Christ: The Only King Who Saves and Blesses

Devotional

Day 1: There is Only One King Who Can Save You

Lot’s story reminds us that we can easily get swept up in the battles and chaos of the world, sometimes without even realizing the spiritual war raging around us. Like Lot, we may find ourselves living with one foot in the world and one foot with the Lord, vulnerable to being caught in the crossfire of sin and darkness. But there is only one King who can truly rescue us from the grip of the enemy—Jesus Christ. No matter how entangled we become, Jesus alone has the authority and power to save, to deliver us from the dominion of darkness, and to bring us into His kingdom of light. If you feel half in and half out, or unsure of where you stand, know that the battle for your soul is real, but the victory belongs to Christ. [01:17:46]

Genesis 14:11-16 (ESV)
So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel “caught in the middle” like Lot, and how can you invite Jesus to be your rescuer and King in that place today?

Day 2: There is Only One King Worth Fighting For

The contrast between the oppressive rule of earthly kings and the peaceable leadership of Abram points us to a deeper spiritual reality: we all serve someone or something, but only one King is truly worth our allegiance. While the world’s rulers dominate and enslave, Jesus invites us into a voluntary, peace-filled relationship where we are not forced, but drawn by love and grace. To fight for Christ is to join the battle for souls, to stand in the light against the darkness, and to participate in God’s rescue mission. The choice is clear—will you serve the king who enslaves, or the King who sets you free and calls you to join Him in His work? [01:25:30]

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Reflection: Who or what have you been fighting for with your time, energy, and heart—and what would it look like to fight for Christ and His kingdom this week?

Day 3: There is Only One King Who Can Declare You Blessed

Melchizedek’s blessing over Abram reveals that only God’s appointed King and Priest has the authority to declare us truly blessed and favored. It is not by our own achievements, status, or self-declaration that we are made right with God, but by the pronouncement of Jesus, our King of Righteousness and King of Peace. In Christ, we are given a new name, a new identity, and the right to be called children of God—not by arrogance, but by faith in His finished work. The blessing and favor you long for are found in surrendering to the One who delights to call you His own. [01:36:54]

Hebrews 7:1-4 (ESV)
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!

Reflection: Do you struggle to believe that Jesus truly delights to call you blessed and His own? What step of faith can you take today to receive His blessing over your life?

Day 4: There is Only One King Who Builds His Kingdom

Abram’s refusal to enrich himself by earthly means, insisting that only God would build his legacy, is a powerful reminder that the kingdom of God is not built by human striving, manipulation, or self-glorification. God alone is the builder of His church and His people, and He delights in those who offer themselves freely and thankfully in response to His grace. Our role is not to claim credit or control, but to surrender in faith, allowing God to work through us as He establishes His kingdom on earth. [01:44:42]

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: In what ways have you tried to “build” God’s kingdom in your own strength, and how can you shift to a posture of thankful surrender and trust in His work today?

Day 5: The King Delights in a Thankful, Freewill Offering

God is not interested in reluctant or begrudging gifts, but in hearts overflowing with gratitude for the victory and freedom He has won for us. True worship is a life poured out in thanksgiving—a freewill offering of our time, resources, service, and love. When we recognize all that Christ has done, our response is not mere duty, but joyful surrender. The King of Kings is building His kingdom through thankful hearts, and He invites you to jump in with all that you are, not just what you have. [01:46:01]

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: What is one area of your life—time, finances, service, or prayer—where you can offer yourself more freely and thankfully to God this week?

Sermon Summary

The mission of Jesus is to seek and save the lost, to reach out to those whom the world rejects, and to restore the broken and outcast as sons and daughters of God. In the story of Genesis 14, we see a vivid picture of the battle between kings—a battle that ultimately points to the greater spiritual conflict between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of darkness. The narrative of Abram rescuing Lot from the clutches of warring kings is not just ancient history; it is a mirror for our own lives, where we are often caught between two kingdoms, sometimes unwittingly swept up in battles we do not fully understand.

Lot’s predicament is a warning to those who try to live with one foot in the world and one foot in God’s kingdom. The spiritual battle is real, and neutrality is an illusion. Jesus is the only King who can truly save, and the only one worth fighting for. The peace treaty Abram had with his neighbors stands in stark contrast to the domination of earthly kings; it is a picture of the voluntary, joyful allegiance we are invited to make with Christ, who does not coerce but calls us into relationship and service.

The encounter with Melchizedek, the king-priest, reveals that only one King can declare us blessed. Melchizedek’s blessing over Abram, and Abram’s freewill offering in response, foreshadow the greater blessing and priesthood of Jesus, who alone mediates peace with God and pronounces us righteous by his authority. Our status as children of God is not arrogance, but faith in Christ’s finished work and his pronouncement over us.

Finally, the building of God’s kingdom is not accomplished by human effort, striving, or manipulation. Abram refuses to enrich himself by earthly means, trusting that God alone will fulfill his promises. In the same way, the church and the kingdom are built by Christ himself, through thankful, voluntary offerings of our lives, service, and resources. We are called to respond not out of compulsion, but out of gratitude for the victory and freedom Christ has won. The invitation is open: lay down your rebellion, receive forgiveness, and offer your life as a freewill offering to the King of Kings, who alone is worthy.

Key Takeaways

1. There is only one King who can save you. Like Lot, many find themselves caught between two kingdoms, sometimes unaware of the spiritual battle raging for their souls. Neutrality is not an option; to remain undecided is to be swept along by the forces of darkness. Only Jesus has the authority and power to rescue us from sin and spiritual captivity, and he invites us to come fully under his kingship. [77:13]
2. The true King is worth fighting for, and allegiance to him is voluntary, not coerced. Earthly kings dominate and subjugate, but Christ invites us into a peace treaty sealed by his blood. Our participation in his kingdom is a free response of faith and gratitude, not forced compliance. To serve Christ is to join the battle for souls, moving from passive bystander to active participant in God’s redemptive work. [84:52]
3. Only Christ, the King-Priest, can declare us blessed and righteous. Melchizedek’s blessing over Abram points to Jesus, who alone mediates between God and humanity. Our status as children of God is not based on our own merit or presumption, but on Christ’s authority and his joyful willingness to call us his own. Faith means trusting his pronouncement over us, even when our feelings or doubts suggest otherwise. [96:54]
4. God’s kingdom is built by his power, not by human striving or manipulation. Abram’s refusal to enrich himself by earthly means is a model for us: the church and the kingdom are not built by clever schemes, coercion, or human ambition. God delights in thankful, voluntary offerings—lives laid down in gratitude for his victory. The true work is accomplished by the Spirit, not by our own strength. [104:42]
5. A thankful, surrendered heart is the foundation of true service and worship. God does not desire offerings or ministry given out of compulsion, grumbling, or self-glory. He receives and multiplies what is given freely, in response to his grace. The call is to offer not just our resources, but our very selves, as living sacrifices—trusting that the King will build his kingdom through us as we walk in faith and thanksgiving. [01:46:01]
** [106:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:09] - The Heart of Jesus’ Mission
[44:47] - Invitation to Repentance and Forgiveness
[45:22] - Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[46:34] - Announcements and Ministry Opportunities
[47:46] - Celebrating Fellowship and Diversity
[49:03] - Teaching Children About Offering
[50:29] - Prayer of Thanksgiving and Sending Children
[52:10] - Scripture Reading: Genesis 14
[57:43] - Reflective Prayer: Psalm 110
[64:27] - The Most Quoted Old Testament Verse
[66:19] - The Battle of Kings: Spiritual Implications
[68:48] - Who Is King Over Your Life?
[72:08] - Only One King Can Save
[79:02] - Only One King Worth Fighting For
[86:13] - Only One King Can Declare You Blessed
[100:11] - Only One King Builds His Kingdom
[106:01] - The Call to Thankful, Freewill Offering
[108:41] - Final Invitation and Prayer
[111:18] - Closing Song: Amazing Grace

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Only King Who Can Save

Bible Reading

Genesis 14 (ESV)
(Read the whole chapter together, or focus on verses 1–24, which tell the story of the battle of the kings, Abram’s rescue of Lot, and the encounter with Melchizedek.)

Psalm 110:1–4 (ESV)
1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

John 1:12 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 14, what happens to Lot, and how does Abram respond to his situation?

[[54:11]]

What is unique about Melchizedek’s role and his interaction with Abram after the battle?

[[56:13]]

According to Psalm 110, what kind of king and priest is described, and what does God promise to do for him?

[[58:23]]

In the sermon, what contrast is made between the way earthly kings rule and the way Abram relates to his neighbors?

[[01:21:44]]

Interpretation Questions

What does Lot’s experience in Genesis 14 teach about the dangers of trying to live with “one foot in the world and one foot in God’s kingdom”?

[[01:16:33]]

Why is it significant that Melchizedek blesses Abram, and how does this point forward to Jesus’ role as our King and Priest?

[[01:28:10]]

The sermon says, “Neutrality is not an option; to remain undecided is to be swept along by the forces of darkness.” What does this mean for someone who feels “caught in the middle” spiritually?

[[01:22:21]]

Why does Abram refuse to take any of the spoils from the king of Sodom, and what does this show about how God’s kingdom is built?

[[01:41:24]]

Application Questions

The sermon warns that “neutrality is an illusion.” Are there areas in your life where you are trying to stay neutral between God’s ways and the world’s ways? What would it look like to fully step into God’s kingdom in those areas?

[[01:16:33]]

Lot was swept up in a battle he didn’t fully understand because of where he chose to live. Are there environments, relationships, or habits in your life that are putting you at risk spiritually? What practical step could you take this week to move toward God’s protection?

[[01:15:56]]

Abram’s allegiance to God was voluntary and joyful, not forced. When you think about your relationship with Jesus, do you serve him out of gratitude or out of obligation? How can you cultivate a more thankful, willing heart?

[[01:45:20]]

Melchizedek’s blessing over Abram points to Jesus, who alone can declare us blessed and righteous. Do you struggle to believe that God truly calls you his child? What doubts or feelings get in the way, and how can you bring them to Jesus?

[[01:36:54]]

Abram refused to enrich himself by earthly means, trusting God to fulfill his promises. Are there ways you are tempted to “build your own kingdom” instead of trusting God’s timing and provision? What would it look like to surrender those ambitions?

[[01:41:24]]

The sermon calls us to offer our lives as a “freewill offering” to the King of Kings. What is one specific area—time, talent, resources, or relationships—where you sense God inviting you to offer yourself more fully to him this week?

[[01:47:24]]

The invitation is open: “Lay down your rebellion, receive forgiveness, and offer your life as a freewill offering.” Is there a step of repentance or surrender you feel prompted to take today? How can the group support you in this?

[[01:48:04]]

Close in prayer, asking God to help each person trust Jesus as the only King who can save, bless, and build his kingdom through thankful, surrendered hearts.

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