Embracing the Upside Down Kingdom of God
Summary
Today’s reflection centers on the “upside down kingdom” of God—a kingdom that turns the world’s values and priorities on their head. In Matthew 25, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the final judgment, where the Son of Man separates people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The criteria for this separation are not based on status, wealth, or outward appearance, but on acts of compassion, mercy, and selfless service to “the least of these.” This is a radical departure from the world’s logic, which often prizes power, self-interest, and convenience above all else.
God’s kingdom values love over power, sacrifice over self-interest, and purpose over convenience. Throughout scripture, we see God choosing unlikely people—outcasts, failures, the weak, and the humble—to accomplish His purposes. Jesus Himself, the King of Kings, washed feet, forgave enemies, and welcomed those whom society rejected. This is the beautiful, upside down logic of the kingdom: God chooses us not because of our perfection, but in spite of our flaws, and He continues to choose us, again and again.
Embracing this kingdom means accepting that God’s grace and favor are gifts we could never earn. It means moving from being mere recipients of God’s blessings to becoming reciprocators and restorers—people who, having received mercy, extend it to others. The call is not just to bear the name of Christ, but to embody His love in tangible ways: feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned. In doing so, we affirm the inherent dignity of every person, seeing them as God sees us.
We are challenged to examine whose voices we are following—are we listening to the Shepherd, or are we distracted by the noise of the world? The sheep are those who know and respond to the Shepherd’s voice, living out their faith in action. Ultimately, the power of the kingdom is found in the power to choose: God, in His infinite love, chooses us and gives us the freedom to choose Him in return. Our response to this radical love is to make choices that reflect His heart—choices that build a legacy of compassion, justice, and restoration.
Key Takeaways
- The Kingdom of God Inverts Worldly Values
God’s kingdom operates on a logic that is the reverse of the world’s: love is prioritized over power, sacrifice over self-interest, and purpose over convenience. This inversion challenges us to examine our own priorities and to align them with God’s heart, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zones or relinquishing control. [05:22]
- God’s Choice of Us Is the Most Upside Down Act
The most radical act in all of history is that God chose us—not because we were worthy, but precisely when we were unworthy. He continues to choose us, not just once, but continually, offering grace and favor that cannot be traced to our own merit. This truth should humble us and inspire gratitude, knowing that our place in God’s family is a gift, not an achievement. [18:08]
- From Recipients to Reciprocators to Restorers
Receiving God’s blessings is only the beginning; we are called to move from being recipients to reciprocators, and ultimately to restorers. This means actively seeking ways to bless others, restore broken circumstances, and affirm the dignity of those around us, just as God has done for us. Our stewardship of God’s gifts is measured by how we use them to serve and uplift others. [29:00]
- The Voice We Follow Shapes Our Destiny
Like sheep who know the voice of their shepherd, we must be discerning about which voices we allow to guide us. The world is full of distractions and competing influences, but only the voice of Jesus leads to life, purpose, and true inheritance. When we listen to too many voices, we risk losing our way; clarity comes from tuning our hearts to the Shepherd’s call. [26:49]
- Radical Love Is Expressed Through Choice and Action
God’s radical love is demonstrated in giving us the power to choose—He does not coerce, but invites. Our response to His love is seen in the choices we make daily: to love, to serve, to forgive, and to build a legacy that outlasts us. True faith is not passive; it is active, visible in how we treat “the least of these” and in our willingness to be the blessing that God keeps blessing. [44:11]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Opening Praise and Acknowledgments
[01:11] - Opening Prayer
[02:40] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 25
[03:57] - The Upside Down Kingdom Introduced
[05:22] - Kingdom Values: Love, Sacrifice, Purpose
[07:52] - Biblical Examples of Purpose Over Convenience
[09:09] - The Value of Selfless Service
[10:11] - God Enjoys the View: Our True Worth
[13:10] - Jesus: The King Who Washes Feet
[16:20] - Why We Resist the Upside Down Kingdom
[17:30] - How to Embrace God’s Kingdom
[21:35] - Entering the Kingdom: From Receiving to Reciprocating
[24:02] - Legacy: Making It All Count
[25:24] - Sheep and Goats: Following the Right Voice
[27:41] - Serving “the Least of These”
[29:00] - Becoming Restorers
[31:42] - Faith in Action: Beyond the Title
[34:45] - Living as a Reciprocator
[37:49] - Radical Love and the Power of Choice
[40:19] - Dignity and Empowerment in Service
[44:11] - The Charge: Radically Love Somebody
[45:16] - Invitation to Choose Christ
[47:30] - Closing and Final Invitation
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Upside Down Kingdom
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 25:31-46 (The Sheep and the Goats)
- Romans 5:8 (“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 25:31-46, what specific actions does Jesus say separate the “sheep” from the “goats”? What are the examples he gives?
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways the kingdom of God’s values are “upside down” compared to the world’s values? ([05:22])
3. In Romans 5:8, what does it say about the timing and reason for Christ’s sacrifice for us?
4. What did the preacher say is the most “upside down” thing God ever did? ([18:08])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose acts of compassion—like feeding the hungry and visiting the imprisoned—as the criteria for inheriting the kingdom, instead of religious rituals or status? ([03:57])
2. The sermon says God chooses us “not because we were worthy, but precisely when we were unworthy.” How does this challenge the way we see ourselves and others? ([18:08])
3. The preacher talked about moving from being recipients to reciprocators to restorers. What does it mean to be a “restorer” in your own context? ([29:00])
4. The sheep are described as those who know and follow the Shepherd’s voice. What are some “voices” in our world that can distract us from following Jesus, according to the sermon? ([26:49])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to examine whose voices we are following. Is there a specific “voice” (person, media, culture, etc.) that tends to distract you from following Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to tune in more to the Shepherd’s voice? ([26:49])
2. Jesus says, “Whatever you did for the least of these… you did for me.” Who might be “the least of these” in your daily life—at work, in your neighborhood, or even in your family? What is one tangible way you can serve or show compassion to them this week? ([03:57])
3. The preacher said God’s kingdom values love over power, sacrifice over self-interest, and purpose over convenience. Which of these three is hardest for you to live out, and why? What is one small change you could make to better align with God’s upside down values? ([05:22])
4. The sermon talked about moving from being a recipient of God’s blessings to being a reciprocator and restorer. Can you think of a recent time when you were able to “pass on” a blessing you received? If not, what is one way you could do that this week? ([29:00])
5. The preacher shared a story about his grandfather saying, “Make it all count.” What is one area of your life where you want to be more intentional about building a legacy of compassion, justice, or restoration? ([24:02])
6. The sermon said God’s love gives us the power to choose. Is there a choice you need to make this week to better reflect God’s radical love—maybe forgiving someone, serving someone, or stepping out of your comfort zone? ([44:11])
7. The preacher reminded us that God enjoys the view when He looks at us, even with our flaws. How does this truth affect the way you see yourself? How might it change the way you treat others who seem “unworthy” in the world’s eyes? ([10:11])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see others as He sees them, to listen for His voice above all others, and to give you courage to make choices that reflect His upside down kingdom this week.
Devotional
Day 1: When Love Reigns Over Power and Convenience
God’s kingdom challenges the values of the world by placing love above power, sacrifice above self-interest, and purpose above convenience. This reversal calls believers to reconsider what truly matters in life, urging them to step beyond comfort zones and relinquish control for the sake of others. It is a call to live intentionally, prioritizing the well-being of others even when it disrupts personal plans or societal expectations.
This upside-down logic invites you to examine your daily choices and motivations. Are you living for temporary ease or eternal purpose? The kingdom’s values are not abstract ideals but practical guides that shape how you interact with the world and those around you. Embracing this perspective means aligning your heart with God’s, who delights in humble service and selfless love. [05:22]
Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV)
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Reflection: What is one convenience or comfort you are willing to sacrifice this week to serve someone in need or to advance God’s kingdom values in your daily life?
Day 2: Chosen in Our Weakness, Not Our Worthiness
The most radical act in history is God’s choice of us—not because of our merit or perfection, but precisely when we are unworthy. This ongoing selection is a profound expression of grace that humbles and inspires gratitude. It reminds us that our place in God’s family is a gift, not an achievement, and that God’s favor is not earned but freely given.
Recognizing this truth transforms how you view yourself and others. It dismantles pride and fosters humility, encouraging you to extend grace as you have received it. God’s continual choosing invites you to rest in His love and to live with a heart full of thankfulness, knowing that your identity is secure not in your performance but in His unchanging acceptance. [18:08]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt unworthy of God’s love. How can embracing God’s continual choice of you reshape your self-image and your interactions with others today?
Day 3: From Receiving Grace to Restoring Lives
Receiving God’s blessings is only the beginning of the journey. You are called to move from being a recipient to a reciprocator and ultimately a restorer. This progression means actively seeking ways to bless others, restore brokenness, and affirm the dignity of those around you, mirroring the mercy you have received.
Your stewardship of God’s gifts is measured by how you use them to serve and uplift others. This is not a passive role but an active engagement in God’s redemptive work in the world. Becoming a restorer means stepping into broken spaces with courage and compassion, offering hope and healing where it is most needed. [29:00]
Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV)
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Reflection: Identify one broken situation or person in your community where you can actively bring restoration this week. What practical step can you take to begin this work?
Day 4: Listening for the Shepherd’s Voice Amid Noise
The voice you choose to follow shapes your destiny. Like sheep who recognize their shepherd’s call, you must discern which voices guide your heart and actions. The world offers many distractions and competing influences, but only the voice of Jesus leads to true life, purpose, and inheritance.
When you listen to too many voices, confusion and distraction can cause you to lose your way. Clarity comes from tuning your heart to the Shepherd’s call, learning to recognize His voice above all others. This requires intentional quietness, prayer, and reflection to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Jesus that directs your steps. [26:49]
Psalm 95:7-8 (ESV)
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness.
Reflection: What are the most common voices or influences you hear daily? How can you create space today to better hear and respond to the Shepherd’s voice?
Day 5: Radical Love Expressed Through Choice and Action
God’s radical love is demonstrated by giving you the freedom to choose Him; He does not coerce but invites. Your response to this love is visible in the daily choices you make—to love, serve, forgive, and build a legacy that outlasts you. True faith is active and tangible, especially in how you treat “the least of these.”
This love calls you to be a blessing continually, reflecting God’s heart through your actions. It challenges you to move beyond passive belief into a life marked by intentional, compassionate deeds that embody the kingdom’s upside-down values. Your choices today contribute to a legacy of justice, mercy, and restoration. [44:11]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Reflection: What is one specific choice you can make today that reflects God’s radical love in action? How will this choice impact someone in your life or community?
Quotes
The kingdom of God operates on a logic. Listen to me. The kingdom of God operates on a logic that turns worldly priorities upside down. In addition to this Matthew 25 passage, if you and I were to scour the scriptures, we would notice that the priorities of us people, the priorities of us are often time opposite, reverse or upside down of how the kingdom of God is set up. Uh, for example, within the kingdom of God, we see love over power. It's no secret that power in the grief for power in our world has created and continues to create issues among people across the globe. [00:05:13]
But what if we align our God-given purpose of having love over power with what God does in his word, which is speak love to power? Instead of us being as it is today with people desiring power over loving one another, what if we uh put a priority over loving people over power? We don't only see love over power. We see sacrifice over self-interest. The self-interest of people, yes, should be important to all of us. But what if it were balanced with a nearly equal focus for all of us to sacrifice within ourselves for the interest of people and the well-being of others that that that when we sacrifice our time, talents, and treasure so someone else can be blessed and better by our sacrifice. [00:06:04]
Being rich and wealthy isn't always about what you have. Being rich or wealthy is sometimes about what you can give. So instead of us prioritizing what we have which is self-interest, what if we we are intentional about serving other people and giving to other people which is sacrifice. Church say sacrifice. In scripture we see love over power. In scripture we see sacrifice over self-interest but we also see purpose over convenience. Our society is shaped around convenience and comfort. But what if our God-given purpose serve as priority over the convenience and comfort that we enjoy? That as we we acknowledge and operate within our purpose, we should become so focused and intentional, watch this, not to allow what's convenient and comfortable to get in the way of our purpose. [00:06:50]
It wasn't always convenient for Moses when he was assigned his purpose and called to God to lead the children of Israel from the land of bondage toward the land of blessing. But he did it. It wasn't always convenient for Joshua after the death of Moses to lead many of those same people and their descendants into the land of blessing. It wasn't always comfortable and convenient, but he did it. It wasn't always convenient for Jonah to hear and heed the voice of God to go travel and preach a warning to people that he wasn't a fan of. But despite what he felt after coming to his senses, Jonah still did it. And I'm sure it wasn't convenient for our Lord and Savior Jesus to leave heaven and come down 30 and three generations to take off divinity and put on humanity to die on a cross, be buried in a bar tomb for three days and on the third day get up because he didn't want to be dead no more and was raised with all power in his hand. [00:07:54]
Here's the reality. Everything God calls us to do ain't always convenient. But he called us because the kingdom of God because the kingdom of God operates on a logic that turns a worldly priorities upside down. And that is what I believe we see here in this Matthew 25 passage. My brothers and sisters, Jesus is speaking, trying to help the people to realize the value and the benefit and reward of being selfless and being of service to those around them. Jesus is helping them to realize, watch this, that how we treat others matters to him. That that that that how we are to other people, it matters to him. [00:08:55]
Because when you consider how people in the world will look at you and determine how they will treat you by how you look with how people in the world would look at you on the outside and determine how they're going to treat you on the inside, you ought to appreciate a God that looks at you and still enjoys the view. Because people in the world will determine how they'll treat you by what we have or don't have. By what we look like and don't look like, by where we live and don't live, by what we're from and where we're not from, by what we know and by what we don't know. Treat us like we are. People who are beneath them because of the mistakes we've made and the family we've come from. And you ought to be glad you serve a God that can look at you on your worst day and steal. Enjoy the view because everything about the kingdom of God is upside down from the logic we have in the world. [00:10:41]
God sees us where we are and looks at us by where he can take us. God sees us from what we have and looks at us from what we can obtain. God sees us from where we are and looks at us by where he can take us. Because the kingdom of God is upside down from the world that we live in. God sees us through the image of his son who suffered, who bled, who died, who was buried and was raised and is now sitting at the right hand of the father. Is there anybody besides me grateful that you serve a God like that? [00:11:52]
Everything about the Bible we believe, about the God we serve, and about the Jesus we follow is upside down from the world we live in. I'm going to say it again. Here it is. Everything Everything about the Bible we believe in, about the God we serve, about the Jesus we follow is upside down from the world that we live in. Here it is. But it's a beautiful logic. But while it's beautiful, everybody don't embrace it. [00:12:36]
To further press my point about the upside down kingdom, consider this pattern we see in Jesus's life and how he lived it in scripture. Consider this. Consider this. We serve a king in Jesus who wash his feet. Yeah. Kings get their feet washed, but we serve a king in Jesus who is not so high he can't wash feet. Okay, watch this. We serve a teacher in Jesus who uses examples like the good Samaritan to uh teaching us how we street how we treat strangers as if they're friends. We we we we we serve a teacher in Jesus that teaches h turning the other cheek, forgiving one another when they wrong us. [00:13:14]
We serve a coach in Jesus who calls for short people like me and David to slay giants like Goliath. He he he he causes stutterers like Moses to be his spokesman to an entire nation of people. We we we serve a leader in Jesus who who caused outcasts and failures to be on his leadership team of disciples. He didn't give them no interview process, no background check. He didn't run them through biometrics to see where they come from. But he looked at their failures and their outcasts and says that you are not disqualified. And I'm talking to some people. You weren't disqualified from the job you have. You weren't disqualified because the family you came from. Let me come tell you, you ought to give God praise that you got the job you have because God gave it to you. [00:13:56]
I'm so glad that God looks at me and sees the best in me. Even when I've demonstrated the worst of myself. Am I talking to anybody? You ain't always dotted every eye. You ain't always crossed every tea. But you can thank God on a Sunday in Charleston at the 3MBC Missionary Baptist Church and you can give him praise. Ah, we we we serve a leader in Jesus who chooses outcasts to be on his team of disciples. Who who who chooses the least and the likely of those within the community to to serve and lead their communities. [00:15:06]
We follow a father in Jesus who gives strength to the weak and who elevates the humble. We follow a shepherd in Jesus who leaves none and nine who are with him and go finds the one who is not. Why? Because everything about the Bible we believe in, the God we serve, the Jesus we follow is upside down from the world we live in. But even though it's beautiful and different than the world we live in, why do some people res Y'all can sit down. Y'all can sit down. I'm going to keep preaching. Hold on. Y'all got to I'm just let Here it is. Here. Here it is. [00:15:47]
Why don't people embrace it? Why don't many embrace this body? I believe it's because, don't miss this. Normality and what's familiar provides comfort while different and abnormal profer disconnection. Okay. Normal and familiar is comfortable. Different and abnormal profers disconnection. We gravitate to normal but we're not willing to acquies to that which is not normal. So, so with this thought, I got three questions I want to answer real quick. Three questions I want to answer. Here's the first question. How do we embrace the upside down kingdom? That's the first question I want to answer. The second one is, how do we enter the upside down kingdom? And then, how then are we examples of the upside down kingdom? [00:16:31]
I believe I can help us all demonstrate an inherent willingness to embrace the upside down kingdom when we think about how God did the most upside down thing of all. Here it is. Here it is. The most upside down thing that God ever did in the history of ever did. That sounded good in my head. I don't know how it sounded when it came out. But the most upside down thing that God ever did in the history of ever did is that he chose us. You don't know when to shout. He the the the most the most upside down thing that God ever did in the history ever did is that he chose us. And he chose us and he didn't just choose us one time. H he he he he chooses us and he keeps on choosing us. And he didn't just choose us to choose us, but he chose us to save us. [00:17:35]
Romans 5:8 says, "But God commanded his love toward us. And that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." In an upside down world, God sent Jesus to save some upside down souls. And you can fool me because you just met me, but you can't fool that person in the mirror. You ain't always been in church on a Sunday morning lifting holy hands. You ain't always drove up in church and you were awake in church. But some of you can testify there was a day that you didn't even come to church. And if you came to church, you wasn't awake in church. But thanks be to God that he chose. [00:18:44]
How do we embrace the upside down kingdom? We first accept that God embraces upside down souls. He ain't looking for us to be perfect. We can embrace it because we benefit from it. We have been chosen by it. We have been chosen by God. And because God has chosen us, we then becomes receivers and recipients of his blessings and his grace. I just added this back in the study. I had to close my book because this sermon was about to go a whole another way. Watch this. We are receivers and recipients of God's grace and blessings because he chose us. [00:19:30]
Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve. Okay. Favor is the unmmerited, untraceable blessings that God gives to us as believers that cannot be traced, tracked, or trail back to human origin. Come here. Come here. Come here. Here it is. Grace. Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve. But favor is when you got what you got and you can't trace it back to nobody around you in your family in your circle who you know. But favor is when it don't make sense. Favor is when people shaking their head at you. Favor is when people can't understand why you still alive. Favor is people wink they can't understand why you are what you are and you have what you have. But all you got to do is look up and say, "God, I thank you for favor that don't make sense, but it ain't got to make sense." [00:20:14]
We enter by embracing differences in our heart and making decisions in our mind that moves our hand into action to do for others what's already been done for us. Okay. Okay. We we we we we enter by by by being moved with our head and heart that then moves our hand to do for other folk what has already been done for us. So by then we move from being receivers and recipients to being reciprocators. We we we I don't just wanted to have it, but I want to be such a good steward with it. I bless other folk. And then when God see me blessing other folk, God say, "I'm going to give it to you some more because you ain't just keep it. I'm going to bless somebody else." And then God going to look at me again and say, "Oh, I'm going to give you some more because you're blessing somebody else." [00:21:40]
Can I tell you the reason why I got some of the stuff I got ain't because I've been good. It ain't because I knew all the right people. I don't even know how I got it. But all I'm gonna keep doing is saying, "Lord, I thank you for how you bless me. And because you bless me, the least I can do is bless somebody else." So, so, so, so I was just telling the minister in the back, I said, "My grandfather will be 100 years old in October." 100 years old. 100 years old. He moves without a cane, no wheelchair. He he he tends to his chickens in the backyard every day. He wants to build stuff every day and and he he really wants my mom and my aunt to let him drive, but we got his keys so he cannot drive. [00:22:31]
He said, "Make it all count." Hold on. He said, "The time you spend, what you say, what you do, make it all count." He says, he says, there ain't even a shot. Here's the shot part. He says, find something to do that is bigger than you in the moment that will last when you gone. The legacy you, he said, the legacy you leave is the legacy you build. Lord have mercy. Let me come get you. What's going to be here when you leave? What will people say about you after you are gone? And the reality is Jesus is helping them to understand that we enter the kingdom by these examples that he's paint. [00:23:50]
The only voice you need to hear is the shepherd, which is Jesus Christ. And sometimes the reason why you are where you are is because you got too many voices going around in your head. And Jesus says, "I'm going to put the ghost on the left and the sheep on the right." So he separates them. Here's what he says in verse 35. He says, "But I want you to come, sheep on the right, to get your inheritance." Well, what qualifies us to get the inheritance? He says, "Well, when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I needed some clothes, you didn't look at what your tag said. You took it off and you gave it to me. When I was sick, you went to CVS and got me some minadil and some allergy medicine. You brought you came to see me. When I was locked down and locked up, you came to see me. And because you have done these things, come and receive your inheritance." [00:26:52]
But they start asking logical questions. They said, "Well, when did we see you hungry? When did we see you thirsty? When did we see you, Jesus, locked down and locked up and sick?" I don't remember. He says, "Let me come get you." It ain't just about me being sick, but it's the people around me. It's the people that follow me. It's the people that know me. It's the people that don't know me. It's the people that's in your life that you know need your hand and my hand, but you too bougie. You you you too stuck up. You you too all got it together. You don't want to help nobody. Jesus says, "For the least that you've done of these, you've done it for me." [00:27:52]
How do we embrace it? We realize he embraces us. How do we enter? We use our head and our heart to move our hand to help others. How then are we examples? We talked about being recipients and receivers. We then move to being reciprocators. We do what's been done for us. Now we become restorers. And this is what World Vision is all about. We come to restore broken circumstances. I truly believe that God blesses us and aligns people in our path to be blessed by us. Yeah, I truly believe this. I truly believe this. Maybe I need to find something that substantiates this stronger case in scripture, but I truly believe that when God blesses us, there are people who are waiting for the blessing God has for them, but we are the vessel that gives them what God has for them. [00:28:45]
I want you to not just be a receiver and a recipient. I want you to be a reciprocator. do for others what has been done for you. Restore broken circumstances. So, World Vision, that's what we're all about. Dr. Ben has already stated it. I'm going to call him up in a second after this quick video. Here's the reality. There are people who need your heart and need your hand. Not because they know you, not because of this evaluation to how and why they got where they are. It is simple. Because Jesus has been good to me, the least I can do is demonstrate that same goodness to somebody else. [00:30:06]
I can't be a Christian by title without being a Christian in action. Okay, maybe that Christian word is throwing some people off. I can't be the blessing that Jesus keeps blessing without being the blessing that he actually keeps blessing. That sounded good in my head and it came out good on this microphone. I'm going to say it again. I can't be the blessing that Jesus keeps blessing, but not want to be the blessing that he actually keeps blessing. I'm trying to let it know. Here it is. Um, okay. I have boys and and and and there and one of my boys at that age will he want to do everything daddy does? If he could, he would have got on a flight and came to Charleston with me today. [00:31:54]
She said, because how he sees you. He sees you in a light that lights his world up. I'm getting happy again because I know where it's going to go. Keep toning in. Here it is. He He sees me at a light that lights up his world. He gets me in trouble sometimes, too, cuz I'll be out of town. I'll be out of town traveling and he'll call me on FaceTime and say, "Dad, I don't like what mama cook." I said, "Boy, you better go and eat that folk. You You want me to say I don't like it, too?" So, we both in trouble. What? He He sees me and it lights up his world. Okay, watch this. She says, "Be careful with what you do." What if when Jesus looked at us, what he saw was a demonstration of how he blessed us? [00:33:14]
But what he doesn't do that, he looks at us and sees himself in us even when we're not demonstrating it. That's the blessing. That's the blessing. So when I look at the world, if Jesus can look at me and see better in me, the least I be, least I got to do is look at somebody else and say, you know what? I got to do that same thing. I want to be a reciprocator of that. So I want media to roll this video. And here's what we're going to do. Lean in right here. We're going to roll this video that shows the work that is happening by people who said yes to be chosen by people who God already chose. [00:34:05]
Radical love gives you a choice. If you don't believe me, ask Shadore Sanders today who thought he would be chosen in the first round. And we all said, "Well, surely the second round, then Jones, definitely the third round. How could it go to the fourth round?" And no way who gets drafted who's supposed to be the top in the fifth round unless they're trying to make an example. Because here's the reality. The people who have the power are the people who make the choices. And when you can make a choice, you've got power. That's why God in God's infinite power did decided to choose us. He says, "You didn't choose me, but what I chose you." Because even how God loves is God chooses us but then just invites us to make a choice. [00:38:21]
Because God says you actually don't have to choose me back. I'll put before you both good and evil and choose this day who you will serve. Because God understands if we are to love, love gives choices. Love gives you a choice. Even when I love you and I died for you, I still give you the option to make a choice of whether you will walk with me. Whether you will call me your Lord and Savior, God's about choices, and that's what I love about World Vision's model. For years, what people have done is put the worst images of children on TV. And I'm not knocking anybody, but I'm going to talk about what I'm going to talk about. Folk who look like us in order to stir emotions out of people. But what about the dignity? [00:39:11]
See, when you look at that Matthew 25, when Jesus talks about the least of these, he talks about them with dignity, as seeing them as human, as seeing them as created in my go day, in the image of God, as seeing them as worthy, as seeing them as valuable. God sees us and loves us by choice. And this is what I love about this model. It's what pricked my heart to make sure that we brought it here. Because instead of giving us an opportunity to choose a child, it puts the power in the hands of these children. Many of which could not go to school. And I saw them and talked with them because they had to take care of the goats. Young girls, my girls age, five, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, having to walk two, three hours one way just to get dirty water. [00:40:31]
If God has given you breath, then use that breath to love somebody regularly. If God has given you anything, use it. Because everybody in Matthew 25 was about those who did not have a choice. If they're in prison, they don't have a choice of what they get to do. If they're thirsty, they don't have a choice of what they get to drink. They don't get Sunny D purple stuff, OJ. Nothing. But today we have a choice. And right now is the most important choice that I invite you to do. Because all of this begins by choosing to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. Unless you are led by God, then it'll be hard in your life to build the kingdom of God. [00:44:24]
It doesn't matter who you are, what your background is. Doesn't matter what you've done. Whoever is a new creature in Christ, all things have passed away. And all things have become new. I'm where I am today because God chose to love me. You are where you are today because God radically chose to love you. And if God knows you, if God sees you and gets excited about you, then you ought to live your life in a way that pleases him. You ought to say, "For God, I live, and for God, I die." You ought to say, "I'm not trying to work it out on my own. I'm going to give it to the Lord today." [00:45:31]
Yes, they'll bring up my past. Yes, they'll bring up what I used to do. Yes, they'll bring up who I used to be. But all that is just a testimony so that you know about God's love radically. You know that if God can change me, that God can change you. If God can pick me up, then God can pick you up. If God can turn me around, then God can turn you around. If God can bless me, then God can bless you. If God can save me, then God can save you. It's all about the choice. [00:46:19]
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