Living in Love: Embodying God's Kingdom Now
Summary
The foundation of everything we do as followers of Christ must be love. No matter how mature we become, how much knowledge or experience we gain, love remains the unchanging core. Without it, we lose our connection to God Himself. We are called to live from a heavenly mindset, embodying the reality of God’s kingdom here and now, not just waiting for some future event. This means allowing God to continually renew our thinking, tearing down old patterns and revealing new levels of truth that move us closer to His original intent for humanity—living in unity with Him, as it was before the fall and as it will be when Christ returns.
God is inviting us to believe for more, to step into the miraculous, and to recognize that we are called to be miracle workers. This isn’t about hype or empty declarations, but about aligning our faith with God’s higher purpose and allowing Him to work through us. Discipline, motivation, and hope are all rooted in knowing the truth—specifically, the truth God is speaking to each of us today. As we grow, God reveals new layers of truth, and our faith must mature accordingly. We must be willing to examine ourselves honestly, asking where we are aligned with Christ and where we might still be sitting with the “money changers” in our own hearts.
The world is changing rapidly, and spiritual deception is increasing, but God is pouring out a new level of spiritual awakening. The Holy Spirit is essential—without Him, even the best knowledge or religious activity is empty. Like someone who reads a book about chickens but never owns one, we can know about God but miss the living reality of His presence. The Spirit brings our mind and heart into unity, healing the inner war and enabling us to act from love rather than double-mindedness.
God is calling us to a place where our mind and heart are one, where we live from the “garden” of His presence, co-creating with Him and manifesting His kingdom on earth. This requires waiting on the Lord, being disciplined in seeking Him, and allowing Him to do a new thing in and through us. Each of us has a unique part to play, and the Holy Spirit will not fail us. Our greatest calling is to learn to remain in that place of love, letting the Spirit lead us, and living out the reality of heaven on earth.
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Key Takeaways
- Love is the Unchanging Foundation: No matter how much we grow in wisdom or spiritual maturity, love remains the essential core of our lives. If we lose love, we lose our connection to God, and all our efforts become empty noise. The higher we go in revelation, the more vital it is to remain rooted in love, for it is the only thing that never changes and always deepens. [01:15:53]
- Heaven is Meant to Be Embodied Now: Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is within us, not just a distant place we hope to reach. We are called to live now as citizens of heaven, bringing God’s will to earth in our daily lives. This means allowing God to renew our minds and reveal new truths, so we can live as He intended before the fall and as it will be in the age to come. [01:17:58]
- Faith and Belief Unlock the Miraculous: Jesus said we would do greater works than He did, but this requires a faith that is active and growing. Our belief is not just mental assent but a deep conviction that motivates us to act, even when it challenges our old ways of thinking. The miraculous becomes possible when we align our faith with God’s higher purpose and step out in obedience. [01:20:28]
- The Holy Spirit Unites Mind and Heart: Knowledge alone is not enough; without the Holy Spirit, even the Bible is just a book. The Spirit brings our mind and heart into unity, healing the inner conflict that keeps us double-minded. Only through the Spirit can we act from a place of love and stability, rather than being tossed by doubt and dissonance. [01:50:25]
- Discipline Begins with Waiting on God: True transformation and spiritual power come from disciplined time in God’s presence. Waiting on the Lord is often uncomfortable, but it is the starting point for hearing His voice, receiving new truth, and being equipped for the unique calling He has for each of us. The Spirit’s leading is personal and specific, and our willingness to wait and listen is the key to living out our purpose. [01:55:37]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15:53] - The Unchanging Foundation of Love
[01:17:58] - Heaven on Earth: Living the Kingdom Now
[01:19:17] - Called to Greater Works
[01:20:28] - Declaring: I Am a Miracle Worker
[01:21:33] - Faith, Belief, and Spiritual Growth
[01:23:42] - Discipline, Motivation, and Truth
[01:25:53] - Growing in Truth and Faith
[01:26:44] - Discovering Your Higher Purpose
[01:28:33] - The Great Spiritual Awakening
[01:29:57] - Examining Ourselves Honestly
[01:33:06] - The War Within: Mind and Heart
[01:35:31] - New Levels of Spiritual Truth
[01:37:12] - Navigating a Changing World
[01:41:19] - The Power of Belief in Action
[01:42:53] - God Is the Atmosphere
[01:44:03] - The Cost of Following Christ
[01:45:42] - The Bible, the Spirit, and Real Experience
[01:50:25] - The Three-Strand Cord: Mind, Heart, Spirit
[01:53:10] - Living from Unity and Love
[01:54:34] - Preparing for the Days Ahead
[01:55:37] - Discipline: Waiting on the Lord
[01:57:03] - Your Unique Calling
[01:58:29] - Remaining in Love and Letting the Spirit Lead
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
2. John 14:12 (ESV)
> “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
3. James 1:5-8 (ESV)
> If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what is the result of having spiritual gifts or great faith but lacking love?
2. In John 14:12, what does Jesus say about the works His followers will do, and what is the condition for this?
3. The sermon mentions the importance of love as the foundation for everything we do as Christians. What are some ways the speaker describes how love should shape our actions? [[01:15:53]]
4. The sermon uses the example of the “three-strand cord” (mind, heart, Spirit). What does the speaker say happens when our mind and heart are not united by the Holy Spirit? [[01:50:25]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 emphasize that love is more important than knowledge, faith, or even sacrificial acts? How does this relate to the sermon’s point about losing our connection to God if we lose love? [[01:15:53]]
2. The sermon says, “Heaven is meant to be embodied now.” What does it mean to live as citizens of heaven in our daily lives, according to both the sermon and the Bible? [[01:17:58]]
3. The speaker talks about being “double-minded” and the war between mind and heart. Why is unity between mind and heart so crucial for living out our faith? [[01:50:25]]
4. The sermon challenges us to examine ourselves honestly, asking where we are aligned with Christ and where we might still be “sitting with the money changers.” What does this self-examination look like in practice? [[01:29:57]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “No matter how high you go in maturity...the thing that always stays the same and never changes is love.” In what area of your life do you find it hardest to act from a place of love? What is one step you could take this week to change that? [[01:15:53]]
2. The speaker encourages us to believe for more and to step into the miraculous, not just with words but with faith and action. Is there an area where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, even if it feels uncomfortable or risky? What would it look like to take that step? [[01:20:28]]
3. The sermon talks about “waiting on the Lord” as the starting point for discipline and transformation. What does waiting on God look like for you personally? Are there distractions or habits you need to address to make more space for this? [[01:55:37]]
4. The speaker uses the analogy of knowing about chickens versus actually having a chicken to describe the difference between knowing about God and experiencing Him through the Holy Spirit. In your spiritual life, are you more in the “knowing about” or “experiencing” category? What could help you move toward deeper experience? [[01:46:41]]
5. The sermon says, “God is calling us to a place where our mind and heart are one.” Is there a specific area where you feel a disconnect between what you know and what you feel? How might you invite the Holy Spirit to bring unity in that area? [[01:50:25]]
6. The speaker challenges us to examine where we might be “sitting with the money changers” in our own hearts. Is there a habit, relationship, or mindset that you sense God is asking you to let go of or change? What would it look like to take a first step? [[01:29:57]]
7. The sermon says, “Our greatest calling is to learn to remain in that place of love, letting the Spirit lead us, and living out the reality of heaven on earth.” What is one practical way you can let the Spirit lead you this week—in your family, work, or community? [[01:58:29]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Love is the Foundation of All Christian Living
Everything we do as followers of Christ must be rooted in love, for love is not just a virtue but the very essence of God Himself. No matter how much wisdom, maturity, or spiritual experience we gain, if we lose love, we lose our connection to God and our true purpose. Love is the unchanging foundation that must undergird every action, every ministry, and every relationship; without it, even the greatest acts become empty noise. Let your heart be reminded that to operate from love is to operate from the heart of God, and to continually return to this foundation is the highest calling for every believer. [01:15:53]
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to act from a place of love, and how can you invite God to help you return to that foundation today?
Day 2: The Kingdom of Heaven is Within You
Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a distant place we are waiting to reach, but a present reality that we carry within us as believers. We are called to live now as citizens of heaven, embodying God’s will on earth just as it is in heaven, even in the midst of a chaotic world. This means living with a heavenly mindset, allowing God to transform our thinking and actions so that our lives reflect the restoration and wholeness that God intends for all creation. Embrace the truth that heaven is not just a future hope, but a present calling to bring God’s reality into every moment of your life. [01:17:58]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally bring the reality of God’s kingdom into your daily environment today?
Day 3: The Power of Belief and Faith
Faith is simply belief—what you truly hold to be true—and Jesus calls us to a faith that expects miracles and transformation. The difference between “little faith” and “great faith” is not about spiritual status but about believing God’s truth and acting on it, even when circumstances seem impossible. When you believe as Jesus did, you become a vessel for God’s miraculous power, and your life becomes a place where miracles can happen. Let your belief be shaped by God’s promises, and step out in faith, knowing that you are called to do even greater things through Him. [01:19:17]
John 14:12 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to move from “little faith” to “great faith,” and what is one step you can take today to act on that belief?
Day 4: Unity of Heart and Mind through the Holy Spirit
There is often a war within us between what we know in our minds and what we feel in our hearts, but God desires to bring these into unity through the Holy Spirit. When your mind and heart are aligned, you are no longer double-minded or unstable, but able to act out of love and truth with confidence and clarity. This unity is the “three-strand cord” that empowers you to live from a place of wholeness, no longer manipulated by doubt or divided desires. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to bring your thoughts and emotions together, so you can live in coherence and walk in the fullness of God’s purpose for you. [01:53:10]
James 1:5-8 (ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Reflection: What is one area where your heart and mind are not in agreement, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring them into unity today?
Day 5: Discipline Begins with Waiting on the Lord
True spiritual discipline does not start with striving or self-effort, but with learning to wait upon the Lord and listen for His voice. In a world full of distractions and pressures, the most powerful thing you can do is to set aside time to be alone with God, allowing Him to reveal truth and fill you with His love. This waiting is not passive, but an active discipline that positions you to receive new revelation, strength, and direction for your unique calling. Don’t give up if you don’t experience immediate results; keep returning to that quiet place, and let God shape you into the person He created you to be. [01:57:03]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Reflection: When can you set aside intentional time this week to wait on the Lord, and what distractions do you need to lay aside to make that possible?
Quotes
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