The Kingdom Fight – Thrive vs. Survive
In the beginning …. Genesis 1:1
Heaven and Earth were united in a place called Eden.
Mankind had one job, fill the Earth with God’s Kingdom.
- Multiply
- Be fruitful
- Have dominion
- Subdue
- Fill
Mankind rebelled against God and His Kingdom. (Matthew 11:12)
Despite humanity’s rejection of God’s Kingdom, God still honors their original purpose and design. (Genesis 1:28)
Instead of fulfilling God’s purpose and design, humanity began to build its own kingdoms.
The results were humanity created a HELL on Earth in an attempt to obtain comfort, convenience, and benefit, but at the expense of others.
Jesus came to reestablish His Kingdom on Earth by restoring the hearts of men to once again obtain His Kingdom within. They then have the supernatural ability to release that Kingdom and its effects on a lost and dying world.
Humanity’s struggle….
is the internal battle to do what is best for me and to redefine good and evil for my own convenience, comfort, and benefit at the expense of the people around me.
When we seek convenience, comfort, and benefit at the expense of others we produce selfishness and pride in ourselves.
How does this statement apply to my family?
How has my family redefined good and evil for their own convenience, comfort, and benefit at the expense of the people around me?
Rationalizing – Attempt to explain or justify one’s behavior with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not true or appropriate.
That teacher doesn’t care about my child because they are always in trouble!
My family is one of the biggest givers at this church, so we don’t have to serve.
My family is small and we don’t have much to offer, so it’s ok if we do not serve.
I know my family causes a lot of drama and is known for doing some bad things around town, but we had it really rough growing up.
My family is one of the richest families in town, so we deserve to be honored and respected more than any other family.
I know that my son/daughter isn’t qualified for the job, but they are family.
Families can become judgmental in our rationalizing.
Look at the way her children are dressed— she must not be a good mom.
That family is so messed up because the dad spends all their money on alcohol.
My family is so amazing because we head up every youth sports event, and my kids are the star athletes.
Look how that family is struggling. They have no food, their kids are always dirty, and their house is a wreck. I always hear the parents fighting. They need Jesus.
Thrive vs. Survive
Survive – continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.
How many of us feel like we just exist, doing whatever it takes to just stay alive?
Cycle of the living dead
WAKE UP – GO TO WORK – COME HOME – GO TO SLEEP – REPEAT
Survival Mode can cause you to become lethargic about life.
Survival Mode can trigger rationalizing.
If we only had … we would be happy.
If my kids would … that would make things so much better.
If I was only married, that would fix everything.
We can start to use God for the benefits, thinking that the blessings (stuff) will fix everything.
Then we will blame God for not getting us the blessings (stuff).
Proverbs 19:3 TPT
There are some people who ruin their own lives
and then blame it all on God.
Survival Mode will keep you from fulfilling the commission of God. (Be fruitful, multiply, take dominion, subdue, fill.)
Often times, we default to survival because we are so busy.
Keeping up with the Joneses is a major contributor to this way of life.
Simplify and declutter your life!
Survival Mode leaves no room for the discovery of purpose.
David would still be a shepherd.
Peter would still be a fisherman.
Gideon would still be hiding in a winepress.
Mary would still be a prostitute.
Paul would still be a Pharisee persecuting the Church.
Ruth would still be hopeless and alone.
Abraham and Sarah would still be childless.
Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
When living in Survival Mode, the temptation to do what’s best for me and redefine good and evil for my own comfort, convenience, and benefit at the expense of those around me will be at its strongest.
Thrive – to grow or develop well or vigorously. Prosper; flourish.
We cannot look to our circumstances or nice things to determine if we are thriving or not.
Genesis 39:2-5
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Genesis 39:20-23 NKJV
Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
A family that submits to the King and His Kingdom will thrive and not just survive.
When we thrive, there is plenty of room to discover and fulfill your purpose.
Don’t live vicariously through your children, help them discover their own unique purpose.
What is your family’s purpose?
Family Framework (Genesis 1:28)
Be fruitful – Sow Seed!
Be generous
Be helpful to others
Invest in others
2 Corinthians 9:6 TPT
Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest.
Multiply – Expect a harvest
2 Corinthians 9:8 TPT
Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything —every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.
Seed comes from the fruit. The more fruit you bear, the more seed you have to plant. (Multiplication)
God doesn’t think in addition, He thinks in multiplication.Ps.Craig Smee
Have Dominion – to have authority over.
Luke 10:19 TPT
Now you understand that I have imparted to you my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority.
Take authority over fear, sickness, lethargy, finances, spiritual attacks, etc…
Subdue – to bring under control
2 Timothy 1:7 TPT
For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.
Control over behavior
Control over our words (speak life)
Fill the Earth – this is the knock-on effect!
Mark 16:15 TPT
And he said to them, “As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race.”
A Kingdom family has a generational mindset!
John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Fruit that remains
How do I ensure that my family is a Kingdom Family?
Model it!
1 Corinthians 11:1 TPT
I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ.
Pray for it!
Mark 11:24 TPT
This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—be convinced that you have received it and it will be yours.
In order for your family to be a Kingdom Family, it starts in the heart of each individual.
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