Embracing God's Unshakable Kingdom: A Journey Forward

As we gather to celebrate 25 years of God’s faithfulness in our church community, it’s a moment to reflect on the unshakable foundation we have in Christ. The story of our church is woven with the stories of people—pastors, leaders, families—who have witnessed God’s ongoing work of new creation, restoration, and regeneration. Even as we look back with gratitude, our eyes are set on the future, trusting that God is not finished with us yet. The children among us, the next generation, will bear witness to the love of God in ways we can only imagine.

At the heart of our life together is the unshakable kingdom we have received—a kingdom that cannot be overthrown or diminished by the world, the flesh, or the devil. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus are the bedrock of our faith, and nothing can undo what Christ has accomplished. Yet, while the kingdom is unshakable, our trust can sometimes be shaken. The enemy’s strategy is not to undo Christ’s victory, but to undermine our confidence in the Holy Spirit’s witness and to tempt us to rely on ourselves or the world instead of God’s grace.

We are called to respond to this gift with grateful hearts, offering worship marked by reverence and awe. The sacraments, the proclamation of the gospel, and the ministry of God’s word are the means by which we are continually reminded of God’s unshakable love and grace. These are not just rituals or traditions, but living encounters with the truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Our past, with all its failures and regrets, is covered by Christ’s righteousness—there is no condemnation for those who are in Him.

As we move forward, we must also be willing to let God’s consuming fire refine us. The things in our lives and in our church that are shakable—old habits, unhelpful traditions, sins that cling—must be surrendered so that only what is pure and lasting remains. God’s desire is to purify us, to make us reflect His image more clearly, and to lead us into new seasons of faithfulness. Let us be open to the new things God wants to do, trusting that His love and purpose for us are unshakable.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The unshakable kingdom of God is a gift that cannot be overthrown by any power of evil, nor diminished by our circumstances. Our faith is anchored in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, which are eternally secure. Even when our trust wavers, the foundation remains firm, inviting us to rest in God’s steadfastness. [33:07]
• 2. The enemy’s primary tactic is not to undo Christ’s victory, but to erode our confidence in the Holy Spirit’s witness and to lure us into self-reliance or worldly thinking. Recognizing this helps us to be vigilant, discerning the subtle ways our trust can be shaken, and to continually return to the unshakable truth of God’s grace. [35:54]
• 3. The sacraments and the proclamation of the gospel are not mere rituals, but living encounters with God’s unshakable love. Each time we gather, we are invited to receive afresh the grace that covers our past and empowers our present, reminding us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. [41:56]
• 4. God’s consuming fire is not a threat, but a loving invitation to let go of what is shakable in our lives—old sins, unhelpful traditions, and anything that hinders our growth. The refining process may be uncomfortable, but it is God’s way of purifying us so that we reflect His image more clearly and live more fully in His purpose. [44:22]
• 5. As we look to the future, we are called to be open to the new things God wants to do in our lives and in our church. Faithfulness sometimes means letting go of “the way we’ve always done things” and trusting that God’s Spirit is leading us into deeper worship, greater love, and renewed mission. [45:50]
  ** [45:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Celebrating 25 Years of God’s Faithfulness
• [02:10] - Honoring the Church’s History and Leaders
• [03:30] - The Privilege of Sharing the Gospel
• [05:00] - God’s Work of New Creation and Restoration
• [07:00] - Looking to the Future: The Next Generation
• [09:00] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Ministry
• [10:30] - Hebrews 12: Receiving an Unshakable Kingdom
• [13:00] - What Is Unshakable? Christ’s Finished Work
• [15:00] - The Enemy’s Tactics and the Holy Spirit’s Witness
• [18:00] - Grace Upon Grace: Our Unshakable Hope
• [20:00] - The Three Priorities of Ministry
• [23:00] - The Power of God’s Word and Sacraments
• [26:00] - No Condemnation: Living in Christ’s Righteousness
• [29:00] - Worship with Reverence and Awe
• [31:00] - God’s Consuming Fire: Refinement and Renewal
• [33:00] - Letting Go of the Shakable, Embracing the New

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV) — > Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) — > For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 (ESV) — > Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come... For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 12:28-29, what is the proper response to receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken?
2. In Romans 8:38-39, what are some of the things Paul lists that cannot separate us from the love of God? Why do you think he lists so many?
3. The sermon mentions that God’s “consuming fire” is not a threat but an invitation. What does the preacher say God wants to consume in our lives? [[44:22]]
4. What does it mean, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, to be a “new creation” in Christ?

Interpretation Questions

1. The preacher says that while the kingdom is unshakable, our trust can sometimes be shaken. What are some reasons he gives for why our trust wavers? [[35:54]]
2. How does the enemy try to undermine our confidence in what Christ has done, according to the sermon? [[35:54]]
3. The sermon talks about the sacraments and the proclamation of the gospel as “living encounters” with God’s love. How is this different from seeing them as just rituals or traditions? [[41:56]]
4. What does it look like for God’s “consuming fire” to refine us as individuals and as a church? [[44:22]]

Application Questions

1. The preacher says that sometimes we need to let go of “the way we’ve always done things” to be open to what God wants to do next. Is there a tradition, habit, or pattern in your life or in our church that you sense God might be asking you to surrender? What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area? [[45:50]]
2. When you think about the “shakable” things in your life—old habits, unhelpful traditions, or sins that cling—what comes to mind? What is one practical step you can take this week to let God’s refining fire work in that area? [[44:22]]
3. The sermon reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Are there past failures or regrets that you still “fish for” in your memory? How can you remind yourself this week that you are a new creation and there is “no fishing” in your past? [[41:56]]
4. The enemy’s tactic is to erode our confidence in the Holy Spirit’s witness and lure us into self-reliance. Are there areas where you tend to rely on your own strength or the world’s wisdom instead of God’s grace? What would it look like to trust the Holy Spirit more in those areas? [[35:54]]
5. The preacher encourages us to offer worship marked by reverence and awe. What is one way you can prepare your heart for worship this week, either on your own or with others? [[43:00]]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of the next generation bearing witness to God’s love. Is there a child, teen, or young adult in your life you can encourage or pray for this week? How might you help them see God’s faithfulness? [[31:16]]
7. As we celebrate God’s faithfulness over 25 years, what is one specific way you can express gratitude to God for what He has done in your life or in our church community? [[30:04]]