Kingdom Building...
What's an ἐκκλησία (a Church) To Do?
“ And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
- Paul, Jesus Christs' Ambassador...
Jesus always felt compelled to be about his father's business...
What about us? As his people, scattered across the face of the earth in a multiplicity of corporate bodies (the ἐκκλησία), how ought we to be carrying on Jesus' work?
We are Christ's Body (Source)
The church—too narrowly defined?
We, Jesus/God's people, have allowed ourselves to become marginalized. We've self-limited because we've subscribed to a truncated definition of "the gospel," the Good News. We've confined ourselves to being a social club that only endorses its members' participation in a narrow range of "spiritual" activities.
Not that there's anything wrong with evangelism or disciple making or charitable works; however, life and the Kingdom of Jesus/God are ever so much broader in scope, and the true charter of the ἐκκλησία is far more comprehensive. I doubt that the gatherings of God's people who once "turned the world upside down" would even recognize one of today's milquetoast "church meetings."
But enough negatives...
What ought we to be doing?
Since Jesus ascended to his throne some two thousand years ago, the ἐκκλησία has been his chosen governance structure on earth. He intends it to be the living example of voluntary social organization, a model to replace all the existing illegitimate spawn of satan and satan's tyrannical city, county, state, and national fiefdoms that are actively engaged in destroying the earth.
We, the ἐκκλησία, are to be the antidote to those gangs of thugs, a fellowship where each and everyone plays a significant role, a body comprising people who come from every every tribe and language and people and nation, a light on a hill such that men will "see our good works and glorify our father in heaven."
Jesus taught us that, like himself, we his people ought to be daily pursuing our Father's purposes, praying:
"Hallowed your name,
Implemented your Kingdom,
Executed your will."
- Matthew 6:7-15
So, how do we actively implement our Father's Kingdom?
The recommendations that follow are neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. However, I hope they'll serve as examples of how you can "break out of the mold" when you gather, and really start rocking the "one-anothers" of scripture.
First and foremost; Don't stop gathering!
During the last couple of years, satan and his minions made a concerted and all too successful effort to prevent Jesus' people from meeting face-to-face. Too many churches obeyed man rather than God and stopped meeting in person. This was in blatant violation of scripture:
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25
Why is our face-to-face gathering of such great importance?
As the proverb says, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." It is when we visit and speak with one another face-to-face that we have our greatest opportunities to learn and to grow.
Spend more time "just hanging out"
Somehow, somewhere in the dim recesses of the past, church gatherings seem to have become "sermon-centric." Not that there's anything wrong with the preaching and teaching of the Word of God... Nevertheless, fellowship and simply getting to know one another has been deemphasized. How can we "bear one another's burdens" if we don't know what those burdens are?
Spend more time just hanging out... (Source)
Besides, scripture is quite clear that there is to be much more to our gatherings:
"What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up." - 1 Corinthians 14:26
We need to spend more time in each other's company in order to better share our lives, and to learn from one another.
Encourage one another
The Hebrews passage instructs us to "stir up one another to love and good works." When we get together face-to-face, we have an opportunity to do just that, a chance to learn what's on each others' minds.
Does your brother need help around the house? Maybe there's a little painting to do? "Many hands make light work." Is someone moving? See if you can get away for a couple of hours and help out.
Protect one another
Even in the increasingly oppressive and tyrannical United States of America, there is a strong historical tradition of "separation of church and state." As a result, church congregations—at least those who have not taken on a subservient role as 501c-3 corporate entities—have complete autonomy with respect to the government, and are not subject to taxation and other government control.
Furthermore—and unrecognized by most—there is no law making the average wage earner (who, despite all efforts to deceive, is not the 'employee' defined in Title 26) liable for an income tax.
One of the greatest merciful blessings an ἐκκλησία could extend to its members would be to train them and help them arrange legal matters in such a way as to enable them to live without the burden of tax theft by the state.
Feed one another
Hospitality is a great blessing, both to those who exercise it and to those who are the beneficiaries. Hosting pot-lucks, game and snack evenings, and other informal get-togethers is a wonderful way to extend the "face-time" among God's people.
Home-school cooperatives
In the modern world we've become all too dependent upon the state to educate our children. It's long past time that we reassert our parental authority and take responsibility for teaching our own children.
Teach your children well (Source)
Enterprise incubators
Does your Brother in Christ have an idea for an enterprise? Brainstorm with him, finance him if you can, help him to get started. Does your Sister in the LORD want to sell cheesecakes? Give her a hand. Are there some ambitious and inventive teens among you? Help them learn the skills they need to develop a product and bring it to market.
Rather than letting one another simply "get a job," let's become the job makers, the ones who create and advance new sources of wealth and blessing in the world. Let us learn to work with our hands and to encourage one another to do likewise.
Common interest gatherings
What about the artists, the writers, and the poets among you? Have you ever heard of "The Inklings?" World renowned authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien used to meet regularly with each other and with several other less famous peers to share the writing projects they were working on. As a result of this mutual support and encouragement, these believers created some of the finest and most cherished English literature in existence.
Consider meeting with your brothers and sisters who share common interests so that you can help refine one another's craft.
Food co-ops and other essentials
Learn to trade with one another in your congregation. Direct barter is never out of style, but thanks to modern technology we have access to superior forms of money like bitcoin, a financial tool that perhaps comes closer than any other to implementing the biblical ideal of honest weights and measures.
Start a food co-op (Source)
These are but a few suggestions...
Why not set your mind to coming up with more?
Jesus has admonished us to "Above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness" Let's start devoting ourselves to visualizing and realizing ways that we, as his gathered people here on earth, can increasingly advance his Kingdom, and hasten the day when
*FIN*
Friends and brothers; I need your engagement to refine my thinking. Please, get a HIVE account—you need one anyway—and do the most effective thing possible to support my studies. As I continue writing about the Good News of Jesus/God's Kingdom, comment below!
For further background, elucidation, and explanation of the Kingdom of God, please peruse the growing library of articles here:
And, by all means, raise your issues, ask your questions, and engage in debate (in person if you know me) and/or in the comment section below.
NOTE: Throughout my posts, you may notice hyperlinks like this one that lead to supplemental material. Most images are also hyperlinked. While not essential to the enjoyment of my writing, you may find the linked background information enlightening (or at least mildly interesting).
ALL IMAGES are either my own, derived from open source material, or used with permission.
