Looking Up:

The Return to Heavenly Order

Sunday Round Up — 28th June 2026

Pastor John Powell

2 Timothy 3:1–5

There are moments in Scripture where the ancient world feels startlingly close — where the ink of a two‑thousand‑year‑old letter seems to breathe straight into our present chaos. Yesterday was one of those Sundays.

Pastor John opened with Paul: who was well into his 60’s when he wrote his letters to Timothy. He was beaten, weathered, scarred by ministry and yet still burning with purpose. An old warrior writing to a young disciple. A Jewish apostle raising up a Greek son in the faith. Timothy — the bridge between Jew and Gentile, the forerunner of the church God promised would unite nations.

And somehow, this letter written 1,900 years ago still speaks with prophetic clarity. Paul, the man who saw the third heaven and struggled to find earthly words for it, writes into our moment — our chaos, our bizarre events, our shaking.

Because when there is darkness and chaos, God still moves over the waters and says, “Let there be light”.

Putting God First in a World Turning Away

Pastor John reminded us that God has come that we may have life in full abundance. The pleasures of the senses aren’t evil — but when they become more than Him, when we become lovers of self rather than lovers of God, we step out of alignment. It’s a deliberate walking away.

And yet, God gives with no measure. Pressed down, shaken together, overflowing. Everything we did wrong, Jesus took upon Himself — “I’ll take it.” Sanctification becomes salvation. He imparts everything He is, and when the Father looks at you, He sees His Son.

But the world wilfully turns away. Even our own King Charles, Pastor John said, is no longer the ‘defender of the faith’ but “faiths.” God put in place a sacred order in creation just like the law of gravity – God comes first but that is being ignored.

So, the call is simple and uncompromising:

Put God first, and He puts you first. 

Put Him first, and He will open doors that should never have opened. Paul broke down an empire because he put God first.

Pressed but Not Crushed

Paul warns Timothy again in 2 Corinthians 4:6–9: “We are edged in, pressed on every side but not crushed. Struck down but not destroyed.”

Pastor John spoke directly into the battles many of us don’t voice. The enemy has been trying to take you out your whole life — because he knew the blood was covering you, and he knew that one day you would rise filled with God and tear down his empire. You would one day put God before your own desires.

The moment you choose to take your worries to God, to pick up the weapons: the Word, the Covenant, Intercession and Worship, you will stand before an enemy with Jesus behind you.

And Jesus says in John 16:33: “Take courage, certain and undaunted… I have conquered the world for you.”

Not for Himself. For you.

No excuses. Not trivial concerns — not the car breaking down or the washing machine failing. He warned us we would have burdens and trials, serious ones. But He stands behind those who put Him first.

And He keeps saying it:

“I have already conquered it all for you.”

Watch the news and hear Him whisper it again: “I have already conquered it for you.”

Worship That Holds Back the Enemy

Pastor John spoke fiercely about worship and prayer — that your worship holds back the enemy.

Your struggle to put God first, to show up, to worship even when the week has been messy — one day God will show you the defeat of the enemy that happened simply because you chose Him. How many were saved because you showed up and worship? How many were delivered and set free because you chose to pray and stand for those who can’t?

“I will not disrespect my God,” Pastor John said, “by giving Him anything less than what He deserves.”

Your worship is flames of fire. Tongues of fire. A weapon and all things will be burnt away when you choose to worship.

 

The Tabernacle: Our Safe Place

We were reminded again of the Tabernacle — not as an ancient structure but as a living reality.

He is our Tabernacle. Our safe place. The place we go to worship and grow in relationship.

The priests never wore shoes in the Tabernacle — they were mindful of the ground. “Show my faith by what I do.” What action are you taking to walk by faith?

In the Holy Place, the only light is the Menorah — the Word of God with 66 ornaments representing the 66 books. Our daily bread. Revelation and strategy directly from your Father.

Covenant, Connection, and Looking Up

The Word points to the covenant. The promises are Yes and Amen.

The altar of incense reminds us: There is no longer any separation - your Father is close. The Holy Spirit gives proximity, purpose and access to the Author of all things. He is connected to you because of Jesus.

John 15:4 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”.

Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and He will sing blessings over you. Become a soul infused with His Word.

Don’t focus on the floor — look up. See the heavens. See the cherubim. Get your mind off the problems and eyes up — then walk.

Abraham heard God say, “I will bless you and multiply you.” More than all the grains of sand. His promises are true and nothing comes back void.

It is no coincidence that God used the metaphor of sand when he spoke to Abraham and made a covenant with him. As the Priest looked up at the cherubim beautifully embroidered on the veil they were aware of the sand beneath their feet, real, grounding. “…you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” – John 15:19. We are to live in this earthly world, but we are to be set apart.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20

Blessings Beyond Your Dreams

Pastor John showed the image of the night sky from Mars — billions upon billions of stars, each named by God. Abraham’s blessings were guaranteed, so he didn’t need to focus on the blessing (the need or lack of provision) but on being obedient. His blessings are beyond what you can dream or imagine. They are guaranteed — so don’t fix your eyes on them.

 

Are you ready for blessings beyond your dreams?

The world will see: “I bless my people,” in numbers like the stars in the sky.

And in the middle of all this revelation, Pastor John prayed:

“I don’t ever want to take Him for granted or become complacent. I want to know You more each time You reveal Your nature.”

And he ended with a cry for our community:

“Lord, put the order right again in this community. They will put You first again.”