Pastor Caleb Culver
October 26, 2026 Message Recap
David described an army camped against him and war rising around him. Yet in the middle of it all, the one thing he asked for was to be near God.
“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.” —Psalm 27:4
Out of everything he could have wanted, David wanted God Himself. More than a change in his circumstances, he wanted to be in God’s Presence.
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 declares that the Lord is one and calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. We were made to love Him with an undivided heart. When He is at the center, everything else finds its proper place.
But many of us live a life of distraction, focused on more money, more success, more experiences, more of whatever we think will finally be enough.
Augustine described this problem as disordered love: loving good things as though they were the highest thing. A career, relationship, goal, or even a ministry can take a place in our hearts that belongs to Jesus.
The deeper problem isn’t a divided schedule. It’s a divided heart.
Jesus doesn’t want to be one more thing in your life. He wants to be the One Thing.
It’s possible to settle on making Jesus into another responsibility. We’re already juggling relationships, jobs, bills, workouts, and friendships. Then we add reading our Bible, praying, serving, giving, and fasting to the list—no wonder faith can begin to feel heavy.
But Jesus invites us into a life centered on Him. Making Jesus the One Thing means letting Him put everything else in its proper place.
What good thing have you made your ultimate thing?
It may be a relationship you’re afraid to lose, a career you’ve worked hard to build, a goal you’re determined to reach, or a ministry that has become your identity. These things can be gifts from God. But they cannot take His place.
Surrender begins with bringing them before Jesus and trusting Him with what happens next.
If He asked you to let go, would you trust Him? If the outcome looked different from what you hoped, would He still be enough?
Jesus wants your whole heart. And as you place Him at the center, you can trust Him with everything else.
Scripture References:
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About Radiant Church
Founded in 1996, Radiant Church has grown into a multi-location church committed to biblical teaching, discipleship, and mission.
At Radiant Church, there is an invitation to grow in your spiritual journey, build meaningful community, and truly get connected. We are passionate about helping people grow in faith, encounter the Presence of God, and become part of a church grounded in Spirit and truth.
Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: One Thing Have I Asked
Psalm 27:1–4 | Deuteronomy 6:4–5
David begins Psalm 27 surrounded by enemies, yet his request is not for rescue but for God's presence. That singular desire flows from who God is. Moses declared that the LORD is one and called Israel to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. An undivided God invites an undivided heart, and the many good things we want find their place under that one desire.
Day 2: Presence Over Blessing
2 Samuel 6:12–15 | Psalm 16:11
When David finally became king over all Israel, his first priority was bringing the ark of God's presence into the center of Jerusalem, and he danced before the LORD with all his might. He had every blessing the world could offer, but he knew where real joy lived. In another psalm, he wrote that in God's presence is fullness of joy. Blessings are good gifts, but they were never meant to replace the Giver.
Day 3: Kindling for the Spark
Psalm 27:7–8 | Jeremiah 29:13
David heard God's invitation, "Seek my face," and answered, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." Desire alone fades quickly, like a spark with no kindling around it. God promises through Jeremiah that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him. Whatever rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and community you build around your desire for God are the kindling that turns a spark into a steady flame.
Day 4: A Home for the Restless
Psalm 132:3–5 | Psalm 84:1–4
David vowed not to give sleep to his eyes until he found a dwelling place for the LORD. God's presence was more home to him than his own palace. The psalmist in Psalm 84 envies even the sparrow that nests near God's altar. In a world of constant wandering, God offers a settled soul, a place to belong and to rest.
Day 5: Becoming What We Behold
Psalm 27:4 | 2 Corinthians 3:18
David longed to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, to behold Him with focused attention. Paul says that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into His image from one degree of glory to another. Transformation doesn't come from trying harder to become a better version of yourself. It comes from fixing your eyes on Jesus and letting Him make you more like Him.