Time to Ride: Rededicate Yourself to God's Kingdom

May 17, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Clouds and Everlasting Dominion

Jesus ascended before the disciples’ wide eyes, a cloud enveloping Him as heaven received its King. Two angels jolted the staring men: “Why gaze upward? He’ll return the same way.” Centuries earlier, Daniel saw this moment—the Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days to receive dominion over all nations. The kingdom transcends borders, skin tones, and languages. [57:06]

Jesus’ ascension wasn’t abandonment—it was coronation. He rules now, not from a earthly throne but through surrendered hearts. His kingdom advances when we stop staring at the sky and start serving across streets, workplaces, and nations.

Where have you substituted human divisions for Christ’s borderless reign? This week, catch yourself labeling others as “them” instead of “His.” When you hear political or racial rhetoric, ask: Does this align with the King who died for Syrians and Israelites alike? What relational wall might Jesus be asking you to dismantle today?

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
(Daniel 7:13-14, NIV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to reveal one prejudice or assumption you’ve tolerated that contradicts His kingdom vision.
Challenge: Text one person from a different cultural background than yours this week. Say, “How can I pray for you?”

Day 2: Fire on the Altar

Andrew and Serena packed their family for Jamaica, their hands emptied of comfort to grasp orphans’ hands. Like Abraham leaving Ur, they traded predictability for divine purpose. The church laid hands on them, praying fire would fall on their sacrifice—not for show, but for surrendered obedience. [35:17]

Missionaries don’t just cross oceans; they crucify idols. Jesus warned would-be followers to count the cost. Every “yes” to God’s call demands a “no” to lesser allegiances—whether safety, reputation, or control.

What have you clutched too tightly this season? Inventory your grip: career plans, financial security, or even ministry success. Jesus requires everything on the altar. What’s one thing He’s asking you to release so His fire can fall?

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
(Matthew 16:24, NIV)

Prayer: Confess one area where you’ve prioritized comfort over Christ’s commission.
Challenge: Write down three comforts you’re willing to risk for the gospel. Tape them to your bathroom mirror.

Day 3: The Humble Hand

Woodrow Wilson’s contradiction—honoring mothers while segregating nations—exposes our bent to wield God’s name for personal agendas. Peter’s remedy cuts through: “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand.” True power kneels before the throne, letting God exalt in His time. [01:07:08]

Humility isn’t weakness; it’s war. It battles the pride that says, “My race, my politics, my vision first.” Jesus modeled this, emptying Himself to serve even those who spat on Him.

When did you last apologize without excuses? Where have you weaponized Scripture to win arguments rather than win souls? This week, let your “rededication” mean listening more than lecturing. What relationship needs your posture lowered, not your voice raised?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
(1 Peter 5:6, NIV)

Prayer: Thank God for three people who’ve challenged your biases. Name them aloud.
Challenge: Initiate a conversation with someone you’ve avoided. Ask, “What’s your story?”

Day 4: Widows and Syrians

Jesus provoked His hometown by praising a Sidonian widow and Syrian general—outsiders who received miracles while Israelites starved. The crowd seethed, wanting a Messiah for their tribe alone. Christ’s kingdom still offends exclusivity, embracing those we’d exclude. [01:04:07]

God’s grace scandalizes human meritocracies. He heals enemies, feeds pagans, and dies for haters. Our call isn’t to gatekeep the gospel but to dismantle barriers—whether socioeconomic, racial, or political.

Who makes your soul bristle? The coworker with opposing views? The relative who mocks your faith? Jesus didn’t just tolerate them; He ate with them. What table might He ask you to share this week?

“I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”
(Luke 4:25-27, NIV)

Prayer: Intercede for someone you struggle to love. Bless them aloud by name.
Challenge: Buy lunch for someone outside your usual circle. Listen more than speak.

Day 5: Now Is the Time

“It’s time to ride,” the preacher declared—not to conquer but to crucify. Like Jesus surrendering to the cloud, we lay down agendas to take up crosses. The Roach family’s move to Jamaica wasn’t about geography but obedience: empty hands ready for holy fire. [01:12:55]

Delay breeds decay. Excuses—"I’m not ready,” “They don’t deserve help”—preserve idols. Jesus’ kingdom demands present-tense surrender. Today’s the day to quit negotiating with fear and start nurturing orphans, forgiving enemies, or feeding the hungry.

What’s one step you’ve postponed due to inadequacy? Jesus didn’t wait for the disciples’ perfection; He sent them in weakness. Where is He saying “now” instead of “later”?

“When he had said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
(Acts 1:9, NIV)

Prayer: Ask for courage to obey one delayed prompting before sunset today.
Challenge: Perform one act of service you’ve rationalized avoiding. Do it anonymously.

Sermon Summary

We celebrate a sending of laborers to serve vulnerable children overseas and we commit to support their mission with prayer and resources. We declare our identity in Scripture, open our minds to the word, and read Daniel 7 to see a vision of the Son of Man coming with the clouds to receive everlasting dominion and an unshakable kingdom. We connect that vision to the resurrection and ascension recorded in Acts, holding that Jesus now rules with authority over all peoples, nations, and languages. We insist that the kingdom Jesus brings extends beyond any single race or nation, and we point to Gospel scenes that intentionally include outsiders to show the kingdom’s universal reach.

We call ourselves to radical personal holiness: when God reveals idols or blockages, we lay them on the altar so the fire of God can purge them and so we will run to God first in crisis, not to substitute saviors. We confront the misuse of Christianity for political or racial advantage and push back by renewing our own hearts instead of recasting the Gospel. We press humility as the posture that opens us to God’s transforming work and we submit to growth that changes homes, workplaces, and policies by making disciples who reflect Christ’s character.

We urge a practical rededication: follow what Jesus says, go where Jesus sends, and do what Jesus commands. We proclaim a national and personal call to humility, repentance, and persistent obedience so the name of Jesus does not become a tool for self-exaltation but a way of life that produces justice, mercy, and transformation. We invite anyone who has not surrendered to Christ to take that step now, begin a process of discipleship, and allow God to multiply change in every sphere of life. We move forward ready to act, pray, and make disciples because the resurrected King reigns, the kingdom is for everybody, and we must embody that reality in how we live and serve.

Key Takeaways

1. Give idols to God first When God exposes what blocks our devotion, we should surrender those things immediately rather than negotiating with them. Offering idols to God is not primarily moralism; it is reorienting our trust so that in moments of need we run to God first. This habit trains us to live in dependence rather than in panicked improvisation. [53:53]
2. Christ’s kingdom includes all The vision in Daniel and the ascension in Acts show dominion meant for every people group and tongue. Any theology that narrows the kingdom to one ethnicity misses the prophetic witness that Jesus’ rule transcends human boundaries. We must measure our actions and institutions against that universal scope. [58:20]
3. Humility precedes God’s exaltation Humble submission creates space for God to work and for real transformation to begin. When we resist pride and accept correction, God lifts in his timing, not ours. This discipline prevents religious posturing and fosters authentic leadership that serves others. [66:32]
4. Resurrection secures eternal dominion The risen Jesus did not merely return to life; he ascended to receive an everlasting kingdom and authority. That reality shapes courage and mission: our work matters because it participates in a reign that will not be undone. Our witness flows from confidence in that unassailable lordship. [50:17]
5. Follow by surrender and obedience True following means denying self, taking up a cross, and obeying what Jesus says before we feel ready. Obedience recalibrates desires and produces the character the world needs, changing relationships and public life from the inside out. Surrender initiates the transformation, not our preparedness. [73:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:40] - Commissioning to Jamaica
[33:32] - Video Presentation and Prayer
[35:17] - Blessing and Sending Prayer
[48:08] - Bible Affirmation Declaration
[49:10] - Reading: Daniel 7 Begins
[55:25] - Resurrection and Ascension in Acts
[57:06] - Daniel’s Vision Explained
[58:20] - Everlasting Dominion Declared
[58:54] - Kingdom for All Nations
[62:44] - Luke 4 and Inclusion
[66:32] - Humility and Rededication
[73:28] - Invitation to Surrender
[76:11] - Prayer of Salvation
[77:35] - Invitation and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Observation Questions

In Daniel 7:13-14, what specific details describe the authority and scope of the Son of Man’s kingdom?
How does the sermon connect Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension in Acts 1:9-11? [55:25]
What examples from Jesus’ ministry (like Luke 4:25-27) does the sermon highlight to show God’s intentional inclusion of outsiders? [01:02:44]
According to 1 Peter 5:6, what posture does God require for exaltation, and how does the sermon contrast this with pride? [01:06:32]

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus intentionally reference Sidon and Syria (Luke 4:25-27) to provoke His audience, and what does this reveal about the kingdom’s purpose?
How does the “everlasting dominion” given to Jesus in Daniel 7 shape the urgency and confidence of missions and discipleship? [50:17]
The sermon warns against using Christianity for political or racial advantage. How might misapplying the gospel’s universality (as in Daniel 7:14) lead to division or exclusion?
Why does humility create space for God’s transformation, and how does pride block it, according to 1 Peter 5:6?

Application Questions

What “idols” (habits, comforts, or dependencies) has God recently exposed in your life that you need to surrender? How can you practically lay them “on the altar” this week? [53:53]
In what relationships, workplaces, or communities do you struggle to see God’s kingdom as “for everybody”? What step can you take to actively reflect its inclusivity? [58:54]
Humility requires accepting correction. Where have you resisted feedback or accountability, and how can you invite God to reshape that area? [01:06:32]
The sermon urges “follow what Jesus says, go where He sends, and do what He commands.” What is one specific, uncomfortable obedience Jesus is asking of you right now? [01:13:28]
How can you intentionally support missions (like the Jamaica team) through prayer, resources, or encouragement this month? [29:40]
When crises arise, do you default to “panicked improvisation” or running to God first? Name a recent stress and commit to praying before acting next time. [53:53]

Sermon Clips

57s

#KingdomForAll

“``They were gonna throw Jesus off the side of the cliff then because in their minds, god was just for one race. If you're an Israelite, god is with you. If you're not with, if you're not an Israelite, god's not with you. But Jesus intentionally told them this because he wanted them to know his kingdom is for everybody. Yeah. It's for everybody. In Mark chapter 11 verse 17, he's taught them saying, he said this to them, is it not written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. You you see? For all nations. Jesus was reminding them that kingdom is not for just one race or one ethnic group.”

50s

#TransformAndMultiply

“But if you don't get it right, if there's no transformation in you and if there's no multiplication, there can be no dominion. Do you understand that? When other people who don't have it right, multiply through media and and all kinds of thing, then, they have dominion but if you allow god to transform you and you start making disciples. Yes. Then, the will of god will be done in the planet, in the nation, and in the community. But it starts with allowing god to transform you. Not just using god, using the name of god to do what you want to do. Yes. But actually being willing to be changed.”

37s

#SurrenderIdols

“and when I lay it on the altar, then the fire of god falls on it. And that's one more thing. Why do we need to get rid of those things? Because here's here's why. Because those things are idols in our lives. Yeah. We have idols in our lives and when we have idols and trouble comes, an idol is something we turn to instead of turning to god and so, god wants us to give him those idols so that every time we need him, we don't have to wait till the last minute. Well, I tried this. I tried that. I tried. No. No. I run right to god as soon as I need him because my idols are gone.”

39s

#JesusAlive

“The resurrection means Jesus is alive. Do you believe that god raised him from the dead? Yeah. You believe he's alive? Yeah. Do you believe he's powerful? Yeah. Do you believe he's lord? Yes. Lord means there's nothing that can attack you that he can't defeat for you. Lord means he's over everything. Yeah. Lord means he has the last word. Yeah. He establishes the standard. He's lord and then, Jesus loves you. God is on your side.”

36s

#SeekTheLord

“We come to, the Bible says, it's time to seek the lord. Yeah. What's that mean? It's time to come to god and say, lord, here I am. Everything you've got to do in me, change me, work on me. Yeah. Use me. It's time to seek the lord and don't don't let yourself be pulled into other directions. After Jesus. Keep walking. Yeah. After Jesus. Amen. This is our hour. Yeah. This is our time. Yeah.”

41s

#GospelForAllNations

“And and see the the reason this is important is because we've got people who are saying, well, I don't want anything to do with Christianity because it's got all of these racist in it and and so we gotta be able to to think through and we gotta be able to defeat the language that the devil is using to keep people away from the gospel, to keep people away from the kingdom, to keep people away from the blessings that god has because this kingdom is for everybody. It it it's not just for one race or one people or one nation. This kingdom is for everybody and and it says, for all nations.”

45s

#GetItRightFaith

“Well, first of all, we have to understand that nobody's perfect. Amen. And and people get twisted doctrines. He he was twisted up with his doctrine. He, now, he was a he was a president of a Christian college before he was before he was a president of United States. Yeah. But everybody doesn't have the teaching right. Come on. And and that's why we can't we can't put throw it down and say, well, I'm I'm through a Christianity. No, you get it right. Yeah. You get it right. Yeah. You submit yourself to god and then you multiply what's in you. Yeah.”

47s

#ComeAsYouAre

“All over the building, you say, pastor, that's me. I wanna I wanna get in on that prayer. Would you pray for me? I wanna know that I know that I'm safe. I'm giving my life to Jesus. Now, listen, you have to clean yourself up. I know somebody may say, well, I gotta get my life right first. No, you can't get your life right first. You give your life. You come just as you are. And surrender. Surrender If you say, pastor, that's me. I'm surrendering to Jesus. If that's you, just raise your hand. We're gonna pray for you today. I'm surrendering. I'm surrendering. Thank you, Jesus.”

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What does it mean that Jesus received dominion

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Why is the kingdom said to be for all

Time to Ride: Rededicate Yourself to God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Clouds and Everlasting Dominion

Day 2: Fire on the Altar

Day 3: The Humble Hand

Day 4: Widows and Syrians

Day 5: Now Is the Time

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Time to Ride: Rededicate Yourself to God's Kingdom

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