People of the Kingdom (#671)

A gospel that only concerns itself with getting people saved and does not help them come alive in the kingdom where God reigns, is a truncated Gospel that will leave people bored and empty, adrift in the cares of the world. On Wayne's recent trip to Tulsa, he catches up with his dear friend Tom Mohn, for a conversation about the kingdom of God, and why it would be best for us to be more focused on his kingdom than we are on his church. Living in the ways of the kingdom is what brings depth and vitality to our walk in Christ. How do we let this kingdom live through us, as it shapes our lives and reveals his light and wonder to a world in desperate need of him, even if they don't know it yet?

Podcast Notes:
The Demand Project
Tom's Podcast: Good Morning Fellow Pilgrim
Tom's Book: Good Morning Brother Pilgrim
The Unshakeable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person by E. Stanley Jones
Previous Podcasts with Tom
The latest news from our project in Kenya

7 Comments

  1. I so enjoyed the conversation this morning. Great stuff! Thanks to you both.
    I am reminded me of how Eugene Peterson framed the beatitudes.
    Matthew 5 The Message (MSG)
    You’re Blessed
    5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
    3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
    4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
    5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
    6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
    7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
    8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
    9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
    10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
    11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

  2. I’m a bit concerned about the idea ” and why it would be best for us to be more focused on his kingdom than we are on his church.” It might have been better to say “equally” focused on His Kingdom and His Church. After all , it’s His Bride.

    • (From Wayne) Or, you could say it is pretty indulgent for the bride to focus on the bride. I think it’s better if the groom focuses on the bride while the bride focuses on the King and his kingdom. For too long we’ve been focused on human creations of church and miss seeing the True One because we lose our focus on him.

      • “tis a grievous situation I agree when the Bride is focused on herself rather than the Bridegroom. And we would agree that the former is the norm unfortunately. I’m wondering what further can be done about this? Recreating the norm to the early NT ? ’tis been my journey since ’91.

        I’ve been “invited” to leave on more that one occasion from X,Y,Z for asking too many questions. While I would rate your input on this topic as superior I have come across other authors, one of which is Raymond Reid, in particular his “Gate Seldom Found”. ’twas one of numerous game changers for me. Not exceeding Church Outside the Walls, but approaching same.

  3. After thought: Further to the foregoing, the ekklesia has been inundated with numerous “secular” ideas, some un-scriptural, etc., while others being completely counter scriptural. Beyond that there has been a serious move as to calmly incorporate other faiths into the True Faith, of which Chr__l_m is one. H_n_u based Y_ _ a another.

    The question becomes therefore, where/who is the true bride? Many so-called individuals confess that they are believers, but they do not know God. They know about God, but if they knew God their lives would manifest an outward change fueled by an inward regeneration (James 2:18). My conclusion could the be that the average gathering, assembly, etc., might consist of disparate mixture of sheep and goats, of which God is the Final Judge. If I’ve drifted on this, no harm meant.

  4. I feel my family has been led and has been very freeing, fruitful and thoroughly enjoyable to simply focus on living, being and enjoying Life in Him as a part of His Body the Bride the Church…His gorgeous beautiful Church exuberating His Light in this world…rather than focusing on “how is the church supposed to look like”…we really don’t have time for that do we? There is so much need left and right let’s just be instead of studying how to be.

  5. Tom Mohn is one of my most favorite guys on the planet. Barb is a real gift too.

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