“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
The Call to Expand the Kingdom
As followers of Christ, we receive a profound calling to expand the kingdom of God on earth. We understand that this calling goes beyond personal belief; it’s an invitation for us to actively participate in God’s work. In our daily lives, we should strive to illustrate the love and grace of God to those around us. Jesus encourages us to seek the kingdom first, reminding us of the importance of prioritizing His work in our lives. When we align ourselves with God’s mission, we not only become conduits of His love but also inspire and uplift those in our communities to find their own place in His kingdom.
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” – Mark 16:15
Luke 10:2
“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'” – Luke 10:2
John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” – John 15:16
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Living as Ambassadors
As we think about our role in expanding the kingdom, we recognize that we are called to be ambassadors for Christ. This means representing His values, His love, and His grace to everyone we encounter. We are given the opportunity to showcase what it means to live in the light of God’s kingdom by displaying kindness and compassion. Living as ambassadors requires us to act in ways that reflect God’s character, making our actions a taste of the kingdom to those around us. God empowers us with His Spirit to make this possible, and we must embrace the opportunity by sharing the good news.
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Ephesians 6:20
“For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” – Ephesians 6:20
Philippians 1:27
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” – Philippians 1:27
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
1 Thessalonians 2:12
“Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:12
The Power of Prayer
We cannot underestimate the importance of prayer in our mission to expand the kingdom. Through prayer, we connect with God and call on His power to transform hearts and communities. We ought to be prayer warriors, interceding on behalf of others and asking God to bring them into His kingdom. Prayer brings unity among believers and fortifies our resolve as we work together for God’s glory. By seeking God in prayer, we invite His guidance and strength to help us fulfill the purpose He has set before us.
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
1 John 5:14
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2
The Role of Discipleship
Discipleship plays a vital role while we strive to expand the kingdom. It’s about nurturing new believers and encouraging them to grow in their faith. As we engage in discipleship, we provide the necessary support for others to understand God’s word and live it out. Each of us has a part to play in this process, and together we create a powerful ripple effect that can reach far beyond our immediate circles. Committing ourselves to discipleship demonstrates our dedication to the mission of the kingdom.
Matthew 28:20
“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
Titus 2:3-5
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.” – Titus 2:3-5
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Acts 14:21-22
“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” – Acts 14:21-22
Serving Others
Serving others is a fundamental aspect of expanding the kingdom. Jesus modeled this perfectly during His earthly ministry. He showed us that true greatness comes from serving others. When we serve selflessly, we are taking tangible steps to portray God’s love and compassion in the world. Our acts of service can have a profound effect on those we encounter, making them receptive to the message of Christ. Let’s embrace the opportunities we have to serve, all while encouraging others to join us in this beautiful expression of love.
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40
The Great Promise of God
Lastly, we can find hope in God’s promise of sustaining and expanding His kingdom. He reassures us that our efforts are not in vain and that He is with us every step of the way. The assurance of His presence and support empowers us to step out in faith. As we engage in the work of expanding the kingdom, we can trust that God is at work, guiding our paths and bringing forth a harvest that glorifies Him. We take joy in knowing that we are part of a grand narrative that God is unfolding.
Psalms 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” – Psalms 127:1
Isaiah 55:11
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” – Revelation 21:4
Final Thoughts
Expanding the kingdom is a vital part of our Christian journey. We have the privilege of sharing the love of God with others while helping them understand His grace. Whether through prayer, discipleship, or serving, we find numerous ways to fulfill this calling. As we strive to be ambassadors of Christ, let us remember the power of unity in pursuing this great mission. Standing firm in faith, we can witness transformation in our lives and in the lives of those we touch.
As we reflect on these verses, let’s take to heart the importance of being proactive in our pursuit of expanding the kingdom. Together, we can create an impact through our willingness to serve, love, and encourage one another in faith. Don’t forget to explore more topics related to the kingdom, such as Bible verses about the kingdom and how to lead people to Christ.
May God bless us on this journey as we expand His kingdom!