We often hear about how important it is that the church not be self-focused but rather outward focused, trying to reach the lost and care for the outcast and broken.
But, I found that when the Bible talked about church the Bible itself tended to be internally focused. Maybe that's why its so easy for the church to get internally focused!
At the same time, however, the Bible is clear that we should be reaching out. So, if it is not the church reaching out, Biblically, then who or what is it? What I found was that in the Bible the internal appears to be emphasized when describing the church and external when describing the Kingdom of God.
I think the distinction is worth our attention. Let’s start with the church.
Church - Internal
The church was first built on Peter’s confession of Christ, son of the Living God (Matt 16:18). It cannot be separated from Christ. Therefore, Paul observed appropriately, the church has been sanctified in Christ and is called to be holy (1 Cor. 1:2). Specifically, Paul said Christ is over everything for the church (1 Cor. 1:22). Christ is literally the head of it (Eph 5:23, Col 1:18) and God will get glory through it (Eph 3:21).
Christ's Headship
Christ’s headship of the church is very intimately illustrated by human marriage. As the church submits to Christ, wives should submit to their husbands (Eph 5:24). Husbands should love their wives like Christ loves the church who presents her radiant to God by washing her with the water of the Word (Eph 5:25-27). In this way, Christ feeds the church like it was his own body (Eph 5:30). He assures that the members names are written in heaven (Heb 12:23). We are even told that Jesus holds the angels of the churches in his hands. He walks among the churches and speaks to them words of encouragement and correction (Revelation 1-3).
Church's Power
But, here is the most public part of the Bible’s teaching on the church. With Christ at its head, the gates of Hell shall not stand against the church (Matt 16:18). In fact, God’s intent is that through the church His manifold wisdom should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to His eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph 3:10). The church is definitively the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 3:15). Christ is central to that truth.
Internal Training
Therefore, what Christ speaks to the church is important; which turns internal again. Christ teaches His church through people. It was taught by Paul (1 Cor. 4:17). But there are others. God appointed Apostles, Prophets, teachers, workers of miracles and other gifts in the church (1 Cor. 12:28ff). Nevertheless, it is edified by prophecies and intelligible communication from all members of the body (1 Cor. 14:4). We all should excel in gifts that build it up (1 Cor. 14:12). As we do, we should remember that five intelligible words in it are better than 10,000 in tongues, though we must never forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:19). In this way, hymns, words of instruction, revelations, tongues and interpretations should be done for strengthening it (1 Cor. 14:26). Nevertheless, elders who direct it are worthy of double honor, especially preaching and teaching (1 Tim 5:17).
Internal Standards
This leads us to some basic issues of maintaining the internal standards of the church. We are told by Christ that the church should expel all who refuse to deal with the truth (Matt 18:17). Though, we should be careful to work the full process in Matthew 18. Nevertheless, we should judge those inside not outside (1 Cor. 5:12). We are even told that men of little account are capable judges for internal disputes (1 Cor. 6:4).
There is a balance when enforcing these internal disputes. We are taught that one believer’s freedom should not be used in a manner that causes another to stumble in the church when dealing with disputable matters. (1 Cor. 10:32). In this way, the church should not be divided (1 Cor. 11:18). It should not be a place of pride, fighting and running over the weak but everything in it should be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Cor. 14:40).
Internal Leadership
As an apostle, Paul filled up in his flesh what was lacking for Christ’s body, the church (Col 1:24). To make sure good leaders followed Paul’s example he said, if a man can’t manage his family he shouldn’t be asked to manage the church (1 Tim 3:5). Tough decisions need to be clarified by leaders; like the importance of only helping those widows really in need not those with believing family members (1 Tim 5:16). Those same elders also wield significant spiritual authority. We are told they will pray over the sick, anoint with oil in the name of the Lord and their prayers offered in faith make the sick well (James 5:14),
Summarizing the Church
This internal vision of church is so important. The church is the holy bride of Christ which is stronger than the gates of hell and shows wicked spiritual powers in high places God’s wisdom. The church is taught, edified and built up by spiritually gifted apostles, prophets and elders as well as spirit-filled average members. The church carefully upholds the truth, judging those inside not out, solving disputes and gently giving grace about disputable matters. The apostles, elders and leaders, by managing their own homes, are proven worthy of making difficult church management decisions and wielding the spiritual authority to heal believers.
However, before Christ appeared to him, Paul persecuted the church (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal 1:13). In fact, in many places in Acts it appears the church is on defense against persecutions instead of on offense proclaiming the Kingdom of God. After Christ appeared to him, however, Paul both ministered internally to build up the church and also boldly proclaimed the Kingdom of God publicly.
This powerful vision of a loved, equipped, credible, holy and diligent church appears to be the nurturing soil for growing up believers who forcefully proclaim and advance the Kingdom of God.
Kingdom of God - External
Contrast what we just studied about the church with the outward, public nature of what the Bible teaches about the Kingdom of God.
Preached Everywhere
Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom of God (Lk 4:43). He spoke about it everywhere (Lk 9:11). He even told one man to forget about burying his father and go proclaim it (Lk 9:60). He sent the disciples to preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick (Lk 9:2, 10:9). He said that the law and prophets are no longer proclaimed but rather the Kingdom of God into which many were forcing their way (Lk 16:16). Philip preached it publicly (Acts 8:12). Paul argued persuasively about it (Acts. 19:8; 28:23ff). Jesus preached, “the Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe” (Mk 1:15). It will be preached in all the earth and then the end will come (Matt 24:14).
What is the Kingdom of God?
So, what exactly is the Kingdom of God? It does not come with careful observation but rather is “within you”. (Luke 17:20-21) Though it was proclaimed by Christ and the disciples, it is not a matter of talk, but of power (1 Cor. 4:20); It is not about eating and drinking but righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17). Flesh and blood cannot inherit it (1 Cor. 15:50). Some of Jesus’ day lived to see it come in power (Mk 9:1, Lk 9:27). After the last supper, Jesus’ next drink of wine was in it (Mk 14:25). Whatever we leave for the sake of the Kingdom of God we will receive many times as much in this age and the one to come (Lk 18:29-30). Demonic deliverance shows that it has arrived (Lk 11:20) In fact, Christ said that no one who puts his hand to the plow (of the Kingdom) and looks back is fit for it. (Lk 9:62) At the end of the day the Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God inside a person’s heart. When we seek it first, all other things are added to us.
Secrets of the Kingdom
However, the secrets of this Kingdom of God are only given to disciples of Jesus (Mk 9:47). In fact, the keys of it are given to the disciples (Matt 16:19). A person can not see it unless born again (John 3:3-5). They can not enter it unless born of water and spirit. In one secret, for example, it is compared to a man who scatters seeds on four different types of soils each producing different kinds of harvests (Mk 4:26). The path produced no growth with seeds eaten by birds. The rocky soil produced shallow quick harvests that failed. The weedy soil produced fruitless harvests. The good soil, however, produced 30, 60, 100 fold harvests.
The Kingdom of God was also compared to a mustard seed that is the smallest of seeds yet largest of full grown plants (Mk 4:30). It is like a treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great price, the owner of a house that lost a valuable coin and a net let down into a lake (Matt 13). It’s like a King settling his accounts with his servants. It’s like a generous landowner hiring workers throughout the day. It’s like ten virgins with lamps. Finally, it was then compared to a little bit of yeast that makes a whole loaf rise (Lik 13:18-21).
Who Gets Into the Kingdom?
Though, we must go through many hardships to enter it (Acts 14:22), when warning about temptations to sin, Jesus said it was better to have one eye in the Kingdom of God than to have two eyes in hell. (Mk 9:47). It is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (Mtt 19:24; Mk 10:23; Lk 18:24-29). In fact, tax Collectors and prostitutes are entering ahead of Pharisees (Matt 21:31). It belongs to little children and should be received like a little child would (Mk 10:14-15; Lk 18:16-17). A wisely answering teacher of the law was not far from it (Mk 12:34). Jesus said, it belongs to poor (Lk 6:20; James 2:5). In fact, the least in it is greater than John the Baptist who was greatest among those born of women (Lk 7:28).
On the day of the Kingdom of God it will be bad for those who reject it (Lk 9:11). There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth among those thrown out of it when Abraham, Isaac and Jacob come with it (Lk 13:28). However, people will come from East and West and take their place at its feast (Lk 13:29). Blessed is the man who will eat at its feast (Lk 14:15). Jesus told the story of a man who gave a banquet and people gave excuses why they would not come. (Lk 14). As a result, the wicked will not inherit it or enter it (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal 5:20).
The difference between Church and the Kingdom of God
Ultimately the difference between the church and the Kingdom of God is very subtle but important. The church is geared more internal, focused on Christ’s nurture and being built up, maintaining internal order and care and reflecting holiness in Christ. The Kingdom of God, however, appears to be much more public, being proclaimed to the world, forking roads and calling for repentance. Though the church manifests the wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in high places with the gates of hell not prevailing against it, it is not the church that is forcefully advancing, sowing seeds on all soil types, making the whole loaf rise and inviting people to the banquet. Rather, it is the proclamation of the imminent Kingdom of God that does all that. The proclamation of the Kingdom of God is accompanied by many parables or illustrations designed to magnify why someone should choose it. When the Kingdom of God is rejected there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is what Jesus and the disciples preached publicly followed by signs and wonders.
Summary
The church is in the Kingdom of God. However, the church does not proclaim the church, but rather the good news of the Kingdom of God and Jesus, it’s King. It is the Kingdom of God and King Jesus that we take to the world. Those who accept it are then brought into the church to be edified and equipped by Jesus’ gracious care.
In sales they say sell the sizzle, not the steak. The Kingdom of God is the sizzle. (Though, that is much too worldly an idea.) The Kingdom of God and it’s King Jesus is what we proclaim to the world. What they get when they accept the Kingdom is the Spirit of God, salvation, forgiveness, redemption, adoption, fellowship in the church and so much more.
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