Learning to Live in the River of Christ

The Gathering Church – Colorado Springs

Watch the full message:
https://www.youtube.com/live/b7e_bmzmhas?si=Uipi4olVg5qn-In7

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A Different Kind of Kingdom

There is a Kingdom that does not originate from human hands.

It is not built through effort, influence, or control.
It does not emerge from systems, structures, or striving.

It begins with a Stone.

In Daniel’s vision, this stone is “cut without human hands”—a Kingdom that comes from God Himself, not from human construction. And in Christ, we see that this Stone is not an idea or a system.

It is a Person.

And not only a Person to behold—but a Person in whom we now live.

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The Architecture of the Kingdom

This past Sunday, we continued unfolding a dream that has become a kind of curriculum for us as a community:

The Stone. The River. The Star. The Throne.

Not random images—but a divine architecture.

And what we are beginning to see is this:

There is an order to how God forms His people.

Not star first—where we begin with influence or calling.
Not river first—where we focus on the process of transformation.
Not throne first—where we reach for authority or maturity.

Stone first.

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The Stone: Identity Before Movement

Before there is any movement, there is identity.

Before there is surrender, there is revelation.

The Stone is Christ Himself—His finished work, His nature, His life.

And this is where so much of the Church has often missed the starting point.

We’ve begun with:

• destiny (the “star”)
• or discipline (the “river”)

But Scripture begins with union.

“The starting place is the finish line.”

When we see Him—really see Him—we begin to understand ourselves in Him.

Not striving to become like Christ from a distance,
but awakening to Christ within.

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The River: Not Effort, But Surrender

From that Stone—something flows.

“The river comes out of the rock.”

This is the movement of Christ’s life within us.

Not imitation.
Not behavior modification.
Not self-effort.

But participation.

In Ezekiel 47, we see the progression:

• ankle-deep
• knee-deep
• waist-deep
• waters to swim in

This is not a ladder to climb—it is a journey of surrender.

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From Standing Near the River… to Being Carried

In the dream, Adam and Eve stood beside the river—but were not yet in it.

And for many, this is where life with God remains:

• aware of Him
• near His presence
• but not yielded to His current

But the invitation is not just to observe the river.

It is to enter it.

And not just to step in—

but to be carried.

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The Progression of Surrender

What does this look like in real life?

Ankle-deep
You’ve said yes to God—but much of life is still self-directed.

Knee-deep
There is prayer, but often still centered around your needs and perspective.

Waist-deep
There is fruitfulness and maturity—but still an ability to resist His leading.

Fully immersed
You are no longer controlling direction—you are being carried.

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“Pick Up Your Knees”

During a time of reflection, a simple but striking picture emerged:

Jesus in the river—floating freely—saying:

“Pick up your knees.”

It’s an invitation to release control.

Because as long as your feet are planted,
you are still determining direction.

But when you let go—

you begin to discover something unexpected:

the current is not against you.

It is carrying you.

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The Yes That Transforms You

What does it look like to live this way?

Not in theory—but in everyday life?

It may be simpler than we think:

“Yes, thank you.”

Not passive resignation.
Not denial of difficulty.

But a deep trust:

• in joy → “yes, thank you”
• in hardship → “yes, thank you”
• in uncertainty → “yes, thank you”

This is not about ignoring reality.

It is about recognizing His presence within it.

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Surrender vs. Maturity

One of the most freeing distinctions we explored:

You can be fully surrendered—and still immature.

Peter declared, “I will die for you”—and hours later denied Jesus.

Surrender was real.
Maturity was still forming.

And this is the grace of the river:

Failure is not rejection.

It is revelation.

God allows pressure to reveal where transformation is still needed—not to condemn us, but to invite us deeper.

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The River Forms You

The purpose of the river is not just movement.

It is transformation.

Like stones in a stream being smoothed over time,
the current of Christ shapes us:

• softening resistance
• removing rough edges
• forming us into “living stones”

Not isolated individuals—

but a people being built together.

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A Corporate Invitation

This message is not just personal—it is corporate.

We are being invited, together, into a deeper place of surrender.

Not:

• controlling outcomes
• building our own version of spiritual life
• striving to become something

But becoming a people who are:

• rooted in the Stone
• formed in the River
• carried by His life

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A Moment from the Room

At the end of our time, we created space for people to share what they were sensing.

What emerged wasn’t polished or planned—it was alive.

There were images of:

• stones in the river
• multicolored expressions of grace
• a growing awareness that surrender is not loss—but life

These moments didn’t add to the teaching—they revealed it.

Because the river is not just something we talk about.

It is something we enter together.

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Where Are You in the River?

This isn’t about comparison.

It’s not about measuring where you “should” be.

It’s about recognizing the invitation in front of you.

• Are you standing near the river?
• Ankle-deep?
• Resisting the current?
• Ready to let go?

Wherever you are—

He is not rushing you.

But He is inviting you.

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Come Be Part of What God Is Building

If you’re in Colorado Springs and looking for a church rooted in the Gospel, formed in community, and alive in the presence of God—we would love to have you.

The Gathering Church
Sundays at 10am
720 Elkton Dr, Colorado Springs

You can learn more here:
https://the-gathering.us

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Go Deeper with Company 318

We’re also building a national community through Company 318—a growing network centered on prayer, communion, and union with Christ.

Join us on Substack (free + paid options):
https://company318.substack.com

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Reflection Questions

1. Where do you sense yourself in the river right now?
2. What might it look like for you to “pick up your knees” in this season?
3. Where is God inviting you to trust Him with a deeper “yes”?