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The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down  /  Chapter 3, A Different Kind of Kingdom  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 7
Jesus’ warning that the Kingdom would be taken from the Jews and given to “a nation bearing the fruits of it,” plus the “neither Jew nor Greek” and “holy nation” passages, reframes God’s people as a transnational nation of the born again; what “fruits” would prove a community is truly that nation, and how does that challenge identity markers Christians often rely on (denomination, politics, ethnicity, citizenship)?
Another way to ask: The Bible says God’s people are now a “holy nation” made up of the born again, not tied to one ethnicity or country. What “fruit” would show a church is really part of that nation, and how does that challenge the labels Christians often lean on (denomination, politics, ethnicity, citizenship)?

Direct Answer The transcript indicates the defining “fruit” is producing “the fruits of righteousness” that match the Kingdom, showing genuine new birth and belonging to Christ rather than relying on ethnic or national identity. This challenges Christians to see themselves primarily as part of a transnational “holy nation” instead of grounding identity in earthly categories.

Support from Transcript:

  • Jesus’ warning to Jews: “the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”
  • Bercot clarifies this nation is not a political empire: “The Romans? The British? The Americans? No.”
  • Identity shift: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… slave nor free… male nor female… you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
  • Citizenship marker: “If you are Christ’s… heirs according to the promise,” and “all of us who are genuinely born again… are the subjects of this kingdom.”
  • Peter’s description: “a chosen generation… a royal priesthood, a holy nation… his own special people.”
  • He says the kingdom was given to those who “produce the fruits of righteousness.”
Discussion Follow-ups What identity markers do Christians in your setting lean on most (nation, party, tradition)? If the “nation” is defined by new birth and righteousness, what should become less important?

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