Part 3: His Kingdom And Ours

Matthew 6:10; 13: 36-43

February 6, 2000

We have celebrated the entrance into the 21^st century. Some wondered whether we would have any world to celebrate. With wars within and between nations, people are fleeing for their very lives. Add to this the war on morals and ethics, the war on drugs and personal choices, and we all don’t feel like celebrating very much.

In the middle of all the things that are hitting us, we pray together: THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. We come to the part of the prayer that forces us to choose between HIS KINGDOM AND OURS! That is a tough decision for many today. That includes us Christians. "This is no prayer for the man or woman who wants to stay the same!" (W. Barclay)

We like our own "kingdoms." We know them, we have built them. Too often we protect them and keep control of them. They are kingdoms of self: THE SELF-MADE MAN OR WOMAN; THE CONTROLLER OF OTHERS; (family or club or even our churches). We must decide between HIS KINGDOM AND OURS. And our kingdoms are pretty strong! Recall that even Jesus had to cry out from the Garden of Gethsemane, "If possible, let this cup pass from my lips; but nevertheless, not MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE!" (Matt 26.42) This calls for the THE REIGN AND RULE OF GOD IN EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES!

This is an election year. We have just started the primary elections. Candidates from both major parties are hoping to become President of our nation. They all are promising great things, even giving the country back to the people. That’s nice. They offer platforms for us in the United States that will satisfy only a few. But the platform of The Kingdom of God is wider, deeper, longer, and greater than any platform of any political party! We have to choose: for man-made kingdoms of this world...or the Kingdom of God!

One pastor, Bob Abernathy, took a wrong turn and ended up at a Democratic Party convention, instead of his own church meeting being held in the same building. He fell into a discussion with one of the delegates. The delegate was surprised that a minister would be mixed up in politics. A little drunk, the delegate asked, "What office are you running for?" The pastor responded with a smile, "I’m a candidate for the Kingdom of God!" To which the delegate responded with a slap on the back, "That’s great! I think you’ll be elected, because I know everyone else here at the convention, and believe me – nobody else is running for that position."

What a sharp reminder! Very few people put God at the center of life and events. Very few look at Him with the eye of faith to see how they might live here for the glory of God. I have to admit that I don’t always run for the Kingdom of God. Without prayer, being in His Word, and filled with His Spirit, I would have left Him. I AM GLAD I HAVE CHOSEN FOR HIS KINGDOM!

I want to share three principles about the Kingdom that keep me in His Kingdom, more than in my own. They might help you!

I- HIS KINGDOM REQUIRES OUR CONSTANT COMMITMENT

At the end of this chapter, Jesus reminds us: SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. The Kingdom of God is the main petition of the Lord’s Prayer. To be part of His Kingdom is the goal of Jesus Christ. The phrase: THE KINGDOM OF GOD, is never quite defined in one neat package. It is rich in meaning. But there is a bottom-line, a response, a decision, that must be made BY YOU AND ME!

If you have chosen for the Kingdom of God, you know who you are. And you also know that there are people who say that they are part of the Kingdom, but are not! Matthew 13 is filled with pictures of His Kingdom. The one we heard of the wheat and tares describes the Church today. Both wheat and tares grow together...but separation will soon be done. Sometimes the separation comes sooner. The rich young ruler asked what he had to do in order to inherit eternal life. When he heard what he had to do, he went away sad. His kingdom was too great for him to surrender...."Go, sell, give...and come, follow me." DECISION!

One of those amazing characters in Dr. Seuss - the Zoad came to "two signs at the fork in the road. One sign said to PLACE ONE–the other to PLACE TWO. So the Zoad had to make up his mind what to do." Which way to go! "On the one hand, and then, on the other hand though, ... So for 36 hours and a half, the poor Zoad made starts and stops in the middle of the road... who would not take a chance GOT NO PLACE AT ALL. He had split his pants.’ The Zoad stands in for any of us who ask, "Which Kingdom am I building?"

What if a space ship landed here. "Take me to your leader," requests our alien friends. Who would you take them to meet? John Paul II? President Clinton? Michael Jordan? Mickey Mouse? When the Disney people release their attendance figures at their theme parks, it seems they could have a strong case for leadership. WOULD ANYONE LEAD THEM TO THE CROSS, TO THE CHURCH, TO THE WORD...TO JESUS CHRIST?

Whose kingdom does my checkbook and agenda demonstrate as the greatest...that has my talents and treasures? We’ll come back to that in a few moments.

When we consider the Kingdom of God, the way of the Zoad and the rich young ruler are not the examples we need. Jesus stings us all when He says: NO ONE WHO PUTS HIS HAND TO THE PLOW AND LOOKS BACK IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. (Luke 9.62)

When we pray, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN...IT IS A DECLARATION OF REBELLION...WE REBEL AGAINST ALL THE OTHER SMALL KINGDOMS THE SEEK TO CLAIM US AND SEEK TO DESTROY US!

So, first the Kingdom of God calls us for a CONSTANT COMMITMENT EACH DAY!

II - WE CAN OBSERVE HIS KINGDOM COMING

So many times I’ve heard the statement: The Church is irrelevant... a waste of time. True, the church has too often embraced the agenda of the world. We are not a political party. We are not advocates for certain legislation. We are representatives of His Kingdom. We are not perfect. I remember one woman yelling at me about the failings of her church. When I asked her is she wanted to continue her membership, she growled, "Of course I want to be a member. It’s the only place where I know I can be heard!"

Everyone of us has a deep desire to know God.. intimately, powerfully. When we choose for His Kingdom and really mean it- we begin to observe signs of His Kingdom everywhere! In the strangest places. You see, God opens our eyes to see Him working in His Kingdom. God has a desire to see His life blossom within each of us. Solzhenitzyn wrote of this discovery. Before he became a Christian while in the Gulags of the Soviet system, "I hoarded everything- a little bit of paper, scraps of food and clothes, and I felt the heel of my oppressors." But when he embraced Jesus Christ, he admitted that "I surrendered to my ABSOLUTE POWERLESSNESS. When I did, I became free of my captors’ power." Acts of kindness came to him from unlikely people. They confessed that their generosity came when they realized how free they were in Christ even though in prison. The Kingdom of God breaks through iron bars and cold hearts. God blossoms within us, as we declare for His Kingdom!!!

You can observe signs of His Kingdom, if you will look with God’s eyes: Turkey recovered from earthquakes last August- because you gave a special offering, monies went to help set up the first Christian-based refugee camp for 1000 people in need; Angola has welcomed the cry of a baptist pastor, Ntoni-Nzinga, to form discussion groups for the Reflection of Peace. The country is tired after almost 30 years of bloody war. The group risks death, but they know their nation will never recover until people begin to talk together; Russellville has continued to minister to the needy and homeless through its individuals and churches and the Area Ministerial Association. We are part of that group which helped hundreds of individuals and families with food, clothes, and transportation needs ... and some have gained employment through this network quietly touching others...THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS HERE, TOO!

"The US government has proven itself incompetent at solving social problems...private organizations, like the Christian Church, have the answer. Parent authority and habits of self-reliance must be strengthened...and the only available institutions for taking the lead in these tasks are churches." (P. Drucker) He is a good observer of the Kingdom of God!

"Highly committed Christians" are two times as likely to be working the poor and homeless than those who just say they are Christian.* We see ourselves as "salt and light" in the arena of politics and legislation. We penetrate with the Good News for those who are unable to speak for themselves! *(Gallup Poll)

You see, we are ALREADY IN PUBLIC LIFE. We need to be sure we have chosen for His Kingdom, as we are His investments in this world. Ask God to open your eyes...OBSERVE HIS KINGDOM ALL AROUND YOU...IT IS A FANTASTIC SIGHT!

We have learned that we must make a constant commitment to the Kingdom of God, or our own kingdoms get in the way. We also can observe His Kingdom at work!

III - WE CAN LIVE OUT THIS COMMITMENT

How? "The Kingdom of God is within you!" or, "in your midst." (Luke 17.21) We need only keep our focus on Him. Eric Liddell, Christian missionary to China, was known as the "Flying Scotsman" of track fame. At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, he refused to run on Sunday, for it was his sabbath. Though pressure was put on him by members of the royal family, he did not give in. He did run the next day, in a race for which he had not prepared...and won the gold medal. He knew how to keep his focus on Christ. He lived his commitment.

How can we live this prayer even beginning today? Come back to your own checkbook...your own agendas or calendars. Try this simple exercise as you pray , THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH...IN ME...AS IT IS IN HEAVEN...WITH YOU!

Review your check ledger...where do you see your money going?

To your kingdom...or to His?

Review your appointments. Do they include people or places that need the love of God?

What are you going to commit to do about His Kingdom around you?

The prayer will change you forever, if you TRULY PRAY THIS PRAYER! You can renew your own commitment to Christ and His Kingdom at this table. The bread and the cup taken with Him means you want to be clearly in His Kingdom for His glory!

Amazing things happen...we make our commitment to Him and His Kingdom. We want to be part of the people who say..we are part of His Kingdom...so, come, all is ready!