A kingdom perspective

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “Now I hope in the Lord to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you.” Philippians 2:19 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “A kingdom perspective”

In recent devotionals I have referred to the mission trip a group from our church went on to eastern Kentucky. We partnered with our friends from Mr. Airy, MD to work in conjunction with the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). The underlying mindset of those involved in that effort is an example of what is called “a kingdom perspective.” A kingdom perspective is when we shift our focus from our local church to the larger kingdom of God outside the walls of our church.

The tendency of human beings in general, and of churches as well, is that we often have a “me first” perspective. Our thoughts naturally go to questions like “What’s in this for me?” or, “How will our church benefit from this?” But that’s not how Jesus taught us to think. Instead, we are to take our eyes off ourselves, and even off our own church, and focus instead on others and on the larger world outside the walls of our church. That’s a kingdom perspective.

This is what Paul was referring to in Philippians 2:19. Paul’s focus always went far beyond just the place he was in at any given time. He never limited himself to just local thinking and local concerns. In this case, he sent one of his associates to go to another region, to another group of people, and to be a blessing to them in the name of Jesus and for the good of the Kingdom. Instead of keeping his closest associates with him for his own benefit, he sent them away to other regions and be a blessing to other people.

It’s important for Christians to have a kingdom perspective. Then it’s important to find ministry partners who share that perspective and who will work with us for the sake of the Kingdom. That is our focus at Oak Hill Baptist and it is also the focus of our friends from Mt. Airy. It’s also the ministry model that CAP functions on. God uses the staff of the Christian Appalachian Project to create the ministry context for kingdom work to occur in that region by hosting groups like ours.

I encourage all of us to develop and maintain a kingdom perspective in our personal walk with Jesus. Then be the catalyst to develop and maintain it in your local church. And then, develop ministry partners in other places who share that perspective and with whom you can work to help spread the gospel and build the kingdom of God on earth.

A kingdom perspective is a source of great joy for everyone.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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