Why Kingdom Conversations Matter
You have found Backyard Conversations here at One Hundred Fold Ministries. We are all about exploring, celebrating and advancing the conversation around the Gospel of the Kingdom. Of course, I suppose the conversations that actually happen in the backyard around the barbeque are rarely about the centerpiece and focus of Jesus’ ministry. We tend to talk about the kids and the job and our local sports team and whatever politics are frustrating us today.
And frankly, I suppose that most conversations in the cafeteria at school and in the line at the grocery store and at the water cooler at work and in the stands at little league are also rarely about the single most important conversation in the universe: The Gospel of the Kingdom!
In fact, I’m going out on a limb and saying that the Gospel of the Kingdom is rarely a conversation even at church! Just to be personal, when was the last time you had a robust conversation about the consequences of the Gospel of the Kingdom in your everyday life? I’m all about it and it doesn’t happen very much in my life.
I’m Dave Scherrer and this blog is dedicated to this strangely uncommon conversation.
The concept of “Kingdom” and Jesus as the King Eternal is practically the only thing that Jesus speaks about and lives into. So why is it so uncommon for us to chat about?
The preeminent New Testament Biblical scholar Dr. Gordon Fee said this:
“You cannot know anything about Jesus, anything, if you miss the kingdom of God . . . You are zero on Jesus if you don’t understand this term. I’m sorry to say it that strongly, but this is the great failure of evangelical Christianity. We have had Jesus without the kingdom of God, and therefore have literally done Jesus in.”
Gordon Fee, “Jesus: Early Ministry/Kingdom of God,” lecture delivered at Regent College. Tape Series 2235E, Pt. 1. Copyright © Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Wow! This implies that if I truly knew the Gospel of the Kingdom and could articulate its essence and its benefits and its essential place in the Christ follower’s life, I would be far better off! You might ask, “Why has no one told me about this?”
I’m not sure why seminaries and pastors and Christian counselors and various Christian speakers and teachers don’t focus on this wonderful doctrine, or, even for the most part, give it lip service. It feels rare to me. Oh, we talk about Jesus as King, sing about King Jesus too, but kind of in passing, without much thought to the consequences. The bigger picture of Jesus’ rule and reign as the King of this vast eternal Kingdom is sadly misunderstood and misapplied at best.
Can I share a dream I have with you?
Someday I hope to establish a Center for Kingdom Thought and Practice. It would be a place where leaders and servants from all kinds of disciplines, occupations and interest groups would gather to talk about the Kingdom of God and the righteousness that comes from living according to its principles. What if leaders of industry and banking, politics and publishing, manufacturing and theater, utilities and higher education – gathered to ask the question:
“What does it mean for those of us in our chosen discipline to live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God and how can we live more authentically as Kingdom citizens in our community and world?”
I think all kinds of majestic and life-changing ideas could come from the conversations at such a center.
One could say that in this day and age, with all the electronic ways we have of virtually connecting, we don’t actually have to meet together in person. And, in any case, there are lots of think tanks out there– do we really need one more?
Actually, I think so. We need one like this anyway. Where Jesus and His Kingdom rule and reign in our everyday lives is of utmost importance. Meeting in person and having a robust exchange of ideas on the subject of the Kingdom would be incredibly refreshing and bonding. It would add to our understanding of this mysterious doctrine and would inspire us to live and lean into its principles.
So, why don't you have a conversation with a like-minded person this week about the Kingdom of God and its consequences for our world if we absolutely surrendered to it. Then get back to me here at our One Hundred Fold Ministries website or email me here at dave@100foldministries.org and let me know how it goes! I think you will find it challenging and fun!
You can also check us out at Kingdom Offerings, our podcast environment at 100foldministries.org.
