Christ's Reign: Living in Hope and Action

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Must Reign Until All Is Subjected to Him

The reality that Christ is reigning now, even as not all things are yet in subjection to Him, gives us a foundation of hope and confidence. The kingdom of God has a King whose authority is above every name, and though rebellion and brokenness persist in the world, nothing is outside His control. This truth means that every injustice, every sorrow, and every power that stands against God will ultimately be brought under Christ’s authority. As we encounter the pain and chaos of a world not yet fully submitted to Him, we are not left in despair; instead, we live with a confident expectation that Christ will bring all things into order, and His reign is both present and certain. [23:28]

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (ESV)
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Reflection: Where in your life do you see brokenness or rebellion that tempts you to lose hope, and how can you remind yourself today that Christ is reigning and will ultimately bring all things under His authority?

Day 2: The Resurrection of Christ Guarantees Our Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a unique event for Him alone; it is the firstfruits, the promise and guarantee that all who belong to Christ will also be raised. Just as Adam’s sin brought death to all, so Christ’s resurrection brings life to all who are in Him. This means that our future is secure—not only will we be raised, but we will share in a resurrection like His, transformed and made imperishable. The hope of resurrection shapes how we face suffering, loss, and even death, knowing that Christ’s victory is our victory, and our story is bound up in His. [14:30]

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (ESV)
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Reflection: How does the promise of your own resurrection with Christ change the way you view your present struggles or fears about the future?

Day 3: Psalm 8 Fulfilled in Christ’s Reign

Psalm 8, originally a celebration of humanity’s place in creation, is revealed in the New Testament as ultimately pointing to Jesus—the One who is crowned with glory and honor and under whose feet all things are being placed. Though not everything is yet visibly in subjection to Him, Christ’s authority is total, and He is the fulfillment of humanity’s calling to rule over creation. This truth calls us to worship and to recognize that Jesus is the center of God’s plan, the One through whom God’s purposes for creation are being accomplished. [19:42]

Psalm 8:3-6 (ESV)
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet.

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally honor Christ as the One who fulfills God’s purposes for creation, both in your worship and in your daily life?

Day 4: We Are Called to Reign with Christ

As those who are in Christ, we are not only subjects of His reign but are also called to reign with Him. This means submitting every part of our lives to His Lordship, using the instrument of prayer to participate in His work, and seeing ourselves as agents through whom Christ brings His kingdom to bear in the world. Our calling is to look at the world around us, identify what is not yet in subjection to Christ, and ask how He might use us to bring His reign to those places—whether in our own hearts, in relationships, or in the broader world. [30:19]

2 Timothy 2:11-12 (ESV)
The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us.

Reflection: What is one area of your life or your world where you sense Christ calling you to be His agent, bringing something into greater submission to His loving reign?

Day 5: Living with Hope, Trust, and Prayer Because Christ Reigns

Because Christ reigns now and will bring all things into subjection, we are called to live lives marked by hope, trust, and prayer. Hope gives us confidence that no brokenness is beyond His reach; trust anchors us in the midst of uncertainty, knowing that nothing is outside His control; and prayer is our active participation in God’s work, asking Him to bring His kingdom more fully now. As we encounter situations that are not yet as they should be, we are invited to pray boldly, trust deeply, and live with the expectation that Christ’s reign is both present and coming. [27:00]

Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Reflection: What is one specific situation in your life or in the world where you need to renew your hope, deepen your trust, or pray more boldly because you believe Christ is reigning?

Sermon Summary

When gazing at the vastness of creation, as Psalm 8 does, it’s natural to feel small and wonder why God would care for us. Yet, Scripture insists that humanity is crowned with glory and honor, given a unique place in God’s design. This morning, the focus is on the truth that Christ must reign—now and until all things are brought under His authority. The fascination with end times, so prevalent in Christian culture, often leads us to treat Scripture like a puzzle, trying to fit every piece into a neat timeline. But the real invitation is to seek out the “corner pieces”—the foundational truths that shape how we live, not just what we know.

Throughout history, Christians have disagreed on the details of Christ’s return and the end of the age. While it’s tempting to become dogmatic or, conversely, indifferent, the call is to hold fast to what God has made clear. 1 Corinthians 15 reminds us that Christ’s resurrection is not an isolated event; it is the “firstfruits,” the guarantee that all who belong to Him will also be raised. The passage lays out a sequence: Christ is raised, then at His coming, those who belong to Him, and finally, the end, when He delivers the kingdom to the Father after destroying every enemy, with death as the last to fall.

The New Testament’s use of Psalm 8 is striking. While the psalm marvels at humanity’s place in creation, the apostles see its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus—the true Man who brings all things under God’s dominion. Christ reigns now, even though not everything is yet visibly subjected to Him. This reality gives us hope, trust, and a reason to pray. We live in the tension of the “already” and the “not yet,” confident that Christ’s reign is real and will one day be complete.

But there’s more: we are called to reign with Christ. This means submitting every part of our lives to His lordship, praying kingdom prayers, and seeing ourselves as agents of His reign in a world still marked by rebellion and brokenness. Whether it’s individuals who don’t yet know Christ, systems of injustice, or personal struggles, we are invited to participate in bringing all things under His authority—now, not just in the age to come. The hope and calling is not to win arguments about the end times, but to live as people who know that Christ must reign, and who join Him in that reign through faith, prayer, and action.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ’s Reign Is Present and Active Christ is not waiting to reign; He reigns now, with all authority in heaven and on earth. Even though not everything is visibly subjected to Him, nothing is outside His control. This present reign is the foundation for our hope and confidence, knowing that every enemy—including death—will ultimately be brought under His feet. [23:28]
2. Hope and Trust in a Broken World Because Christ reigns, we are not left in despair when we encounter evil, injustice, or suffering. Every situation that resists His authority is temporary; we can live with confident expectation that all things will be made right. This hope empowers us to trust God even when surrounded by circumstances that seem out of control. [25:14]
3. Prayer as Participation in Christ’s Reign Prayer is not a passive exercise but a means by which God’s people participate in His sovereign work. We pray because we see things not yet in subjection to Christ and long for His kingdom to break in now. Our prayers are a way of reigning with Christ, asking Him to bring His authority to bear in our lives and in the world. [27:00]
4. Reigning with Christ Means Submitting to Christ To reign with Christ is first to be fully submitted to Him. We must continually examine our hearts, attitudes, and actions, bringing every part of our lives under His lordship. Only as we are ruled by Christ can we be agents of His rule in the world. [30:19]
5. Agents of Christ’s Kingdom in the World Our calling is to see the world through the lens of Christ’s reign and to act as His agents wherever we find brokenness, injustice, or rebellion. Whether it’s sharing the gospel, fighting human trafficking, or caring for the forgotten, we are invited to work so that more of creation is brought under Christ’s authority now, not just in the future. [33:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - Opening Prayer and Psalm 8
[02:06] - 1980s Christian Culture and End Times Fascination
[03:18] - Left Behind and End Times Speculation
[05:10] - The Puzzle Pieces of Eschatology
[06:36] - Disagreements and Church Unity
[08:00] - Essentials vs. Non-Essentials in Doctrine
[09:11] - What God Wants Us to Know About the End
[11:08] - Chronology in 1 Corinthians 15
[12:57] - Christ as Firstfruits and the Order of Resurrection
[14:30] - Adam, Christ, and the Universal Impact
[17:50] - Psalm 8 and Its New Testament Fulfillment
[19:42] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of Psalm 8
[22:07] - Christ’s Reign and Authority
[23:28] - Living in Hope, Trust, and Prayer
[27:00] - Reigning with Christ: Implications
[30:19] - Submitting to Christ’s Lordship
[31:26] - Agents of Christ’s Reign in the World
[33:02] - Practical Applications: Justice and Mission
[35:33] - Final Blessing and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 — But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, what is the sequence of events Paul describes regarding Christ’s resurrection and the end?
How does Paul use the idea of “firstfruits” to describe Christ’s resurrection?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the significance of the phrase “Christ must reign until…”? [[23:28]]
How does the New Testament use Psalm 8 differently than the original context, according to the sermon? [[19:42]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul connect Adam and Christ in this passage? What does this teach about the impact of Christ’s resurrection for believers?
The sermon says, “Christ is not waiting to reign; He reigns now, with all authority in heaven and on earth.” What does it mean for Christ to reign now, even though not everything is visibly under His control? [[23:28]]
The pastor mentions that we live in the “already” and the “not yet.” How does this tension affect the way Christians experience hope and trust in a broken world? [[25:14]]
What does it mean that believers are called to “reign with Christ”? How is this different from simply being saved or forgiven? [[28:01]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to see ourselves as agents of Christ’s reign in the world. What is one area of brokenness, injustice, or rebellion you see around you that is “not yet in subjection” to Christ? How might God be inviting you to participate in bringing His authority to bear in that area? [[33:02]]
The pastor says that to reign with Christ, we must first be fully submitted to Him. Is there a specific part of your life—an attitude, habit, or relationship—that you sense is not yet under Christ’s lordship? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week? [[30:19]]
Prayer is described as a way of participating in Christ’s reign. Think of a situation in your life or in the world that feels out of control. How can you pray specifically for Christ’s kingdom to come in that situation? [[27:00]]
The sermon warns against getting caught up in arguments about end times details and instead focusing on the “corner pieces”—the foundational truths. Have you ever been distracted by secondary issues in your faith? How can you keep your focus on what God has made clear? [[09:11]]
The pastor gave examples like sharing the gospel, fighting human trafficking, and caring for the forgotten as ways to act as agents of Christ’s kingdom. What is one practical step you could take this month to bring more of your world under Christ’s authority? [[33:02]]
When you encounter evil, injustice, or suffering, do you tend to feel despair or hope? How does the truth that “Christ must reign” change your perspective in those moments? [[25:14]]
The sermon says that Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits”—the guarantee that all who belong to Him will also be raised. How does this promise shape the way you face challenges, loss, or even death? [[12:57]]

Sermon Clips

So, I don't know if the topic of the end times was an 80s or 90s Christian culture thing, or if every generation kind of is drawn to that at certain seasons in their life. And it does make sense. I mean, the apostles watched Jesus ascend into the heavens, and the angels said the same Jesus who went up is going to come back. And so, that was always part of the apostolic preaching, is that Jesus is coming, and Jesus is coming. And if you have any kind of regular, systematic reading of Scripture, like if you try to intentionally read the breadth and the depth of Scripture, eventually you're going to get to the second half of the book of Daniel. [00:03:49] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

And the reality is while we cannot know everything that we want to know about the end times, there are some things that God wants us to know, and not just so we can win a debate in a Sunday school class, but so that it transforms the way that we live our lives and follow Christ in this world. And the struggle is trying to identify what are those things that God does want us to know and how we differentiate that from things that we want to know but God has not made clear to us. [00:09:15] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

So if you're a jigsaw puzzle, you know, you dump that on the table. First thing you do is you get everything so it's facing up so the picture's on top, and blow the dust away so you can just get to the puzzle pieces. And then the next thing you do is you try to find the corner pieces, because you know where the corner pieces go. And then you try to find the edge pieces, because you know where those go. And so if you can get that, everything else in the puzzle has to go in here somewhere. All right. All right. [00:12:14] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

And so he is saying the resurrection of Christ is the first of many more to come. So as we read last week, that verse from Romans, we will share in a resurrection like His. Philippians, when Christ returns, He will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body. Later on in 1 Corinthians 15, it's going to talk about how flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This mortal body must put on immortality, become imperishable, the glorified, resurrected body. So we're going to share in a resurrection like His. And he continues the argument by saying in verse 21, as by a man came death. And what he's saying, it was through the sin of Adam that death entered into creation, and that death affects everyone, for all have sin. If you want to read more about that, you can read Romans chapter 5 where Paul makes that argument even to more depth. Sin came into the world through one man. His point here is, just like in one individual, one man, sin entered the world and death entered the world, in the same way the perfect second Adam, the one man, God in flesh, Jesus Christ, it was through him the resurrection entered the world. And just like the sin and death of Adam affected all of us, the resurrection also impacts all of those who belong to Christ. [00:14:59] (74 seconds) Edit Clip

The kingdom of God has a king who created all things. All things were created by that king and for that king. And even though right now all things are not yet subjected to him, he has control over all things, which means at any moment, by the word of his power, by the word of his voice, he can command all things to be subjected to him in an instant. [00:23:38] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

So every time we rub against something in this world that is not yet subjected to him, that's continuing in rebellion against him, every time we rub up against something like that, we are not hopeless. We are not discouraged. Oh, here's something broken that's never going to become, you know, in subjection to him. This will always be in rebellion. No, we have the hope and the confidence that whatever thing I'm rubbing up against that is not yet subjected to him will be subjected to him. And Christ must reign until that happens. And so that gives us hope because we know everything will come into subjection to him. And Christ must reign until that happens. And that gives us confident expectation. Gives us hope. And also, this is the reason why we live lives of trust. [00:24:25] (49 seconds) Edit Clip

And even then we know and we believe that he has control over all things. And we know at some point everything will be brought in subjection to him, but we cry out in prayer and what we say is, Lord, I know all of this is gonna be subjected to you at some time. I'm just asking that you do it now. [00:26:43] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

So practically speaking, what does that mean? If that's true, if Christ must reign, and I am in Christ, and Christ is in me, and so therefore, in a real way, I'm reigning with Christ. If that's true, what's the implications of that? Well, number one, we need to make sure that Christ reigns over us. We don't want to be part of the parts of creation that are not yet subjected to Him. We want to be part of the creation that is totally subjected to Him. So this is constantly as a follower of Christ, we're asking that question, is there any part of my heart, mind, and soul, behavior, attitudes, thinking, desires, motivations, anything within me that's not yet subjected to Christ? What's the word of Christ? [00:30:19] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

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