Surrendering to Christ: Embracing His Kingdom Fully

Devotional

Day 1: The Full Revelation of Christ

Isaiah's prophecy foretells a day when Jesus Christ will reveal Himself fully to the world, encompassing His kingship, deeds, deity, sovereignty, grace, mercy, and judgment. This revelation will leave no place hidden from His presence, and it will be a moment of both joy and apprehension for humanity. The presence of God is gradually filling every void on earth, and this is a cause for both joy and apprehension. The full revelation of Christ is a profound event that will transform the world, making His presence unmistakable and undeniable.

As we anticipate this revelation, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing and embracing the fullness of who Jesus is. This means acknowledging His authority, His grace, and His call to live according to His will. It is a call to prepare our hearts and lives for the day when His presence will be fully known and experienced by all. [01:41]

Isaiah 40:5 (ESV): "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and life today to fully embrace the revelation of Christ's presence and authority?

Day 2: The Struggle of Kingdoms

Peter's journey from recognizing Jesus as the Christ to becoming a stumbling block illustrates the struggle many of us face. We often want Jesus to fit into our own kingdoms rather than surrendering to His. This tension is a significant barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's presence. Peter's struggle is a reflection of our own, as we grapple with the desire to have Jesus conform to our expectations and desires.

This struggle is evident in Matthew 16, where Peter goes from being a rock to a stumbling block because he couldn't reconcile his expectations with Jesus' path to the cross. It is a reminder that true discipleship requires us to let go of our own agendas and fully submit to God's plan, even when it challenges our understanding and comfort. [06:18]

Matthew 16:23 (ESV): "But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to fit Jesus into your own kingdom rather than surrendering to His? What steps can you take to align your desires with His will?

Day 3: True Transformation

True transformation in our lives comes not from pursuing a better version of ourselves but from pursuing God Himself. Our lives should be a backdrop that illuminates His glory, not a stage for our own. This requires a complete surrender to His will and a deep, abiding relationship with Him. True transformation is about allowing God's presence to fill us and guide us, leading to a life that reflects His glory and purpose.

This transformation is not about superficial changes or self-improvement but about a profound shift in our focus and priorities. It is about seeking God above all else and allowing His Spirit to work in us, transforming us from the inside out. This kind of transformation leads to a life that is marked by His presence and power, bringing glory to Him in all that we do. [25:07]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What does it mean for your life to be a backdrop that illuminates God's glory? How can you pursue God Himself rather than just a better version of yourself?

Day 4: Denying Ourselves

Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him. This means yielding our lives to Him, allowing His presence to fill us and guide us. It is not about inviting Jesus into our kingdoms but about fully embracing His kingdom and His will for our lives. Denying ourselves involves a willingness to let go of our own desires and ambitions, and to embrace the path that Jesus has set before us.

This call to self-denial is a radical departure from the self-centered culture we live in. It requires a deep trust in God's goodness and a commitment to follow Him, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. By taking up our crosses and following Jesus, we find true life and fulfillment in His presence and purpose. [18:56]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to deny yourself and take up your cross? How can you practically follow Jesus in this area today?

Day 5: Yearning for His Presence

The presence of God is not found in superficial religious experiences but in a deep, abiding relationship with Him. As we yearn for His presence, we must be willing to let go of our own desires and embrace His kingdom fully. This is where true joy, freedom, and life are found. Yearning for God's presence involves a deep hunger and thirst for Him, a desire to know Him more intimately and to experience His love and power in our lives.

This yearning leads us to seek Him with all our hearts, to spend time in His Word and in prayer, and to cultivate a lifestyle of worship and obedience. As we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us, filling us with His presence and transforming us by His Spirit. This is the essence of a vibrant and fulfilling Christian life. [36:59]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper yearning for God's presence in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to draw near to Him and experience His presence more fully?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we delved into the profound prophecy of Isaiah, who foretold the coming of a day when Jesus Christ would reveal Himself fully to the world. This revelation will encompass His kingship, deeds, deity, sovereignty, grace, mercy, and judgment. The presence of God is gradually filling every void on earth, and this is a cause for both joy and apprehension. We shared a personal story of a divine moment where God's presence was unmistakable, emphasizing that His Spirit is actively drawing people to Himself.

We explored the critical question Jesus posed to His disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's response, recognizing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, was a pivotal moment. However, Peter's journey also illustrated the struggle between recognizing Jesus as King and wanting Him to fit into our own kingdoms. This tension is evident in Matthew 16, where Peter goes from being a rock to a stumbling block because he couldn't reconcile his expectations with Jesus' path to the cross.

The essence of our faith is not about inviting Jesus into our kingdoms but about surrendering to His. Many people miss the presence of God because they want Him to bless their desires rather than submitting to His will. True transformation comes not from pursuing a better version of ourselves but from pursuing God Himself. Our lives should be a backdrop that illuminates His glory, not a stage for our own.

We are called to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus. This means yielding our lives to Him, allowing His presence to fill us and guide us. The presence of God is not found in superficial religious experiences but in a deep, abiding relationship with Him. As we yearn for His presence, we must be willing to let go of our own desires and embrace His kingdom fully.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Full Revelation of Christ: Isaiah's prophecy foretells a day when Jesus Christ will reveal Himself fully to the world, encompassing His kingship, deeds, deity, sovereignty, grace, mercy, and judgment. This revelation will leave no place hidden from His presence, and it will be a moment of both joy and apprehension for humanity. [01:41]
2. The Struggle of Kingdoms: Peter's journey from recognizing Jesus as the Christ to becoming a stumbling block illustrates the struggle many of us face. We often want Jesus to fit into our own kingdoms rather than surrendering to His. This tension is a significant barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's presence. [06:18]
3. True Transformation: True transformation in our lives comes not from pursuing a better version of ourselves but from pursuing God Himself. Our lives should be a backdrop that illuminates His glory, not a stage for our own. This requires a complete surrender to His will and a deep, abiding relationship with Him. [25:07]
4. Denying Ourselves: Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him. This means yielding our lives to Him, allowing His presence to fill us and guide us. It is not about inviting Jesus into our kingdoms but about fully embracing His kingdom and His will for our lives. [18:56]
5. Yearning for His Presence: The presence of God is not found in superficial religious experiences but in a deep, abiding relationship with Him. As we yearn for His presence, we must be willing to let go of our own desires and embrace His kingdom fully. This is where true joy, freedom, and life are found. [36:59]
### [36:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:41] - Isaiah's Prophecy and the Coming Revelation
[02:46] - Divine Moments and God's Presence
[04:12] - The Gradual Filling of God's Presence
[05:30] - Peter's Recognition of Jesus as the Christ
[06:18] - The Struggle Between Kingdoms
[08:39] - Jesus' Question: Who Do You Say That I Am?
[10:06] - The Misunderstanding of Jesus' Kingdom
[11:46] - Peter's Rejection of Jesus' Path
[13:27] - The Call to Deny Ourselves
[15:01] - The Importance of Yearning for God's Presence
[18:56] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[25:07] - True Transformation Through Pursuing God
[29:44] - Our Lives as a Backdrop for God's Glory
[36:59] - The Necessity of Abiding in God's Presence
[38:50] - Invitation to Surrender and Follow Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did Isaiah prophesy about the future revelation of Jesus Christ? ([01:41])
How did Peter's understanding of Jesus change from recognizing Him as the Christ to becoming a stumbling block? ([06:18])
What does Jesus say is required to follow Him according to Matthew 16:24? ([18:56])
How does the sermon describe the presence of God filling every void on earth? ([04:12])

Interpretation Questions

Why is Peter's initial recognition of Jesus as the Christ significant, and how does it contrast with his later rebuke of Jesus? ([06:18])
What does it mean to deny oneself and take up one's cross in the context of following Jesus? ([18:56])
How does the sermon illustrate the struggle between wanting Jesus to fit into our own kingdoms versus surrendering to His kingdom? ([12:41])
What is the significance of the prophecy in Habakkuk 2:14 about the earth being filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord?

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you tried to fit Jesus into your own plans rather than surrendering to His will. How did that impact your relationship with Him? ([12:41])
What are some practical ways you can deny yourself and take up your cross daily? ([18:56])
How can you cultivate a deeper, abiding relationship with God rather than relying on superficial religious experiences? ([15:35])
In what areas of your life are you still holding onto your own desires instead of fully embracing God's kingdom? ([23:54])
How can you make your life a backdrop that illuminates God's glory rather than a stage for your own? ([29:44])
Think of a specific situation where you need to yield your life to God's guidance. What steps can you take this week to allow His presence to fill and guide you? ([18:56])
How can you actively yearn for God's presence in your daily life, and what changes might you need to make to prioritize this yearning? ([36:59])

Sermon Clips

1. "I want you to know that an hour is coming when Jesus Christ reveals himself fully to this world. That the knowledge of his kingship, his deeds. His deity, his sovereignty, his grace, and his mercy, and also his judgment will be known in that moment." [01:41] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The presence of God is slowly and incrementally filling every void of this earth that we live in. Amen. And I know some of y'all are so heavenly minded that y'all don't realize that this earth's going to be restored and renewed as the original creative order was for it. That hour's coming when God's presence is our abiding place where there's no need for the sun anymore. It's just his glory that saturates us." [04:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Many people recognize King Jesus, but don't want to walk and abide in his presence, which is in and within the kingdom of God. We recognize him as King Jesus, but then we want to introduce him to our kingdom." [05:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The church and many people in it are missing the presence of God. Because they want King Jesus to be king of their kingdom. And not abide in his. So many are falling by the wayside because they had a perspective. Of what they expected King Jesus to do in their life. Self-glorification. To make a better them." [13:27] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It has nothing to do about you. It has nothing to do about me. It has everything to do about the king of glory. And systematically and very beautifully, one by one, we see that Jesus uses individuals to glorify himself. And let me tell you how glorification of the Lord really takes place. It's one thing to profess and talk it up. It's another thing to render your life to it. Completely." [14:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If anyone desires to come after me, he's got to do what? Deny himself. Wow. And take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" [18:56] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "If you want to experience Jesus. Stop asking him to come into your kingdom. And yield your life. And surrender to him. And walk fully in what he is asking you to do. So you can abide in the presence of your king. That's it. I don't know what else to share with you. But that's the desire of your king." [32:08] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Christianity is not a halfway in and out. It's a halfway out this morning. Christianity is a total dependency upon God. His kingdom is where his presence resides. Amen. In his presence as I share is the fullness of joy. In his presence is the crucified self. In his presence is life and life more abundantly. In his presence is where death has no victory." [37:35] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The presence of Jesus changed the course of humanity. Didn't it? The presence of Jesus is our greatest need today. The presence of Jesus should be the future yearning of our hearts. Right? Right? So all we want. Is his presence." [31:34] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The presence of God is a yearning of our souls. The presence of God is who we are. But again, who do you say that I am? Again, I think that's one of the most important questions that could ever be asked. Kyle, who do you say that I am? You are the son of God. You are the king of kings. I believed that even before I surrendered my life to him. Because all y'all told me he was. But when you meet him, but when you meet him, it changes the trajectory of your life." [16:21] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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