Upside Down Kingdom
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
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We’re passionate about helping people discover the life Jesus designed for them. As we launch our new sermon series called Kingdom Culture, we’re exploring what it means to live in the upside down kingdom that Jesus introduced—a kingdom where the values of heaven often stand in stark contrast to the values of the world.
When Jesus came to earth, He ushered in a radically different way of living:
The greatest are those who serve.
The first will be last, and the last will be first.
It’s better to give than to receive.
True life is found when we lay ours down.
This “upside down kingdom” might look backwards to the world, but it actually leads to a “right side up life”—a life of joy, purpose, and impact.
What Kingdom Culture Looks Like
To help us see what this means, let’s look at Jesus’ most famous sermon: the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. He begins with what we call the Beatitudes—powerful statements that describe who is truly “blessed” in God’s kingdom.
1. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)
In other words, the starting point for a relationship with God isn’t pride or self-sufficiency—it’s humility. Being “poor in spirit” means admitting we don’t have it all together and that we desperately need God. Far from being a weakness, this posture opens the door to the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed Are the Humble (the Meek)
Next, Jesus said, “Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
Our culture often celebrates arrogance and self-promotion, but Jesus flips that upside down. Meekness isn’t weakness—it’s strength under control. True blessing comes when we walk in humility, following the example of Jesus Himself.
3. Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Finally, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
Just like hunger and thirst dominate our physical needs, our pursuit of righteousness should dominate our spiritual lives. When we long for God’s ways more than anything else, He promises to fill and satisfy us.
An Upside Down Kingdom Leads to a Right Side Up Life
At first glance, these teachings sound backwards. But Jesus reminds us that God’s kingdom doesn’t operate like the world’s kingdom. In God’s eyes:
Brokenness becomes a gateway to blessing.
Humility becomes the pathway to influence.
Hunger for righteousness leads to lasting satisfaction.
This is what we mean when we say, “An upside down kingdom leads to a right side up life.”
At The Valley Church, we celebrate serving, sacrifice, generosity, and the messy, beautiful work of life together. Whether it’s picking up trash after a service, teaching in our kids’ ministry, or giving generously, every act of service points back to the values of the kingdom.
Join Us for Kingdom Culture
Throughout this series, we’ll continue unpacking what it means to live out these values in our everyday lives. If you’re in the Lawrence area, we’d love for you to join us in person. If not, you can follow along with our messages online.
Jesus didn’t come to fit into culture—He came to transform it. And when we live according to the culture of His kingdom, we find the life we were always meant to live.