The Kingdom of God is happening INSIDE OF and OUTSIDE OF the four walls of Church buildings. It has no preference; it is coming into being wherever Jesus’ followers are expressing His life!
It needs to be said again… God’s Kingdom comes to earth both INSIDE of and OUTSIDE of the four walls.
His Kingdom comes regardless of the physical environment. In one sense, the four walls (our church buildings) are irrelevant to the coming of His Kingdom.
Knowing that fact should dramatically affect how we view the four walls; their important role and the importance of their limitations. It should play a major part in helping us to determine what we will do inside of them, and how much priority and time we should give to the things that happen inside of them compared to outside.
Keeping the revelation of the fact alive should ALTER our activities and plans.
How much emphasis are we putting on what happens outside the four walls, compared to inside? Or, is it our habit to expect that the best place for salvations, healings, teachings, mentoring, fellowship, worship etc. is in a place we have especially provided for these?
The four walls we have created contain comfortable, familiar, controlled environments. Outside, things are not always so comfortable, and not so easily controlled. Is this the real reason why we spend so much of our Christian lives inside of a building we call ‘church’? Are we spending so much time in them by habit; because of familiarity, security, ease and comfort?
Since outside is where most unbelievers are, isn’t it where the Kingdom of God needs to come? If we were to give equal priority in our weekly calendars to the limitless potentials outside of the purpose built facilities, what would happen?
These days, there are many great incentives that give expression to God’s love for people outside the four walls: mobile soup and sandwich kitchens; prison and hospital visitation; ministries to widows and orphans; help for the destitute; providing safe houses; chaplaincy in public institutions; men’s and women’s prayer or other gatherings at cafes or in business offices; international mission. But, a much greater emphasis is needed; a new revelation, a thorough shift in our thinking. We need a new, balanced view and focus; we need to think and plan inside AND outside.
How and where are people most likely to encounter Jesus?
So now, what are your plans for seeking His Kingdom’s arrival OUTSIDE OF the four walls? God is certainly willing to come to people, wherever they are! May His Kingdom come to many more, because we have determined to go where they are, INTO the world, declaring the Gospel.
Blessings!
— Helen
