Description

Summary of the Message:
“Kingdom, Power, Glory: Quietness + Confidence = Strength”
by Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

I. INTRODUCTION: THE DISCIPLE’S REQUEST AND THE KINGDOM CONTEXT

A. The Request: “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” (Luke 11:1; Matthew 6:9–13)

• Jesus models prayer for His disciples—not the Lord’s prayer, but our prayer.
• The prayer closes with a reminder of divine ownership and sovereignty:
  “For Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever.”

B. Meaning of the Three Realms of God

1. Kingdom – God’s rule and authority.
2. Power – God’s ability to accomplish His will.
3. Glory – God’s majesty and divine presence.

• These belong to God alone; not to governments, politicians, or human systems.
• Believers operate in a higher kingdom, with higher power, for the glory of God.

II. THE KINGDOM IS LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD

A. The Bright Light of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:14)

• Jesus said, “You are the light of the world; a city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
• Christ has transferred His light to His followers.
• Application:
  • You are already visible—so shine.
  • Others are already watching, so be the light.
  • “You may as well shine!”

III. THE KINGDOM IS TRANSFORMATIVE

A. The Call of the Disciples (Matthew 4:18–20)

• Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
• Transformation begins when we follow; God makes us.
• The Kingdom changes identity and purpose.

B. Cooperation with God’s Transforming Power

• Transformation requires yielding, not striving.
• God’s kingdom forms new purpose, power, and personhood.

IV. THE KINGDOM IS FULL OF STRENGTH

(Isaiah 30:15–16)

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength;
But you would not…”

A. The Prophetic Context

• Judah sought political alliances (Egypt) instead of trusting God.
• God rebuked them: “You take counsel, but not of Me.”
• The warning: reliance on worldly systems leads to weakness and dependence.

B. Worldly Systems vs. God’s Kingdom

• Earthly systems concentrate power and wealth among a few.
• God’s kingdom strengthens, uplifts, and liberates people.
• True strength is found only in God’s rule.

V. THE FALSE STRENGTH OF SPEED AND STRIVING

A. The Futility of Running Faster

• “We will flee on swift horses…” — but “those who pursue you shall be swift.”
• You cannot outrun anxiety, distraction, or fear.
• The faster you run, the faster your troubles seem to chase you.
• Principle: The answer is not speed but stillness.

B. Modern Application

• People try to fix weakness by posturing strength—pretending to be powerful.
• Strength doesn’t come from acting strong but from quietness of heart and confidence in God.

VI. TRUE STRENGTH ILLUSTRATED: HARRIET TUBMAN

A. Example of Spiritual Strength

• Physically small (about 5 feet tall), formerly enslaved, but mighty in faith.
• Escaped 90 miles to freedom and returned to rescue ~70 others.
• Served as a scout and spy during the Civil War and later as an activist.

B. The Source of Her Strength

• Quote: “I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight.”
• Her strength came from God, not size or status.
• True strength is moral, spiritual, and rooted in trust and courage.

VII. RETURNING, RESTING, AND KNOWING GOD

A. Returning and Rest (Isaiah 30:15)

• Returning = repentance — turning back to God.
• Rest = tranquility and settledness.
• Deliverance comes through surrender, not striving.
• Rest is not inactivity—it is trusting the power of another (God).

B. Quietness and Confidence

• Quietness: Calm heart; stillness of spirit.
• Confidence: Assurance in God’s character and promises.
• “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
  • You know only after you be still.
  • Stillness allows God’s presence to fill the heart.

C. Results of Quiet Confidence

• “The work of righteousness will be peace” (Isaiah 32:17).
• When God is with you, you can move without fear.
• If you are still fearful—sit back down until peace returns.

VIII. THE HUMAN TENDENCY TO MOVE FASTER

A. God Says: “Rest.” Humanity Says: “No.”

• Israel said, “We will flee on swift horses.”
• Principle: The human reflex is to move faster rather than trust deeper.
• Lesson: You need stillness, not speed.

B. Trust in God, Not in Systems

• “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,
  but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
• Wealth, systems, and networks can change—but God remains faithful.
• Even abundance (money, success) is no substitute for trust in the Lord.

IX. THE POWER OF STILLNESS

A. Stillness Is Productive, Not Passive

• God’s kingdom is productive—just not busy.
• Stillness reorders priorities and aligns you with God’s presence.
• It helps you reframe life’s situations through faith:
  • “It’s bad, but God’s got it.”
  • “It’s chaotic, but God’s got me.”

B. Illustration: Captain “Sully” Sullenberger

• During the “Miracle on the Hudson,” he acted calmly under pressure.
• His stillness allowed his training—and God’s grace—to work.
• Lesson: You can’t perform CPR, pilot a plane, or save a life while frantic.
  • Stillness lets knowledge, faith, and grace operate effectively.

X. THE INVITATION TO REST IN CHRIST (Matthew 11:28)

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

A. God’s Offer vs. Humanity’s Resistance

• Many hear this call but refuse it—choosing “swift horses” instead.
• Jesus invites us to stop striving and receive His rest.

XI. APPLICATION AND RESPONSE

1. Return to God Daily

• Repent, realign, and rest—make it a daily rhythm.
• Don’t wait for crisis to return; stay aligned continuously.

2. Seek Strength Through Quiet Time

• Prayer and meditation on God’s Word.
• Meditate—turn truth over and over until it shapes your heart.

3. Value Stillness with God Over Speed Without Him

• Resist the culture of hurry.
• Strength grows in quiet confidence, not constant motion.

4. Trust That When You Stop Striving, God Starts Moving

• Let surrender activate divine strength.
• Faith rests, and rest becomes power.

XII. CONCLUSION AND PRAYER

• Summary Statement:
  “Quietness + Confidence = Strength.”
  God’s kingdom is not built on noise, speed, or display—but on returning, resting, and trusting.
• Closing Prayer Highlights:
  • Thank God for His kingdom, power, and glory.
  • Ask for grace to practice stillness, repentance, and confidence.
  • Celebrate examples of spiritual strength (like Harriet Tubman).
  • Reaffirm trust in God’s rule: “Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, forever.”