Choosing the Unshakeable Kingdom of God

Devotional

Day 1: The Fragility of Human Ambitions

Human history is a testament to the rise and fall of empires and ideologies, each believing in its permanence and superiority. From the ancient civilizations of Babylon and Rome to modern political and economic systems, all have experienced instability and eventual decline. This pattern is a reflection of humanity's flawed belief that it can create a perfect world without God. The Bible contrasts this with the unshakeable kingdom of God, which stands firm against the impermanence of human achievements. This kingdom is not built on human wisdom but on the eternal word of God, offering a stark contrast to the transient nature of human endeavors. [13:54]

Haggai 2:6-7 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts."

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you are relying on human wisdom or achievements. How can you begin to shift your trust to the eternal kingdom of God today?

Day 2: The Consequences of Rejecting Divine Guidance

The current state of crisis in the world is a direct result of humanity's rebellion against God, as described in the biblical account of the Fall. By rejecting divine guidance, humans have sown the seeds of their own instability. This rebellion is rooted in pride, where man assumes he can manage without God. The Bible calls us to recognize our need for God and to submit to His eternal kingdom, which offers stability and hope. By acknowledging our dependence on God, we can begin to address the root causes of our personal and collective instability. [12:36]

Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Reflection: Identify a decision or area in your life where you have been acting independently of God's guidance. What steps can you take to seek His wisdom and direction today?

Day 3: The Unchanging Nature of God's Word

Unlike human philosophies and institutions, the word of God is eternal and unchanging. It provides a reliable foundation for life, revealing our true nature and offering hope through the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ. This word endures forever, offering stability in a world of change. By grounding ourselves in the word of God, we can navigate the uncertainties of life with confidence and peace. The Bible invites us to build our lives on this unshakeable foundation, which stands firm despite the shifting sands of human wisdom and achievement. [37:22]

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or uncertainty you have faced. How can you apply the truths of God's unchanging word to this situation today?

Day 4: Choosing Between Two Kingdoms

Each person is faced with a choice: to align themselves with the transient kingdoms of man or to enter the eternal kingdom of God. This choice determines our ultimate security and hope. By aligning with God's kingdom, we find true peace and purpose, grounded in His unchanging promises. The Bible calls us to make this choice with intention, recognizing the fleeting nature of human achievements and the enduring stability of God's kingdom. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, we are invited to trust in God's word and to live in accordance with His commandments. [46:20]

Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Reflection: Reflect on the choices you make daily. Are they aligning you with the kingdom of God or the transient kingdoms of man? What is one specific change you can make today to align more closely with God's kingdom?

Day 5: The Promise of Redemption and Hope

Despite humanity's folly, God offers redemption through Jesus Christ, who came to establish His eternal kingdom. This hope is available to all who believe, providing a way to escape the instability of human endeavors and to enter into the security of God's unshakeable kingdom. The Bible assures us that through faith in Jesus, we can experience true peace and purpose, grounded in the promises of God. This hope is not just for the future but is available to us now, offering a foundation for a life of peace and purpose. [44:23]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you feel instability or uncertainty. How can the promise of redemption through Jesus Christ bring you hope and security today?

Sermon Summary

In the closing verses of Hebrews 12, we are reminded of the transient nature of human endeavors and the enduring stability of God's kingdom. The world is in a state of crisis, with many of its institutions and philosophies proving inadequate. This is not surprising when we consider the historical pattern of human empires and ideologies rising and falling. From the ancient kingdoms of Babylon and Rome to modern political and economic systems, all have been shaken and will continue to be so. The root cause of this instability is humanity's persistent belief that it can build a perfect world without God. This is the essence of the biblical concept of the Fall, where man, in his pride, assumes he can manage without divine guidance.

The Bible offers a stark contrast to this human folly by presenting a kingdom that cannot be shaken—the kingdom of God. This kingdom is built on the unchanging word of God, which stands firm despite the shifting sands of human wisdom and achievement. The word of God is not a human theory but a divine revelation that endures forever. It reveals our true nature as created beings, our sinfulness, and our need for redemption. It also offers hope through the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ, who came to establish God's eternal kingdom.

In light of this, we are faced with a choice: to align ourselves with the transient kingdoms of man or to enter the unshakeable kingdom of God. The latter offers true security and hope, grounded in the promises of God, who is unchanging and eternal. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, we are called to trust in God's word and to live in accordance with His commandments, which provide a foundation for a life of peace and purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. The Transience of Human Endeavors: Human history is marked by the rise and fall of empires and ideologies, all of which are ultimately unstable. This pattern reflects humanity's flawed belief that it can create a perfect world without God. The Bible teaches that only God's kingdom is unshakeable, offering a stark contrast to the impermanence of human achievements. [13:54]
2. The Root of Human Instability: The world's current state of crisis is a result of humanity's rebellion against God, as described in the biblical account of the Fall. By rejecting divine guidance, humans have sown the seeds of their own instability. The Bible calls us to recognize our need for God and to submit to His eternal kingdom. [12:36]
3. The Enduring Word of God: Unlike human philosophies and institutions, the word of God is eternal and unchanging. It provides a reliable foundation for life, revealing our true nature and offering hope through the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ. This word endures forever, offering stability in a world of change. [37:22]
4. The Choice Before Us: Each person must choose between the transient kingdoms of man and the eternal kingdom of God. This choice determines our ultimate security and hope. By aligning with God's kingdom, we find true peace and purpose, grounded in His unchanging promises. [46:20]
5. The Hope of Salvation: Despite humanity's folly, God offers redemption through Jesus Christ, who came to establish His eternal kingdom. This hope is available to all who believe, providing a way to escape the instability of human endeavors and to enter into the security of God's unshakeable kingdom. [44:23]
** [44:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Hebrews 12
[01:21] - The Context of Divine Worship
[02:19] - The Crisis of Our Times
[03:32] - Examining Our Philosophy of Life
[04:54] - Disappointment in Human Progress
[06:17] - The Fallacy of Human Solutions
[09:02] - The Inadequacy of Education and Wealth
[10:35] - The Bible's Explanation of the World
[12:01] - Man's Rebellion Against God
[13:54] - The Shakable Kingdoms of Man
[19:12] - The Rise and Fall of Empires
[24:54] - The Collapse of Human Ideologies
[31:04] - The Finite Nature of Man's Creations
[35:37] - The Unshakeable Kingdom of God
[41:21] - The Hope of God's Eternal Kingdom
[46:20] - The Choice Between Two Kingdoms

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the phrase "yet once more" signify in the context of Hebrews 12:26-29? How does it relate to the concept of things being shaken? [00:13]
According to the sermon, what are some examples of human kingdoms or empires that have been shaken throughout history? [16:21]
How does the sermon describe the nature of God's kingdom in contrast to human kingdoms? [35:37]
What is the significance of the statement "our God is a consuming fire" in the context of the sermon? [00:31]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the root cause of human instability and the current state of crisis in the world? [12:01]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that human philosophies and institutions are inadequate compared to the word of God? [24:54]
What does the sermon imply about the choice between aligning with human kingdoms and God's kingdom? How does this choice impact one's life? [46:20]
How does the sermon describe the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ, and what role does this play in entering God's unshakeable kingdom? [44:23]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "kingdoms" or pursuits you are currently investing in that might be transient or unstable? How can you shift your focus towards God's unshakeable kingdom? [21:44]
The sermon highlights the inadequacy of human solutions to life's problems. Can you identify a situation in your life where you have relied on human wisdom rather than seeking divine guidance? What steps can you take to change this? [24:54]
Consider the statement "our God is a consuming fire." How does this understanding of God's nature influence your approach to worship and obedience? [00:31]
The sermon presents a choice between the transient kingdoms of man and the eternal kingdom of God. What practical steps can you take this week to align more closely with God's kingdom? [46:20]
The sermon discusses the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. How can you share this hope with someone in your life who may be struggling with the instability of human endeavors? [44:23]
Reflect on the enduring word of God as described in the sermon. How can you incorporate more of God's word into your daily routine to provide stability and guidance in your life? [37:22]
The sermon mentions the importance of living in accordance with God's commandments. Identify one commandment you find challenging and discuss ways to better align your actions with it. [39:43]

Sermon Clips

Every one of us coming into this world is faced by this choice: we either submit to God and His rule in this Kingdom, or else we reject it and submit ourselves to the kingdoms and the ideas of man. This is the message that all the kingdoms of man can be shaken, can be moved, and are ultimately to be destroyed. [00:14:02]

The Bible says the answer is that men in his utter folly rebelled against God. He accepted the suggestion of the tempter that he didn't need God, that he could manage the world himself, create his own institutions, and make a perfect world. This is the recurring error of men in every age and generation. [00:12:22]

The Bible alone gives us an explanation of the present state of the world. It is the Bible alone that gives us any hope whatsoever with regard to the future. What is the matter? Why is the world as it is in spite of all that we are aware of by way of the advances of civilization, art, and culture? [00:10:55]

The world's current state of crisis is a result of humanity's rebellion against God, as described in the biblical account of the Fall. By rejecting divine guidance, humans have sown the seeds of their own instability. The Bible calls us to recognize our need for God and to submit to His eternal kingdom. [00:12:36]

The Bible's explanation is this: that man's fatal error from the very beginning has been this. He has tended to think and to argue, and indeed even to assume, that his own activities are sufficient and that he doesn't need God. That's the central cause of all the troubles in the world tonight. [00:11:42]

The Bible offers a stark contrast to this human folly by presenting a kingdom that cannot be shaken—the kingdom of God. This kingdom is built on the unchanging word of God, which stands firm despite the shifting sands of human wisdom and achievement. [00:14:24]

The hope of salvation: despite humanity's folly, God offers redemption through Jesus Christ, who came to establish His eternal kingdom. This hope is available to all who believe, providing a way to escape the instability of human endeavors and to enter into the security of God's unshakeable kingdom. [00:44:23]

The choice before us: each person must choose between the transient kingdoms of man and the eternal kingdom of God. This choice determines our ultimate security and hope. By aligning with God's kingdom, we find true peace and purpose, grounded in His unchanging promises. [00:46:20]

The enduring word of God: unlike human philosophies and institutions, the word of God is eternal and unchanging. It provides a reliable foundation for life, revealing our true nature and offering hope through the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ. This word endures forever, offering stability in a world of change. [00:37:22]

The transience of human endeavors: human history is marked by the rise and fall of empires and ideologies, all of which are ultimately unstable. This pattern reflects humanity's flawed belief that it can create a perfect world without God. The Bible teaches that only God's kingdom is unshakeable, offering a stark contrast to the impermanence of human achievements. [00:13:54]

The Bible tells us that a day came when this great man, this Great Dictator, was to be seen like an ox in a field. His hair had grown long, his nails had grown into talons, and there he was eating grass like the animals, humbled, and eventually his great kingdom was conquered. [00:17:55]

The Bible says the answer is that men in his utter folly rebelled against God. He accepted the suggestion of the tempter that he didn't need God, that he could manage the world himself, create his own institutions, and make a perfect world. This is the recurring error of men in every age and generation. [00:12:22]

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