A few years ago a Catholic church in England gave money to finance a youth pastor in a Pentecostal church in their city who needed a youth pastor. The kingdom of God was more important to them than their own local church. We are instructed in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you.” Rick Warren has said it so well: “It is not about us.” It is all about Jesus our king, and His kingdom.
Here is the question we must ask ourselves on a regular basis. “Are we building our kingdom or God’s kingdom?” God will take us through the trials of life to build our character so we can learn to focus on living in intimacy with him and building His kingdom. We then no longer care who gets the credit, as long as our God is glorified.
The story is told that John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, changed his view on church unity after a dream in which he was first transported to the gates of Hell.
He asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?”
“Yes,” was the reply.
“Any Roman Catholics?”
“Yes.”
“Any Congregationalists?”
“Yes.”
He hesitated, then said, “Not any Methodists, I hope!”
To his dismay the answer was “Yes.”
Suddenly in his dream he stood at the gate of Heaven. Once again he asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?”
“No,” was the reply.
“Any Roman Catholics?”
“No.”
“Any Congregationalists?”
“No.”
Then he asked the question which most interested him: “Are there any Methodists here?”
He was shocked to receive the same stern reply, “No!”
“Well then,” he asked in surprise, “please tell me who is in Heaven?”
“Christians!” was the jubilant answer. From that dream Wesley determined that unity was essential to the church’s success in her mission.
God is delighted when believers and churches of many different denominations can work together, united for the gospel, reaching a lost world, and building His kingdom. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing — experiencing God, and living out his kingdom together!
The truth revealed in this article reveals the reason why the world does not believe that the Father sent His own Son and that He loves us as He loved His own Son. The most evangelistic prayer ever prayed was prayed by our Lord on the night that He was betrayed. (John 17:20-23) Hell will be filled with those who were building their own kingdoms at the expense of the Kingdom of God. This is not a small or side issue. It is being played out in every city and town and village throughout the world. And the responsibility for our condition rests primarily with pastors and church leadership of the denominations throughout the world. I greatly appreciate Larry giving this his attention and speaking out about it.
This is an awesome story.
My,my,my what a challenge!God help us.It should be about you and not us.It is about you and not me!!! Let your kingdom come.