As you go, proclaim this message; ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Matthew 10:7-8 (NIV)

 

The Kingdom of God is both prophetic and practical.

We do not merely herald the good news of a future world; we act as if it has already here. This paradoxical dimension makes us as visionaries and change makers. As we bear witness to a reality that is not of this world, we side with the lost, the lonely, and the forgotten to help them experience its fullness and healing power.

Life in the kingdom is about receiving and giving. The disciples accomplished incredible feats because they had the courage and confidence to exercise the power and authority bestowed upon them by God. In the face of opposition and resistance, they have no fear of failure or regret—because they are advancing an unshakeable kingdom. Likewise, we will not accept a form of "Christianity" that confines us to the four walls of a church building and loses sight of the kingdom.

We have been blessed to be a blessing.

God knows exactly what we need. Much of what is required of us is received along the way. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do His job when we obey and follow Jesus. We have been blessed in Christ, and now we are blessing others with everything we have through Christ. Having received the Lord, we give ourselves to Him, enabling Him to accomplish His purpose through us.

God is on the move, and we may participate in what He is doing in the lives of others. Each of us, like the early disciples, is capable of accomplishing "greater" things than Jesus. (cf. John 14:12) We do not need faith as much as humility to obey God and act accordingly.