Kingdom DNA
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As we begin the exploration of Kingdom D.N.A. we need to have a clear understanding of what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6:33 when he charges us to "Seek first the Kingdom".
The notion of the "Kingdom of God" is both revolutionary and incredibly simple.
The word "kingdom" comes from the words "Kings dominion" or where the King rules. The Kingdom of God therefore is simply anywhere God rules.
Jesus underlines this in the Lord's Prayer:
"Our Father in Heaven, Holy be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven".
Of course the Kingdom of God is not yet fully realised.. one look at todays paper will tell you that. Jesus makes it clear though, that seeking that kingdom is our primary task.
I found the way this blog put it helpful:
In the words of J.I. Packer, “The Kingdom of God is present in its beginnings though future in its fullness; in one sense it is already here, but in the richest sense it is still to come.” Francis Schaeffer put it this way: “Christians who believe the Bible are not simply called to say that ‘one day’ there will be healing, but that by God’s grace, upon the basis of the work of Christ, substantial healing can be a reality here and now.” The word “substantial” is key. Not full or complete healing, but real and substantial. This must be our vision.
One of the mistakes the Christian church has made over the years is thinking its job was making Christians rather than seeking first the Kingdom.
This results in an idealogical battle, rather than transformation.
I love that Francis of Assisi said:
It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
Whenever God's Kingdom has been noticeably present, it has resulted in much more than people discovering a personal relationship with Christ. It has also transformed relationships, education, politics and economies. The Kingdom of God is about every area of life.
What I hope to show is that there is a "D.N.A." that is common to every moment the Christian church has exploded, and serves as a useful diagnostic tool to identify what is needed for real Kingdom community transformation.
