Building the Kingdom Amidst Chaos and Division

Devotional

Day 1: Only God Can Change Hearts

True transformation in individuals and nations comes not from human laws or leaders, but from God alone, who alone can give a new heart and spirit. In a world filled with chaos and attempts at human solutions, it is clear that no politician, law, or system can change the core of a person. Only God can remove a heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, bringing about the deep change our culture so desperately needs. When God's law is written on our hearts, we become His people, and He becomes our God, leading us to live out His love and righteousness in a way that no legislation ever could. [04:20]

Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV)
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need God to replace a “heart of stone” with a “heart of flesh”? Ask Him today to begin that transformation in you.

Day 2: The Church Is God’s Chosen Instrument for Hope

Jesus is not building a religion, a faith system, or a private spirituality—He is building His church, and the church is the only hope for a broken world. In the midst of chaos, Jesus’ promise stands firm: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The church is not a perfect institution, but it is God’s chosen vessel for bringing healing, hope, and transformation to the world. No matter what happens in society or politics, the church remains, and Jesus is still building it. Our calling is to join Him in this work, not to retreat or tear down, but to build up and be part of His unstoppable movement. [07:43]

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Reflection: How can you actively participate in building up the church this week, rather than standing on the sidelines or focusing on its flaws?

Day 3: Healing Our Land Begins with God’s People

The healing of our nation and world does not begin with politicians, laws, or blaming others—it begins with God’s people humbling themselves, praying, seeking His face, and turning from their own wicked ways. The responsibility for change starts with us, not with “those people out there.” When we repent and seek God, He promises to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. This is both a convicting and empowering truth: we can be instruments of healing if we allow God to work in us first. [11:29]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to humble yourself and seek God’s forgiveness today, so you can be part of His healing work?

Day 4: Kingdom Builders Pursue Peace and Build Up Others

In a culture obsessed with tearing down, God calls His people to be builders—those who pursue peace and edify others. Building up is a deliberate, ongoing work that requires focus and intention, while deconstruction is easy and often fruitless. The Bible urges us to avoid pointless arguments and instead pursue the things that make for peace and mutual edification. As kingdom builders, we are called to invest our energy in what brings unity and growth, not in what divides or destroys. [21:43]

Romans 14:19 (ESV)
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally encourage or build up today, rather than engaging in negativity or criticism?

Day 5: God’s Word Builds Us Up for the Work

We cannot build others up until we ourselves are built up by God’s Word. In times of discouragement, confusion, or anger, it is not social media or human wisdom that will sustain us, but the living Word of God. Immersing ourselves in Scripture gives us strength, perspective, and the inheritance God has promised. The church is built on the foundation of God’s Word, and we are called to engage with it daily, both personally and in community, so that we can be strong, unified, and effective in our mission. [31:07]

Acts 20:32 (ESV)
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your engagement with God’s Word—either personally or with others?

Sermon Summary

In a world that seems to be unraveling with chaos, violence, and a growing rejection of God, the call is clear: we are not to retreat in fear or pessimism, but to step forward as kingdom builders. The problems we face—whether political, social, or moral—are not ultimately issues of policy or legislation, but of the human heart. Only God can transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, and only His law written on our hearts can bring true change. No matter how perfect our systems or leaders may be, they cannot solve the spiritual crisis at the root of our culture’s brokenness.

We are called to be the solution, not by tearing down, but by building up. Jesus Himself declared, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The church is not a building or a religion, but a living, breathing community of believers who are called to pursue peace, show radical kindness, and be united in purpose. The healing of our land does not begin with politicians or institutions, but with God’s people humbling themselves, praying, seeking His face, and turning from their own wicked ways. This is both a convicting and empowering truth: if we get ourselves right with God, we become instruments of healing for our nation.

In a culture obsessed with deconstruction—tearing down values like integrity, purity, and honesty—we are called to be builders. Building the kingdom is a deliberate, sometimes slow process, but it is the work Jesus is doing, and He invites us to join Him. This means pursuing peace, avoiding fruitless arguments, and focusing on what truly edifies others. It means caring deeply, showing kindness even when it’s difficult, and recognizing that love, not knowledge, is what opens hearts to the gospel. We must also be rooted in God’s Word, allowing it to build us up so we can build up others. The church thrives in unity, like geese flying in formation, supporting one another and moving farther together than we ever could alone.

No matter what happens next in our world, Christ’s return is imminent, His church will endure, and there is a place for everyone in His kingdom. Our task is to extend Christ’s love, show kindness, and build His church with confidence, even in the midst of chaos.

Key Takeaways

1. True transformation begins with the heart, not with external systems or laws. Only God can change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh, and no political or social solution can substitute for the work of the Holy Spirit. When God’s law is written on our hearts, we naturally fulfill the law of love, which is the only lasting solution to the chaos around us. [04:20]
2. The healing of our land starts with God’s people, not with “those people out there.” The call is to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our own wicked ways. This is both a challenge and an invitation: if we focus on our own repentance and obedience, God promises to hear, forgive, and heal. [11:29]
3. Kingdom builders are called to pursue peace and avoid the trap of endless arguments and negativity. In a world that thrives on deconstruction and division, we are to be deliberate about building up others, focusing our energy on what edifies and brings unity rather than what tears down. [22:41]
4. Love and kindness are the most powerful tools for opening hearts to the gospel. Knowledge alone can puff us up, but it is love that builds up and leads people to repentance. Even when faced with hostility or blindness to truth, our calling is to care enough to be kind, trusting that God’s kindness through us can break through the hardest hearts. [29:19]
5. The Word of God is essential for building ourselves and others. We cannot give what we do not have; only by being built up in God’s Word can we effectively build up the church and the world around us. In times of discouragement or anger, turning to Scripture rather than social media grounds us in truth and equips us to be kingdom builders. [31:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:48] - Signs of a Godless Culture
[02:42] - The Limits of Human Solutions
[04:20] - God’s Law Written on Our Hearts
[05:53] - Built for These Times
[06:38] - Be a Kingdom Builder
[07:43] - Jesus Builds His Church
[10:02] - The Real Path to Healing
[13:05] - Deconstruction and Lost Values
[15:45] - Prophecy and the Spirit of the Age
[17:28] - Revival and the Enduring Church
[21:43] - Pursuing Peace, Not Arguments
[25:14] - Love Builds Up
[29:19] - Kindness Leads to Repentance
[31:07] - The Power of God’s Word
[34:03] - Lessons from Geese: Unity in the Church
[36:56] - Let God Separate the Good from the Bad
[38:23] - The Church Will Endure
[42:04] - Prayer and Invitation to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) — > "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV) — > "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Matthew 16:18 (ESV) — > "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Observation Questions

According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, what are the specific actions God’s people are called to take before He promises to heal their land?
In Ezekiel 36:26, what does God promise to do for His people, and how does this relate to the idea of true transformation?
What did Jesus say He would build in Matthew 16:18, and what promise did He attach to it?
The sermon mentioned that the problems in our world are not just political or social, but issues of the heart. What examples did the pastor give to show this? [02:42]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the healing of a nation or community begin with God’s people humbling themselves, rather than with changes in government or society? [10:02]
The pastor said, “Only God can change the heart of a man or a woman.” How does this truth challenge the way we approach problems in our culture? [04:20]
Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” What does this say about the church’s role and endurance in times of chaos? [07:43]
The sermon described a culture obsessed with deconstruction and tearing down values. What does it mean to be a “kingdom builder” in this context, and how is it different from just being a critic? [13:05]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that true change starts with us, not “those people out there.” Is there an area in your own life where you need to humble yourself, pray, or turn from something that’s not pleasing to God? What would it look like to take a first step this week? [11:29]
When you see chaos or brokenness in the world, do you tend to respond with fear, pessimism, or retreat? What would it look like for you to “run into the chaos” as a kingdom builder instead? [05:53]
The pastor challenged us to pursue peace and avoid fruitless arguments, especially online. Is there a recent situation where you got caught up in negativity or debate? How could you have responded differently to build up rather than tear down? [22:41]
The sermon said, “Love and kindness are the most powerful tools for opening hearts to the gospel.” Think of someone in your life who is hard to love or who disagrees with you. What is one practical way you can show them kindness this week? [29:19]
The message highlighted the importance of being rooted in God’s Word. What is your current habit of engaging with Scripture? Is there a specific way you can increase your intake of God’s Word this week, especially when you feel discouraged or angry? [31:07]
The pastor used the example of geese flying in formation to illustrate unity in the church. Are you connected to other believers in a way that helps you “fly farther” together? If not, what step could you take to build deeper relationships in the church or a small group? [34:03]
The sermon ended with the reminder that there is a place for everyone in God’s kingdom, no matter their past. Is there someone you know who feels like an outsider to faith or church? How can you personally invite or include them in your faith community this month? [38:23]

Sermon Clips

Let me tell you something. If somehow, we get all the best gun laws that are possible, and we get all the best enforcement of those gun laws that are possible, we still will not solve this problem in this world. It's not a law problem, and it's not a gun problem. It's a lack of Jesus problem. Because the best politicians and the best laws cannot change the hearts of man. Only God can do that. [00:03:34] (30 seconds) #HeartChangeNotLawChange

When you've got the law of God on your heart, when he is your God and when you are his people, you don't have to worry about the laws of man. They won't be needed when you have the laws of God on your heart. We'll fulfill the law of love when we have the law of God on our hearts. [00:04:29] (17 seconds) #LawOfGodInHeart

Only God can change the heart of a man or a woman. God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel and he said, I'll give you a new heart. Stop right there. Is that not what this country needs, a new heart? And I'll put a new spirit in you and I'll remove from you your heart of stone. Man, we have such a heart of stone in this country and I'll give you a heart of flesh. Let me tell you something. Whoever you voted for last November can't do that. He can't do that. Only God can do that. [00:04:55] (39 seconds) #NewHeartNewSpirit

You want to be confident in chaos, build the kingdom of God. You see, I'm going to give you another politically incorrect statement. The church of Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world. I didn't say religion. I didn't say faith, because there's not many paths to God. There's only one path to God, and the church of Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world. [00:07:37] (26 seconds) #ChurchIsTheWorldsHope

Kingdom building is about how much we care. It's a well-known statement that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. That's what we've got to do. We've got too many times, I want to throw truth at people. I want to cover them up with knowledge and facts. But the Bible says this. Check this cool verse out in 1 Corinthians 8 and 1. Knowledge puffs up while love builds up. [00:25:11] (27 seconds) #KindnessLeadsToRepentance

Building the kingdom of God is the most exciting thing there is in the world. Seeing families changed, seeing children clothed and housed and cared for, seeing young men come to faith, seeing young women find their calling and gift. There is nothing more exciting than that. [00:31:10] (18 seconds) #BuildingNotArguing

You can't build somebody else up. This whole message has been about let's be a builder. You can't build somebody else up until you've been built up. And you're not going to be built up, the Bible says, without his word. God's word. The next time you feel down, defeated, upset, mad, angry about what's happening in our world today, don't turn to social media. Turn to the word. [00:32:06] (24 seconds) #LoveAllLetGodJudge

It's not your job to separate the good from the bad. Let God separate the good from the bad. I'm going to love everybody. I'm going to serve everybody. I'm going to pray for everybody. I'm going to reach as many people as I can. I'm going to bring them in. Not like this, picking and choosing. I'm bringing them in just like this and let God separate the good from the bad. [00:37:45] (17 seconds) #PlaceForAllInChurch

``Three things I can tell you. Number one, the coming of Christ is imminent. Signs and the times, what I've read in scripture, we are walking in the fulfillment of end time prophecy. Jesus is coming back sooner than most believe. Number two, his church will survive whatever happens next because it always has. The church of Jesus Christ is eternal. And number three, there's a place for you in his church. I don't care what you've done, where you've come from. I don't care if you don't have faith. In all these Bible verses I've quoted and you heard people clapping and you're like, I don't even know why anybody's clapping. There's still a place for you in the kingdom. There's still a place for you in his church. A place where you can be healed. You can heal others. A place where you can take the lead. A place where you can fall back and rest. A place where you can love people and you can receive love that you didn't deserve. [00:38:15] (59 seconds)

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