I recently had the opportunity to share a series of devotions on the Christian Businessmen’s Connection PrayerNet call. I encourage you to check out PrayerNet each weekday morning, at 6:30. The conference call number is (518) 318-7962.

For four days we explored the relationship between finding the center of God’s will – for protection and maximized impact in the storms, chaos, and crises which are heading our way – and participating with God in the restoration of His reign, intimacy, habitation, and glory with and within His children.

This article explores the restoration of God’s reign. Here are links to previous articles in the series:

• Series Introduction
  

Our Propositions

First, the storms, chaos, and crises we are facing in this season make it more important than ever to find and dwell in the center of God’s will.

Second, God has given us a sure way to find the center of His will: by giving ourselves to the work of restoring His reign, intimacy, habitation, and the glory He desires to have with and through his sons and daughters.

Third, the storms, chaos, and crises provide opportunities for participation in God’s restorative work, and in the advancement of His Kingdom, to those who are willing, prepared, and courageous.

The storms, chaos, and crises of this decade may well be the shaking God will use to remove what does not belong in our lives (Hebrews 12:25-27).

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

The kingdom of God has come, and it is coming. Those firmly established in God’s kingdom will not be shaken. Like the house built on a strong foundation, they will stand in the storms to serve as refuge, encouragement, and wisdom for those shaken and stormed out of the houses they have built on false religion and secular coping mechanisms.

But first, we must have God’s reign in our own lives.

Democracy or Theocracy?

Many in the church have grown up with the blessings of a “democratic republic.” Democracy has been a great political experiment. However, it has created a cultural mindset that makes it difficult to live in a healthy relationship with God.

In God’s kingdom, there is no “of the people, by the people, for the people.” God, through His Son, has the only and final vote. Citizens of God’s kingdom live in a theocracy; our rights are what He determines them to be.

For the rebellious, this is an unacceptable situation. And that is exactly what got us into this mess. The first sin was more than disobedience; it was outright rebellion. Before Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they decided that they should determine what was best – to rule themselves.

Thankfully, God has a plan to take back the throne of mankind’s heart and re-establish His reign. He sent Jesus Christ to inaugurate the war for the heart, mind, soul, and strength of every man, woman, and child. From His position on the throne of our hearts, God reveals the desires He has placed there. Rightly surrendered, we find ourselves positioned to receive all that God has purposed for our lives and to discover how He would use us to help others receive the blessing and purpose of His reign.

But first, we must surrender to the King; for the Creator will not share His reign with the created.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Surrender is easier when we understand the gospel of the kingdom, its place in God’s story, and our place in it.

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

Jesus has called us to believe into something more than His death, burial, and resurrection. Though it is of first importance, the good news that most have been taught fails to include all of the good news Jesus came to share. The gospel of the kingdom is literally “the good news of God’s reign in the hearts of every man, woman, and child.”

Consequently, when Jesus preached, “Repent,” He meant that we were to turn from self-rule to His kingdom rule. We are commanded to move from rebellion to surrender. This was the major theme of His preaching in all of Galilee and throughout Israel.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” Luke 4:42-43

Jesus was sent, by His Father, with a purpose: To preach the gospel of the kingdom everywhere He went. It was not just for private conversations with His disciples. It was good news for everyone, and for the remainder of this age. Indeed, the gospel of the kingdom continued to be preached after Jesus ascended to sit at His Father’s right hand.

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:12

So when they had appointed him [Paul] a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. Acts 28:23

In case you were wondering, there are at least a dozen additional references to the kingdom of God in the New Testament (see Matthew 9:35; 10:7; 24:14; Luke 8:1; 9:2, 6, 11; 10:9; and Acts 1:3; 8:12; 19:8; 20:25).

The Goodness of Our King

Now, every kingdom must have a king; some are good and some are bad. When you are ruled by a king, it is desirable to know what kind of king you have ruling over you. In something of an inaugural address, Jesus announced the purposes of His reign and His intention to fulfill it.

And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:17-21

That is some incredibly good news!! The kingdom of God is ruled by a good king!! Our King is as good as a king can be. He has come to heal, rescue, instruct, encourage, and protect His subjects.

Now, do not miss this: The restoration of God’s reign did not end with Jesus’ ascension to His throne in heaven. He sends, commissions, and delegates authority to His followers, with specific instructions to continue the work.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission is for more than making converts. We are to go as Jesus went: healing, rescuing, instructing, encouraging, and protecting His people. This is how we participate in the restoration of his reign. This is the work of the Great Commission. We have been authorized as kings, priests, stewards, and warriors of the kingdom.

In closing, here are a few reminders from our recent exploration of God’s delegated authority (i.e., the extension of His reign on Earth).

1. God’s grace flows down the channels of authority He has established; submission to His reign includes the same to those whom He has authorized.
2. Godly authority is delegated, not assumed.
3. Godly authority is for, not lorded over.
4. God’s authority is love- and power-ladened, with love at the fore. God authorizes those who will love first. If we will love those God has entrusted to our care and responsibility, they will desire our authority in their lives.
5. The exercise of authority requires biblically prescribed judgment, along with courage and diligence.

This matter of delegated authority runs counter to society’s thinking. As mentioned above, rebellion against God runs deep within mankind’s nature. We must reject conformity with the world in this area. We must depend on the Bible, God’s spoken (rhema) word, our King’s commands, and the Holy Spirit’s teaching and counsel for direction.

Summary

1. God’s kingdom is a theocracy. He will fully restore His reign in the hearts of His subjects. He will delegate the power of His authority to those who will love first.
   
2. To find the center of God’s will in the storms, chaos, and crises of this decade, we must surrender completely to his reign. Now, during this pause between storms, is a good time to invite God to inspect every area of our lives for any hint of self-rule, self-protection, self-determination, and self-sufficiency. To enjoy His protection and blessing, we must surrender to His reign.
   
3. Once we surrender, we should look for God to delegate his love- and power- ladened authority for the healing, rescue, instruction, encouragement, and protection of others.
   

God bless you with courage, wisdom, and love for the restoration of His reign in the storms, chaos, and crises which are heading our way.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob

#iamjustthepen