Finding True Value and Mastery in God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: True Value in Closeness to God

Our true value is not determined by our skills or achievements but by our closeness to God and our embodiment of His character. This closeness is where His power and anointing reside, and it should be the foundation of our identity. While skills are important, they should not be the sole basis of our self-worth or elevation in life. Instead, our alignment with the character of Christ, which includes traits like integrity, humility, and honesty, should be our distinguishing factor. These traits not only reflect Christ but also draw others to us, including non-believers who seek such qualities in others. [03:38]

"For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you focus more on embodying Christ's character rather than relying solely on your skills and achievements for your sense of worth?

Day 2: The Practice Principle in Relationships

The way we treat others significantly impacts how we feel about them, a concept known as the "practice principle." This principle is especially crucial in relationships, such as marriages, where love is more than just a feeling—it's a behavior. By treating others with love and respect, regardless of our current emotions, we can shape our feelings towards them over time. This approach aligns our relationships with God's love, transforming them through intentional actions rather than fleeting emotions. [12:52]

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from the practice principle. How can you intentionally show love and respect to this person today, regardless of your current feelings?

Day 3: The Seed as a Middle Point

A seed represents not the beginning but a middle point in a process, containing the potential for future growth. Just as a seed holds the DNA of its future form, we hold the potential for what God has destined us to be. Our nurturing, through the word of God and our environment, determines how this potential unfolds. Understanding this concept helps us recognize that our current state is not our final form, and with the right nurturing, we can grow into what God has planned for us. [34:08]

"And he said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.'" (Mark 4:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: What potential has God planted in you that needs nurturing? How can you create an environment that allows this potential to grow?

Day 4: Living from the Inside Out

Living from the inside out means recognizing that everything we need is already within us, planted by God. Our victory, resources, and future are encoded in us, much like a seed. This understanding shifts our reliance from external circumstances to the internal kingdom of God, which is self-sufficient and not dependent on the world's systems. By focusing on what God has placed within us, we can live confidently, knowing that we have all we need to fulfill His purposes. [49:21]

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Reflection: What internal resources has God given you that you can rely on today, rather than looking to external circumstances for validation or support?

Day 5: Mastery Over Miracles

God desires us to have mastery over the principles of His kingdom rather than dependence on miracles. While miracles can sustain us temporarily, understanding and applying the principles of God's kingdom allows us to design our outcomes and live in the fullness of His promises. This mastery is not just about knowledge but about the intentional pursuit and application of God's word in our lives. By focusing on these principles, we can experience a more consistent and fulfilling walk with God. [01:15:20]

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one principle of God's kingdom that you can intentionally apply in your life today to move towards mastery rather than relying on miracles?

Sermon Summary

Understanding the profound nature of our value in God is essential. We often limit ourselves by focusing on our skills and achievements, but true worth is found in our closeness to God and embodying His character. This closeness is where His power and anointing reside. Our skills, while important, should not be the sole basis of our identity or our elevation in life. Instead, our edge should be our alignment with the character of Christ, which even non-believers seek in others. Integrity, humility, and honesty are traits that reflect Christ and draw others to us.

The "practice principle" teaches us that the way we treat others affects how we feel about them. This principle is crucial in all relationships, especially marriages. Treating someone with love and respect, regardless of feelings, will eventually shape our emotions towards them. This principle is not just about feelings but about behavior, which can transform relationships and align them with God's love.

The concept of the seed is central to understanding our potential and the kingdom of God. A seed is not the beginning but a middle point in a process, containing the life force and potential for future growth. Just as a seed holds the DNA of its future form, we hold the potential for what God has destined us to be. Our nurturing, through the word of God and our environment, determines how this potential unfolds.

Living from the inside out means recognizing that everything we need is already within us, planted by God. Our victory, resources, and future are encoded in us, much like a seed. This understanding shifts our reliance from external circumstances to the internal kingdom of God, which is self-sufficient and not dependent on the world's systems.

Finally, mastery over the principles of the kingdom, rather than dependence on miracles, is what God desires for us. While miracles can sustain us temporarily, understanding and applying the principles of God's kingdom allows us to design our outcomes and live in the fullness of His promises. This mastery is not just about knowledge but about intentional pursuit and application of God's word in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Value Beyond Skills: Our true value lies not in our skills or achievements but in our closeness to God and embodying His character. This alignment with Christ's character should be our distinguishing factor, as it reflects integrity and humility that even non-believers seek. [03:38]
2. The Practice Principle: The way we treat others affects how we feel about them. This principle is crucial in relationships, especially marriages, where love is a behavior, not just a feeling. Treating others with respect and love shapes our emotions and aligns us with God's love. [12:52]
3. The Seed as a Middle Point: A seed is not the beginning but a middle point in a process, containing the potential for future growth. Our nurturing, through God's word and environment, determines how this potential unfolds, much like a seed's DNA holds its future form. [34:08]
4. Living from the Inside Out: Everything we need is already within us, planted by God. Our victory, resources, and future are encoded in us, shifting our reliance from external circumstances to the internal kingdom of God, which is self-sufficient. [49:21]
5. Mastery Over Miracles: God desires us to have mastery over the principles of His kingdom rather than dependence on miracles. Understanding and applying these principles allows us to design our outcomes and live in the fullness of His promises. [01:15:20]
** [75:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - The Value of More
[01:12] - Trustworthiness and Value
[02:07] - Closeness to God
[03:38] - Character Over Skills
[05:04] - Christ-like Characteristics
[06:34] - The Mandate of Value
[08:54] - The Practice Principle
[10:53] - Love as a Behavior
[12:52] - The Impact on Marriages
[19:59] - Understanding Seeds
[23:10] - The DNA of a Seed
[28:40] - Historical and Prophetic DNA
[34:08] - Seeds as Middle Points
[38:59] - The Kingdom in a Seed
[46:32] - Living from the Inside Out
[49:21] - Sowing the Word
[54:35] - The Kingdom's Sufficiency
[58:03] - Mastery Over Miracles
[75:20] - Designing Your Outcome

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Galatians 4:19 suggest about the process of spiritual growth and the formation of Christ's character in believers? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on embodying Christ's character? [06:34]
In the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-15), what are the different types of soil, and how do they affect the growth of the seed? How does this parable illustrate the sermon’s point about nurturing our potential? [43:49]
According to Isaiah 33:24, what is the promise given to the inhabitants of Zion? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about living from the inside out and the sufficiency of the kingdom? [01:04:43]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of the "practice principle" in the sermon relate to the biblical command to love our enemies? What might this principle look like in everyday relationships? [10:53]
The sermon discusses the idea of a seed being a middle point in a process. How does this concept help us understand our spiritual journey and potential in God's kingdom? [34:08]
What does the sermon suggest about the difference between living by miracles and mastering the principles of God's kingdom? How might this understanding affect a believer's daily life? [01:15:20]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current relationships. How can you apply the "practice principle" to improve how you treat others, especially those you find challenging to love? [12:52]
Consider your personal skills and achievements. How can you shift your focus from these external factors to developing a closer relationship with God and embodying His character? [03:38]
Identify an area in your life where you are relying on external circumstances for fulfillment. How can you begin to live from the inside out, trusting in the sufficiency of God's kingdom within you? [49:21]
Think about a recent situation where you depended on a miracle or quick fix. How can you start applying the principles of God's kingdom to design your outcomes intentionally? [01:15:20]
What specific steps can you take to nurture the "seed" of potential within you, as described in the sermon? How can you create an environment that supports your spiritual growth? [34:08]
Reflect on the traits of integrity, humility, and honesty. Which of these Christ-like characteristics do you feel called to develop further, and what practical actions can you take to embody them? [05:04]
How can you cultivate a mindset of health and wellness, both spiritually and physically, as promised in Isaiah 33:24? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to align with this promise? [01:04:43]

Sermon Clips

"See, when you understand your value and your worth. And who is inside of you. Greater is he that's where in me than he that's where. Look at y 'all. No description. But do you believe that?" [00:03:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"It is your closeness to the character of Christ that should always be your edge not your skill amen even non-believers are looking for watch this Christ in everybody they're looking for all the characteristics of Christ the non-believer they're looking for people who have integrity." [00:04:39] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The practice principle. Y 'all, this is going to be good for you. Y 'all ready? Meaning. The way you treat people affects the way you feel about them. 'all all right? The way you treat people affects the way you feel about them." [00:10:20] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"This is why Jesus told us to love our enemy. This is why Jesus told us to pray for them that despitefully, knowingly, use you. The practice principle. The way you treat someone. affects the way you feel about it." [00:11:06] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"God knows if we behave in the right way towards somebody it's a behavior. Eventually, it affects the way we feel about them. Come on y 'all. Y 'all stay focused. Y 'all alright? This is very important. Uh oh. Here's the M word. Marriages. I'm stepping back now." [00:12:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Every seed is a middle point. You've got to nurture it right. It's a possibility already there. The seed is the word of God. No seed exists as the beginning. No seed exists as the beginning." [00:33:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, I told you we live. You're supposed to live from the inside out, not from the outside in. Oh, my God. Everybody say, it's here. It's here. It's here. It's here. The scripture says, watch this. Everything you need is within you." [00:46:52] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Listen, there is a difference between being miracle dependent. And being a master. When you understand this mystery of the seed and the mystery, listen, and the mastery of it, not just understanding, but the mastery of it. You can design. Watch this." [01:15:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Most people want to live by miracles instead of mastery principles my god that's how we've been taught in church that's how we've been taught in church that's how you become religious principles give you mastery." [01:11:26] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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