Jesus prayed "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." In a recent article, I revealed the tense of the word "come" in this prayer. Jesus was not asking God to send anything, he was telling the kingdom to grow...specifically grow to the point that earth looks like Heaven.
We are to pray this way as well. We are friends of God, equipped by God to represent God, meaning we are to pray like Jesus and command his kingdom to grow since it's already his will.
This week I highlight the fact that believers are Kings and Priests of this New Covenant. Listen to the message above for more.
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
We have been raised with Christ and seated in "Heavenly places." Most people misinterpret this to mean we have been "resurrected" with Christ. "Raised with Christ and seated in Heavenly places" is actually a declaration of authority. You haven't been resurrected yet but you have been given authority.
Believers have the same authority on this planet as Jesus and we are to be reigning on this planet as such. Not so you'll drive a Mercedes and live in a mansion, but so that God could increase the influence of his kingdom in the earth through you.
THE REASON YOU SHOULD REIGN IN LIFE IS BECAUSE GOD PRIMARILY ESTABLISHES AND INCREASES HIS KINGDOM THROUGH THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE.
It's false humility to think God doesn't want you to abundantly thrive and prosper. It's selfish to think he wants you to thrive and prosper for only your benefit. But it's kingdom minded to understand that when you thrive and prosper, you are in a position to rule and reign on this planet as a representative of God.
I personally don't buy into the "7 Mountains" ideology (Christians take over the world's main areas of commerce and influence), I primarily believe that Christians reigning on this planet means they are personally experiencing righteousness, peace and joy.
The more you walk in the power of righteousness, have peace and exude joy, the more you are representing God to a dark and hurting world. Our job is not to take over a broken carnal construct, our job is to increase his kingdom. Our job is to allow God to transform us so radically inwardly that the world invites God into their hearts to allow him to build his kingdom in them.
Jesus said the kingdom doesn't come with outward observation, it's in your midst. The kingdom is right here to be experienced and increased...now. You perceive and interact with God's kingdom more and more as you understand your position of authority and what you can do.
Luke 17:20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
The more you experience the kingdom within, the more you will influence the world around you. This world is designed to respond to mankind. When mankind is full of God it will impose God's will in the earth and the earth will respond. Essentially, the more you enjoy your relationship with God and allow him to transform you, the more you will, by your sheer presence, increase God's kingdom on this planet.
But you must know your role. You are a Child of God, a friend of God, equipped by God to represent God and the way you represent God is to thrive and prosper as a king and priest for others to see.
Please take some time to listen to the above message. This weekend I will dig deeper into the roles of Kings and Priests so we can better understand how we can function in those roles.
Discussion Questions
What did you get out of the message?
What does it mean to you that you're a king and a priest?
How would you describe your role as a representative of God?
What do you immediately think about when you ponder the idea of being a representative of God?
What is limiting you from experiencing righteousness, peace and joy (the kingdom)?
