Christ ushered in the Kingdom. However, evangelical Christians invite people to heaven, or simply to church, rather than to the Kingdom; we are accustomed to preaching the Gospel of salvation only and simply meeting together, and not presenting and engaging people in the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:15, Luke 16:16). Jesus focused His teaching on the Kingdom (there are over 100 references to the Kingdom in the Gospels), with far less emphasis on His redemptive work; and even less on how we gather. Interesting, huh?
This may seem like a subtlety; however, it can prove significant in how we minister to folks. Evangelical Christians underemphasize the significance of the Kingdom life and experience, while focusing much more attention on other matters, such as church, programs, doctrine, and to a lesser extent, compassion ministries and evangelism. These are certainly designed and executed with noble intent. However, there is a vital element missing.
Now let’s paint a picture—speaking in generalities and hypotheticals. When someone becomes a church attendee, they are often simply a spectator. They more often than not see the paid ministers as responsible for ministry. And they likewise only visualize ministry in the context of the programs offered at the church. When someone is converted (without transformation), they sometimes fail to embrace the Kingdom lifestyle; they may or may not even adopt a “church” lifestyle. They often do not become transformed for a long time, if they do at all. They do not embrace the vision or engage in the mission. They do not transfer their allegiance from the world to the Kingdom, from death to life, bondage to freedom, spectator to ambassador and soldier, flesh to the spirit—life more abundantly eludes them. We stop short of the true, intended born-again experience.
As a result of the disconnect, the experience of converts and church-goers doesn’t differ much from the world. Where is the freedom, peace, joy—life more abundantly, promised by Christ. Unfortunately, Christianity has become intellectual rather than transformational. We engage with our minds and not our spirits. Not very attractive, is it? Promiscuity, failed marriages, depression, and other ills plague professing followers of Christ at nearly the same proportions as the rest of the world. Why sign up?
I think this disconnect can be traced back hundreds of years. I personally believe the early church had an advantage by NOT having the canon. I know you now think I’m insane! However, think about it. Christianity was a way of life, and not a series of doctrines. They relied on the Spirit and learned through the life-styles of mature believers (discipleship). We have turned it into information and meetings, rather than a walk empowered by the Spirit.
The modern evangelical church gets most of its intellectual-bent doctrine from Paul, underemphasizing the teachings of John, James, and Peter, and all but ignoring the teachings of Christ Himself. Read 1 John, then James, and then the parables while removing the Pauline lens, and you will see divergence from the modern Christian experience. Now Paul’s teachings are certainly God-breathed; however, they are best contextualized while understanding his way of life—the Kingdom life. Pauline doctrine was never meant to be understood simply by reading a series of letters. Paul demonstrated what the Kingdom life looked like and followed up with letters for specific reasons. Paul (and Jesus) showed us how to embrace the Kingdom while overcoming the world—they didn’t simply tell us. They practiced it so they could make disciples. We must do the same.
We demonstrate the reality of Christ by how we live. We can’t confess Him with our mouth and deny Him with our lifestyle. If we do, we will certainly never achieve the vision. A sermon series, discipleship class, or reading books will not adequately present the Kingdom lifestyle to carry it forward to others. A radically transformed life is required to transform lives. And until we embrace this, we will not propagate Kingdom life.
So leaders, I urge you to consider: does your faith walk demonstrate a radical departure from the world—a full commitment to the Kingdom life? Are you transformed–living life more abundantly? How attractive is your life—how attractive do you make Christ? Meditate on these questions.
Lots more on vision to follow….
May the Lord empower you to get beyond where you are to a radically different place, to the glory of God, through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Amen
Marc Carrier
www.valuesdrivenfamily.com
Ps. Be patient and keep reading. I will flesh all this out. We have to start with the correct foundation if we are going to build an unstoppable Kingdom growth movement. Vision specifics are next.