There are many myths in the church, and perhaps one of the most prevalent is the one that limits “Christian” service to the support of the church alone, and the lack of recognition of the ministry for God’s kingdom we all have when we serve our Lord where He places us…in school, government, business, home, emergency services, arts, media, farming, and so on. The truth is that Godsent His Son to restore His creation, and to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in heave. The Lord Jesus Christ has called us to be His co-workers for the extension of the kingdom of God. The principle mission of our Lord revealed clearly in the Bible.
Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Matthew 9:35-38
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
We are called to join in the ministry of the gospel of His kingdom, and this is called both the disciplining of nations, and also the redemptions of His creation. As sons and daughters of Father in heaven, and co-heirs with Christ, creation groans for us to fulfill our calls to be workers who by Christ in us, the the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, we are used to extend His kingdom in to all corners of society and the world.
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 28:18-19
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 8:20-22
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
The scriptures reveal that the Lord Jesus would have us continue in the work of the gospel of His kingdom, until His return. We are to recognise that the Lord’s plan of redemption is complete, and requires us to go in to all corners of society and creation, and extends His kingdom by word, deed, prayer, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Acts 3:20-21
and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
So be encouraged, serve the Lord where He has placed you. By the power of God, and Christ in our heart, go with the words, skills, talents, and gifts He has given you to extend His Kingdom…both in the hearts of many, in the government of your realms (from family to business to all levels of government), and in the redemption of all His creation. Some may serve in churches, others may equip us for the work of His kingdom, and most of us will go in His name and serve Him in the priesthood of believers where He establishes us…all equal before God.
1 Corinthians 7:17-20
But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.
We are in battle, and as the Lord Jesus said we take the kingdom by force, and this force is one of love, obedience, prayer, the word of truth, and the power of the Holy Spirit. His kingdom is increasing, and ultimately replaces all after Christ returns and new heaven and new earth are made. However, until that time His light will get brighter on earth, and the darkness darker. Scripture making it clear the as we enter the end times, great division increases, as prophesied by Christ in the gospels (e.g. Matthew 24). This is also illustrated well in the 1 and 2 Peter, Revelations, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Isaiah…and many other books of the Bible.
We are encouraged though to know that the battle is God’s, He has the victory, and in Him we are more than conquerors. In Fatih we move as led by Him in the gifts and talents He has given us, in the situations we are placed, knowing we are part of His family, and Royal priesthood, to minister where He has called us. In doing so we fight the good fight, and His kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. Well done good and faithful soldiers of Christ.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Kingdom Blog 