Kingdom Culture: Part Three
John the Baptizer prepared the way for Jesus to offer the kingdom to us; he said, “The kingdom is at hand (Matt. 3:2).” That means it’s right here at your fingertips and close enough to touch. Jesus said that you enter this new culture by experiencing a spiritual rebirth (John 3:3), through humility (Matt. 5:19; Luke 7:28), becoming a servant (Matt. 20:20-28), and doing what He did: you become His representative to the world. I asked last week if the kingdom is invisible how do we know we’re in?
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Matthew 10:7-8
Since the spiritual kingdom is invisible and yet can be seen we know we’re ‘in’ when we complete His assignments and see the results. What assignments?
Spirit-filled people have a willing heart to follow and serve God; when you’re part of His kingdom culture He’ll give you opportunities to minister to people. You may pray for someone’s healing, give a word of encouragement, or recognize the devil’s strategies and expose him. Maybe you won’t physically raise the dead but tell the story of God’s work in you and He’ll raise them from spiritual death. The kingdom is right here at your fingertips, however, you can find excuses why you don’t represent Him when you can.
Jesus declared (Luke 9:57-62) there’s a cost involved in His kingdom culture and not everyone is ready or willing. The teaching and preaching of this new culture should be the primary focus in our churches if we want the Body of Christ to walk in victory as His kings and queens.
… every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old. Matthew 13:52
Jesus knew we desperately needed training, teaching in kingdom principles:
And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 4:23
Until Jesus returns the Church should be teaching and training us how to live in the culture of the Kingdom of God:
He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:43
If Jesus’ purpose for being sent to earth was to preach and teach kingdom principles, this new way of life, then it should be ours as well.
… and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
… But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Luke 9:2, 60b
Next week we’ll get more strategic: what does a kingdom culture look like and what’s our role?
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