Kingdom Come: God Knows What He Wants

Oct 31, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Sent as Laborers into the Harvest

Jesus calls His followers not just to pray for more workers, but to recognize that they themselves are the answer to that prayer, sent into the world to reach those who are wandering, struggling, or have become disconnected from faith. Each believer has unique circles of influence and is called to step into the mission field with intentionality, praying, “Send me,” and being willing to be used by God right where they are. Rather than waiting for someone else to do the work, you are invited to see your daily life as the place where God wants to move through you, bringing hope and truth to those around you. [02:39]

Luke 10:1-2 (ESV)
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Reflection: Who in your daily life or circle of influence might God be calling you to reach out to this week, and how can you intentionally step into that mission field today?

Day 2: Carrying Peace and Wholeness into a World of Change

Amidst constant change and transition, Jesus instructs His followers to bring peace—shalom, a sense of wholeness and completeness—wherever they go. This peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s security and contentment, which you are called to speak and embody in every interaction. In a culture always searching for the next best thing, you are invited to stay where God is moving, to be content and present, and to let your words and body language create a house of peace for others. [08:35]

Luke 10:5-9 (ESV)
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

Reflection: In what specific situation today can you choose to stay present and speak peace, rather than seeking something new or better?

Day 3: Christlike Body Language—Living the Beatitudes

The way you carry yourself—your body language, your words, your demeanor—matters deeply as a representative of Christ. Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes describes the posture of His followers: humble, gentle, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and steadfast in the face of hardship. This is the “body language” of the kingdom, a visible witness to the world of the contentment and wellness that comes from God. You are called to let your life reflect these qualities, so that others see Christ in you, both in the church and in the world. [13:20]

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Reflection: Which Beatitude do you most need to embody in your actions and attitude today, and how can you intentionally practice it?

Day 4: Rejoicing in Your True Identity—Names Written in Heaven

Jesus reminds His followers that their greatest joy is not in their accomplishments or spiritual victories, but in the unshakable reality that their names are written in heaven. This identity as God’s beloved children, heirs with Christ, is the foundation for all mission and ministry. No matter what challenges or opposition you face, you can rejoice in the security and hope of belonging to God’s kingdom, knowing that your value is rooted in His grace and not in your own works. [19:41]

Luke 10:19-20 (ESV)
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Reflection: What would it look like for you to live today with the confidence and joy that comes from knowing your name is written in heaven?

Day 5: Salvation by Grace—Responding in Faith, Not Performance

True salvation is not earned by knowledge, comparison, association, or religious performance, but is a gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. God desires a response of trust and surrender, not self-justification or striving. You are invited to lay aside any illusions of earning God’s favor and instead confess your need, believe in Jesus’ finished work, and receive the new life He offers—becoming a true member of God’s kingdom and living out His life until your final breath. [25:30]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: Are there ways you have been trying to earn God’s approval or justify yourself? How can you rest in His grace and respond in simple faith today?

Sermon Summary

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy disciples, not just the twelve, to prepare the way for his ministry. He tells them the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, and instructs them to pray for more workers. Yet, the twist is that the answer to their own prayer is themselves—they are the ones being sent. This is a call to recognize that God often answers our prayers for change by inviting us to be the change, to step into the harvest field ourselves, and to pray not just for others to go, but for God to send us and to send more like us.

Jesus also gives practical instructions: travel light, don’t get distracted, and carry a spirit of peace wherever you go. He warns that the world is full of wolves, but his followers are to go as lambs—vulnerable, focused, and undistracted by the chaos and constant transitions of life. The difference between change and transition is highlighted: change is external and situational, but transition is the internal, often difficult, process of adapting. In a world of relentless change, Jesus calls his followers to be people of peace—shalom—bringing wholeness and completeness into every space they enter.

Contentment is a recurring theme. Jesus tells his disciples to stay where they are received, to eat what is set before them, and not to chase after the next best thing or try to recreate the past. God’s mercies are new every morning, but they are not always the same as before. The call is to recognize where God is moving and to remain there, rather than restlessly searching for something better.

Body language, both literal and spiritual, matters deeply. The way we carry ourselves, the peace we bring, and the grace we extend all communicate the reality of the kingdom. Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) is held up as the “body language” of the church: humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and perseverance in the face of persecution.

Rejection of truth is described as “foreign soil” to God—when people reject the message, we are to move on, not discouraged, but knowing the harvest is still plentiful. The authority given to believers is not for self-glorification, but to rejoice that our names are written in heaven. The warning is given against “learned ignorance”—knowing much about God but failing to live out his grace—and against “eternal delusions,” trusting in anything other than Christ for salvation. Ultimately, salvation is a gift of grace, received by faith, and lived out as members of God’s kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. God often answers our prayers for change by sending us into the very situations we pray about. Instead of only asking God to send others, we should be willing to be the answer to our own prayers, stepping into the harvest with courage and humility. Our unique circles of influence are not accidental; they are the fields God has entrusted to us. Pray, “Send me,” and be open to God’s call in your own life. [02:11]
2. The difference between change and transition is crucial for spiritual growth. Change is external and often unavoidable, but transition is the internal process of adapting, letting go, and embracing the new. In a world of relentless, supersonic change, we must cultivate a soul that is anchored in Christ, able to navigate transitions with peace and resilience. This inner transformation is what enables us to be agents of peace in a chaotic world. [05:24]
3. Contentment is a spiritual discipline that resists the cultural pull toward restlessness and dissatisfaction. Jesus instructs us to stay where God is moving, to be present and grateful, rather than always seeking the next best thing or trying to recreate the past. God’s mercies are fresh each day, tailored for our current season, and we are called to recognize and remain where his presence is active. True peace comes from embracing God’s “new thing” rather than clinging to old patterns or chasing after novelty. [09:04]
4. The way we carry ourselves—our “body language”—is a powerful witness to the world. The Beatitudes describe the posture of Christ’s followers: humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking. Our demeanor, words, and actions should reflect the wholeness and peace of Christ, making our communities “houses of peace” where others encounter the kingdom of God. This is not about perfection, but about being transformed from the inside out so that our presence brings blessing and hope. [13:05]
5. Salvation is not achieved by knowledge, association, comparison, or religious activity, but by grace through faith in Christ. We must guard against “learned ignorance”—knowing much about God but failing to live out his grace—and against the delusion that anything other than Christ can save us. True salvation is both rescue from sin and entry into God’s family, a gift that transforms us and calls us to extend grace to others. [23:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction: Key Words and Body Language
[01:29] - Jesus Sends the Seventy
[02:11] - Praying to Be Sent
[03:38] - Sent as Lambs Among Wolves
[05:09] - Change vs. Transition
[07:21] - Peace: Wholeness and Completeness
[08:51] - Contentment and Staying Where God Moves
[10:22] - God’s Mercies Are New
[11:16] - Body Language in the Body of Christ
[12:30] - The Beatitudes: Kingdom Body Language
[14:21] - The Lord’s Prayer: A Kingdom Prayer
[15:35] - Rejection of Truth: Foreign Soil
[18:02] - Authority Over Evil and Rejoicing in Salvation
[19:28] - Our Names Written in Heaven
[20:52] - Representing God as His Ambassadors
[21:36] - Avoiding Learned Ignorance
[22:33] - Avoiding Eternal Delusions
[24:49] - The Simplicity of Salvation
[25:45] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Sent Into the Harvest (Luke 10)

Bible Reading

- Luke 10:1-20 (ESV)
- Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes, ESV)
- Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
> “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Observation Questions

In Luke 10, who does Jesus send out, and what instructions does he give them about how to travel and what to say when they enter a house? ([01:29])
According to the sermon, what is the difference between “change” and “transition”? How does Jesus prepare his followers for both? ([05:24])
What does Jesus say to do if a town or person rejects the message of the kingdom? What is the significance of “shaking the dust off your feet”? ([15:35])
In Matthew 5, what are some of the qualities Jesus calls “blessed” in the Beatitudes? How do these relate to the idea of “body language” for believers? ([13:05])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that sometimes the answer to our prayer for God to send workers is that God sends us. What does this reveal about how God works through his people? ([02:11])
Why do you think Jesus tells his disciples to “stay where they are received” and not to move from house to house? What does this teach about contentment and recognizing where God is moving? ([08:51])
The difference between change (external) and transition (internal) is highlighted. Why is it important for followers of Jesus to pay attention to their own transitions, not just the changes around them? ([05:24])
The sermon warns against “learned ignorance” and “eternal delusions.” What are some ways people might know a lot about God but miss living out his grace? ([21:36])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to pray, “Send me,” instead of only asking God to send others. Is there a situation or person in your life right now where you sense God might be calling you to step in? What would it look like to say “yes” to that? ([02:11])
Jesus tells his followers to travel light and not get distracted. What are some distractions or “baggage” in your life that keep you from being present and focused on God’s mission? How could you “travel lighter” this week? ([03:38])
The idea of “body language” is about how we carry ourselves and the peace we bring. Think about your daily interactions—at home, work, or in the community. What is one practical way you can bring a spirit of peace and wholeness into a specific relationship or environment this week? ([11:16])
Contentment is described as a spiritual discipline. Are you tempted to chase after the “next best thing” or to try to recreate the past? How can you practice being present and grateful for where God has you right now? ([09:04])
When you face rejection or indifference about your faith, how do you usually respond? What would it look like to “shake the dust off” and keep moving forward without discouragement? ([15:35])
The Beatitudes describe the “body language” of the kingdom: humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and perseverance. Which of these do you find most challenging? What is one step you can take to grow in that area this month? ([13:05])
The sermon warns against trusting in knowledge, comparison, or association for salvation. Have you ever found yourself relying on these things instead of God’s grace? How can you remind yourself this week that salvation is a gift, not something you earn or inherit? ([23:29])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you be present where He is moving, to bring peace and wholeness into your circles of influence, and to be open to being sent into the harvest—wherever that may be.

Sermon Clips

“Often you and what you do are the answer to your prayers. He said, "Pray to the Lord that he sends laborers into the harvest." They weren't praying for other people to go to the harvest. They were praying for themselves. He sent them into the harvest. And so sometimes we spend time praying for God to do something through somebody else when we should be praying, God, do it through me, through who I am and what I do and where you've put me and where you've placed me in life. Pray something like send me.”

“You and I should be carrying with us an urgent, serious, focused demeanor. Not mean looking, not eyebrows of a type A personality that are this way all the time. You know, uh I I used to get asked, "What are you mad at?" "Nothing." "Well, you sure look mad." Well, it's just my facial expression and learn to change those eyebrows. Get them going in a different direction. All right. But we all should have an urgent sense about us that that's that's the mission field out there. That's the harvest out there.”

“This is where we learn proper body language in the body of Christ. You hear what I'm saying? That's the field of play out there. That's where the heat of competition is out there. He says, "I'm sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don't get distracted." And I'll tell you one thing that will distract us if not careful.”

“Change is situational. The new site, the new boss, the new team role, the new policy. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation. Do you hear that? That's critically important because in our world today, it's not just change that's coming at us. It's transition after transition after transition.”

“Peace is the absence of war, but it is the presence of wholeness and security and completeness. And he says literally when you interact with people in the harvest out there, you communicate that sense of wholeness and completeness and you see what comes back to you.”

“We We are so conditioned to got to have the new thing. We're never happy with what we have. We're never content with what we have. Tell me I'm right about that. And Jesus said, "Don't get that way. Don't be that way. I want the next biggest and best and better thing." Or we do this. We try to recreate an old thing from our past that probably was very moving, impactful, a certain time in our life, but that exact work from God is likely not going to happen again.”

“He told Isaiah the prophet, you tell the people, he said this over and over again. He says, "You tell the people, forget the former things. I'm going to do a new thing. Look it up." Well, what does that mean? I'm not going to exactly duplicate what I did in the past. you're still going to get loads of grace. But in that in that time frame in history, Jesus was coming. He hadn't been born yet. You tell them to forget all the old all that stuff. I'm going to do something new and I'm going to take your heart of stone out.”

“A person who's not interested in enough to get in a place where they can stay where God is moving. And that's what Jesus is telling these 70. When you see God moving, stop right there. Stay right there in that place. Don't go to the next one and don't look for a better one. Don't look for a bigger one. Stay right there and be a part of what he's doing.”

“Your body language and the words that come out of your mouth make this a house of peace or make it not so for somebody else. Do you see how Jesus focuses on speaking on saying something and what do you receive back? It's hugely important.”

“That when we go out there into the harvest, people see Christlike body language. Well, what does that mean actually? Well, I I want to turn I want you to turn to Matthew. Let's find the biatitudes because this is body language.”

“Blessed is the word marario in the Greek New Testament. It means to be internally content. It means to have this deepseated in your soul sense of wellness and well-being and you're content. That's what the word means literally. So blessed or happy depends on what version you're reading. Both are correct.”

“Rejection of the truth is foreign soil to God. Pick up verse 10. But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, even the dust of your city which clings to our feet, we wipe off and protest against you. Yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has what? come near. Here he says it again.”

“And what we need to understand is truth is premium to God. And the sooner we learn that, the better off we are. And he's telling them, act out this parable of foreign soil being stuck to your feet. Get it off because truth matters.”

“Sin cannot have the spirit or the soul. And that's what he's saying. You tread on things that are supernatural. That's where your focus is. And here's what the great news about our body is. We're going to get it back, perfect, glorified one day. It's not like we lose it when we die. We get the new one.”

“It means I know more about God than the measure of grace that I give away from him. That's learned ignorance. You can go to all Bible studies you want to. I'm not discouraging that. But if our lives aren't reflective of who he is and peace and we're not a dispenser of his grace, Jared reminded us of this a few weeks ago, did he not? It's just a waste of time.”

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