The Jesus Way of Growing a Church Part 2

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom Matthew 4:23

Not only did Jesus call his followers to a captivating vision, he told them of a new reality; a new Kingdom was near. For his audience, the idea of a new Kingdom made their hearts race. They had grown up hearing stories of the Kingdom of David and Solomon; they knew under their reign the kingdom of Israel was at it's apex of power and influence and they longed for those days again. So as Jesus taught about the new reality of a new kingdom they looked forward to a better future. However, Jesus' kingdom was going to be different than any other kingdom they would ever experience. While David and Solomon focused on land acquisition, Jesus focused on heart acquisition. In short he was trying to mold people into a new reality. That is why he taught them to pray "Father, Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You understand that in heaven God's perfect will is being accomplished, there is no rebellion, no other agenda, just the will of God being lived out in the creatures of heaven. Jesus prayer of your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, was his way of saying make down here like it is up there.

When we challenge people to live the Jesus way, we are basically saying there is a new reality, our church will be a church where we are trying to make down here like it is up there. It is that new reality that will attract new people to our churches and give people a rallying point of purpose.

What new reality are you pointing to this week?