Embracing the Invitation to a Flourishing Life

The story of God’s kingdom is a story of invitation—an invitation to step out of the world as we know it and into a life that is truly “tove”: not just good, but flourishing, harmonious, and deeply beautiful. From the very beginning, God designed humanity to live in close communion with Him, in a garden of delight where everything worked as it was meant to. But humanity chose its own way, seeking what seemed good in our own eyes, and in doing so, we lost that closeness, that “tove” life. Yet God’s heart has always been to restore us, to bring us back into His presence, and to make us new.

Through Jesus, the second Adam, God has reopened the way to His kingdom. Jesus didn’t just announce this kingdom—He invited us to live as its citizens, to be transformed into new kinds of humans who reflect His love, humility, and self-giving nature. This kingdom is strange and counterintuitive: the first are last, the weak are strong, leaders serve, and enemies are loved. It’s a place where dependence on God replaces self-reliance, and where giving is better than receiving. The challenge is that many of us, especially those who are comfortable in this world, find it hard to desire this upside-down kingdom. We’re tempted to settle for a “good life” on our own terms, rather than the “tove life” God offers.

The real decision before us is whether we truly believe that God’s ways are better than our own. Following Jesus is not just about believing He exists or adding a little religion to our lives. It’s about trusting that His vision for life is better, even when it seems strange or costly. It’s about repenting—turning away from our own kingdoms and saying yes to His. This is not a one-time choice, but a daily journey of faith, trusting that God’s presence, provision, and purpose are enough. As we do, we begin to experience glimpses of His kingdom even now, and we look forward to the day when all things are made new, and we are fully at home with Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The “tove” life God designed is more than moral goodness; it is a state of flourishing, harmony, and purpose, where everything and everyone operates as intended. This is not about following a list of rules, but about living in sync with God’s design, experiencing the fullness of His presence and provision. [37:01]
• 2. Our struggle mirrors Adam’s: we are constantly tempted to choose our own version of the good life over God’s vision of “tove.” The fruit in our hands represents our preferences for comfort, power, and self-determination, even when God’s kingdom offers something far better. The real test of faith is whether we trust that God’s ways are truly higher and better than our own. [59:32]
• 3. The kingdom of God is both already and not yet. We live in the overlap, experiencing both the brokenness of this world and the foretaste of God’s restored creation. Our calling is to resist conforming to the world and to intentionally partner with God in our transformation, becoming more like Jesus as we await the fullness of His kingdom. [47:09]
• 4. True transformation requires more than sprinkling a little Jesus on our existing lives. It means repenting—turning away from our own kingdoms and desires—and actively choosing Jesus’ way, even when it feels upside down or countercultural. This is a daily, intentional journey of faith, not a one-time decision or a matter of religious routine. [55:01]
• 5. Faith is not just intellectual agreement, but a deep trust that God knows, wants, and can give us what is truly “tove.” This trust leads us to surrender our own agendas, embrace the weirdness of God’s kingdom, and participate in His work of making us new. As we do, we begin to flourish and thrive, even in the midst of a broken world, and we become living previews of the world to come. [70:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - Giving and Connection
• [01:12] - Prayer and Student Ministry
• [02:26] - Mission and Invitation
• [03:05] - Worship: Praise Anywhere
• [06:34] - The Key to Praising God: Closeness
• [09:09] - God’s Invitation to Draw Near
• [10:22] - Taking a Step Closer to God
• [11:42] - Worship: What a Beautiful Name
• [16:46] - Worship: Lay My Crowns
• [20:05] - Worship: Holy, Holy, Holy
• [27:56] - Church App and Spiritual Formation Tools
• [32:15] - Pastor Larry Returns
• [34:04] - The Call to Follow Jesus
• [35:54] - The Story of Tove: God’s Good Design
• [41:20] - Tove vs. Good: God’s Vision for Flourishing
• [47:09] - Living in the Overlap: The Kingdom Now and Not Yet
• [51:46] - The Obstacle: Preferring Our Own Kingdom
• [55:01] - Settling for Good vs. Choosing Tove
• [59:32] - Adam’s Choice and Our Own
• [62:01] - What It Means to Truly Follow Jesus
• [65:10] - Repentance and Real Faith
• [69:58] - Partnering with God in Transformation
• [72:33] - Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 (ESV) — > And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...
> The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Matthew 19:23-26 (ESV) — > And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — > Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Observation Questions

1. In the Genesis story, what two trees did God place in the garden, and what did each tree represent for Adam and Eve?
2. According to the sermon, what does the Hebrew word “tove” mean, and how is it different from just being “good”?
3. What are some of the “upside-down” values of God’s kingdom that Jesus describes, according to the sermon?
4. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say happens to someone who is in Christ?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that Adam’s choice in the garden is a picture of our own daily choices. In what ways do people today still choose their own “good life” over God’s “tove” life?
2. Why might it be especially hard for people who are comfortable or “rich” in this world to desire God’s kingdom, according to both Jesus and the sermon?
3. The sermon describes the kingdom of God as “already and not yet.” What does it mean to live in the “overlap” between this world and God’s kingdom?
4. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and the sermon, what does it mean to become a “new creation” in Christ? How is this different from just adding a little religion to your life?

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that “tove” is more than just following rules—it’s about living in harmony with God’s design. Is there an area of your life where you feel out of sync with God’s design? What is one step you could take this week to move closer to God’s “tove” for you?
2. The “fruit in our hands” represents our own preferences for comfort, power, or self-determination. What is one “fruit” you are tempted to hold onto instead of trusting God’s way? What would it look like to let go of it?
3. The sermon challenges us not to just “sprinkle a little Jesus” on our lives but to truly repent and choose Jesus’ way, even when it feels upside down. Is there a specific area where you’ve been settling for “good enough” instead of God’s best? What would repentance look like for you in that area?
4. Jesus says the first will be last, the weak are strong, and leaders serve. Which of these “upside-down” kingdom values is hardest for you to embrace? Why?
5. The sermon says that faith is not just intellectual agreement but deep trust that God knows, wants, and can give us what is truly “tove.” What is one area where you struggle to trust God’s ways over your own? How can you practice surrender in that area this week?
6. The “already and not yet” nature of God’s kingdom means we experience both brokenness and glimpses of restoration. Where have you seen a “foretaste” of God’s kingdom in your life or community recently? How can you partner with God to bring more of His kingdom into your daily life?
7. The sermon ends by saying that following Jesus is a daily, intentional journey. What is one practical habit or practice you want to start (or restart) this week to help you say “yes” to Jesus’ invitation?