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 “Let’s build a kingdom!” There is something very alluring about this idea of building something grand for God. Man wants his work to mean something. Man wants his work to seem impactful, and he wants it to be tangible. In today’s age, there are many denominations within Christianity that have rallied around this idea that the kingdom is here and "we must build." The claim is that it gives their Christian life meaning; that what they are doing is accomplishing this specific goal.

So how do we understand this? We who have covenanted together, signed a document stating we believe that the kingdom is still to come. So, if we are not trying to bring in the kingdom, what are we actually trying to do?

We are here to help build the church by making disciples of all nations. Or as our mission statement under our philosophy of ministry says, “Our mission is to glorify God by making and maturing disciples through evangelizing unbelievers and edifying believers, by gathering as believers and by going to unbelievers.” And what does that look like practically?

  1. I am a disciple who is being matured. It looks like me becoming more Christ-like in all areas of my life. Thus, part of my responsibility to glorify God is to be walking faithfully myself. I actually am carrying out part of God’s design for the church when I take my sanctification seriously. “And this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thessalonians 4:3) So very practically, does my life reflect this as a priority? Am I allowing others to disciple me? How am I doing with sin? How am I doing spending time in God’s word? How am I reacting in trials? Am I inviting others into these areas of my life, and not just surface level talk?
  2. I am a disciple who is to be maturing other disciples. This flows into what I desire for my church family. The same sanctification I need is the same that I long for in my family and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) So, I want to encourage others towards both growing in sanctification and helping others grow. Very practically, this means speaking the truth of the Bible into everyday situations. How am I doing in this?
  3. Lastly, I am a disciple who is to be making new disciples. I have a responsibility to be an aroma of Christ. I am told to be a witness for Christ, to tell others about Jesus. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believes. To the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) How am I doing in this?

I have found it very easy to get off mission in these areas. These things in the everyday Christian life can at times seem very dull. Much of it isn’t flashy. Sometimes the practical outworking can look very mundane or doesn't have any immediate tangible return. But it is a good work, and fruit comes in the right season. And as the affections of our heart are shaped like Christ’s this really is an exciting work.  This is what God has decreed we are to be serious about. What we are to wake up every day to and walk wisely, joyfully and faithfully in. As one Professor once asked me, “Are you into what God is up to?” I want to strive to say “Yes!” to that with my church family.