Recap:

This morning, I want to start by talking to those who call this place home. If you’re visiting, you’re so welcome, but today, I’m speaking to the heart of our church.

Forty-five years ago, when this building first opened in 1980, I was ten years old, sitting right over there. I remember the worship that morning, the awe, the sense that God was doing something special. But more than that, I remember the prophetic word that came from Isaiah 52: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news… who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation… who say to Zion, Our God reigns!”

When that word was spoken, the room shifted. You could feel it. It wasn’t just a nice verse, it was a declaration that would mark this house for generations: Our God reigns.

Say it with me, Our God reigns.
 Say it again, Our God reigns.

He reigns over every situation, every fear, every problem. He reigns over chaos, division, and darkness. He reigns in our city, in our families, in our hearts. When we say Our God reigns, we’re not just quoting Scripture, we’re declaring that heaven is invading earth.

And I believe, as your pastor, this weekend marks a spiritual shift for our church. I don’t say that lightly. I’ve maybe said it twice in 13 years, but I feel it deep in my spirit. God is calling us to rise up again and declare with boldness: Our God reigns.

But it’s going to cost us something. It’s going to mean showing up, seeking God’s presence, sacrificing our comfort, and getting skin in the game. Because this isn’t about spectating. It’s about participating in what God’s doing.

I’m not looking for perfect people, I’m looking for willing ones. People who admit, “I’m weak… but God, You’re strong.” People who say, “I don’t have it all together, but use me anyway.” Those are the people God moves through.

So I want to pray, because I believe God is calling this church into a new season of boldness and glory.
(Prayer moment here, summarized)
 “Lord, we’re weak, but You’re strong. We’re messy, but You’re merciful. Use us to declare that You reign, in our homes, schools, workplaces, and city. Pour out Your Spirit in us, God, and through us. Let Johnson County see that our God reigns.”

Now, Exodus 33. Moses sets up a tent outside the camp, the “tent of meeting.” Anyone who wanted to meet with God could go there. And when Moses entered, a cloud, the very presence of God, would descend. The Bible says the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to a friend.

But what stands out is this: even after all that, Moses still wanted more. He said, “Teach me Your ways.” He already had God’s favor, already saw His glory, and yet he wanted more. Then he said the words that changed everything:
“Now, show me Your glory.”

There’s a hunger in that. A progression. Moses says, “I know You, but I want to know You more. I’ve seen You, but I want to see You deeper.”

And church, I think that’s where God is calling us. Our desires for Him are too weak. We’re too easily satisfied by things that never fill us. We binge shows, scroll for hours, and chase moments that fade. But when we taste the presence of God, when we really meet Him face to face, we can’t go back. It’s better than anything else.

God told Moses, “You can’t see My face and live.” But even then, God found a way. He placed Moses in the cleft of the rock, covered him with His hand, and let His goodness pass by. That’s the heart of God, He loves to reveal Himself to those who are hungry.

And this same glory shows up again in 2 Chronicles 7. Solomon dedicates the temple, sacrifices countless animals, and fire falls from heaven. The glory of the Lord fills the temple so powerfully that the priests can’t even stand.

But notice this: the glory didn’t fall without sacrifice.
 Glory requires holiness.
Not the kind of holiness that says, “Don’t wear this, don’t drink that.” No, the holiness that says, “Something has to die on the altar.” For us, that was Jesus. The perfect sacrifice. The blood was shed once and for all, and because of that, we can now boldly enter the throne room of grace.

But grace doesn’t stop at forgiveness. It calls us into transformation. This isn’t sin management, this is heart transformation. It’s time to stop settling for “barely saved” faith and start craving the fullness of His presence.

Because when you meet with God, really meet with Him, it changes you. It makes you dangerous to darkness. It makes you a carrier of His glory into a broken world.

That’s why you’re here. That’s why this church exists. We’re not here to check boxes, we’re here to change the world. We’re glory carriers, light bearers, image reflectors of Jesus Himself.

And that’s what happened the other night. My son Ethan, Patrick, and PJ were at QuickTrip after the conference when a chaotic scene broke out, a kid overdosing, panic, confusion. But in that moment, they became the hands and feet of Jesus. They stepped into the chaos and brought peace. That’s what we’re called to do.

You have spiritual 911 on speed dial, the Holy Spirit within you, ready to respond when the world’s in crisis.

So here’s my question:
Will you be the one who steps into the chaos?
Will you let God use your weakness for His glory?
Will you be addicted to His presence and carry it into your world?

Because this is the vision for our church, not just a people who attend, but a people who carry His presence. People who declare with every breath:
Our God reigns.

Would you stand with me? Lift your hands.
“God, we want more. More of Your glory. More of Your presence. Make us hungry for You again. Fill us, use us, and send us. Let our city see Your glory through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Group Questions:

Icebreakers (Choose 1–2)

  1. Memory Lane: What’s one vivid memory you have from church growing up—or the first time you really felt God’s presence?
  2. Unexpected Glory: When’s the last time something ordinary turned into a spiritual moment for you (at work, in your car, in nature, etc.)?
  3. Reign Check: If you had to sum up your week in one sentence that starts with “God reigns over…,” what would you say?

Discussion Questions

1. Our God Reigns
  • Pastor David shared the prophetic word from Isaiah 52 that’s marked this house for generations: “Our God reigns.”

    • What does that phrase stir up in you personally?
    • Where do you need to remind yourself this week that God truly reigns?
    • What might it look like for our church to live out that declaration together?
2. Willing, Not Perfect
  • Pastor David said, “God’s not looking for perfect people, but willing ones.”
    • What keeps us from stepping into what God’s doing—fear, comparison, comfort, or something else?
    • How have you seen God use someone’s weakness (or your own) for His glory?
3. “Show Me Your Glory”
  • Moses already had God’s favor, but still prayed, “Show me Your glory.”
    • What does that prayer mean to you?
    • How can we cultivate that same hunger for more of God in our daily lives?
    • What’s one practical way to build “tent of meeting” moments—time and space to meet God face to face?
4. Glory Requires Holiness
  • The sermon said, “Glory didn’t fall without sacrifice.” Holiness means something must die on the altar.
    • What might God be asking you to lay down in this season?
    • How is holiness less about rule-following and more about surrender?
5. Carriers of His Glory
  • Pastor David said, “You have spiritual 911 on speed dial—the Holy Spirit within you.”
    • What would it look like for you to step into chaos like Ethan, Patrick, and PJ did?
    • How can we as a group become “first responders” in our community—bringing peace where there’s panic?

Reflection & Prayer

  • Where is God calling you to get skin in the game—to move from spectator to participant?
  • Pray together:

    “God, we want more. More of Your glory, more of Your presence. Make us hungry for You again. Fill us, use us, and send us. Let our city see Your glory through us.”