Embracing Kingdom Values Through Prayer and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Repentance: Turning Toward the Kingdom

Repentance is not just a sorrowful confession but a decisive turning away from our own ways and toward the heart of God, aligning ourselves with His truth and purpose. It is an invitation to come to our God-inspired senses, to admit where we have missed the mark, and to step into the freedom and alignment that comes from living in the reality of His kingdom. When we repent, we are not simply avoiding punishment; we are choosing to live in the light and truth of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. This realignment brings peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose as we walk in step with the values of the kingdom. [15:29]

Matthew 3:1-6 (ESV)
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to turn away from your own way of thinking or living and to realign with His kingdom values today?

Day 2: The Gospel of the Kingdom: Good News of the King’s Reign

The gospel that Jesus proclaimed was not only about forgiveness of sins but the arrival and nearness of God’s everlasting kingdom—a kingdom marked by healing, deliverance, and the authority of the King Himself. This good news is that Jesus, the Son of Man, has been given dominion, honor, and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. As followers of Christ, we are called not just to believe in this kingdom but to proclaim it and live it out, demonstrating its power and values in our daily lives. The hope of the kingdom is both present and future, and it is our privilege to invite others into its reality. [21:32]

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Reflection: How can you intentionally proclaim or demonstrate the reality of God’s kingdom to someone in your sphere of influence this week?

Day 3: Living the Kingdom Lifestyle: Embracing the Values of Jesus

The Sermon on the Mount is not a checklist of rules but an invitation to embrace the radical, countercultural values of Jesus’ kingdom—values like humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking. These values often run against the current of our culture and require intentionality and community to live out. As we reach for these kingdom realities, even when they feel out of our grasp, we find that God’s grace empowers us to grow, just as a child learns to crawl and walk by reaching for what is just beyond them. The kingdom lifestyle is a journey of transformation, not perfection, and it is meant to be lived together, encouraging one another along the way. [36:00]

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Reflection: Which value from the Sermon on the Mount feels most challenging for you to reach for right now, and what is one step you can take to pursue it this week?

Day 4: Resisting the Currents of Culture: Intentionality in Following Jesus

It is easy to be swept up in the currents of our culture—media, opinions, and the patterns of the world—but Jesus calls us to swim against the current and live according to the values of His kingdom. This requires self-examination, intentionality, and the support of a community that is also pursuing the kingdom. When we recognize where we have been caught in the world’s current, we can ask Jesus to help us turn and swim at the “fairy angle,” using the wisdom of His teaching to move back into the flow of His Spirit. The kingdom life is not passive; it is a daily, active choice to resist the pull of the age and to pursue what truly matters. [31:14]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one specific “current” of culture or habit that you sense is pulling you away from God’s kingdom, and how can you intentionally resist it today?

Day 5: The Power of Example: Discipling Others Through Kingdom Living

Our lives are meant to be a testimony to both believers and unbelievers, demonstrating the reality and power of the kingdom through our actions, attitudes, and choices. Just as a mentor’s consistent example can draw others closer to Jesus, so too can your daily life inspire and disciple those around you. Living the kingdom lifestyle is not just for our own benefit but to hasten the coming of the King and to encourage others to embrace His ways. By holding firmly to hope, encouraging one another, and living as foreigners in this world, we become living invitations to the kingdom that is both already and not yet. [38:25]

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV)
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Reflection: Who in your life is watching your example, and how can you intentionally model the values of the kingdom to them this week?

Sermon Summary

The invitation today is to become a people who are saturated in prayer, who live out the values of the kingdom of God, and who allow those values to shape every part of our lives. From the earliest days of my own journey, I saw the power of a life lived in radical pursuit of Jesus—modeled by mentors who didn’t just teach about the kingdom, but embodied it in their daily choices, their humility, and their devotion. The call is not to treat the teachings of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount, as a checklist of rules, but as a living invitation to embrace a new way of being—a way that is often countercultural, challenging, and yet deeply transformative.

Repentance is not a word of condemnation, but an invitation to realign our hearts and minds with the truth and beauty of God’s kingdom. It’s about coming to our senses, turning from the currents of this age, and facing the cross—choosing to live in the reality that the kingdom of heaven is not just a distant hope, but is “at hand,” present and available now. This kingdom is not just about personal salvation, but about the reign of Jesus that brings healing, deliverance, and a new order to every sphere of life.

We are surrounded by powerful cultural currents—media, opinions, and systems that can easily sweep us away from the values of the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is like a “fairy angle” in a river, teaching us how to intentionally swim out of the current of this age and into the flow of God’s purposes. It’s not about perfection, but about reaching, striving, and growing together as a community, encouraging one another to live out the radical love, humility, and holiness that Jesus describes.

The kingdom lifestyle is not meant to be lived in isolation. We need each other—to call one another higher, to encourage, to correct, and to model the way of Jesus in tangible, everyday ways. Our lives become a testimony, not just to unbelievers, but to one another, as we demonstrate the reality of the kingdom in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. As we reach for the values of the kingdom, we hasten the coming of Jesus and participate in the unfolding of his everlasting dominion.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance is a gracious invitation to realign with God’s truth, not a burden of shame. It means coming to our senses, admitting where we’ve missed the mark, and turning our attention back to Jesus. This realignment brings freedom and restores us to the flow of God’s kingdom, even when the world’s currents pull us in other directions. [14:42]
2. The values of the kingdom are radically different from the values of the world, and embracing them requires intentionality and community. The Sermon on the Mount is not a list of unattainable ideals, but a practical guide for living in the reality of God’s reign—calling us to humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking in a world that often prizes the opposite. [27:30]
3. Demonstrating the kingdom is more powerful than any script or strategy; it is our daily lifestyle that testifies to the reality of Jesus. When we live out the gospel in our ordinary routines, we provoke both believers and unbelievers to consider the truth and beauty of God’s reign. Our actions, more than our words, become the evidence of the kingdom’s presence. [23:05]
4. The cultural currents of our age are strong and subtle, shaping our desires, opinions, and habits. Escaping these currents requires the “fairy angle” of kingdom values—learning to swim against the flow by reaching for Jesus’ teachings, surrounding ourselves with kingdom-minded community, and being vigilant about what forms our hearts. [29:40]
5. Living the kingdom lifestyle together is essential; we are called to encourage, correct, and inspire one another as we pursue Jesus. Our shared pursuit not only strengthens us but also becomes a living testimony that draws others to God. In this way, we hasten the coming of the kingdom and participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. [37:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Community and Prayer at Boulder Street
[01:28] - The Power of Persistent Prayer
[03:17] - A Life-Changing Encounter with God
[04:31] - Mentorship and Living the Kingdom
[07:28] - Modeling the Sermon on the Mount
[09:59] - Discipleship by Example
[10:37] - The Fullback: John the Baptist’s Role
[12:37] - Repentance and the Nearness of the Kingdom
[14:42] - Repentance as Realignment
[17:08] - Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom
[19:27] - The Gospel of the Kingdom Explained
[23:05] - Living and Proclaiming the Kingdom
[26:31] - The Radical Values of the Sermon on the Mount
[29:40] - Escaping the Currents of Culture
[32:35] - Hunger for the Kingdom
[34:42] - Reaching for Kingdom Values
[36:59] - Embracing Kingdom Authority and Power
[37:39] - Living the Kingdom Lifestyle Together
[38:57] - Hastening the Coming of the Kingdom

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 3:1-6 (ESV) — > In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

2. Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)
> Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

3. Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)
> Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Observation Questions

What was the main message that John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, and how did people respond to it? (Matthew 3:1-6; [11:37])
According to the sermon, what does “repentance” actually mean, and how is it different from how people often think about it? ([13:11])
In the Sermon on the Mount, what are some of the values Jesus highlights that are different from the world’s values? (Matthew 5:1-12; [27:30])
What does Hebrews 10 say about the importance of community and encouraging one another? ([37:39])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says repentance is not about shame, but about “coming to our senses” and realigning with God’s truth. Why is this distinction important for how we approach God and each other? ([14:42])
The speaker describes the Sermon on the Mount as a “fairy angle” to help us swim out of the current of this age. What does this metaphor suggest about following Jesus in today’s culture? ([29:40])
The sermon emphasizes that living out the kingdom values is not about perfection, but about reaching and growing together. How does this perspective change the way we view spiritual growth and failure? ([34:42])
According to Hebrews 10, why is it essential to live out the kingdom lifestyle in community rather than alone? ([37:39])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to take inventory of our hearts and ask where we’ve been swept up in the “currents” of this age. What is one area of your life where you feel the pull of culture more than the pull of God’s kingdom? What would it look like to “swim at the fairy angle” in that area? ([29:40])
Repentance is described as a gracious invitation to realign with God’s truth. Is there a specific area where you sense God inviting you to realign your heart or mind? What practical step could you take this week? ([14:42])
The speaker shared about a mentor who modeled the kingdom lifestyle in everyday choices. Who in your life has been an example of living out Jesus’ values? How could you intentionally learn from or encourage them? ([04:31])
The sermon says the kingdom lifestyle is not meant to be lived in isolation. How can you be more intentional about encouraging or being encouraged by others in your faith community? ([37:39])
Jesus’ values in the Sermon on the Mount—like humility, mercy, and peacemaking—are often countercultural. Which of these values do you find most challenging to live out, and why? ([27:30])
The speaker mentioned that our daily lifestyle is a testimony to both believers and unbelievers. What is one small, practical way you can demonstrate the reality of God’s kingdom in your home, workplace, or neighborhood this week? ([23:05])
The sermon ends by saying that as we reach for the values of the kingdom, we “hasten the coming of Jesus.” How does this idea motivate you (or not) to pursue a kingdom lifestyle? ([38:57])

Sermon Clips

I want to be somebody who walks out the values of the kingdom of God and disciple others in the way that I live. That's my prayer. Like, I don't really care if everybody hears the songs I sing or the sermons I preach or whatever it is. I just pray that one or two my kids would see my lifestyle, they would see the way that I walk and that they would be stirred to be more like Jesus and embrace more of his kingdom. [00:09:44]

As we lean into the sermon on the mount over the next few weeks, I just want us to embrace this not as a list of rules and regulations that we've got to like, follow, check off the boxes and do it, but that we would be people who live this out, that it would be part of our lifestyle for ourselves, but also for those who are looking to us that we might disciple people. [00:10:09]

Repentance just means that we change our mind, we turn around and then John says, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And that at hand and whatever the Greek term for it is. I don't know Greek. I just look these things up online and trust the people who do know Greek. It means that the kingdom of heaven was in your face. It's like when someone is talking to you, one of those people who's like, in your face. Like, the kingdom of heaven was in their face at that time. That's what John was preaching. [00:13:20]

I believe that repentance just simply means we come to our God inspired senses. We realize, oh yeah, Jesus, you're right, I'm going to change my mind, come to my God inspired senses and, and escape the snare of the devil and we live again for what is true. I feel like there's such an assault on truth in our day and age and the only truth that we can find, I mean you can't find truth anywhere. We've got algorithms and we've got social media and voices that are talking. You don't know what's true about anything anymore. But what we know for sure is Jesus is the truth. He is the way. [00:15:00]

Sometimes we live out of alignment with the kingdom and that's the Tension that we feel. That's when we feel this disruption and we're. I notice it with me, I always get cranky, right? It's confession Sunday this morning. I'm so cranky when I'm living out of alignment with God's kingdom. And when I come back into alignment, I start to. I start to be nice. [00:16:20]

The message was the same. He was preaching this gospel, this good news of the kingdom, and the way that I approach. What Jesus was preparing was. Was laying out what he cares about most. He was laying out sort of the values of his heart, the Context of Matthew 4, him proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and declaring that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He also demonstrated the power and the authority of that kingdom. [00:17:21]

I think the best demonstration of the Gospel of the Kingdom isn't the crafty words that we use, aren't the strategies that we use, but it's the lifestyle that we live with the day to day people at our workplace or wherever we go, in our family, wherever we have influence. [00:23:13]

I think that we need to be bold about proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. Listen, that's what actually threatens the powers and the principalities over the air, that's what causes opposition to believers, is when we actually make a difference in our little sphere of influence. If that's two or three people, when we preach the gospel of the kingdom, when we live the lifestyle, when we begin to demonstrate its power, the powers and the principalities of the air get worried about that gospel presentation. So they push back. So when we face the adversity from the enemy, it doesn't mean we should stop. It means we should advance even further into preaching the gospel and living it out. [00:24:38]

I believe that the sermon on the Mount is the fairy angle that teaches us to get out of the current of this age, to get out of the current of the spirit of this age and to get back into the flow of God's kingdom, to get back into the flow where it's safe and where we were intended to be. [00:30:09]

My plea to us this morning, my desire is that we would take inventory of our hearts and recognize, ask Jesus to search us, to search our hearts, to search our soul, our minds, our will, our emotions, and ask God, where have I been caught up in the. In the current of this age, where have I been caught up in the systems and the strategies of this world? And where do I need to listen to that message and the good news of the kingdom and repent and turn around and live and change my mind and live according to your kingdom. [00:30:54]

I believe that when we live the value system of the kingdom, then we can live a lifestyle of sustained power of the kingdom. Like, let me. Let me be real with you here. I'm 32 years old. I know I look way younger. Come on. Amen. I'm 32 years old. For some of you, you're like, oh, you're so young. And some of you are like, you're ancient, bro. At 32 years old, I've been in church most of my life. I don't want to play church. I don't want to just come on a Sunday morning and do the thing and smile and say, hey, how you doing? I want the kingdom of God. I'm hungry for the kingdom of God. [00:32:01]

When I look out into the landscape of our city, of our culture, and the chaos and the wars raging all over the place and injustice and polarization and all those things, I don't want any of that. I want the kingdom of God. That's contrary to all of those realities. Like, we've gotta be a people who pursue the kingdom, who live to the beat of a different drum. We've gotta demonstrate it. We can't get swept up. Oh, that we wouldn't be caught. And 10 years later, we look back and say, wow, I don't have any of these kingdom values in my life. [00:32:38]

I think when we read the Sermon on the Mount, we see that some of these truths, poverty of spirit, fasting, praying. We see, don't commit hate in your heart. We see, don't even look at a woman lustfully, because if you do so, you commit adultery. We look at these sort of values and standards of the kingdom that almost raise the standard, and we're like, that's out of my grasp. But I believe that if we just begin to reach for them with the grace of God, we're not doing this on our own. But if we begin to reach for those, we will learn to move and operate in the realities of the kingdom. [00:35:06]

We're all hungry for the kingdom. We all long to see him return. We all long to see people healed, set free, delivered. But we've got to learn to start reaching for the values of his heart. Before we can move, we've got to reach for Him. Can we commit to do that as a body of believers? There's so many currents we can get swept in. But I believe that we're called to reach for the values of his heart, reach for the values of his kingdom. [00:35:41]

The Sermon on the Mount's not just this dogmatic list of rules to follow to impress God and to earn a spot in heaven, but I believe it's an invitation to embrace the values of his kingdom, live a lifestyle that prophesies of the age to come and Jesus perfect leadership. [00:36:05]

His kingdom is coming. And the Scriptures give us no limit to how much of that kingdom, that eternal kingdom, we can reach for. So we should reach for all of it. So we embrace the value system of his kingdom. I believe we'll walk in its power and its authority. When the Body of Christ embraces a kingdom lifestyle, we will inevitably, inevitably provoke believers to walk holy wholeheartedly and unbelievers to come to the knowledge of God. [00:36:50]

We were meant to do this in togetherness. We were meant to live the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle and togetherness, so that when I'm not living it out. You can call me out and say, zach, you've got to love more. Stop being a Mr. Grumpy Gills and let's live the Sermon on the Mountain Lifestyle we were called to encourage one another and hold firmly to it by the Grace of God. [00:37:58]

Our behavior can become a testimony to the unbeliever. Our behavior, our embraced lifestyle can become a testimony to the new believer, the same way that it was for me when I was spending two years under Pat and he was showing me how to live a kingdom lifestyle. It was a testimony. It draw me drew me nearer to the Lord. [00:38:39]

I would end this message this morning by simply saying, you committing to live a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle hastens the day of his coming kingdom. Repent. The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [00:39:09]

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