Kingdom Disciples With Tony EvansSample

The Primary Concern 

In day 1, we looked at the missing key in our churches and determined that key was discipleship. Having established the missing key, let us now turn our attention to the primary concern of one who has taken hold of the missing key. Disciples of Jesus are primarily concerned with His kingdom—that is God’s rule and reign through all of history. 

As we continue our journey through the depths, clefts, and mountaintops that make up God’s kingdom, let’s broaden our road map by looking more deeply at this overarching concept of God’s kingdom. The Greek word the Bible uses for kingdom means “rule” or “authority.” Thus, when we talk about a kingdom, we’re talking first about a king or a ruler. We’re talking about someone who’s in charge.

If there’s a ruler, there also have to be “rulees,” or kingdom subjects. In addition, a kingdom includes a realm—a domain over which the king rules. Finally, if there are a ruler, rulees, and a realm, there also have to be kingdom regulations—guidelines that govern the relationship between the ruler and the subjects. These are necessary so that the rulees will know whether they’re doing what the ruler wants them to do.

God’s kingdom includes all of these elements. He’s the absolute Ruler of His domain, which encompasses all of creation. Everything God rules, He runs—even when it doesn’t look as if He’s running it. Even when life looks as if it’s out of control, God is running all things.

God’s kingdom also has rulees. Colossians 1:13 says everybody who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, your allegiance has changed. 

To live life to its fullest and to accomplish and experience all God has created you to do, you must place God and His kingdom first. God’s rule isn’t to be one among many. God can’t be second; He must be first. The problem for most of us is that God is merely in the vicinity of our lives; He isn’t first in our lives. 

I often hear people tell me they just don’t have enough time for God. What they’re really telling me is God isn’t in first place in their lives, because people always make time for what matters most.  We always have enough time for what we prioritize in our lives. Lack of discipleship isn’t caused by a lack of time. Lack of discipleship is caused by a failure  to prioritize our time.

Not seeking the kingdom as our primary concern has led to a diminishing experience of God. Yet the rule, blessings, guidance, and provisions of heaven can be fully realized only as God’s kingdom standards are prioritized by His disciples. God has made it perfectly clear throughout Scripture that His rightful place in our lives is first. The kingdom is a disciple’s primary concern.