Echoes Into Eternity - Kingdom Culture
The Culture of the Kingdom
We all live in a society that has its own moral values, behavior standards and goals. We define this as culture.
Culture: noun 1. The arts, beliefs, customs, institutions, and other products of human work and thought considered as a unit, especially with regard to a particular time or social group.
"Edwardian culture; Japanese culture."
2) The set of predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize a group or organization.
"a manager who changed the corporate culture."
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Some of us live in multiple societies with differing cultures. We can be members of a gym, run a business and be part of a church community. Each of those entities have different cultures and often conflicting goals, values and behaviors. My gym goals are to be fit and flexible and maintain a good weight for my body and age. My job as a café owner calls for me to often sample the food, baked goods and coffee to ensure quality control.
See the conflict built into my day?
When we come into the Kingdom of God, as followers of Jesus, we encounter a distinct culture that is very different from all that the world offers, and we notice a conflict. We have ingrained habitual behavior that is often contrary to the values and goals of the Kingdom.
Thus, the challenge is three-fold:
To understand the culture of the Kingdom;
To adopt the values of the Kingdom;
To incorporate the behavior of the Kingdom into all areas of our lives.
As a college graduate at age 21, I joined the exclusive community of Naval Aviation, where I dwelled for the next six and a half years. We had our specific goal of becoming an aerial warrior who could overcome extreme obstacles and accomplish the mission of defending our country from all foreign and domestic enemies by delivering weapons on enemy targets at sea and on land despite weather, terrain or enemy opposition.
To accomplish that goal, the Navy wanted us to be confident that we had the ability to overcome any impediments and do whatever was required at the moment to succeed.
For example, when we were on an approach to a carrier deck in marginal weather at night, they wanted us to believe that we could land on that pitching deck, regardless of the degree of difficulty.
Thus, we were told at the beginning of our flight school that we were a very select group of individuals- less than 5% of the population of the United States, who were physical qualified to be Naval Aviators. Of that 5%, less than 3% would even attempt to become Naval Aviators, and those who did, only 50% of those completed the training and earned their Wings of Gold.
Many of us actually believed this assessment, and we adopted the superior and arrogant attitudes that went along with it.
The values of our community were to achieve a high level of excellence in our skills and be good examples as Naval Officers to our subordinates, and to be good wingmen to our flight leaders, and when qualified, be good flight leads to our wingmen. Accomplishing the mission was paramount, with little regard for the personal feelings of others.
Because of the high stress of our jobs, we were encouraged to take time to relieve the stress through activities such as drinking, outrageous behavior, and sometimes ignoring the rules.
We had Happy Hour on Friday’s at the Officer’s Club which we were encouraged to attend, where drinks were 25 cents. When we had enough to drink, then loud and boisterous behavior was acceptable. Chairs and tables were regularly thrown off the cliff behind the Cubi Point Philippines Officer’s Club. When those chairs and tables were replaced with cement benches and tables, those too were uprooted and tossed off the cliff.
One later evening after some refreshment at a navy base in Japan, I found myself with my boss Joe - a lieutenant commander, and a British R.A.F exchange officer Andrew walking into the Admiral’s Headquarters building, strolling past the security guard as if we worked in this building. We walked up three flights of steps to the third floor and found the door going to the roof and proceeded to the illuminated flagpole, where the Admiral’s two-star flag hung. It did take us a few moments to discover if any of us had underwear that did not have our name and serial number stenciled on it (for the ship’s laundry). We all did. Finally decided on the Brit’s underwear, as his serial number was very different than our U.S. number.
We then respectfully lowered the Admiral’s flag, folded it neatly, and then attached Andy’s underwear to the rope and pulled it to the top. Now a pair of white underwear was flapping in the evening breeze.
It was breaking the rules, but it was all in good fun.
When I became a Christ Follower in 1981, I began to understand that many of my values, behavior and goals were different from those of the Kingdom. This process accelerated when I married Laura Nobuko Uyeda, who is the perfect complement to my goal-oriented, confident personality.
Complementary Angles: In geometry, complementary angles are defined as two angles whose sum is 90 degrees.
Thus, these angles together allow the total angle to be straight up, pointing upward, which in my understanding means to align myself with my Heavenly Father.
What is the Culture of the Kingdom?
It’s best defined by what The King does. What do we observe in the words, activities and personality of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that demonstrates the values and behavior of this Heavenly Kingdom that we have become family members of? The first one may surprise you.
Working
In the very first chapter of the Bible we see God doing something that no other divine being in world religions does:
He works.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
He creates light, the heavens, waters, dry land on earth, vegetation, the sun, the moon, animals, and mankind.
God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31
Unlike any of the gods of world religions, who created mankind to do the necessary work to maintain the Earth, work is part of God’s Divine nature. After He creates mankind, he assigns them to their work.
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Genesis 2:15
When God appeared on Earth in a human body, He worked as a ‘texton’- a constructor, craftsman, carpenter, stone mason.
Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples *followed Him. 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” Mark 6:1-3
God gives dignity to all work that is a service to others. The Disciples of the First Century understood this and encouraged their followers to do their daily work as if they were working for the King Himself, with a level of excellence and passion.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3: 17, 23-24
God has assigned each of us specific things to do and accomplish during our time here on Earth:
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Principle: We are here to be active in the work of the Kingdom, using our intellect, skills, time and efforts toward the goals of the Kingdom- to bring as many with us into His Heavenly Kingdom.
God assigned a specific task to Moses.
7 Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.
9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:7,9-10
Moses spent the next 40 years leading the Hebrew people from Egypt up to the Jordan River where they entered the Land. As he did this, God displayed another of His characteristics.
Teaching
During that time God taught the Hebrew people about Himself and His Kingdom culture. It began with the “10”.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:3-17
Through the next months, as recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, God gave 612 object lesson commandments to the Hebrews, so through them they would practically know His character and His moral values.
When God arrived as Jesus Christ, He spent many days teaching His disciples and the crowds about the Kingdom.
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 4:23
God is a teacher. He wants us to have all the information we need to be successful as members of His Kingdom. God wants His people informed about the Kingdom culture.
Principle: We too are called to share the life principles of the Kingdom with those God places in our path.
Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2
Because God is a personal being, who wants to have a love relationship with all His children, His desire is that we would experientially know Him, not just know about Him. This leads us to the next aspect of Kingdom Culture.
Experiencing God’s Presence
Throughout the Bible, God expresses His desire to have a personal experience with Him. His design of the Wilderness Tabernacle showed the Hebrews how they were to approach God and have a personal relationship with Him. From the Brazen Altar to the Laver Washing Station, to the Table of Showbread, the Table of Incense, the Menorah that lights up the Tabernacle, and the Mercy Seat where God covers our sins, God wants his people to have an appropriate relationship with Him.
God’s Words, the Bible, is one of the most significant ways to step into God’s presence. The Bible declares itself to be supernatural literature, coming straight from the heart of God.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
God will speak to us through our reading of His Word. Even though the Bible is written by 39 different authors in three different languages on three different continents over a 1500 year period, the themes and instructions of the Bible are amazingly consistent.
That’s because
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Inspired: theópneustos; to breathe or blow. Prompted by God, divinely inspired.
Principle: Reading and mediating on God’s Word becomes a personal message from Him to us.
Prayer is another access to the presence of God. Things happen when we talk to God and invite Him to be present in our life situations.
About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. 31 They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.
Peter decided to build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.
But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.
35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” 36 When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36
Principle: Prayer often results in the manifested presence of God in a real-life moments.
Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin because of the healing of the man born lame, where they proclaimed that it was Jesus who healed this man (Acts 4). They were told to stop declaring Jesus to be the Messiah. After their release, they joined the other disciples and prayed together.
2And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
The presence of God filled the room in a very tangible manner- He shook the entire room as the Holy Spirit filled each of them.
This filling of the Holy Spirit is another manner of experiencing the presence of God.
As Paul explains to his friends in Corinth:
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Apollo's Temple and the Acropolis in Corinth
We are encouraged to utilize these special empowerments to help others and bring many into the presence of the Lord.
Principle: The supernatural empowerments that the Holy Spirit gives each believer brings the presence of God into any situation when these spiritual gifts are exercised.
Finally, praise and worship are sure entrances into God’s presence.
When we declare our love for Him, He often responds in extraordinary ways. One example was during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple.
When the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14
The Golden Dome sits on the site of Solomon's Temple
Sometimes the presence of the Lord is so tangible that it causes deep emotional releases and loss of control of bodily movement and speech. Many of us have witnessed this phenomenon during times of worship and praise to the Lord.
Principle: Experiencing the Presence of the Lord through worship, the exercise of spiritual gifts, prayers and reading and mediating on His Word brings profound physical, emotional, and intellectual changes.
When we experience the manifest presence of God, our motivations and actions often are affected in a positive manner. Things that didn’t seem that important suddenly move to the forefront of our personal agenda.
Here are a two issues that we begin to give attention to.
Justice
The prophet Amos spoke for God when he called out the injustices being done by the priestly class and royal families to the Hebrew people.
“Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
24 “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:22-24
God is fair and evenhanded. Having things in God’s moral balance brings justice to every situation -- Shalom. Peace.
Jesus told this parable:
3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:3-8
Justice: díkaios; right, just. Righteous, just, that which is right, conformable to right, pertaining to right, that which is just.
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1
Principle: We are called to administer God’s justice in our society, to all regardless of their station in life.
This leads us to another value of the Kingdom:
Caring for the poor and the needy.
The Hebrew people were commanded to remember the poor during harvest time.
22 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’” Leviticus 23:22
Our care for the poor brings a smile on the face of our Heavenly Father.
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD,
And He will repay him for his good deed. Proverbs 19:17
Jesus expressed this value of the Kingdom in manner that suggested it is normal, regular behavior on the part of every member of the Kingdom.
“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:2-4
Notice the word ‘when’. Jesus doesn’t use the word ‘if’.
Principle: Active concern for the poor is a normal part of the life of a Christ Follower.
Project Ezra school, Srumlaya Honduras 1989
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
James suggests that we visit the needy during their distress, and implies that we do something to serve their needs. This brings us to another very significant value and behavior of the Kingdom Culture.
Service
Two of Jesus’ disciples came to Him and asked a special favor.
James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”
In traditional throne rooms, these seats were for the most important people in the kingdom next to the king.
But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
They were close friends of Jesus and considered themselves worth of such high honor.
And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
What cup was Jesus referring to? A cup in Biblical imagery was often associated with suffering.
Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
Here is the clash between their First Century culture and Kingdom Culture.
43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:35-45
Principle: In the Kingdom of Heaven, servanthood is considered the pinnacle of greatness.
Jesus followed up this teaching with a practical example the night before His crucifixion.
During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.
5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:3-5,12-17
Serving one another is at the center of the Heart of God, with Him even giving the ultimate service.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17
So far we have seen many significant values and behavior of Kingdom Culture:
Working, Teaching, Experiencing God’s Presence, Dispensing Justice, Helping the Poor, and finally Serving Others.
What is the common element of all these attributes of the Kingdom?
Here the King Himself gives us the connecting point:
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8
The Philippian Amphitheater
Principle: Where the World Culture is ‘self-centered’, the Kingdom Culture is ‘Other-Centered’.
We do what is best for others in every situation.
In our parenting classes, we were taught to give our children an others-centered reason for their behavior to teach them a principle instead of just a behavior.
For example: “Children, don’t throw food or talk loud when we are in a restaurant.”
A behavior.
“Children, there are others in the restaurant who are there to enjoy a nice meal. So don’t disturb them by talking loud and throwing food.”
An others-centered reason for that behavior.
Another example: “Children, don’t run inside the church sanctuary.”
“Why? Does God not like running?” might be their thought.
“Children, there are many older people in church so don’t run inside the sanctuary because you might cause someone to trip and fall.”
Principle: Others-Centered Behavior is the summation of Christian Culture.
This leads us to the final aspect of Kingdom Culture that brings the values, behavior and goals of the Kingdom to fruition.
Abiding
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away (or lifts up); and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5
Abide: meno To remain, abide, dwell, live; Of the relation in which one person or thing stands with another, to be and remain united with him, one with him in heart, mind, and will;
When we are of one heart and one mind with Christ, then our will should be directing our behavior to obey Him in all that He tells us to do. Remember, he said earlier when He washed their feet,
“If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:17
Jesus, the total man and total God, demonstrated how to ‘abide’ in the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before His crucifixion.
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39
The Olive Grove at Gethsemane
This is the challenge for all of us- will we ‘abide’ or allow our own self-centeredness to direct our behavior?
When we are successful in abiding in Christ, then this is the fruit that is cultivated that is refreshing, nourishing, and delicious to all around us.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; Galatians 5:22-23
Principle: The characteristics of this fruit of the Spirit are all ‘others-centered’, and are the demonstration of one who has adopted the values, behavior and goals of the Kingdom.
When the Culture of the Kingdom begins to be expressed, profound changes begin within our communities, as described by Luke after the events of the Day of Pentecost.
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:41-47
Here is the end result of Kingdom Culture- a community that is totally engaged in the work of the Kingdom that is very naturally reaching others in their town, cities and countrysides.
According to sociologist/historian Rodney Stark in his study The Rise of Christianity, this Kingdom Culture is what grew the Christian population of the Roman Empire from about 10,000 at the end of the First Century to over 33,000,000 by the middle of the Fourth Century, which constituted 53% of the population of the Empire.
And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
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