Between the Advents: The Already Kingdom (Chris Zauner)

Key takeaways

Christmas signifies the turning point of the world, where hope enters and begins the journey of healing.
The kingdom of God has already come, and it calls us to live fully surrendered to Jesus' reign in every aspect of our lives.
Living within the kingdom means having our identity shaped by Christ and reflecting his character in our mission.
Believers are encouraged to maintain a hopeful perspective, trusting in the victory that Jesus has already secured for them.
Christmas is not just a remembrance of Jesus' birth, but a call to be transformed by his ongoing reign.

Summary

The Significance of Advent

Pastor Chris Zauner opens the sermon by discussing the advent of Christ as a pivotal moment in history, emphasizing that Jesus came not in power but in humility, fulfilling the law and conquering sin and death. He introduces the concept of living 'between the advents'—the first coming of Christ and the anticipated second coming. This period is marked by hope and the formation of believers as they await the fulfillment of all things.

Experiencing God's Kingdom

Chris shares his personal love for camping and how experiencing nature allows him to reflect on God’s creation. He draws a parallel to the concept of 'first light' as akin to Christmas—a moment where hope enters a dark world. Just as the dawn signals a new day, Christmas signifies a turning point in humanity's history where God's light breaks through, signaling the onset of healing and restoration.

Jesus' Proclamation and Its Impact

Referencing Luke 4, Chris discusses Jesus’ declaration in the synagogue that the scripture has been fulfilled in their hearing. He explains that this statement encompasses the arrival of God’s kingdom and is a decisive moment in history, marking the beginning of a new reality where hope is present amid ongoing darkness. Chris highlights the importance of embracing the present reality of God’s kingdom rather than waiting for a distant future.

Identity and Mission in the Kingdom

The sermon emphasizes that living in the kingdom of God involves a transformation of identity and mission. Chris explains how believers should orient their lives around their identity as citizens of God's kingdom. He stresses that our actions and interactions—rooted in love and grace—reflect Christ's character and should shape our mission as followers of Jesus.

A Hopeful Perspective Amidst Challenges

Chris encourages listeners to maintain hope even in difficult circumstances. He mentions that though the world is marked by brokenness and suffering, believers can trust in the secure future of God's kingdom. He provides a call to act from a place of victory and not despair, reminding them that Jesus has already won the battle through his death and resurrection.

Show notes

n The Kingdom Already, the opening message of our Advent series Between the Advents, Pastor Chris Zauner invites us to see Christmas not as a sentimental tradition or a distant memory, but as the moment when the light of God broke into human history. The Kingdom of God is not merely something we wait for—it has already begun.

Drawing from Luke 4 and Colossians 1, this sermon explores how Jesus' proclamation in the synagogue—“Today this Scripture is fulfilled”—was not just a declaration of his mission, but an announcement that the Kingdom has arrived in him. From that moment, the world began turning toward healing and restoration. Though we still live in a world marked by brokenness, we do so with the sure hope that the decisive victory has already been won.

Between the first Advent—Christ's humble birth in the manger—and the second Advent—his glorious return as reigning King—we are called to live as people of the Kingdom. Pastor Chris helps us consider three movements in the biblical narrative that shape how we live now: the Kingdom has come, the King has been revealed, and the Kingdom shapes our lives.

What does it mean to live in the “already” of God’s Kingdom? It means allowing Jesus to reign in every part of our lives. It means letting his light reorder our reality—our identity, our mission, our perspective. This message is a call to alignment: not merely to remember the birth of Christ, but to be transformed by his ongoing reign.

Christmas is not only the beginning—it is the turning point of the world. The light has come. The King has taken his throne. The victory is secured. Now we live in the tension of gratitude for what Christ has done and hope for what he will do.

Join us in this powerful sermon and be encouraged to live faithfully, fully surrendered to the King, until he comes again.

Series: Between the Advents

Sermon Title: The Kingdom Already

Speaker: Pastor Chris Zauner

Scripture: Luke 4:16–21, Colossians 1:13–20