Description

Podcast Summary: 

What if you find yourself living a life weighed down by the burdens and trials of this world, but then you discover a reality that offers peace, joy, and hope that surpasses all understanding. 

This is the kingdom reality God offers His people, not just in the future, but right now. In this episode of As In Heaven, we explore the profound question: How can we live out the kingdom of heaven on earth amidst our earthly struggles? 

Bryan and Matt dive deep into the concept of surrendering to God’s will, accessing His kingdom through intimacy with Him, and experiencing a life of freedom that transcends our circumstances. Bryan shares personal stories of how embracing this kingdom reality radically transformed his life, even in the midst of immense suffering.

Key Takeaways:

1. The kingdom of God is always within reach, and we can access it through intimacy and surrender to Jesus.
2. True freedom is found in surrender, allowing God's grace to work in and through us.
3. The kingdom life is other-focused; as we receive from God, we are meant to give and bless others.
4. Trials and suffering are opportunities to experience God's peace and joy, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
5. Earthly wealth and comforts are temporary, but investing in the eternal kingdom yields rewards that cannot be taken away.

Pull Quotes:

• "The kingdom of God is the presence of Jesus, and where we surrender, He rules and reigns."
• "We are far too easily pleased, settling for lesser things when Jesus offers us infinite joy and a kingdom reality now."
• "You don't have to have earthly wealth to make eternal investments."

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 – The Earthly Reality vs. The Kingdom Reality: Matt Davis introduces the episode by contrasting the struggles of earthly life with the promise of God’s kingdom.
• 01:20 – Bryan’s Journey of Surrender: Bryan Elliott shares his personal story of how surrendering his life to God opened the door to experiencing the kingdom of God in new ways.
• 04:56 – The Painful Beauty of Surrender: Discussion on the necessary death to self and how surrender brings freedom and transformation.
• 06:46 – The Other-Focused Kingdom: Bryan and Matt discuss how the kingdom of God is outward-focused, requiring us to receive from God and bless others.
• 09:50 – Missing the Kingdom Reality: Matt references C.S. Lewis’s famous quote about settling for lesser joys, exploring why many believers miss out on the fullness of the kingdom.
• 11:47 – Bryan’s Story of Loss and Kingdom Joy: Bryan recounts the devastating loss of his daughter and how God gave him supernatural joy and peace through the revelation of the kingdom.
• 16:26 – Joy and Sorrow Coexisting: The conversation shifts to how joy and sorrow can exist simultaneously in the life of a believer, as Bryan shares his experience of God’s presence in suffering.
• 19:17 – The Testing of Faith and God’s Grace: Bryan reflects on 1 Corinthians 10:13, emphasizing how God provides grace and strength to endure trials.
• 25:19 – Redefining Success in the Kingdom: Bryan contrasts his old pursuit of wealth and comfort with his current life, where kingdom priorities and simplicity bring true fulfillment.
• 30:46 – Seek First the Kingdom: Matt and Bryan discuss how seeking God’s kingdom first aligns everything else in life, providing divine order and eternal purpose.
• 33:35 – Making Eternal Investments: The episode closes with a challenge to invest in God’s eternal kingdom, where returns are guaranteed and cannot be taken away.