Christ’s Kingdom
For us “kingdom” is a word from the Bible. We are not thinking of the governments of this world or the kings of days present or past when we think about what it means. Jesus never tried to take over the government but he did talk a lot about the kingdom of God. Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was something that had come because he himself had come. We look at Jesus to define the kingdom that we want to see in our world.
Christ’s kingdom, or the kingdom of God, is where God’s desires and God’s influence determine reality. Obviously, there is a great deal in our world that does not reflect God’s desires or influence. Sometimes, it seems like there is so little that does, that we are not even sure we know what God’s desires or influence are. This is where we turn to the Bible. God’s desires for all creation are good. God is not selfish. God is right. The beginning of the Bible says that God’s evaluation of his creator was tat it was very good (Genesis 1:31). The end of the Bible says that God will make creation new and that, then, God will be with his people and there will be more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Revelation 21:3-4). God desires that his creation would flourish with love, joy, peace, and provision.
When we say that our intent is to cultivate Christ’s kingdom, we want to see the flourishing that God intends.
Cultivate and Conversations
God is active bringing about goodness. We are well aware that we are not the creators of this world. However, when the Bible talks about God’s relationship to human beings, we consistently are told that God wants us to cooperate with what he is doing. The Bible actually says that God intends for human beings to be his representatives in creation. Because of this, we like the world cultivate. It is like we are preparing the soil to receive seeds, and rain, and sunlight…only, we are preparing and encouraging in our sphere’s of influence (little or big) so that God’s goodness and flourishing can be received and can grow.
This representing God in creation is a very daily work. Most often, it is done everyday circumstances and everyday relationships. Most often, it is in the conversations that we find ourselves in. It is not a one-time appearance that we make. It is a lifestyle and a commitment. It happens one conversation at a time.
For us “kingdom” is a word from the Bible. We are not thinking of the governments of this world or the kings of days present or past when we think about what it means. Jesus never tried to take over the government but he did talk a lot about the kingdom of God. Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was something that had come because he himself had come. We look at Jesus to define the kingdom that we want to see in our world.
Christ’s kingdom, or the kingdom of God, is where God’s desires and God’s influence determine reality. Obviously, there is a great deal in our world that does not reflect God’s desires or influence. Sometimes, it seems like there is so little that does, that we are not even sure we know what God’s desires or influence are. This is where we turn to the Bible. God’s desires for all creation are good. God is not selfish. God is right. The beginning of the Bible says that God’s evaluation of his creator was tat it was very good (Genesis 1:31). The end of the Bible says that God will make creation new and that, then, God will be with his people and there will be more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Revelation 21:3-4). God desires that his creation would flourish with love, joy, peace, and provision.
When we say that our intent is to cultivate Christ’s kingdom, we want to see the flourishing that God intends.
Cultivate and Conversations
God is active bringing about goodness. We are well aware that we are not the creators of this world. However, when the Bible talks about God’s relationship to human beings, we consistently are told that God wants us to cooperate with what he is doing. The Bible actually says that God intends for human beings to be his representatives in creation. Because of this, we like the world cultivate. It is like we are preparing the soil to receive seeds, and rain, and sunlight…only, we are preparing and encouraging in our sphere’s of influence (little or big) so that God’s goodness and flourishing can be received and can grow.
This representing God in creation is a very daily work. Most often, it is done everyday circumstances and everyday relationships. Most often, it is in the conversations that we find ourselves in. It is not a one-time appearance that we make. It is a lifestyle and a commitment. It happens one conversation at a time.