The Kingdom of God is very different to the kingdoms of this world. Many times I see things in the world or even in how I live my own life that contrast significantly from God’s Kingdom. Jesus said to Pilot in John 18:36 “My Kingdom is not of this world”. The Kingdom of God is made up of ordinary individuals working together!
As a teenager, I went though a period of time where I was really into strategy computer games. Games like Starcraft, Age of Empires, Command & Conquer, and even non-computer games like Risk or Monopoly I thoroughly enjoyed. However in reflection, the way I ran those “kingdoms” was very different to the way I see the Kingdom of God work in the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. The Kingdom of God is unique.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 describes disciples of Jesus Christ as builders, and their life’s work as what they are building. Using this analogy of the Kingdom of God, we can see how Paul hints at a few distinctives of the Kingdom of God. Over the next three weeks, we will look at just three of those that I believe God is challenging us with. This week I want to look at how in the Kingdom of God we are all involved and the importance of working together in the Kingdom.
Firstly, Paul refers several times to the fact that we are all workers and that the work of our lives is building towards an eternal reality. But the point I want to make today is that we are ALL workers. ALL of us are building – whether we like it or not, whether we are aware of it or not.
The Kingdom of God is made up of ordinary individuals working together. Like an army where everybody works together to win the battle, the Church should be a place where everybody works together. Paul constantly talked about people that partnered with him, and at times was even supported by the church in Philippi in some of his missionary ventures.
In the same way, to truly build into the Kingdom of God, we not only have to be involved, but we have to work together. Journey life with people; take others with you! When you stand before God at the end of your life, how great it will be to see dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people standing behind you saying “if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here”.
Consider our ultimate example – Jesus Christ. Jesus mandate was that all disciples are responsible for the work of seeing the gospel spread throughout the world. Together. But Jesus also modeled this in His willingness to be involved in humanity. He didn’t say to Father God, “alright, I’ll go and save humanity and talk to a few people but if I’m quick I should be home before dinner”. No, Jesus shrugged off His divinity, and came as a baby boy. He got deeply involved in 12 guys lives, and personally touched thousands more with God’s power and love.
Working with others is often messy, and will almost always involve elements of sacrifice and hurt. But life is always better done with others, and to see not just one’s own purpose fulfilled, but also the purposes of others is an intricate part of the work of the Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is made up of ordinary individuals working together. So today, are you involved in the work of the Kingdom? Do you have gifts and abilities that remain unused? If you are involved, are you working with others? Do you shy away from allowing others into your world, or to be a part of your work for the Kingdom?
Maybe today you need to decide that you will get involved in the Kingdom. Perhaps for you that means simply reaching out to others in need, or maybe it means volunteering at your local church. Maybe today God is reminding you to be open to others, and to include others in your journey, and to serve God’s purpose for others as well as for yourself.
