Embracing the 'With God' Life Through Repentance
Summary
In our journey through life, we often grapple with the question of what God desires from human history. The answer is simple yet profound: God seeks people who are surrendered to Him, who have returned through the cross to the throne, and who are reigning in life through Jesus Christ. When Jesus began His ministry, His message was clear and direct: "Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand." This call to repentance is not merely about feeling remorseful but involves a deep introspection—rethinking our thinking. It is about recognizing where our thoughts and actions have diverged from God's kingdom and realigning ourselves under His lordship.
The concept of repentance is beautifully illustrated in the 23rd Psalm, which paints a picture of a life lived under God's guidance. When we submit our personal kingdoms to God's kingdom, we experience a life of abundance and peace. The Lord as our shepherd means we lack nothing; we are led to green pastures and still waters, symbolizing provision and tranquility. This is the essence of the "with God" life—a life of abundance and righteousness, as opposed to the "with me" life, which is self-centered and lacking.
Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all other things will be added to us. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, trusting that He will provide for our needs. The "with God" life is characterized by an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, enabling us to reign in life through Christ. It is a life lived in communion with God, guided by His word and the fellowship of believers, and personally addressed by Him in our daily circumstances.
Key Takeaways:
1. Repentance as Rethinking: Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins; it is about rethinking our thinking and recognizing where we have gone astray. It involves a conscious decision to forsake our self-centered ways and submit to God's kingdom. This shift in mindset leads to a life of abundance and peace. [01:24]
2. The "With God" Life: The 23rd Psalm illustrates the "with God" life, where the Lord is our shepherd, and we lack nothing. This life is marked by provision, peace, and righteousness, as we align our personal kingdoms with God's kingdom. [02:24]
3. Seeking God's Kingdom First: Jesus teaches us to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness above all else. When we do so, we can trust that God will provide for our needs, leading to a life of abundance and fulfillment. [02:44]
4. Abundance of Grace and Righteousness: Living a life surrendered to God means receiving an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. This empowers us to reign in life through Christ, experiencing the fullness of His blessings. [04:38]
5. Communion with God: The "with God" life involves communion with Him through His word, the fellowship of believers, and personal guidance in our daily lives. This relationship transforms us into salt and light in His kingdom. [04:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - God's Desire for Humanity
[00:48] - The Message of Repentance
[01:13] - Understanding Repentance
[01:49] - Aligning with God's Kingdom
[02:06] - The 23rd Psalm's Illustration
[02:24] - The Lord as Our Shepherd
[02:44] - Seeking First the Kingdom
[03:01] - Provision and Peace
[03:28] - Eternal Life through Christ
[03:46] - The "With God" Life
[04:06] - Abundance and Righteousness
[04:21] - Living in God's Presence
[04:38] - Reigning through Christ
[04:59] - Communion and Transformation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:17 - "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"
2. Psalm 23 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..."
3. John 4:14 - "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" in Matthew 4:17? How does this relate to the concept of rethinking our thinking? [01:24]
2. In Psalm 23, what are the specific images used to describe the "with God" life, and how do they illustrate provision and peace? [02:24]
3. How does John 4:14 relate to the idea of never thirsting again, and what does this imply about the "with God" life? [03:28]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between the "with God" life and the "with me" life? [04:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to repentance in Matthew 4:17 challenge the way individuals view their personal kingdoms versus God's kingdom? [01:49]
2. In what ways does Psalm 23 provide a model for living a life surrendered to God, and how does this surrender lead to abundance and peace? [02:06]
3. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and how does this priority affect one's daily life and decisions? [02:44]
4. How does the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness empower believers to reign in life through Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [04:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current mindset. Are there areas where you need to "rethink your thinking" and realign with God's kingdom? What steps can you take to make this shift? [01:24]
2. Consider the imagery of Psalm 23. How can you cultivate a "with God" life that reflects the peace and provision described in this passage? [02:24]
3. What practical changes can you make to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness in your daily routine? How might this change your approach to challenges and opportunities? [02:44]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to experience God's abundance of grace. How can you open yourself to receive this grace and allow it to transform your actions and attitudes? [04:38]
5. Think about your current community and relationships. How can you foster deeper communion with God through His word and the fellowship of believers? What role does personal guidance play in this process? [04:59]
6. Reflect on a recent decision or action. Was it more aligned with a "with God" life or a "with me" life? How can you ensure future decisions are more in line with God's kingdom? [04:21]
7. How can you be a source of salt and light in your community, living out the "with God" life in practical ways? What specific actions can you take this week to embody this calling? [04:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Rethinking Our Path to Align with God
Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it is a transformative process of rethinking our thoughts and actions to align with God's kingdom. This involves a conscious decision to turn away from self-centered ways and submit to God's authority. By doing so, we open ourselves to a life of abundance and peace, as we realign our personal kingdoms with God's eternal kingdom. This shift in mindset is essential for experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. [01:24]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thought pattern or behavior you need to rethink and realign with God's kingdom today?
Day 2: Living Under God's Shepherding Care
The "with God" life is beautifully illustrated in the 23rd Psalm, where the Lord is depicted as our shepherd, providing for all our needs. This life is marked by provision, peace, and righteousness as we submit our personal kingdoms to God's kingdom. When we allow God to lead us, we experience the tranquility of green pastures and still waters, symbolizing His abundant provision and peace. This is the essence of living a life surrendered to God, where we lack nothing and are guided by His loving care. [02:24]
"For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:25, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust God as your shepherd, allowing Him to lead you to green pastures and still waters?
Day 3: Prioritizing God's Kingdom Above All
Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all other things will be added to us. This call to prioritize our relationship with God above all else is a profound invitation to trust in His provision. When we align our lives with God's kingdom, we can rest assured that He will meet our needs, leading to a life of abundance and fulfillment. This requires a daily commitment to place God's kingdom at the forefront of our lives, trusting in His faithfulness. [02:44]
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize God's kingdom in your daily routine?
Day 4: Embracing the Abundance of Grace and Righteousness
Living a life surrendered to God means receiving an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. This empowers us to reign in life through Christ, experiencing the fullness of His blessings. As we embrace this grace, we are transformed and equipped to live victoriously, reflecting God's love and righteousness in our daily lives. This abundant life is not about material wealth but about the richness of God's presence and the joy of living in His grace. [04:38]
"For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively embrace and share the abundance of grace and righteousness you have received from God today?
Day 5: Cultivating Communion with God
The "with God" life involves deep communion with Him through His word, the fellowship of believers, and personal guidance in our daily lives. This relationship transforms us into salt and light in His kingdom, enabling us to impact the world around us. By cultivating this communion, we are continually renewed and empowered to live out our faith authentically. It is through this intimate relationship with God that we find our true purpose and are equipped to fulfill His calling in our lives. [04:59]
"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can deepen your communion with God and the fellowship of believers this week?
Quotes
"Repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand. Everyone knows that's what he preached, right? And he taught his people to preach it, and John the Baptist preached it before he got here. That's why John the Baptist preached, repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand." [00:40:52]
"It means think about your thinking and see where it has gone wrong. Metanoity just means to think about your thinking. Doesn't mean to get down and beat your head on the floor though you may want to do that if you think about your thinking a little while." [00:84:64]
"It means that you come to see how things have gone wrong as human beings have asserted their kingdom against God's kingdom and to forsake that posture and come back under the lordship of Christ in his kingdom. And oh what a difference that makes what kind of a life that is." [00:106:64]
"You see when we turn back our kingdom to God's kingdom, the effect of that is for example what you see in the 23rd psalm. Think about the 23rd psalm a moment. The Lord is my shepherd in other words, I'm under someone else. The Lord is my shepherd and what's the next thing that follows I shall not lack anything." [00:126:96]
"That's what Jesus teaches seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added. He makes me to lie down in green pastures what kind of sheep lies down a green pasture, a full sheep right? If they're not full what are they doing not lying down." [00:164:16]
"See lead me beside the still waters sheep like to drink from still waters they don't like running, rushing water a sheep that is led by still water is a sheep that is not thirsty and you remember Jesus said in John 4 and he's talking to the woman of the well, the water I shall give them." [00:191:36]
"They will never thirst again but the water I shall give them will be a well of water springing up unto eternal life. 23rd psalm is a picture of the person who has taken their kingdom back under the kingdom of God and you lead me in paths of righteousness for your name's sake." [00:213:04]
"You anoint my head with oil my cup runs over if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil why because you are with me so what you have here then is a picture of the with God life the other is a picture of the with me life." [00:246:15]
"The with God life is the life of abundance and righteousness just like Paul saw those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through one Christ Jesus it's with God it's with Christ it's with his word coming to us." [00:270:88]
"Both in the bible and through the fellowship of believers but also personally addressing us in the circumstances where we live as salt and light in his kingdom." [00:297:12]
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