The Work of the Kingdom

The events of this past Wednesday in Florida unexpectedly forever changed the lives of hundreds of people. Some are left grieving the loss of a friend, a brother, a sister – a son or daughter. Some are left with the memories of things no one should ever have to witness. And our nation is once again gripped by the reality of evil and suffering. Many are crying out in pain, anger, disbelief - asking why, and how this could happen.

With such tragedies come many conversations - some political, some spiritual - but all trying to make sense of such horrors - all trying to find answers, and motives or trying to blame someone or something so we can cope.

Thursday morning, I watched the news, and saw the images – saw the teenagers running from the school - young men and women and parents in tears, in shock – I grieved with them. And on my way to the office, I prayed for them – all of them – even for the killer – that God would have mercy on all – even him, for that is the way of God. God gives underserved grace, love, mercy and forgiveness ….

Something gripped me. I’ve seen this and other tragedies before - it’s sad. I acknowledge the tragedy and then move on. But not this time. This time I cried with them and for them. I said, “Lord, what in the world do we do?”

And I remembered that as horrible as this is, it is nothing new. Atrocities like this, and even worse have occurred around the world for thousands of years. If you read history, you will know that there have been some very barbaric eras in human history. I say that because many of ask, “What is happening to our country” as if mass killing of innocent people is something new - as if events like this never happened 50, 100, 500 years ago - they did. I guess I want to remind us to keep life - the good and the bad in perspective.

And then I began to pray for all the Christians in the Parkland area. I prayed tfor them to be equipped and empowered by God’s Spirit to be God’s voice, to be God’s love, to be God’s comfort, to be God’s grace, to be God’s light, to be God’s presence.

Then it dawned on me – in tragedies like this, one of the most common questions is, “Where is God.” No one ever asks, “Where was Vishnu (a Hindu god) or if Wiccans are so powerful and good, why didn’t they do anything.” People always ask about God - meaning the Judeo-Christian God.

The more I thought about that question, which I have asked from time to time, the more I realized that that is the wrong question. That question reveals a lack of Biblical understanding. The question is not “Where is God.” The question is and should always be, “Where is the Church.”

If the Church is the Body of Christ on earth, if the Church represents the presence of Christ in our world, then it is the Church’s responsibility to be present in the world before, during and after tragedies. The Church is responsible to take the good news of Jesus Christ into the neighborhoods, the towns, the cities, the nations.

The Church has been the most responsive organization to tragedies throughout its history. The Church has been a global voice for the unborn, the orphan, the hungry, the diseased, the uneducated, and the lost. The Church has been the greatest champion of humanity since its inception.

The Church is not without stain or wrinkle, but that doesn’t negate our responsibility to be the presence and aroma of Christ in our world. As much as the Church has done, there is still much work to do. And every believer in Christ, in every generation is responsible to propel the Church forward in its mission to rescue a lost and broken world.

“In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; as he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on.” ~ Mine Eyes have seen the Glory.

Jesus hasn’t returned yet, so God is still marching on which means the Church still has business here. The Church - made up of those who pledge allegiance to the Christ the King. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God here on earth. And being citizens of God’s Kingdom comes with responsibilities. Therefore, we better live like citizens of the Kingdom.

What does that mean? A lot of being a Christian is about being - it’s about our character and imitating Christ. But when we talk about the Kingdom of God, it’s more about doing.

1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

It’s not a matter of flapping our lips. It’s not a matter of being trite and glib with our words, as if our Christian clichés can solve the pain, suffering and evil of the world. Think about it - how many of us have used Christian catchphrases to abdicate ourselves from Christian duty? “I’ll pray for you” can mean, “I don’t want to be bothered right now.”

Don’t misunderstand me – but we must be cautious with our words and motives. And we cannot use our words to excuse ourselves from Christian duty and responsibility. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk. The Kingdom is not a club where we get to kick back and relax. No. The Kingdom is a matter of power. It is a real Kingdom that is active, transformative, and present in the world - but it is only active, transformative and present when God’s people are active, transformative and present. And truth be told, being a member of the Kingdom of God, of the Body of Christ is exhausting and hard work.

So how did our King do the Work of the Kingdom? Let’s look at Mark chapter 1 and look at some highlights of what the Kingdom of God does.

Mark 1:14–15 NIV

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

This is how Jesus began His earthly ministry. And it’s clear, that

When the Kingdom of God is present, it elicits a response from the people it encounters.

This is to the only indicator, but it is a very good indicator that you are doing Kingdom work because their will be a response - one way or another.

So, Jesus ushers in God’s Kingdom, and He Himself is given all authority in Heaven and on earth and under the earth. So, what does the Kingdom do?

In verses 16-20, Jesus walks along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. And there he calls His first disciples - Simon, Andrew, then James and John. And Jesus said to them,

Mark 1:17 NIV

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

1. The Kingdom calls all people.

We see here Jesus calling out, inviting others into the Kingdom -

To receive its blessings and to participate in its purposes.

And here’s one of the coolest things about the Kingdom of God -

We’re invited to walk alongside the King.

To go where He goes. To serve whom He serves. To love whom, He loves.

2. The Kingdom commissions all followers.

Jesus invited Simon and Andrew, James and John to follow Him and be His disciples, but not just to hang out with Him. Jesus said, I will eventually send you out to do what I do. There is a job to do, responsibilities to fulfill, goals to reach, deadlines to meet - being in the Kingdom, being a fisher of people is a lot of work and I’m commissioning you, I am sending you to do it.

In verse 21-28, Jesus travels to Capernaum. When the Sabbath came, He went to the Synagogue and began to teach. And the people were like, “Wow - this guy’s a good preacher. He preaches with authority!”

Mark 1:23–26 NIV

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

And they were like, “What! He commands demons!” So, Here’s the third thing -

3. The Kingdom confronts the powers of darkness.

Jesus didn’t run and hide; He didn’t call Ghostbusters. He confronted the demon; He confronted the powers of darkness. And that is precisely what the Kingdom of God should be doing. The Church should confront abortion - attacks on marriage and family - pornography - drugs and alcohol - false religions etc. etc. Whatever the powers of darkness are up to - the Church needs to be there to confront it (Eph. 6).

In verses 29-34, Jesus, after church, heads over to Pete’s house for a meal. Then …

Mark 1:32–34 NIV

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

This is kind of a generalized statement, but

4. The Kingdom cures the soul.

I understand that Jesus literally healed diseases and sickness and cast out demons, and in many cases, I believe the Kingdom of God could and should still be doing this. However, the broader picture here is a Kingdom of healing. Part of the King’s business, part of the Kingdom’s business is to bring hope and healing to souls.

Those in Christ are called a kingdom of priests. A few hundred years ago or so, the priest or pastor was also called a healer of souls. Perhaps it’s time for all of God’s people to regain that title for the Kingdom can indeed cure souls.

Mark 1:40–42 NIV

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

5. The Kingdom connects people to God.

There is a difference between cleansing and healing. Even though Jesus healed this man, that’s not what this man was asking for. He asked to be made clean.

Because of his leprous condition, unclean - he was cut off from his people - he could not enter the temple, couldn’t celebrate Jewish festivals - couldn’t go home to his family. He was ostracized, shunned and an outcast. And he asked Jesus to make him clean - to be reconnected to God.

And that’s what Kingdom work does - it connects people to God. It builds bridges between the outcast and the Divine.

Here are some questions to think over. Ask these of yourself and of Sunnyside.

1. If the Kingdom calls people, who am I calling? How am I calling. What might be some of my hindrances? Am I walking alongside the King? Where is He leading me?

2. If the Kingdom commissions followers, what is my commission? If every Christian has a place, a purpose, a gift, a talent … how am I using my gifts and talents to help build the Church? In what ways am I advancing the Kingdom? What’s stopping me?

3. If the Kingdom confronts darkness, what darkness am I confronting? How am I helping the Kingdom fight the evil and destructive forces in this world?

4. If the Kingdom cures souls, how is God using me to cure souls? Have I allowed God to cure my soul? Who do I know that needs their soul cured? What is one thing I can do to help?

5. If the Kingdom connects people to God, where and how am I building bridges? What are two things I can do this week to help connect people to God?

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