Kingdom Administration 

^{(artist impression of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The Rock = the Kingdom of God, see Daniel 2)}

Our previous topic was a brief study on the ‘keys of the kingdom’ and we learnt that they operated paradoxically as does most of the principles within the Kingdom of God. In this forum we will explore another paradox – the basis of spiritual authority.

The Kingdom of Men

The kingdoms of the world, governments and corporations have generally functioned with a top-down system of authority, essentially a hierarchical system of control. Even communist and socialist ideals which overthrew monarchies have historically morphed into totalitarian regimes. However, God’s Kingdom expressed on earth is meant to function on contrary principles. In 1Samuel 8 Israel demanded a king so they could be like the other nations, but this angered the Lord because He was their King. They were to be a unique holy nation on the face of earth, blessed under the governance of God. Jesus conveyed similarly when He spoke plainly His disciples about true greatness.

Luke 22:24-27 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' "But not so [among] you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. "For who [is] greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? [Is] it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

Not So Among You

If the church defaults to the wisdom man in governing principles, it may well be a functional system but there will be great loss - Holy Spirit will be sidelined. The more man tries to structure and manage the church, the less reliant he is upon the Holy Spirit to lead, empower and govern the work of God. Christ wants His leaders to focus more on serving than managing.



When Brother Yun first visited western churches, he was surprised how much they did without reliance on the Holy Spirit. In China much of the church has to function underground, in the form of thousands of small cells groups and practically this is too dangerous. Believers have no choice but to rely on the Holy Spirit and He’s doing a pretty good job!

No Flesh should glory in His Presence

 

Kingdom culture is contrary to the worlds cultures because it’s based on the revelation of Jesus Christ (see Matthew 16: 18). Jesus sternly rebuked Peter and even called him, ‘Satan’ because he was, ‘not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.‘ (see Matthew 16:23). Peter thought he was being helpful but his rationale made him an opponent of God. Jesus warned about taking titles that reinforce the idea of man needing to control things.

Matthew 23:8-11 "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Brotherhood

God’s heart is for His people to be a brotherhood representing Him in the world, which really does go against man’s natural religiosity. The Pharisees managed a robust religious system yet ironically their due diligence prevented them from believing and receiving the gospel. It was a man centred system.

"How can you believe, who receive honour from one another, and do not seek the honour that [comes] from the only God? John 5:44

When our sense of worth chiefly comes from people, it may well make us feel better but it’s not aligned with God’s heart. Jesus had to literally knock Saul off his horse in order to knock him off his religious ‘high horse’! His zeal was greatly misplaced (see Acts 9). Seeking the approval of man will seriously alter our sense of moral rightness.

Thus says the LORD: "Cursed [is] the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5

The culture of the Kingdom is men and women moved by the Holy Spirit or in other words people who desire He is in charge.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty.
2 Corinthians 3: 17

When the fledgling church came to need men to join the ministry team, they had an interesting criteria.

Acts 6:3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of [good] reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Those whom God wills to use are to be selected on the basis of good fruit i.e. good reputation, wisdom and being full of the Holy Spirit; gifting, IQ, personality didn’t seem to feature much in the early church.

Attitude = Altitude

No one can fake being filled with the Holy Spirit; a life yielded to the Spirit will always be reflected in a persons attitude, especially towards other people.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5: 22-23a

Churches lose spiritual vitality even when doctrine, commitment and vision are all good because the Spirit is absent.

Authority flows through the Spirit filled brother or sister. Stephen one of the seven chosen to serve was not an apostle or prophet but is noted as doing many great wonders (see Acts 6:8)

Nobody is filled with the Spirit by accident and when we’re not intentionally relying on Him invariably we default to ways that seems right to our natural selves.

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
JESUS CHRIST

 

Feedback and discussion welcome