Kingdom Builders
Kingdom Builders
By Pastor Jared Neiman
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time
Salvation is not the end of your connection to God; it is the beginning of your called life. God has a purpose for your life. So many of us lead saved lives but not called lives. The question is not whether or not you have a purpose; it’s whether or not you will say yes to it.
The Bible says that where there is vision, people flourish (Proverbs 29:18). Vision produces purpose, and vision comes from a cause. Each of us has a purpose, but too many of us do not walk in it due to lack of vision. We need vision to fully live out the calling God has for us.
There is a cause that when accepted and lived out, brings direction to every area of your life. It not only affects you, but the people around you. This is the cause of Jesus Christ (John 18:37). This cause will set us on the path of righteousness for our children and their children.
We all have a part to play in furthering the cause of Christ. He has given us unique gifts and talents which we are called to use to build his Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV)
… and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
We are all called to be either kings or priests in the body of Christ. They function together to advance the cause of Christ. Our first priority should be building the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
Our God has created us on purpose for a purpose. Our purpose is to advance the cause of Jesus Christ. There is an unmistakable sense of fulfilment which can only be derived from living a life on purpose with a purpose. We can either choose to accept God’s calling or resist it. When we accept the call of God on our life, then everything in our life has a purpose.
So how do we know whether we are called to be a king or a priest?
Priests: Priests are those who are paid to work in the ministry and provide vision.
Compensated to be in ministry
Primary role: provide vision for the Kings. They should speak life and vision at church, in life groups, in counseling sessions and wherever they minister.
Kings: Kings are those who are not paid to be in ministry, and they provide provision for the vision. Without provision, the vision is just a fantasy.
Not paid to be in ministry
Primary role: provide provision for the vision of the priests.
How do the Kings provide provision for the church?
Pray for the church
Attend church-- if it wouldn’t keep you from work, it shouldn’t keep you from church.
Serve the church
Give to the church. There are three families in every church: the attending family, the serving family, and the giving family. Without the third one, the other two don’t exist.
Although Priests are always less in number compared to Kings, both roles are of equal importance. It is man’s ego which led to the religious mindset that the Priests are more spiritual or more important than the Kings.
Vision without provision is a fantasy. It will crash and never come to fruition. The church, Jesus’ beloved bride, will only go as far as the Kings are willing to say “yes” to the vision.
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
Have you identified your purpose in life? What place, people, or passion do you think God has called you to?
Do you have a vision for your life? How does your vision for your life affect your behavior?
We fulfil unique roles within the body of Christ based on our individual gifts and talents. What gifts and talents do you have, and how are you (or how could you be) using them to serve the church?
Reflect on the differences between Kings and Priests. Which role do you believe you are called to fulfil? How does this empower you to advance the cause of Christ?