I’m Pastor Mike from Life Springs Christian Church. As we step into 2025, I want to share a message straight from my heart about how to recognize and remove the things that keep us from seeing God’s kingdom clearly. The kingdom is near — the Lord is with us — but there are real Kingdom inhibitors that can cloud our vision: worry, lack of hope, past mistakes, scoffers, fear, and unbelief. I want to walk with you through Scripture, a personal testimony, and practical steps so we can move forward in faith and boldness.
What I Read: Mark 16 and the Risen Hope
We looked closely at Mark 16:1–20 — the account of the women who came to the tomb, discovered the stone rolled away, and heard the angel say, “He is risen.” That passage is full of power and purpose. Jesus reminded the disciples of the truth, rebuked their unbelief, and sent them out with the Great Commission:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:15–16)
After rebuking their hardness of heart, He encouraged them that signs would follow those who believe — power to cast out demons, speak new tongues, heal the sick. The resurrection wasn’t just an event; it is the foundation for everything the church is called to do.
Kingdom Inhibitors: What Keeps Us from Seeing God’s Kingdom?
I define an inhibitor as something that squashes, slows, or shuts down the process God wants to move in our lives. Over the message I unpacked several of these inhibitors and how to confront them.
1. Worry and Anxiety
Worry often begins with a small thought chain: the issue, what might happen, and how to handle it. The women who went to the tomb were worried about the stone — they fixated on the obstacle rather than the God who had already solved it. Philippians 4:6–7 says:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Supplication means coming to God with humility and urgency — there’s nothing wrong with begging God when you need Him. I told the story of my own struggle with past debt after getting saved. I would drive away from the apartment and cry out to God. He worked through unexpected means—my mother offering the final help I needed—and the debt was resolved. The stone that seemed immovable had already been rolled away. It’s hard to worry and pray at the same time; choose to pray.
2. Lack of Hope
Hope deferred can make the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). But we are carriers of hope because God’s presence is with us. Read and remind yourself of Scripture. Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 119:114 are anchors:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? … Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” (Psalm 119:114)
Jeremiah 29:11 isn’t a casual slogan — it’s a declaration from God that He has plans to give us a future and a hope. When your hope is weak, feed it with God’s promises and the testimony of His faithfulness.
3. Past Mistakes and Shame
Many of us carry reminders of failure. The disciples had their failures — Peter’s denial is a prime example — yet Jesus did not leave him in it. He told the angels to remind Peter that He had not forgotten him. If you’ve backslid or made mistakes, repent and fall forward toward Jesus. Luke 9:62 warns against looking back, but grace calls us to return to first things — to our first love — so we can be restored and redirected.
4. Scoffers and Doubters
Jude warns that scoffers will arise in the last days — people who treat God and His followers with contempt. These voices can cause us to doubt or dismiss Scripture. We must read, believe, and trust the testimony of the apostles and the Scriptures. Don’t let the scoffer’s cynicism steal your faith.
5. Fear
Fear silences the witness of the church. As I grow older, I find I’m less worried about what people think and more concerned about people hearing the hope we carry. God has not given us a spirit of fear. Be wise, but be bold. Share the gospel in your everyday contexts — the workplace, the neighborhood — in ways that fit your season and personality. You don’t have to shout from a table top; simply be faithful where God has placed you.
6. Unbelief and Hardness of Heart
Unbelief was one of the biggest issues Jesus addressed with the disciples before sending them out. He rebuked them because they refused to accept the testimony that He had risen. That rebuke was an act of love meant to restore and propel them. We must hold fast to the simple reality: Jesus is alive. Either you believe or you don’t — there’s no safe middle ground. Let Scripture persuade your heart again and again.
Practical Steps to Overcome These Inhibitors
- Pray with urgency: Move from worry to supplication. Bring your needs to God with humility and thanksgiving.
- Refuel with Scripture: Read promises like Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:6–7, and the Psalms when hope feels weak.
- Repent and move forward: If you’ve failed, repent, accept God’s forgiveness, and fall forward toward your calling.
- Reject scoffing: Don’t let ridicule or cynicism shape your belief. Stand on apostolic testimony and the Word.
- Be bold, not reckless: Speak the truth in love. Let your life be a light where God placed you.
- Remember the resurrection: Jesus’ victory is the foundation for our mission and the source of peace.
The Great Commission and Signs That Follow
Jesus’ final charge to the disciples was clear: go. Preach the gospel to every creature. He promised that those who believe would be baptized and saved, and that signs would follow believers — authority over darkness, new tongues, healing. After Jesus spoke, He ascended, and the church went out, preaching everywhere with the Lord working alongside them. That’s our model.
The Church Is Us — Go Into the World
The building where we meet is important, but the church is the people — you and me — sent into workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. We come together to be strengthened, then we carry that strength into the world. God put you where you are for a reason. You have anointing, words, and influence that belong to you. Be ready when God calls.
Final Encouragement
In 2025, distractions and inhibitors will be active. But Jesus has already rolled the stone away. Keep your eyes on Him. Return to your first love when you stray. Repent when necessary, believe without fence-straddling, and step out boldly to advance the kingdom. The world needs the hope you carry.
Let’s move forward together — praying, reading Scripture, caring for each other, and being the body of Christ in the world. God is with us, and He is working through us. Amen.
Scripture References
- Mark 16:1–20
- Philippians 4:6–7
- Proverbs 13:12
- Psalm 42:11
- Psalm 119:114
- Jeremiah 29:11
- 1 John 2:1–2
- Luke 9:62
- Jude 17–18
Blessing
May the peace of God guard your heart and mind. Choose prayer over worry, hope over despair, repentance over shame, and belief over unbelief. Go, and be the church — boldly and compassionately — wherever God has placed you.
