The Kingdom Of God Is Still Open

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Kingdom Remains Open When Earthly Systems Fail

Even when governments malfunction and earthly systems break down, the kingdom of God remains open and available to all who seek Him. In times of uncertainty, when those in power seem disconnected from the needs of the people, God’s kingdom stands as a place of justice, provision, and hope, reminding us that our ultimate security and help come from Him, not from human institutions. [05:46]

Matthew 14:13-21 (ESV)
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to trust in earthly systems for security, and how can you intentionally turn to God’s kingdom for your hope and provision today?

Day 2: Compassion Is the Heart of Godly Leadership

True leadership in God’s kingdom is marked by compassion that moves us to action, even when it interrupts our own plans or comfort. Jesus, though grieving and seeking solitude, was moved by the needs of the people and responded with healing and care, showing that compassion must outweigh personal agenda and that godly leaders are called to address the real needs of those around them. [22:43]

Matthew 14:14 (ESV)
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of compassion today, and what is one concrete way you can set aside your own plans to meet their need?

Day 3: God Multiplies What We Surrender to Him

God’s provision often begins where our resources end; when we bring what little we have to Jesus, He blesses it and multiplies it beyond what we could imagine. The disciples saw only five loaves and two fish, but Jesus invited them to participate in a miracle by surrendering what they had, teaching us that God’s “math” is different—He turns our “not enough” into more than enough when we trust Him. [32:50]

John 6:8-13 (ESV)
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel you don’t have enough—time, resources, energy, or ability—and how can you offer it to God in faith today?

Day 4: God’s Provision Satisfies Body and Soul

When God provides, He doesn’t just meet our physical needs—He brings deep satisfaction to our souls, filling the emptiness that nothing else can touch. The bread and fish Jesus gave satisfied the crowd completely, not just their hunger but their hearts, reminding us that only what comes from God truly fills us and brings lasting contentment. [39:47]

Psalm 107:9 (ESV)
For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Reflection: In what ways have you been seeking satisfaction apart from God, and how can you turn to Him today to fill the deeper hunger in your soul?

Day 5: Faith Means Trusting God to Make a Way

God specializes in making a way when there seems to be no way, providing for us even when our resources are insufficient and our circumstances seem impossible. When we trust Him with what we have and where we are, He is able to turn situations around, meet our needs, and bring about outcomes that defy human logic—reminding us that our help comes from the Lord, not from any earthly source. [41:56]

Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Reflection: What is one “impossible” situation you are facing right now, and how can you actively trust God to make a way where there seems to be none?

Sermon Summary

In times of uncertainty, when systems and governments fail, there is a greater reality that remains unshaken: the kingdom of God is still open. Even as earthly institutions malfunction and those in power seem disconnected from the needs of the people, God’s compassion and provision never cease. The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand after the death of John the Baptist is a powerful reminder that God’s kingdom operates on a different set of values and resources. While Jesus Himself was grieving, He still responded to the needs of the multitude with compassion, healing their sick and providing for their hunger.

This moment draws a sharp contrast between the self-serving banquet of Herod, which led to death, and the life-giving banquet of Jesus, which brought healing and satisfaction to all. Jesus did not let His own pain or the disciples’ limited resources become an excuse to turn people away. Instead, He invited participation—“You give them something to eat”—teaching that God’s miracles often begin when we offer what little we have, trusting Him to multiply it. The disciples saw only scarcity, but Jesus saw an opportunity for God’s abundance to be revealed.

God’s provision is not limited by earthly systems or human calculations. When we bring what we have—no matter how small—God blesses it, and it becomes more than enough. In the kingdom of God, there is no scarcity; everyone is invited, everyone is filled, and the satisfaction goes beyond physical needs to touch the soul. The bread and fish did not just fill stomachs; they brought wholeness and satisfaction to weary hearts. As long as we keep following Jesus, pressing our way through difficulty, we will find that His table is always open, and His provision is always sufficient. No matter what shuts down around us, God will make a way, providing for every need in ways that defy human logic.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Compassion Moves Beyond Human Limitations When Jesus saw the multitude, even in His own grief, He was moved with compassion to heal and provide. True godly leadership is not just about passion or plans, but about being willing to let compassion interrupt our agendas for the sake of others. Compassion is the heartbeat of the kingdom, and it calls us to see and respond to the needs around us, even when it’s inconvenient. [18:01]
2. The Kingdom of God Operates on “God Math,” Not Human Math The disciples saw only five loaves and two fish and concluded it wasn’t enough. But God’s math begins where our resources end—little becomes much in the Master’s hands. Faith means offering what we have, trusting that God can multiply it beyond what we can imagine, and that His provision is not bound by our limitations. [30:35]
3. Participation in God’s Miracles Requires Our Involvement Jesus didn’t just perform a miracle for the crowd; He told the disciples, “You feed them.” God often chooses to work through us, inviting us to be conduits of His provision. Our willingness to step out in faith, even when the math doesn’t add up, is often the very thing God uses to bless others and reveal His glory. [29:02]
4. The Kingdom’s Table Is Open to All—No Scarcity, No Exclusion Unlike earthly systems that ration resources or exclude the vulnerable, God’s kingdom is marked by abundance and radical inclusion. Everyone ate and was filled—every age, every background, every need was met. The satisfaction Jesus offers is not just for the body, but for the soul, bringing wholeness and true fulfillment. [36:44]
5. Pressing Through Difficulty Leads to Divine Satisfaction The people followed Jesus for miles, through fatigue and inconvenience, because they believed He was the source of what they truly needed. Sometimes, breakthrough requires persistence and a willingness to press through discomfort. On the other side of our pressing is a satisfaction that only Jesus can provide—one that meets our deepest needs and brings peace in the midst of chaos. [19:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:17] - Setting the Scene: Jesus Withdraws After John’s Death
[06:37] - Earthly Government Malfunctions vs. God’s Kingdom
[08:59] - Disconnection and Suffering in Society
[10:20] - Who Was John the Baptist?
[12:06] - The Corruption of Power and John’s Martyrdom
[15:00] - Jesus Models Healthy Grieving and Boundaries
[16:19] - The People’s Pursuit of Jesus
[18:01] - Compassion in Action: Healing the Multitude
[20:18] - Pressing Through to Encounter Jesus
[21:51] - The Difference Between Passion and Compassion
[24:19] - God’s Provision Amid Systemic Failure
[26:02] - The Disciples’ Scarcity Mindset
[29:02] - Jesus Invites Human Participation in the Miracle
[30:35] - God Math: When Little Becomes Much
[35:06] - Looking to Heaven: The Source of Our Help
[36:44] - Radical Inclusion: Everyone Eats and Is Filled
[39:47] - True Satisfaction: More Than Just a Meal
[41:25] - Trusting God’s Provision in Uncertain Times
[43:27] - God Will Make a Way

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 14:13-21 (ESV) — 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”
18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”
19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.
21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Observation Questions

What was Jesus’ initial response when He heard about the death of John the Baptist? What did He do next? ([10:20])
How did Jesus respond to the large crowd that followed Him, even while He was grieving? ([18:01])
What was the disciples’ solution to the problem of the hungry crowd, and how did Jesus challenge their thinking? ([25:13])
According to the passage, what was the result after Jesus blessed and broke the loaves and fish? ([36:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus was “moved with compassion” for the crowd, even though He was experiencing personal grief? What does this reveal about the heart of God? ([18:01])
The disciples saw only scarcity (“we have only five loaves and two fish”). What does this reveal about their mindset, and how does it contrast with Jesus’ perspective? ([30:35])
Jesus told the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” What might this say about how God wants to involve us in His work, even when we feel unqualified or under-resourced? ([29:02])
The sermon draws a contrast between Herod’s banquet (which led to death) and Jesus’ banquet (which brought life and satisfaction). What are some differences between the values of earthly systems and the values of God’s kingdom? ([12:06])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “True godly leadership is not just about passion or plans, but about being willing to let compassion interrupt our agendas for the sake of others.” Can you think of a time when you let compassion interrupt your plans? Is there a situation right now where God might be calling you to do that? ([22:43])
The disciples saw only what they lacked, but Jesus saw an opportunity for God’s abundance. In what area of your life are you most tempted to focus on scarcity instead of God’s ability to provide? What would it look like to trust God’s “math” in that area this week? ([30:35])
Jesus invited the disciples to participate in the miracle by giving what little they had. Is there something small you have—time, resources, encouragement—that you could offer to God for Him to use? What’s holding you back? ([31:30])
The sermon highlighted that “everyone ate and was filled”—no one was left out. Are there people in your life or community who are often overlooked or excluded? What is one practical way you can extend God’s radical inclusion to them this week? ([36:44])
The people pressed through fatigue and inconvenience to follow Jesus because they believed He was the source of what they truly needed. What is one area where you need to “press through” difficulty to keep following Jesus? How can your group support you in this? ([19:38])
The sermon said, “God’s provision is not limited by earthly systems or human calculations.” Are there any systems or situations in your life right now that feel like they are failing you? How can you look to God as your provider in those areas? ([24:19])
The bread and fish didn’t just fill stomachs—they brought wholeness and satisfaction to weary hearts. Where do you need Jesus’ satisfaction in your life right now? How can you seek Him for that this week? ([39:47])

Sermon Clips

Notice what the text does not say it doesn't say he only healed those who had blue cross blue shield Medicare or Medicaid it doesn't say he just healed one gender one race one culture come bracket the text just says he was moved with compassion for them whomever them is or they are and he healed their sick see because godly leadership is moved with compassion have too many passionate leaders lacking compassion let me say that again because this side got quiet middle middle back we we've got too many passionate leaders who lack compassion they are passionate about their photo ops their name relativity passionate about their party and their power passionate about their plan but they are lacking compassion for the people. [00:21:01] (85 seconds) #CompassionateLeadership

The disciples right now in this training course with Jesus are only focused on the resources that they have in their possession, and what they are saying is, we don't have enough food to do what you just told us to do. We don't have the finances. We don't have the means. The math Jesus just ain't maffin'. Jesus shifts the responsibility from divine detachment to human participation in divine works. In other words, God's going to do it, but he's going to do it through you. God's going to do it, but he's going to do it through faithful disciples. [00:29:47] (46 seconds) #FaithInDivineWorks

God math says little becomes much when you put it in the master's hands. God math says, two pieces of fish is the material needed for a miracle. God's math says that God's power often begins when human resources end. [00:31:00] (23 seconds) #GodMathMiracles

Church folk let what they have prevent them from fulfilling God's mission and vision because they're moved by resources. So everything becomes about the resource. Disciples are moved by vision and by mission and understanding that as long as I'm doing what God has told me to do, God's going to provide because it's God math and not my math. [00:32:19] (29 seconds) #VisionOverResources

You are not walking the walk unless somewhere in your life the math just doesn't make sense because God blessed it. Doesn't make sense because the doctor said that there was no hope, but God blessed it. And so here I am. Doesn't make sense that I'm still here in my right mind, but God blessed it. Doesn't make sense that I still got shelter somehow, but God blessed it. Doesn't make sense that somehow we paid off our debt while we were dealing with a hundred year pandemic, but God blessed it. It doesn't make sense that I'm alive today, but God blessed it. [00:33:00] (34 seconds) #BlessedBeyondReason

He takes the bread, lifts it up to heaven because I will look toward the hills from which cometh my help. My help does not come from a Republican party. My help does not come from a Democratic party. My help does not come from an elephant or a donkey. My help comes from a lamb that was slain. My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who was and is and is to come. [00:34:40] (53 seconds) #HelpFromTheLord

It doesn't make sense, but God blessed it. Five loaves, two fish, over 5,000 people. Doesn't make sense, but God blessed it. How do you know? Because the text says that they all ate and were filled. [00:36:13] (27 seconds) #GodBlessedIt

All means, everybody. Not everybody. Everybody. Everybody ate and were filled. Every age, every gender, every culture, every political affiliation got what they needed. Our problem is we don't want everybody to eat. [00:36:46] (32 seconds) #EveryoneAte

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