Laying the groundwork is not always glamorous. Okay, I can’t think of any time when it’s glamorous, but I believe Richard Stearns lays some great foundations while giving us some important things to think about in “chapter 1: A Hole in the Whole.â€
These are questions that need to be asked.
- Is the Kingdom of God only about going to heaven?
- Does the here-and-now world have anything to do with this Kingdom?
- Are we expressing the fullness of the Gospel?
The Gospel we have so often been presented with can be pretty lopsided. You get your “fire insurance†then you go about your own business. I sort of think of it like the conductor on a train checking tickets and punching them to make sure you’re where you’re supposed to be and headed the right direction.
I did a quick search on Bible Gateway and found that the Gospels mention “kingdom†116 times. Even if all those are not directly related to the Kingdom of heaven, that’s still a lot of mentions. Can we really come away thinking that every time He teaches about the Kingdom, it’s only to do with our eternal destination?
What if everything Jesus taught the crowds and His disciples was about this Kingdom? When he talked about anger, lust, money, serving, compassion, marriage, and everything else—what if that’s all wrapped up in expressing the Kingdom of God on earth?
Jesus provided the way to salvation and restored relationship to the Father. As those who have named Him as Lord, we represent Him on the earth. If our lives aren’t tuned to being the servant of all, then we are missing something.
I think we’ve sometimes received the misguided notion as well that we are serving each other in the Church and that’s the extent of it. If that were the case then why would Jesus tell the crowd in Matthew 5,
“…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.†This was after He had finished calling us “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.â€
I loved this quote,
I believe that we have reduced the gospel from a dynamic and beautiful symphony of God’s love for and in the world to a bare strident monotone. (page 18)
Perhaps it’s because I’m a musician, but this thought disgusts me. Think of the beauty we deprive the world of by not expressing the full good news. Think of those neglected in the deepest of poverty who will not even live to hear the symphony of God’s love and hope. That we could turn all that into one note of “go to heaven†(or anything else) is not acceptable! It’s important, but it’s not the whole picture.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.†–Matthew 24:14
I truly believe the gospel of the Kingdom is much deeper and richer than “fire insurance.†We have a lot of work to do, and living for the Kingdom costs everything. As much as I possibly can, I want this. And for the other part of me that resists, I ask for God’s help and grace.
Do you see how many have cut holes in the Gospel? Are you desiring to express a greater fullness of His Kingdom on earth? What will it take for us to do this?
Have a post of your own to add to the discussion? Link it up here! Also be sure to check out Sarah Salter’s blog (my friend and co-facilitator) for more great conversation.
24 Comments
Jason those are powerful questions aren’t they? I started reading last night and stopped after 4 chapters. I’m still musing and praying about my post but I think Jesus summed it up for me with this….
“If you love me, feed my sheep.”
I have work to do…gotta go and check for holes!
Yeah, I loved how things were so clearly and simply stated in the book so that it felt new. I’ve got a lot of work to do. Thanks, Jay!
So, I haven’t read the book. I don’t have the book yet. I didn’t know what the first chapter was about. Yet my own post today is all about the Kingdom. Hmmm….
I wonder what is going on here. I can only assume we’re following the same God.
I absolutely love the essence of that quote. Reducing the kingdom to a monotone also reduces Jesus and the gospel to a monotone. I do desire to express a greater fullness of the Kingdom, great post Jason. Thanks.
And since my post is so similar in nature, I will add it to the widget.
I think you’re right--we do follow the same God! And yes, please do link it up here. Thank you Ryan.
I can’t get the link to attach. I’ve tried multiple times and waited patiently inbetween tries. Here it is:
http://taterhouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/kingdom-of-god-is-like.html
No problem- I added it for you. Don’t know what was going on. Thanks Ryan!
Jason,
I love this blog. These things you have written today are things that God has been dealing with me on too. I love that! There is a young guy in our church who lives with us and he and I have been talking about this very issue. The way he puts it, “There is a difference between someone who is saved and someone who is a servant of the Kingdom.” Anyway, I just wanted to comment on your post and tell you God is saying these things to other people accross the nation as well.
Chris, that’s awesome. Thanks for the confirmation. Love how God orchestrates things!
Do we even remember what the symphony sounded like?
We have minimized the gospel in our own lives as well as in the world. For shame.
May we know the melody of the master… may His song transform us. Transformed, may we become a part of the orchestra of the Kingdom working to transform the world.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..BD-THiOG Throwing out the Bingo Card
Amen and amen. Thank you Dusty.
The thought that I suddenly can’t get past is that we get in our own way. You asked the question about about desiring a greater fullness of His Kingdom on earth and how to go about that and I think that the key is getting my eyes off myself and what God and His Kingdom can do for me and allowing God to work through me to make His Kingdom into what He intended it to be. Okay, I won’t ramble further on this, because I’m pretty sure we’re going to be hitting this point later. But I wanted to throw it out there today.
Sarah Salter recently posted..Breaking All the Rules
We definitely do get in the way, don’t we? So many things threaten our seeking “first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Good things to explore. Thank you Sarah.
I haven’t read the chapter yet because I am waiting for the book, so I wasn’t sure I should come here today to comment or if that would be like cheating. Then I said “Eh, worse thing that could happen is the first post I promised to link up will just say ‘What Jason said…”
Jesus did say when teaching up to pray to pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” So yes, I think we are supposed to bring His Kingdom to the here and now in how we love and serve others.
It is discouragement (as well as selfishness) that gets in my way. “What difference does it make if I help pack a few baskets to give to the poor in our area… there are SO many more that we can’t help…” and forget that I am to love people individually and not just as a whole. That one little basket to that one little family could be the difference between being able to finish out the month hungry or not. It makes a difference to at least one person, and should be enough.
Helen recently posted..The Green Police
You are hilarious, Helen.
That discouragement is a big one for everyone. So often we want to do the “right thing” (or in this case, the “Kingdom thing”) but we wonder if we can really make a difference. All we can do is make it a lifestyle and entrust it all to God. Nothing is ever wasted or lost in Him. Like those baskets, we may not see where they go and how they impact but none of it escapes the Father’s gaze.
Thank you Helen. Great thoughts!
When I came back from my medical leave 3 years ago I came to appreciate the gospel in a whole new light. For many years, the gospel was only fire insurance to me and others. After, I hit rock bottom and came to a new and fuller understanding of God’s love for me, the gospel became much more alive. I now see the gospel penetrating all aspects of life and not just as a “get of hell” card.
Kevin M. recently posted..Dont give up you are loved
Kevin, God truly works it all to the good. What a devastating place to be, but what a hope and truth to find in the midst of it. Thank you.
Jason: we certainly do a great injustice when we speak of the kingdom of God as only being future. I think Mt.16:16-20 debunks that theory. I can remember the statement that was used about people: “He’s so heavenly-minded he’s no earthly good.” Having eyes to heaven and not here is missing the point of Jesus changing lives.
As an aside: I added my blog to the above mix but have not tried the widget yet.
Bill (cycleguy) recently posted..Input Needed
That’s a great way to state it. When we think of a future heaven and that’s the only goal, we fail to see God as the master of eternity. Excellent thoughts, Bill! Thank you.
And you did just great-- your post added to the widget!
Wow, you are so right — that quote is awesome. I’ve read the book twice now, and somehow I missed that quote both times. Maybe because I’m not a musician (maybe because I don’t have a musical bone in my body?). I’m beginning to think I read this book 10 times and still get so much out of it.
Michelle DeRusha recently posted..The Shop-Not Chronicles
It’s amazing how different things stand out to different people, isn’t it? Thanks Michelle!
Jason,
There is a possibility I don’t understand this post but I find this difficult. I do agree with you on everything so that’s clear. But to express the fullness of His Kingdom here is a tricky one. Well I find it tricky. Months ago there was a friend who told me to want from God everything I desired because we live in His Kingdom here. That means He will give everthing already now on earth. She goes to a church where they claim that God has to do that. That they are people of God and live out to be His children, children of a Kingdom on earth. I hope you understand my difficulty?
On the other hand I do agree with you as I already wrote. Every time I hear or see someone accepted Jesus in their live as their Saviour I always ask the Lord to send people of Him to them or if I can help them. They need people to guide them further in faith. I know. I remember my friend told me about Jesus and I accepted Him but she just left it that way. It wasn’t her fault we were young. But there was nobody to help me or guide me further. So I slipped back into my old life and forgot about Jesus. The second time I accepted Him there was help. So I agree it’s not only a decision. We have to live it out. Well, that’s what I think you mean with this post. If not, correct me please.
Ani, I wondered why I hadn’t heard from you, but now I understand! And yes, when I say the ‘express the fullness’ of His Kingdom, I’m talking about loving, serving, living, and representing Jesus in the earth. We can expect His faithfulness to provide everything we need when we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, but I don’t see it supported anywhere that we will all be rich beyond our dreams and have no problems!
Thank you for sharing your story and weighing in. I appreciate it!
Okay. I’m all linked up. I’m still a little under the weather (meaning I feel like I heck). Next week should be rolling better. Or maybe I can drag this cold out another weak and use it as an excuse a little longer.
Helen recently posted..Preaching the Gospel in Action- Chapter 1 in A Hole in Our Gospel
Ha! Sounds great, Helen.