Contrasting a "Kingdom" Mindset with a "Church" Mindset

So much is happening! It's exciting to see, and be a part of, what God is doing upon the earth in this time. A paradigm shift is taking place in the world today, and particularly within the body of Christ.

I've been talking to many lately concerning the kingdom of God. I did an internet broadcast in December where I discussed the basics of the kingdom of God, and posed the question, "Is the church today preaching the 'gospel of the kingdom,' as Jesus did ... or, is it preaching the 'gospel of salvation?'" In the webcast, I pointed out the differences.

The following was a blog by Joseph Mattera, which I copied, in its entirety, from his website. I plan to follow up in the next couple days with at least two other blogs on the same topic. I hope you enjoy the following, and I hope it stimulates you to meditate on the reality of God's kingdom and our responsibility as believers.

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Jesus, John the Baptist, and the apostles went about proclaiming the kingdom--not the church (read Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7; Acts 28:30-31). Although the church is in the kingdom, it is not the entire kingdom.

“Kingdom” denotes the rule of God over the whole cosmos, not just a single entity on the earth, like the church. In spite of this, most preaching today has as its goal to get people to make a weekly two-hour commitment to come to a building on Sundays and to give tithes to support that building! This is because a spirit of religion has captivated the church and blinded the minds of church leaders, so that we now have a very limiting church mindset instead of a kingdom perspective. The negative results of this cannot be overstated.

In essence, a kingdom mindset regards Christianity as a biblical world and life view centered on the person of Jesus Christ who is Lord of all creation. This has vast political, economic, and sociological implications! Those with a church mindset view Jesus merely as the King of the church, not the King of all earthly secular kings.

The following are contrasts between these two mindsets:

1. A kingdom mindset releases all saints as ministers in the marketplace. A church mindset merely trains people to serve in a church building on Sundays.

2. A kingdom mindset creates wealth to transform a community and nation. A church mindset motivates giving to build our own church programs.

3. A kingdom mindset is a holistic approach that integrates the gospel with politics, economics, and public policy. A church mindset insulates the gospel from politics and public policy.

4. A kingdom mindset views the Bible as a blueprint to structure every aspect of society. A church mindset views the Bible merely as a pietistic book that enables us to escape the world, enter heaven, and be spiritual.

5. With a kingdom mindset churches embrace and love their surrounding unchurched communities. With a church mindset churches only embrace converted individuals within their faith communities.

6. A kingdom mindset trains people for all of life. A church mindset trains people only for church life.

7. A kingdom mindset nurtures leaders who are world changers and “cultural creatives” who articulate truth to society. A church mindset nurtures leaders who speak religious language relevant only to church people.

8. A kingdom mindset speaks of the rule of God over the entire created order. A church mindset speaks of the rule of God through deacons and elders over those in a church congregation.

9. With a kingdom mindset pastors release their people to their vocational callings in the marketplace. A church mindset controls people by marginalizing their marketplace callings and emphasizing only their Sunday ministries.

10. A kingdom mindset applies a Spirit-empowered approach to the natural world. A church mindset involves a spirituality that separates from the natural world.

11. Those with a kingdom mindset are working toward a renaissance of Christendom. Those with a church mindset merely strive for a particular expression (denomination) of Christianity.

12. Churches with a kingdom mindset equip 100% of the saints to fill up all things in every realm of life (Ephesians 4:10-12). Those with a church mindset have as their primary goal to equip the 2-3% of the congregation called to be full-time church pastors, ministers, and missionaries.

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More thoughts concerning the kingdom of God to come soon.

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

The Man With A Dream (TRUE story)

This man had a dream ... and shared his dream with a close friend ... hoping his friend would lend him $10,000.

• His friend slept on it.
• Next day his friend told him that it was a great idea, but that he wouldn't risk the $10,000.

So, the man went to a bank, and got turn down.

• He went to another bank ... got turned down.
• He went to the 3rd, 4th, & 5th bank ... got turned down. (how many would have quit?)
• He went to 100 banks ... got turned down.

Just a couple side-notes:

• Who said it was going to be easy???
• Pursue that God-given dream within you. He has a plan and purpose for YOU! He hasn't given up on you, don't YOU give up on Him. (You may want to listen to the 14-part Hope Series on my website. See the audio section at the bottom of the page on this link ... www.bishopdennisdavis.com/index.php/media/ministry)

The dream continued to burn within him.

• He went to 200 banks ... to 300 banks ... he was turned down repeatedly.

Another side-note: So many quit too soon. It's not that they failed, it's just that success didn't come quick enough for them, so they give up, and quit. Think about this. Who did God give the dream to? YOU! Others may not see it, because God gave it to YOU! As you continue to pursue the dream He gave to YOU, others will begin to "catch" the vision. Stay faithful!

He went to 307 banks ... he was turned down by each of them.

• UNTIL ... bank 308 took the risk on his idea.
• So ... Walt Disney started Disneyland ...
• and ... his friend, Art Linkletter, is still kicking himself for not taking a risk on his friend's idea.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER ... quit!

May God bless you abundantly!!!

Bishop Dennis Davis

The Biggest Mathematical Miracle in the World

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2-3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. To bring that much food EACH day, it would require 2 freight trains, each a mile long, each day. Besides this, you must remember, there were out in the desert, so they'd have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for ONE day. And ... just think, they were 40 years in transit.

Now ... what about water? Where were they again? Oh, yeah, the desert. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11 million gallons EACH day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long ... just to bring water!

Then another thing ... when they crossed the Red Sea ... they did it in one night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So, there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.

But then, there's another problem ... do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! (40 years in the wilderness was not part of the initial plan.) You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now ... do you think God has any problem taking care of all YOUR needs?

May God bless you abundantly, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

Lessons from Noah's Ark

One: Don't miss the boat.

Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Six: Build your future on high ground.

Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.

Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

May God bless you all, and make you a blessing to others,

Bishop Dennis Davis

Visit my official website: www.BishopDennisDavis.com

Gates of Hell

I'd like to propose a thought to each of you. I am guessing that most of you are familiar with Matthew 16:18, where Jesus talks about building His church, "and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Have you truly meditated on this scripture? For the most part, when I hear references to this verse, it sounds as though when hell attacks the church (us), it will not prevail. We will overcome. However, here's the thought ... when was the last time you saw, or heard of, someone being attacked with a gate?

Hmmmm ... is a gate an offensive weapon? or a defensive weapon? I suggest to you that it is a defensive weapon. So, what is Jesus saying then? Could it be that we (the church) are to be attacking those gates and setting the captives free? Could it be that He is telling us that those gates cannot stop us, or prevail against us? Could it be that He's saying that as we go about doing what we are designed to do, and as those who are being held captive hear the Word of God, that those gates cannot stop the captives from being loosed?

Church ... it's time we go on the offensive instead of sitting back and waiting to be attacked. We are the attackers! We are to be on the offensive! We are to go and possess the land! We are to go and set the captive free! The defenses of darkness will not prevail against us! Go forth church ... rise ... shine ... and be victorious! Proclaim FREEDOM to the captives, in Jesus' name!

Bishop Dennis Davis

See the UNseen

"Why do you think you need that which you do not already possess? Why look at what you CAN see? Have I not told you that FAITH is the EVIDENCE of things NOT SEEN? So, again, why look at only that which you can see? I am the God who calls into being that which does NOT exist. I will speak to you of those things that you cannot see, until you look through the eyes of FAITH. To see with the eyes of FAITH, you must first receive the word I speak to you. Have I not told you that FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by My word? When I speak to you, FAITH comes ... and when you receive it, you then see into the realm of the UNSEEN. Do not follow after the way of those who when faith comes they reject it, and thus, they never see the UNSEEN. They accept that path, and that attitude. Do not follow their example. Stand up! Stand firm! Believe Me. I only have good for you. I will not disappoint you. As you receive My word, you receive Me. I will hold you, protect you, and show you great and mighty things that you've not seen before. Look not at the way things HAVE BEEN ... expect NEW things ... things that have never been before. Do not be bound by the past ... behold I'm doing a new thing. Step out in the faith which I have given you. Be ready for great things to overtake you. Rejoice! For I am with you," says the Lord.

Bishop Dennis Davis

Stand Firm

I believe that this prophetic word is for many people, but I believe that there's a pastor that needs to hear this ... "My child, I love you and I'm with you. Regardless of what you see around you, regardless of situations and circumstances, regardless of the turmoil, I'm with you. I'm with you to bring you through. You know me, you know what I've told you. I am not a man that I should lie. Because I have spoken, I have purposed, and I will not change My mind, nor will I turn from it. Stand firm. Guard your heart, for from it flow the issues of life. Do not allow the situations and circumstances that surround you dictate your actions. Follow my word, which I sent to heal you and deliver you. Stand firm. Why have the schemes of the devil, the activities of the rulers & powers, the world forces of this darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places come so strongly against you at this time? It's because your breakthrough is at hand. Stand firm. I am with you," says the Lord.