I am God: Understanding Eternity and Living for Christ

In a world filled with pressures to compromise, distractions from the enemy, and the constant pull of our old nature, the call is to remember who God is and to build our lives on that unshakable foundation. The reality is that we face three enemies: Satan, the world system he manipulates, and our own flesh. Yet, for those who are in Christ, the flesh is dead—powerless unless we choose to give it attention. The challenge is to stop dragging around that “dead body” and instead, present ourselves as living sacrifices, focusing on God and seeking His kingdom first.

The early Christians in Thyatira faced immense pressure to conform to the world’s standards, to participate in practices that violated their faith just to survive or succeed in society. The temptation to compromise is not unique to them; it’s a daily reality for us as well. The world will always offer reasons to blend in, to turn down our light, and to dilute our saltiness. But Christ’s call is clear: be light in the darkness, be salt that changes the flavor of the world, not the other way around.

Understanding who Jesus is—God Himself, the expert of everything, the one with all authority—changes everything. When we grasp the reality of eternity and the smallness of this present life in comparison, we are freed to live for His purposes, not our own. Success is not defined by worldly standards or even by our own expectations, but by being exactly who God created us to be, trusting Him with the outcomes, and living by faith even when it costs us.

God is not threatened by the schemes of the world or the plans of powerful people. He laughs at the arrogance of those who think they can outmaneuver Him. Our security and blessing are found in taking refuge in Him, submitting to His authority, and trusting that He is working all things together for good according to His purpose. The invitation is to surrender, to let go of our attempts to control, and to rest in the truth that Jesus is God—so we can live boldly, faithfully, and distinctively in a world that desperately needs His light.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The True Nature of Our Enemies We often blame Satan for our struggles, but the reality is that our greatest battles are with the world system he’s set up and our own flesh. For believers, the flesh is dead and powerless unless we choose to give it influence. The daily choice is whether to follow God’s way or to give in to the old patterns that no longer define us. Recognizing this empowers us to walk in freedom and responsibility, not as victims but as those who have been delivered. [19:03]
• 2. The Subtlety and Danger of Compromise The pressure to fit in, succeed, or simply survive can lead us to rationalize actions that violate God’s Word. Like the Christians in Thyatira, we may be tempted to participate in things that seem necessary for advancement but are contrary to Christ. Compromise often begins with small concessions, justified by the belief that “God knows my heart,” but it leads to spiritual callousness and a muffled relationship with the Holy Spirit. True faithfulness means refusing to blend in and instead living as salt and light, even when it costs us. [24:38]
• 3. The Supremacy and Sovereignty of Christ Jesus is not just a good teacher or a moral example—He is God, the expert of everything, with all authority in heaven and earth. The world may try to deconstruct His identity or create a religion without Him, but the truth remains unshaken. Understanding Christ’s supremacy gives us confidence to trust Him above all other powers, systems, or opinions, knowing that He alone is worthy of our allegiance and obedience. [33:43]
• 4. The Futility of Human Schemes Against God Throughout history, people and nations have plotted and planned as if they could outmaneuver God or improve on His ways. Yet, Scripture reminds us that God is not threatened or anxious—He laughs at the arrogance of those who oppose Him. Every attempt to find fulfillment, power, or security apart from Him is ultimately vanity, like chasing soap bubbles that pop the moment they’re caught. True wisdom is found in seeing life from God’s perspective and submitting to His will. [45:01]
• 5. The Blessing of Submission and Refuge in God To “kiss the Son” is to submit to Christ, recognizing His authority and taking refuge in Him. This is not a fearful submission to a tyrant, but a joyful surrender to the One who loves us, knows us, and has our best in mind. When we serve God with reverent awe, trusting His expertise and resting in His sovereignty, we find true blessing, security, and purpose—regardless of what the world demands or threatens. [63:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [19:03] - Identifying Our Three Enemies
• [20:17] - The Powerlessness of the Flesh
• [21:53] - The Birth and Challenge of Early Christianity
• [22:35] - God’s Role in Testing and Temptation
• [23:33] - The Pressure to Compromise in Thyatira
• [25:28] - Christ’s Call to Distinctiveness
• [28:34] - Refuting Worldly Excuses
• [29:05] - Three Foundational Truths: God, Eternity, and Purpose
• [33:43] - Jesus Declares His Deity
• [36:09] - The Rise of a One World Religion
• [42:01] - Psalm 2: God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
• [45:01] - The Vanity of Human Schemes
• [53:00] - God’s Response to Human Arrogance
• [63:20] - The Blessing of Submission and Refuge in Christ
• [64:51] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

Psalm 2 (ESV) — Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) — I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) — But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 2, how does God respond to the nations and rulers who plot against Him? What does it mean that “He who sits in the heavens laughs”? ([47:51])
2. In Romans 12:1-2, what does Paul urge believers to do with their bodies and minds? How is this different from conforming to the world?
3. What specific pressures did the early Christians in Thyatira face that tempted them to compromise their faith? ([24:14])
4. In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus say should be our first priority, and what does He promise as a result? ([20:56])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes three enemies: Satan, the world system, and our own flesh. Why is it important for believers to recognize that the flesh is “dead” and powerless unless we give it attention? How does this change the way we approach temptation? ([19:40])
2. The Christians in Thyatira were pressured to participate in practices that violated their faith in order to succeed in society. What are some modern examples of similar pressures, and why is compromise so dangerous to our spiritual health? ([24:14])
3. Psalm 2 says that God “laughs” at the schemes of powerful people. What does this reveal about God’s sovereignty and our tendency to worry about the world’s plans? ([47:51])
4. The sermon says that to “kiss the Son” is to submit to Christ and take refuge in Him. What does joyful surrender to Jesus look like in everyday life? ([01:03:01])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to stop “dragging around that dead body” of our old nature. Is there a specific area in your life where you keep giving attention to old patterns or temptations? What would it look like to present yourself as a living sacrifice in that area this week? ([19:40])
2. Think about a time when you felt pressure to compromise your faith in order to fit in, succeed, or avoid conflict. How did you respond? What would you do differently now, knowing what you know about God’s call to be salt and light? ([24:14])
3. The world often tells us to blend in or “turn down our light.” Are there places in your life—work, school, family, friendships—where you are tempted to hide your faith? What is one practical step you can take to be more distinctively “salt and light” this week? ([26:11])
4. The sermon says that success is not defined by worldly standards, but by being who God created you to be and trusting Him with the outcomes. Where are you tempted to measure your life by the world’s standards? How can you shift your focus to God’s definition of success? ([29:52])
5. When you hear about world events or see powerful people making big plans, do you tend to worry or feel anxious? How does remembering God’s sovereignty in Psalm 2 help you respond differently? ([47:51])
6. The message invites us to “surrender, let go of our attempts to control, and rest in the truth that Jesus is God.” Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to let go of control? What would it look like to trust God more fully in that area? ([01:03:20])
7. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” What does it mean for you personally to take refuge in Christ right now? Is there a specific fear, worry, or situation where you need to run to Him for security and blessing? ([01:03:20])