New Kingdom. New You. New Hope.

The turn of the year invites honest reflection: many intended to grow, but goals stalled, good habits faded, and shame crept in. The answer offered is not another plan but a perspective—seeing life through the Bible’s lens. From Eden, humanity was created to live in God’s presence, choosing the tree of life, receiving provision, purpose, and joy. Instead, mankind chose autonomy, and separation followed. Yet God promised a Messiah who would reunite heaven and earth. In Jesus, God and humanity meet perfectly; he is the true temple. After his ascension, that temple continues through his people—living stones formed into a spiritual house—so that even now the kingdom is “already and not yet.”

This perspective reframes both world and self. The worldly view concludes the world spirals toward ruin; the biblical view sees a broken world moving toward renewal because God keeps promises. Jesus will return to make all things new—no more death, tears, or separation—and in the meantime, his people preview that future by offering “kingdom samples” of love, joy, peace, justice, and healing. The same “already and not yet” applies to personal transformation. Those who belong to Christ truly are new creations, indwelt by the Spirit, yet still groan for full redemption. The gap between who one is and who one longs to be is not proof of failure; it is evidence of where the story sits.

Therefore shame loses its leverage. Sanctification is God’s project; he began the work, he continues it, and he will finish it. Weakness is not a liability but a place where Jesus’ power is most visible, like kintsugi where golden seams make broken pottery stronger and more beautiful than before. Rather than obsessing over self-improvement strategies, the call is to enthrone Jesus—practically, presently—and to respond to his invitations with a simple yes. Try what seems beyond strength so that when it happens, the credit clearly belongs to Christ in us. With that perspective, hope rises, courage returns, goals become worship, and daily life becomes a temple where heaven touches earth.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Trade despair for biblical hope The world is broken, but not abandoned. Scripture anchors the future in God’s promise to make all things new, replacing fatalism with anticipation. Hope isn’t denial; it’s clarity about where the story is headed and who authors it. This outlook fuels endurance and generous love in the present. [14:50]
• 2. Be the temple in the overlap Heaven and earth already overlap in Christ, and now through Spirit-filled people who are “living stones.” Ordinary places become sacred as God’s presence flows through embodied mercy, justice, and joy. This is not escapism; it’s participation in God’s renewal right where we live. [13:36]
• 3. Embrace “already and not yet” In Christ, the new creation is real, yet unfinished. That tension explains both genuine growth and lingering struggle without resorting to denial or despair. Receive the Spirit’s fruit as a foretaste, and long for the fullness with patience and courage. [20:43]
• 4. Let weakness display Christ’s power Unremoved thorns can become altars where grace is seen most clearly. When limits remain, they expose self-reliance and create space for divine strength. Boasting in weakness is not self-contempt; it is confidence that Christ’s power rests where control is surrendered. [26:02]
• 5. Make Jesus King and say yes Transformation accelerates when Jesus is practically enthroned over desires, calendars, and decisions. Attempt what requires him, not merely better tactics, so outcomes magnify his presence rather than personal resolve. Obedience beats obsession with results—say yes and watch grace work. [34:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Looking back and forward
• [02:39] - When goals breed shame
• [03:58] - A new perspective offered
• [04:34] - Worldly vs. biblical worldview
• [06:28] - Eden’s choice and separation
• [09:47] - Living in the overlap
• [10:39] - What is a temple?
• [13:05] - Jesus, the true temple
• [13:36] - Living stones: temple today
• [14:50] - God keeps promises; our part
• [17:12] - Creation groans; hope rising
• [18:59] - New humanity: already/not yet
• [26:02] - Power in weakness: Paul’s thorn
• [34:56] - Say yes; trust His strength

Bible reading

- Revelation 21:3-5

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be

- Romans 8:22-23

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

- 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Observation questions

1. In Revelation 21:3-5, what specific things does God promise to remove or end, and what does he promise to make new?
2. According to Romans 8:22-23, who is groaning, and what are they waiting for? What picture does Paul use to describe creation’s struggle?
3. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, what did Paul ask God to do, what answer did God give, and how did Paul’s attitude change?
4. “A temple is a place where God and man come together” [10:39]. What Old Testament “temple” pictures were mentioned (mountains, tabernacle, Solomon’s temple), and how did each show heaven and earth overlapping?

Interpretation questions

1. If Revelation 21:3-5 is where the story is headed, how should that reshape the way a person interprets bad news and suffering today? What kind of hope does this create?
2. Romans 8:22-23 says believers have the Spirit as a “foretaste” while still groaning. How does that explain the gap between real growth and ongoing struggle in a Christian’s life?
3. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, what does it mean to “boast” in weakness without slipping into self-contempt? Where is the line between accepting limits and making peace with sin?
4. “His kingdom is coming here… he’s calling us to be part of bringing it here” [18:26]. How does this vision guard against escapism on one hand and despair on the other?

Application questions

1. “The one who’s changing you isn’t you” [22:21]. Where has shame been loud for you about last year? What would it look like this week to trade that shame for trust in Jesus’ ongoing work?
2. “Make Jesus king of it” [33:33]. Pick one area (calendar, finances, relationships, health). What is one practical change that would show Jesus is on the throne there?
3. “Help them experience kingdom samples” [15:45]. Who near you needs a taste of love, joy, peace, justice, or healing? What is one concrete act you can offer in the next 7 days?
4. “Jesus shows up better in our weaknesses than our natural strengths” [27:46]. Name one “thorn” or limit you’ve begged God to remove. How could you invite Christ’s power into that place this week, and what step would make that dependence visible?
5. The Spirit’s fruit now is “a taste of future glory” [21:22]. Where do you see even a small foretaste (love, joy, peace, self-control)? How will you nurture that this week while waiting for fuller change?
6. “Just say yes” [34:56]. What do you sense Jesus inviting you to start, stop, or risk this month? What is your next small yes, and who will you tell for support?
7. “Together we are the temple” [14:04]. Name one ordinary place you’ll be this week (home, office, neighborhood). What would it look like to make that space an overlap—where heaven meets earth—through mercy, justice, or joy?