Living Christlike in the Kingdom: Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

Nov 02, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Seek First the Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God is not just a religious idea but the very government and system by which God rules, bringing order, justice, and provision to His people. When you seek His kingdom first—above your own plans, anxieties, and the systems of this world—God promises to add everything you need. Instead of worrying about daily needs, you are invited to trust in His rule, allowing His love, forgiveness, and service to govern your life. Let your heart be set on His ways, and watch as He provides in ways you could never orchestrate on your own. [01:48:47]

Matthew 6:33 (NIV): "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been relying on your own efforts or the world’s systems instead of seeking God’s kingdom first? How can you intentionally surrender that area to His rule today?

Day 2: The Kingdom is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit

The kingdom of God is not about external things like eating and drinking, but about living in righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit. This means that God’s rule transforms your inner life, guiding your decisions and relationships according to His Word. When you let the principles of the Bible and the presence of the Holy Spirit govern your actions, you experience true victory and fulfillment in every area—marriage, finances, health, and more. The kingdom’s power is released as you align your choices with God’s constitution, the Bible. [01:57:47]

Romans 14:17 (NIV): "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: In what practical way can you invite righteousness, peace, or joy into a specific relationship or situation in your life today by following God’s Word?

Day 3: Sowing and Reaping: Living by Kingdom Principles

Every decision and action you take is a seed that will produce a harvest, whether for the flesh or for the Spirit. The kingdom of God operates on the principle of sowing and reaping, and only those who sow to the Spirit—living by Christ’s presence and power—will reap eternal life and true blessing. Good deeds done apart from Christ may bring temporary results, but only Spirit-led sowing brings lasting fruit. Trust that as you keep plowing, sowing, and watering in faithfulness, God will bring forth a harvest in due season. [02:05:49]

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV): "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Reflection: What is one “seed” you can intentionally sow to the Spirit today—whether in your words, actions, or attitude—that will honor God and bless others?

Day 4: Renewing Your Mind to Live Christlike

To live Christlike and manifest the kingdom, your mind must be renewed daily by God’s Word. The Holy Spirit communicates with your soul, but if your mind is filled with worldly opinions or distractions, you will miss His voice. As you allow the incorruptible seed of the Word to transform your thinking, you become able to discern God’s will and walk in His life-giving ways. This renewal is not a one-time event but a continual process that empowers you to live out your true identity in Christ. [02:11:16]

Romans 12:2 (NIV): "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Reflection: What is one opinion or belief you have picked up from the world that you need to replace with God’s truth? How will you do that today?

Day 5: Praise Brings the Presence, Principles, and Power of God

Praise is not just a response to good times but a key that brings God’s presence into your situation, even in darkness or difficulty. When you praise God in the midst of your struggles, His presence comes, His principles are revealed, and His power is released to bring transformation and breakthrough. Praise shifts your focus from your problems to God’s promises, and it is in this atmosphere that the kingdom of heaven is manifested in your life. [02:21:16]

Psalm 22:3 (ESV): "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to intentionally praise God today, even if you don’t see the answer yet? How can you make praise your first response in that situation?

Sermon Summary

The call is to offer all of our worship to God, not just in song but in every aspect of our lives. True discipleship is rooted in a passionate love relationship with Jesus—He must be our first love, above all other relationships. Out of this love, we live for Him, not out of obligation or religious duty, but because our hearts are transformed. When we live for Him, we are empowered to lead others to do the same, primarily through serving them as Christ served us.

The kingdom of God is not a religion or a set of rituals, but the very government and rule of God. Jesus did not come to establish another religion; He brought a new way of living under God’s rule—a system governed by love, forgiveness, and service. The world’s systems and governments are not our source or security; we are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all our needs will be met as we align ourselves with His ways.

Many believers struggle because they are too focused on earthly matters and opinions shaped by the world, rather than being governed by the principles of the kingdom. The kingdom is not about natural things like food or clothing, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are accessed by submitting our decisions and actions to the Word of God, allowing His truth to govern our relationships, finances, and health.

Living under the kingdom means understanding the principle of sowing and reaping. Every choice and action is a seed that will produce a harvest, whether for the flesh or the Spirit. Only those who sow to the Spirit—living by the Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit—will reap the life of heaven both now and in eternity. Even when we do not see immediate results, we are called to keep plowing, sowing, and watering, trusting that God will bring forth life in due season.

Ultimately, Christlikeness is manifested as we praise and worship God, even in dark or difficult places. Praise brings His presence, His presence brings His principles, and His principles release His power. As we live governed by the Spirit, we become lifegiving people who manifest the kingdom of God on earth, carrying His presence, principles, and power into every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship flows from a passionate love for Jesus, not religious obligation. When Jesus is truly our first love, our actions and choices are motivated by devotion, not duty. This love transforms us from the inside out and empowers us to lead others by serving them as Christ served us. [100:32]
2. The kingdom of God is God’s government—His way of ruling and bringing order, justice, and blessing. It is not bound by earthly systems or governments, and it operates on principles of love, forgiveness, and service. When we seek His kingdom first, we are freed from anxiety and the limitations of worldly systems. [103:50]
3. Opinions shaped by the world can pervert our spiritual vision and hinder us from receiving God’s truth. We must approach God’s Word without preconceived judgments, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and align us with the reality of the kingdom. The kingdom mindset is not democratic; it is about surrendering to the King’s will. [110:54]
4. The kingdom is not about natural things, but it governs our natural lives through righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are accessed by making decisions based on God’s Word, not our feelings or circumstances. Living this way brings God’s approval and the respect of others, even if they do not like us. [117:47]
5. Sowing and reaping is a foundational principle of the kingdom. Every choice is a seed, and only those sown to the Spirit will produce lasting, lifegiving fruit. Even when the process is hidden or difficult, persistent faithfulness in sowing, plowing, and praising will result in a harvest of Christlikeness and kingdom manifestation. [137:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[95:54] - Offering Our Worship
[96:40] - Entering God’s Presence
[97:19] - Declaration of Faith
[98:03] - Reading 1 Corinthians 15:45
[99:19] - Prayer for Transformation
[99:55] - Vision: Love, Live, Lead Like Jesus
[101:50] - Understanding the Kingdom of God
[103:50] - God’s Government vs. Worldly Systems
[108:47] - Seeking the Kingdom First
[110:54] - The Danger of Worldly Opinions
[114:36] - The Kingdom is Spiritual
[117:47] - Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit
[125:10] - Sowing and Reaping in the Kingdom
[129:54] - The First and Last Adam
[134:48] - The Seed Must Die to Bring Life
[137:21] - Keep Plowing, Sowing, and Praising
[138:41] - Becoming Christlike Through Praise
[141:16] - Praise Brings Presence, Principles, and Power
[142:34] - Breakthrough in Praise

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living the Kingdom Life

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:45 (ESV)

> “Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

> “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Romans 14:17 (ESV)

> “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 15:45, what is the difference between the first Adam and the last Adam? How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus as the “life-giving spirit”? [[02:09:54]]
In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus say we should seek first, and what is the promise attached to that command? How did the sermon connect this to our daily worries and needs? [[01:48:47]]
Romans 14:17 says the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking. What three things does Paul say the kingdom is about, and how did the sermon explain how these affect our everyday lives? [[01:57:47]]
The sermon mentioned that discipleship is rooted in a passionate love relationship with Jesus, not just religious duty. What does it look like, according to the sermon, when someone is living out of love for Jesus instead of obligation? [[01:40:32]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus didn’t come to start a new religion, but to bring God’s government—a new way of living. What does it mean for God’s “government” to rule in our lives, and how is this different from just following religious rules? [[01:43:50]]
The pastor talked about how opinions shaped by the world can “pervert our spiritual vision.” What are some ways that worldly opinions might affect how we read or respond to God’s Word? [[01:50:54]]
The principle of sowing and reaping was emphasized as a foundational part of the kingdom. How does the idea that “every choice is a seed” challenge the way we make decisions in our relationships, finances, or health? [[02:05:10]]
The sermon said that praise brings God’s presence, His presence brings His principles, and His principles release His power. How does this process help believers become more Christlike, especially in difficult times? [[02:21:16]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to offer all our worship to God, not just in song but in every part of our lives. What is one area of your life (work, family, finances, health, etc.) where you find it hard to worship God? What would it look like to offer that area to Him this week? [[01:35:54]]
The pastor said that true discipleship flows from a passionate love for Jesus, not religious obligation. Is there a part of your walk with God that feels more like a duty than a delight? What is one step you could take to rekindle your love for Jesus in that area? [[01:40:32]]
The sermon warned against letting worldly opinions shape our thinking. Can you identify a belief or habit in your life that has been more influenced by the world than by God’s Word? What would it look like to surrender that to God’s kingdom way? [[01:50:54]]
The principle of sowing and reaping means that every choice is a seed. Think about a recent decision you made in your relationships, finances, or health. Was it a seed sown to the flesh or to the Spirit? What kind of harvest do you want to see, and what changes might you need to make? [[02:05:10]]
The sermon encouraged us to keep “plowing, sowing, and praising” even when we don’t see immediate results. Is there an area in your life where you feel like you’re not seeing a harvest yet? How can you stay faithful and keep trusting God in that area? [[02:17:21]]
The pastor said that living by the kingdom brings God’s approval and the respect of others, even if they don’t like us. Have you ever experienced being respected but not liked because of your faith? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[02:03:49]]
The sermon ended by saying that praise brings breakthrough, especially in dark or difficult places. What is one practical way you can choose to praise God this week, even if your circumstances haven’t changed yet? [[02:22:34]]

Sermon Clips

“A disciple is one who loves Jesus, lives for him, and lead others to do the same. A disciple is one who is in a love relationship with Jesus, who is passionate about him. Uh more passionate than a husband is about a wife. More passionate than a wife is about a husband. Love relationship. He is numero uno. He is number one when it comes to relationships in your life. That's a true disciple. Loves Jesus. Lives for him. Because out of that love for him, it's not I'm trying to live right. It's out of that love for him. I live right because I do it out of the love, not out of the have to, not out of the uh not out of religion, not out of trying to get him to do something for me, but I do it because I love him. I live for him. And when you live for him now, it places you in a place that you can lead others to do the same. And we do that by serving. We lead others to Jesus by serving them. Serving them and how God has gifted us, what he's called us to do, what he's called us to be, and where we can help them. As as as Minister Jessica said, to bring them to the king. That's what a true disciple is. Love, lives, and leads like Jesus.”

“The kingdom of God is the government. We know what we're dealing right now in this country. Once again, has not caught God off off guard. In fact, he is using this to wake up the body of Christ that we are not bound by any natural government. and what the government can do for us, give us because we are under the government of the kingdom of God.”

“When Jesus says repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, what was he saying? He says he uh uh uh repent meaning turning from the way you've been living because the way you've been living is broken. The way you've been living is jacked up. The way you've been living there's lack, there's brokenhearted, there's disappointments. The way you have been living, he says, I have I I have brought a better way of living and it's the kingdom of heaven. It is his government. how he governs.”

“It signifies God's rule. Catch this y'all. and allowing his principle of love, forgiveness, and service to govern the lives of his people. Let me say that again. The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven signifies God's rule. Not what we understand rule to be that folk rule over us, but understand that it is rule by way of his love for us, by way of his uh I'm sorry, the principles of his love, forgiveness, and service to govern us as his people.”

“The problem with the body of Christ is that we are too earthly minded to be any kingdom good. What do you mean? Because we're looking in the natural. Listen, can y'all just stick with me for a few moments? cuz it's a truth that sets us free.”

“To find the kingdom of God. We must hear the word of God without preconceived opinions. Opinions meaning a view or judgment formed about something not necessarily based on fact, knowledge of truth. When you get your truth from the news and the systems of this world and social media, when you are getting your truth, you are getting opinions.”

“Because we live in a nation of democracy, we don't understand what it means to have a king and be in a kingdom. All right? Because we have the mentality of my voice, my vote. So what happens is when the king speaks from his constitution and he is saying something that we don't like we have a democracy spiritual mind to think that we can vote on what the king has said.”

“Let me show you. Let me show you. We don't believe that the Lord Jesus can take care of our physical needs, food, clothing, health care. You listen, you do you. You want to know what God's health care is? All right. By his stripes, you are healed. His health care is eat right and your body will heal itself. His healthc care is you can't put junk food in and expect health to come out.”

“But the soul has to be renewed. The soul has to be renewed to become one with Christ. Let me let me move. Let me move. Let me move. He says say says he says he says he says Adam became a living being. The last Adam a lifeg life here means to have true life worthy of the name active blessed endless in the kingdom of God. See see this is what we have to understand is this. The father, the kingdom government goes by the same system it has placed in us. If you sow it, you reap it.”

“So he says, if you sow my righteousness in your life, you're going to reap a harvest from that that's going to bless your life. But you got to be able to handle Can I go down? Can you go with me? You got to be able to handle the seed to go into the dirt to go into darkness and die before it can bring life.”

“If you keep plowing and you keep sewing and you keep watering. If you keep plowing and you keep sewing and you keep watering, just keep plowing. Keep sewing and keep watering. If you keep plowing, keep sewing and keep watering. I know it looks like dirt right now, but one day you going to wake up. You're going to see a little stem coming out that dirt. It's going to show you God has not forgotten you. You are on his mind. He is working it out.”

“The vision to love and I'm almost at to love, live, and lead like Jesus to manifest his kingdom is being Christlike. Being a lifegiving spirit that gives the life of Christ, which is his presence, his principles, and the power to fulfill the mission. Lord have mercy. The kingdom key is that you become Christlike through your praise and your worship.”

“And praise and worship begins with the truth of God's word. Wow. And the Holy Spirit. Let me show you what it looks like. You in a dark place right now. You hear God's word that if I just keep being faithful that one day he gonna bring me up out of the dark place. One day I'm going to rise and the light going to shine.”

“If I praise you in the midst of it, your presence will bring your principle. If I praise you in the midst of it, your principles will bring your power. And one day, I'm going to wake up. I'm going to open my eyes and I'm going to say like the old saints used to say, "I was glad when he afflicted me because it was through his affliction that I got to know who he really was."”

“And when your life becomes about being Christlike, you will carry his presence that carries his principles that carries his power that will manifest the kingdom of heaven in the earth. Kingdom key here is this. Praise brings his presence. His presence brings principles. His principles release his power and his power manifest likeness.”

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