Part 3: JOIN JESUS IN HIS WORK
MAKE DISCIPLES | SERVE | WORK
The third goal of every disciple of Jesus is to join Jesus in his work.
Jesus’ work today is different from his work when he was physically present on earth. Jesus’ work when he was on the earth was to establish the kingdom of God. To this end, Jesus announced the coming of God’s kingdom through his message of good news. 1 Jesus demonstrated the kingdom’s coming by casting out demons, healing the sick, and cleansing the temple. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God on earth when he died on the cross—he defeated sin and disarmed the powers of Satan. 2 The resurrection of Jesus demonstrated that his death had effectively won the victory and the New Creation of God’s Kingdom was now a reality.
MATTHEW 28:18
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Jesus accomplished his work on earth by establishing the kingdom of God.
WHAT IS JESUS’ WORK TODAY?
The kingdom has been established, and now it needs to come (expand) on earth as it is in heaven.
MATTHEW 6:9-10
9 Pray then like this: …10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus is at work in the world today. The book of Acts shows how the risen and exalted Jesus is ruling and expanding his kingdom on earth from his throne in heaven. 3 Jesus is not dead and gone. He is alive and actively reigning over the world. Jesus is at work in the world through his Holy Spirit in his people, the church.
Following Jesus as his disciples means joining Jesus in his work of expanding the kingdom of God in the world today.
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
God’s kingdom cannot be located geographically or politically. It is not a place but a reality. The kingdom of God is wherever and whenever God’s authority is realized. 4
God is the creator of everyone and everything. Therefore, God is the king of everyone and everything by right. God is a good king; when his will is realized, it is best for everyone and everything.
Sadly, some don’t recognize nor submit to God’s kingship. Rebellion against God as king is called sin. We enter God's kingdom through repentance and faith in Jesus as Lord (God's anointed True King). If God is your king, then you are in the kingdom of God. If God is not your king, you might think you are autonomously in charge of your life, but in reality, you are a part of the kingdom of Satan, 5 in rebellion against the kingdom of God.
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
What does it mean for God’s kingdom to expand on earth? What does this look like practically?
Where God is king:
• people believe, confess, and follow Jesus as Lord
• people live within God’s design for justice and mercy
• people use their vocation to exercise God’s care for his creation
Jesus is working through his Spirit in his church to realize this vision on earth.
Disciples join Jesus in his work in the world through:
• making disciples
• serving others justly and mercifully
• working in their vocations to extend God’s care for creation
1 Matthew 4:17, 23
2 Colossians 1:13, 2:15
3 Acts 2:33
4 God’s kingdom can be defined as: “God’s reign through God’s people over God’s place.” See the book “Seek First: How the Kingdom of God Changes Everything” by Jeremy Treat.
5 The Bible calls the kingdom of Satan the kingdom of this world: John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, Ephesians 2:1-3