Kingdom Reformation: Eternal, Tangible, and Relevant Today

By Jim Lacy

The kingdom of heaven is meant to override and push back corrupted kingdoms of this present world. It is eternal, tangible, and relevant today. Jesus Christ spoke about the kingdom’s present reality and the world-changing dynamics associated with it. Faith-filled members of the redeemed community will occupy influential establishments and professions. Many Christians are accepting the assignment of stepping into many persuasive institutions such as government, retail sales, construction, education, media, the arts and entertainment, and family to make a difference. They are applying God’s love, biblical values, and their lifestyles to reform these arenas and to create atmospheres in which unbelievers are transformed into committed followers of Christ.

Are Christian people supposed to “get along” with established practices, business as usual procedures, even if they oppose biblical ethics and practices?

What if you are a “game-changer” in the mixed-up culture of our day—a Christian who boldly chooses to enter a conflicted or compromised arena of influence. Could you be the committed disciple of Jesus who will look squarely in the face of ungodly and chaotic conditions that oppose biblical ideals to deliver transformation? What if you, being armed with the armor, love, and the power of God, were to break into an established arena, an institution, a career, or profession with a better way—God’s way of doing business? Could it be that you are a reformer in the world? Is it possible you are a converter in a crazy culture that needs Jesus Christ and his biblical agenda?

As we study the reality and significance of God’s kingdom, I hope you will capture its implications and relevance personally. If you do, your life in Christ will be more expressive and exciting, your purpose clearer, and our collective mission more accurately fulfilled.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638441816

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Kingdom Reformation

Eternal, Tangible, and Relevant Today

Jim Lacy

Copyright © 2021 by Jim Lacy

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

A New Era

Kingdom Conflicts

God’s Kingdom: A Present Reality or Future Event?

An Impartial King

The Leaven Effect

The Family Business

A Kingdom, Seen or Unseen?

What’s the Church Got to Do with It?

From Passivity to Proactivity

So What Do I Do Now?

Introduction

Since becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ in 1972, I have heard countless sermons and read books and articles with numerous references to the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God. Preachers have made specific statements such as, Let’s advance God’s kingdom by evangelizing our city this week! I’ve heard others say, I’m supporting a missionary in Africa so that His kingdom will be expanded in all the world. I recently read a statement in a book that stated something like, If you will apply the principles contained in this book, you’ll advance the kingdom of God.

I have served in pastoral ministry for forty-eight years. And to be honest, I include myself among the other ministers who has made references to the kingdom of God while teaching and preaching the gospel in various venues. While attending Bible College, I obtained an interest in the subject of the kingdom of heaven. Numerous references were made about it. In the 1980s, the term Kingdom Now was used in association with a high-profile spiritual movement within Christianity. During that time, the late Bishop Earl Paulk from Decatur, Georgia, was in the forefront, discovering and teaching the present time reality of God’s kingdom in the earth. It was very controversial in that decade. Gratefully, the spiritual revelation of the kingdom of heaven has since grown and evolved to a greater understanding and acceptance by many people worldwide today. There are still questions about the present-day implications of God’s kingdom.

My question to you is this: Is it possible we often make broad statements referring to the kingdom of heaven, or the kingdom of God without recognizing what the kingdom is?

The kingdom of heaven is more than a religious concept or an idea. It is more involved than a church activity or a spiritual mission. Jesus Christ referred to His kingdom often. It is mentioned about one hundred and sixty times in the gospels. So it must be important for us to understand. God’s kingdom is eternal, tangible, and relevant. It’s well worth investigating!

Since I have become curious as to what people mean when they refer to the kingdom, I sense the urgency to more clearly define and clarify what the Bible says regarding His kingdom, so the mention of it is more than a passing statement or an abstract concept. The Bible has the final and conclusive say about everything!

As we study the reality and significance of God’s kingdom, I have the hope that you will capture its implications and relevance personally. If you do, your life in Christ will be more expressive and exciting, your purpose clearer, and our collective mission more accurately fulfilled.

Christians have intentional choices to make as disciples in this life. We can be among those who are frustrated and despondent about the chaotic condition of the world in which we live to the point that we can’t wait to be rescued out of here. Unfortunately, many well-meaning and sincere Christians have developed an escapist mentality. Perhaps you, like myself, were taught that we must hold on desperately to Jesus so we can make it until the end! I was reminded often, very often in fact, to urgently stand in faith as things become worse in this world (and in many ways, they are), frantically hold on to Jesus or my salvation might slip away. If we can just endure to the end, we will fly out of here just in time, when Jesus returns. Wow, what a relief, right? Mission accomplished? I’m not so sure!

Escape or Reform?

I am not making light of the last days scenario, but I want to offer another thought: Is there an alternative to the evacuation mindset that is so prevalent in the body of believers, the church? Instead, what if you can be a game changer in the mixed-up culture, a Christian who boldly chooses to enter an arena of influence, looking squarely in the face of ungodly and chaotic conditions that oppose our biblical ideals. What if you, being armed with the armor and the power of God, were to break into that arena with a better way of doing business? Could it be that you are reformer in the world? Is it possible you are a transformer in a crazy culture that needs Jesus Christ?

I am convinced there is a deeper purpose for the redeemed community. There is relationship between the kingdom of heaven and the community of Christ’s disciples. I believe you are a reformer indeed! I believe Christians are called and shaped to be engaged in reforming industries, institutions, organizations, and systems and to be evangelists at the same time. We are called to be stewards of the earth, vice regents with God—all things redemptive!

Your assignment to make a difference in the culture is not meant by God to be a struggle against flesh and blood—against people! No, our warfare is spiritual, in places of darkness against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the unseen world (Ephesians 6:12) that dominate arenas of our culture.

So as we deliver reformed change, often simply by being present in a scenario or career choice, or our own home, we get to operate with real-time solutions and models inspired by our creative Father in heaven. Additionally, we get to relate to other people in the same setting with God’s inherent love and grace. Christians have countless opportunities to care for the people with whom we are engaged.

Evangelism in every nation in the world is crucial to our call and mission! Jesus entrusted us with the great commission, and I am convinced that we have God’s ear when we pray and ask Jesus to lead us to the people who need Him—those not yet born-again. We have the essential message of eternal salvation. Would Jesus lead you to a vocation or career in which there are few or no believers in Christ? Perhaps Holy Spirit is leading you into a place of employment that is known for spiritual darkness and void of joy or peace. Would you enter that place, knowing that you will be the only person present who possesses the light of Christ to transform the atmosphere from darkness to light, and bring some people to Him?

Far too many believers in Christ have relinquished the necessary work in politics, our homes, medicine, children’s education, law, the economy, media, the arts and entertainment, and even the church to the world. Christians have forfeited opportunities where there are spiritually unregenerated people who operate by the principles of the spirit of this present age. Many of us have been taught that Christians have no place in several of these fields or vocations. After all, we are holy because of our faith in Christ, and some of these professions are filled with unholy people. They are contaminated with unholy ways of doing business. So, of course, if you become involved with them you will be contaminated too, and that will negatively affect your faith and witness, right?

I don’t believe so! What if the kingdom of heaven invaded the kingdoms of this present age and transformed them into models of new life and limitless possibilities of God’s goodness, success, and blessing to countless people? Could that be your call and mission in order to fulfill the great commission? Might you be the ambassador of Jesus Christ in a dark and hopeless office, shop, or plant to bring people to Jesus?

What if we believed the statement John made in 1 John 4:4? You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. What if you were to infect the world with the gift God’s unconditional love, hope, and grace, instead of being convinced the world has the power to infect you with corruption? I think that’s a question well worth thinking about. The finished work of Jesus, His death and resurrection, personally applied to your life by faith in Him has far reaching and eternal rewards, for you and everyone around you—today and eternally!

Your Christ-like influence can deliver huge impact!

If you’re in Christ, you have already overcome the world because He did by way of the cross! You can enter every scenario, every arena of influence and atmosphere with victory and success! Not only that, your influence and presence will inspire the hearts and minds of the worldly with whom you are involved, and they will believe the gospel too! Carrying God’s love, kindness, and glory into a field of influence can bring salvation to others already occupying it. Once again, you are an evangelist and a reformer.

This book is about you, a reformer. May you become keenly aware that you are God’s instrument through whom God’s kingdom will come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! May your union with Jesus Christ open your eyes to the unlimited potential to steward God’s creation in partnership with Him and spiritually reform the systems intended to benefit mankind. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Chapter 1

A New Era

Are you convinced that we are living in a time when things are rapidly changing? It’s apparent to all of us that everything is different today than it was yesterday! So many people are anxious. Countless complexities have invaded normal daily routines. Many people are hopeless and confused. So much information is pouring out of the internet, television, and news outlets. The phrases a new normal and unprecedented times are echoed everywhere we turn. And it appears that many policies, events, and conditions are not as they seem outwardly.

Everyone has an opinion about everything. One can hear the blaring voices of dissatisfaction and chaos all over the social media. The political issues have never been more divisive and heated in my lifetime, and believe me, I am getting old! The debates about free market capitalism and socialism have become a glaring reality in the United States. People are upset and outraged, the cultural lines of demarcation are deep. The safety and wellbeing in cities, states and our nation is threatened every day as social unrest escalates. Countless peaceful demonstrations erupt into violent and destructive riots by mobs of angry citizens in every major city. Disrespect for authority has risen to an all-time epidemic. The pandemic of COVID-19 continues to be a critical issue worldwide. Natural disasters continue to occur as usual. Summer wildfires rage in the western states of the US.

At same time, common sense solutions are apparently difficult for many people to accept. We have arrived at what many consider to be an insane moment in history, marked by multifaceted confusion and countless contradictions. Nothing seems to make sense! People are asking, Who can you believe? What should I do? What is the real truth?

Well-known institutions in this world are being shaken to their very foundation! Governments, law enforcement agencies, corporations, major league sport associations, state and local municipalities, educational institutions on every level are being challenged. Each person’s values are being tested. Culture wars are here right now! A follower in Christ, a kingdom minded believer can clearly see there is a clashing of kingdoms. A spiritual war between truth and the lies of worldly kingdoms are in full throttle.

So I ask, what do you believe? What values and core beliefs guide your life? Upon what principle foundations are you raising your children? How shaken will you be when the most widely recognized institutions of this world