The first thing you are to remember... is who it is you're talking to. You're talking to God. And second of all, you have to remember who you are."
— R.C. Sproul [08:45]

Prayer’s Impact on the Believer:

Addressing the common question, "Does prayer change God's mind?" Sproul asserts that while prayer does not alter God's omniscient will, it profoundly changes the individual praying, deepening their relationship and conformity to God's will.

"No prayer of any human being ever uttered in history ever changed the mind of God a bit, because his mind does never need to be changed... Prayer changes us."
— R.C. Sproul [18:30]

Kingdom of God: Old and New Testament Perspectives

Consistency of the Kingdom Theme:

Sproul highlights that the kingdom of God is a central theme bridging the Old and New Testaments. From John the Baptist’s call to repentance to Jesus’ ministry and parables, the kingdom remains a focal point of God’s revelation to humanity.

"One of the most frequently asked questions in the theology of prayer is, does prayer change things? And we know that it does. But the focal point of attention... points to the exaltation and concern for God."
— R.C. Sproul [12:50]

Heavenly vs. Earthly Kingdoms:

He contrasts the harmonious and obedient nature of God's kingdom in heaven with the flawed and often rebellious human societies on earth. The Lord's Prayer is presented as a blueprint for believers to seek the reflection of heavenly reality on earth.

"In heaven there is no rebellion... all of the angels of heaven and the archangels of heaven... joyfully and willingly bow before their king and submit to his sovereignty. That's the way it is in heaven, that's not the way it is on earth."
— R.C. Sproul [20:10]

Prayer as Alignment with Sovereignty:

Sproul concludes that praying for God's kingdom to come is not merely a request for socio-political change but a call to align our lives and societies with divine sovereignty and holiness.

"The kingdom of God is not going to come in any territory where the king himself is not honored."
— R.C. Sproul [22:45]

Practical Implications and Conclusion

Cultivating a Proper Attitude in Prayer:

Sproul urges believers to approach prayer with reverence and humility, recognizing the majesty and authority of God. He warns against the casual and familiar manner in which people sometimes engage with God, which can undermine the intended reverence and obedience.

"When you pray, you pray that the kingdom comes... Jesus said, you come and you regard him as holy, and the next thing you do is you regard him as your king."
— R.C. Sproul [23:30]

Invitation to Embrace Sovereignty:

The episode concludes with a call to embrace God's sovereignty in every aspect of life, aligning personal and collective wills with His divine plan.

"Your God does not rule by referendum... God reigns over his creation with sovereignty, and the question we have to face is, does he reign over us with sovereignty?"
— R.C. Sproul [24:02]

Closing Remarks by Nathan W. Bingham:

Nathan Bingham wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support Renewing Your Mind through donations, highlighting the availability of additional resources and upcoming episodes focused on prayer and Covenant theology.

Notable Quotes

• On Sovereignty vs. Monarchy:
  "Your God does not rule by referendum. As has been often said, the Ten Commandments are not ten suggestions that can be modified by popular vote."
  — R.C. Sproul [00:00]

• On Prayer Changing Us:
  "No prayer of any human being ever uttered in history ever changed the mind of God a bit... Prayer changes us."
  — R.C. Sproul [18:30]

• On Approaching God with Reverence:
  "We have access to his very throne... sometimes I think that's how we feel when we come into the presence of God. Hey, hi, God. How you doing?"
  — R.C. Sproul [22:00]

Insights and Takeaways

1. Divine Sovereignty: Understanding that God's rule is absolute and not subject to human whims or democratic processes is foundational to deepening one’s faith and approach to prayer.

2. Proper Prayer Attitude: Recognizing our position before God fosters a prayer life marked by reverence and dependence rather than entitlement.

3. Transformative Power of Prayer: While prayer does not alter God's will, it shapes and transforms the believer, aligning their heart and actions with divine purposes.

4. Kingdom Orientation: Praying for God's kingdom to come encourages believers to actively seek the manifestation of God's rule in every facet of life, promoting justice, holiness, and order.

5. Cultural Reflections: Sproul’s observations on society's fascination with monarchy serve as a mirror to evaluate our own understanding of authority and governance under God.

Conclusion

In "Thy Kingdom Come," R.C. Sproul offers a profound exploration of the Lord's Prayer, urging believers to prioritize God's sovereignty and the establishment of His kingdom in their prayer lives. By contrasting divine rule with human traditions and emphasizing the transformative nature of prayer, Sproul provides listeners with both theological depth and practical guidance. This episode not only reinforces foundational Christian doctrines but also invites individuals to cultivate a more reverent and obedient relationship with God.

For those who wish to delve deeper, Renewing Your Mind continues to offer a wealth of resources, including a companion book titled The Prayer of the Lord, available through donations that support the ongoing mission of Ligonier Ministries.