Resting in God's Kingship: The Power of Obedience

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound concept of who sits on the throne of our lives. As we journey through Genesis, we are reminded that God rested on the seventh day, not because nothing was happening, but because His kingdom was established, and He was actively working within it. This rest signifies God's ongoing presence and power, inviting us to partner with Him in our daily lives. The seventh day is not just a historical event; it is a continuous reality where God remains enthroned, and we are called to rest in His kingship.

The narrative of Genesis also presents the moral order of life, emphasizing the importance of obedience. The command given to Adam in the Garden of Eden is not arbitrary but a reflection of the moral reality we all face. Obedience is often misunderstood as mindless conformity, but it is, in fact, the pathway to transformation and freedom. By submitting to God's will, we are teachable and open to being shaped into something greater.

The story of "The Karate Kid" serves as a metaphor for this journey of obedience. Just as Daniel learns through seemingly arbitrary tasks, we too must trust in the process of learning and submission. This training is not about blind obedience but about developing character first, then ability. It is through humility and surrender that we gain the power to live rightly.

Today, we are invited to reflect on areas where we can obey God, not out of obligation, but as an act of worship and trust. Whether it's through acts of generosity, service, or mindful thinking, we are called to align our lives with God's will. In doing so, we acknowledge that He is on the throne, guiding us towards a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

- The seventh day of creation is an ongoing reality where God remains enthroned, inviting us to rest in His presence and power. This rest is not inactivity but a partnership with God in our daily lives. [03:48]

- Obedience is not mindless conformity but a pathway to transformation and freedom. By submitting to God's moral order, we open ourselves to being shaped into something greater. [06:17]

- The story of "The Karate Kid" illustrates the importance of character development before ability. Through humility and submission, we gain the power to live rightly and fulfill our potential. [09:39]

- We are called to reflect on areas where we can obey God today, whether through acts of generosity, service, or mindful thinking. This obedience is an act of worship and trust in God's guidance. [10:45]

- Recognizing that God is on the throne allows us to live with purpose and fulfillment. By aligning our lives with His will, we participate in His kingdom work and experience true freedom. [11:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Who's on the Throne?
- [01:00] - God's Rest and Kingdom
- [01:42] - God's Presence and Provision
- [02:28] - The Seventh Day Continues
- [03:48] - Resting in God's Kingship
- [04:01] - The Garden Command
- [05:13] - The Human Problem
- [06:17] - The Role of Obedience
- [07:18] - Transformation Through Obedience
- [07:34] - The Karate Kid Metaphor
- [09:39] - Character First, Then Ability
- [10:12] - Submission and Humility
- [10:45] - Practical Obedience Today
- [11:28] - Living with Purpose and Fulfillment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:1-3
2. Genesis 2:16-17
3. Psalm 132:13-16

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Genesis 2:1-3 say about God's rest on the seventh day, and how does this relate to the idea of God being enthroned? [01:00]

2. In Genesis 2:16-17, what command does God give to Adam, and how is this command described in the sermon? [04:17]

3. According to Psalm 132:13-16, what does God's resting place signify, and how does this connect to His ongoing work in the kingdom? [01:42]

4. How does the sermon describe the seventh day as an ongoing reality, and what implications does this have for our daily lives? [03:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of God resting on the seventh day challenge the common understanding of rest as inactivity? What does it mean for God to be actively working within His kingdom? [03:48]

2. The sermon suggests that obedience is not mindless conformity but a pathway to transformation. How does this perspective change the way one might view the command given to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17? [06:17]

3. The story of "The Karate Kid" is used as a metaphor for obedience and character development. How does this metaphor help explain the relationship between humility, submission, and gaining the power to live rightly? [09:39]

4. What does it mean to align one's life with God's will as an act of worship and trust, and how does this relate to the idea of God being on the throne? [10:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily life: In what ways can you rest in the knowledge that God is on the throne, and how might this change your approach to work and play? [03:48]

2. Consider a specific area in your life where you struggle with obedience. How can you reframe this struggle as an opportunity for transformation and freedom rather than mindless conformity? [06:17]

3. Think about a time when you were asked to do something that seemed arbitrary or pointless. How can the metaphor of "The Karate Kid" help you see the value in such tasks? [09:39]

4. Identify one act of generosity, service, or mindful thinking you can commit to this week as an act of worship and trust in God's guidance. How will you ensure you follow through? [10:45]

5. Reflect on the idea of God being on the throne in your life. What specific steps can you take to align your actions and decisions with His will, and how might this lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life? [11:28]

6. How can you cultivate humility and submission in your daily interactions, and what impact might this have on your relationships and personal growth? [09:22]

7. Consider the distractions in your life that prevent you from focusing on God's presence and power. What practical changes can you make to minimize these distractions and rest in His kingship? [11:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Resting in God's Active Presence
In the creation narrative, the seventh day is not merely a historical event but an ongoing reality where God remains enthroned, inviting us to rest in His presence and power. This rest is not about inactivity but about engaging in a partnership with God in our daily lives. It is a call to recognize His sovereignty and to trust in His active work within His kingdom. By resting in God's kingship, we acknowledge His authority and allow His presence to guide our actions and decisions. This rest is an invitation to experience the peace and assurance that comes from knowing God is in control. [03:48]

"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to rest in God's active presence? How can you intentionally create space today to acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His guidance?


Day 2: Obedience as a Pathway to Transformation
Obedience is often misunderstood as mindless conformity, but it is, in fact, the pathway to transformation and freedom. The command given to Adam in the Garden of Eden reflects the moral reality we all face. By submitting to God's moral order, we open ourselves to being shaped into something greater. Obedience is about being teachable and open to God's shaping hand, allowing Him to transform us into His likeness. It is through this submission that we find true freedom and the ability to live a life that reflects His character. [06:17]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area where you feel God is calling you to obedience? How can you take a step today to submit to His will in that area, trusting in His transformative power?


Day 3: Character Development Before Ability
The story of "The Karate Kid" illustrates the importance of character development before ability. Just as Daniel learns through seemingly arbitrary tasks, we too must trust in the process of learning and submission. This training is not about blind obedience but about developing character first, then ability. Through humility and surrender, we gain the power to live rightly and fulfill our potential. It is in the shaping of our character that we are prepared to handle the abilities and responsibilities God entrusts to us. [09:39]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or task that seemed insignificant. How might God be using this experience to develop your character? What can you learn from it today?


Day 4: Obedience as an Act of Worship
We are called to reflect on areas where we can obey God today, whether through acts of generosity, service, or mindful thinking. This obedience is an act of worship and trust in God's guidance. By aligning our lives with His will, we acknowledge that He is on the throne, guiding us towards a life of purpose and fulfillment. Obedience becomes a way to express our love and devotion to God, recognizing His authority and responding to His call with a willing heart. [10:45]

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one act of obedience you can offer as worship today. How can this act reflect your trust in God's guidance and your desire to align with His will?


Day 5: Living with Purpose and Fulfillment
Recognizing that God is on the throne allows us to live with purpose and fulfillment. By aligning our lives with His will, we participate in His kingdom work and experience true freedom. This alignment is not about following a set of rules but about engaging in a relationship with God that transforms our desires and actions. It is through this relationship that we find our true purpose and the fulfillment that comes from living in accordance with God's design for our lives. [11:28]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel a lack of purpose or fulfillment? How can you seek God's guidance to align this area with His will and experience the freedom He offers?

Quotes

"God is a god of new beginnings, so take a deep breath let go of yesterday it is gone forever and embrace this day for this day as God's gift for you and lift up your hearts and let's find God in each moment and the question for this moment for you and me today is who will be on the throne, because somebody's going to be on the throne of your life." [00:31:23]

"If you've been a part of this journey as we've been walking through Genesis you might remember on day seven Genesis says that God rested and we've looked at how this was a particular idea in the ancient world a God would rest in his Temple that's why a temple was built, and it didn't mean nothing was going on uh king would rest on his throne in his Palace and what that meant was that the order that was needed to set up the kingdom had been done and now he could get on with establishing the kingdom colleague you could set up a computer and the reason that you do that is so that then you can begin to use it." [00:57:36]

"So when God hits the seventh day he's resting on his throne that means he's going to be establishing his kingdom that's good news for everybody we see this for example in Psalm 132 verse 13 following it says for the Lord has chosen Zion Jerusalem he's desired it for his dwelling this is my resting place forever and ever, here I will sit enthroned as I have desired it so he's resting on his throne then he goes on I will bless her Israel with abundant Provisions whether agriculture stuff going on every second all over the Earth the poor I will satisfied with food I will clothe her priest with salvation and their Saints will ever sing for Joy so God when he rests on his throne is doing good work in the Kingdom that's what happens on the seventh day." [01:02:36]

"Something else to notice about the seventh day, you might have observed this kind of refrain through the first chapter of Genesis God says let there be light, separates light from the darkness verse 5 and there was evening and there was morning the first day, and then verse 8 and there was evening and there was morning the second day and then verse 13 and there was evening and there was morning the third day 19 there was evening and morning the fourth day verse 23 and there was evening and morning the fifth day, verse uh 31 Godzilla he made was very good there was evening and there was morning the sixth day and then on the seventh day God finished the work he'd been doing on the seven day arrested from all his work bless the seventh day made it holy kazana he had rested from all the work of creating he had done." [01:48:68]

"Because it's still the seventh day the whole point of the first six days was to get to the seventh day set up the kingdom set up the computer so that it can be used somebody is on the throne we are still in the seventh day so our invitation to rest is we rest in the knowledge that God is on the throne and therefore we're not on the throne and he will be with us to partner with us in our working and our playing and our resting sometimes we do nothing sometimes we do lots but we're always resting in his kingship in his being on the throne in his presence and his power." [02:04:59]

"The Lord God commanded the man you are free to eat from any tree in the garden but you must not eat from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil for when you eat of it you will surely die, now it used to be when I would read this I would think it seems kind of arbitrary why does God do this, he could have just not made that stupid tree and not made up any Rule and then human beings would be fine plus when they fell it's not just that they got in trouble we got in trouble for what they did that doesn't seem very fair." [04:10:79]

"This is a description of the human problem that every one of us has and the idea is that there is a moral order to life there is a moral reality to it, and I can embrace it I can submit myself to it I can honor it I can obey it wholeheartedly, or I can defy it I can resist it that's what's going on in this rule that at first glance can seem kind of arbitrary." [05:15:54]

"Because we can obey we are teachable, we can be guided train directed, we can be changed from who we presently are into something more focused more developed more perfect, so for instance our natural capacity for language can be trained into an ability to read, our native mathematical skills can be shaped into an advanced knowledge our bodies can be strengthened by good coaching our moral character given sharp Outline by high expectations, the teacher gives assignments the coach barks orders the parent lays down rules from the beginning therefore the Commandment that calls for human obedience is God's grace." [06:20:46]

"Law and our capacity to be law abiding is the motor of our transformation it is the engine that moves us from the sixth day toward fellowship with God in the seventh where he is on the throne, it is our capacity to be coachable to learn to obey that actually gives us freedom because if I'm always doing whatever impulse grabs me at the moment I am never actually free, so here's a picture of healthy obedience to God actually of discipleship to Jesus from a movie you may or may not have seen from about 40 years ago called The Karate Kid." [07:09:39]

"Mr mayagi I think it is offers to teach Daniel who's tired of being picked on by bullies the art of karate, and what he says is I will make with you a sacred Pact, I will teach you and you will learn, I promise to teach but you must promise to learn I say you do no questions that's the deal, and so Daniel does and then Mr meragi gives him what seemed to be kind of arbitrary assignments kind of strange rules first to wax his car and if you've seen this it's quite a famous line wax on wax off wax on wax off and then paint the feds and and so Daniel doesn't understand this fully he does what he is commanded to do but eventually he just blows a gasket and says Mr Miyagi you're you're just a tyrant you just want slave labor that's all you want." [07:46:44]

"Mr mayagi explains and he begins to throw a punch and Daniel because it's now in his muscle memory wax on wax off paint the fence he's immediately able to defend himself now he understands, there is a reason for this training he was being empowered to do what he couldn't otherwise do why didn't Mr Miyagi just tell him that at the beginning why didn't he explain it first because Daniel is going to be given great power but Mr Miyagi recognizes that uh he must first of all learn humility and submission, he must be willing to surrender his own will otherwise he will use his power to do great damage." [08:31:00]

"Character first then ability, and it's always that order in the Kingdom character first then ability, and the Temptation humanly speaking is I want to be on the throne gratification first ability first the capacity to seize what I want, so today I remember I am not on the throne, I I must learn submission and humility I don't know best there is someone that knows better, obedience rightly understood not robotic mindless Conformity wholehearted thoughtful deep humble submission to the good that I'm not in charge of making up that is Central to our training as a person that's why the presence of the law moral goodness and the demand that we can form ourselves to it is present in the garden even before the fall." [09:36:66]

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Transcript
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