The Kingdom Agenda: Life Under God - Hardcover

Evans, Tony

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9780802410610: The Kingdom Agenda: Life Under God
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0802410618 ISBN 13: 9780802410610
Publisher: Moody Publishers, 2013

Synopsis

God’s kingdom isn’t just about theology and church. It isn’t just a quaint religious idea or an obscure theological concept. It is about a whole new way of seeing the world and your place in it.

Tony Evans' legacy work, The Kingdom Agenda offers a fresh and powerful vision that will help you think differently about your life, your relationships, and your walk with God. When you start with a Kingdom agenda, living in relationship with the true King, and embracing your place in His Kingdom, nothing will ever be the same.

In these pages we’ll explore how, under God, this kingdom vision:

  • Helps you find greater purpose for your life.
  • Guides your family toward Him.
  • Deepens your understanding of God’s use of the church.
  • Changes the way you think about politics, culture, and philosophy.


Join Dr. Tony Evans, one of the greatest Bible teachers of our time, as he unfolds this biblical and practical approach to life—an approach that has the power to change people, families, neighborhoods, churches, and even nations. Discover the power of the Kingdom agenda.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

DR. TONY EVANS is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative, and former chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. He is the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and the first to publish a study Bible and whole-Bible commentary. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on over 2,000 US radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries.

For more information, visit: www.TonyEvans.org.

From the Back Cover

God’s kingdom isn’t just about theology and church. It isn’t just a quaint religious idea or an obscure theological concept. It is about a whole new way of seeing the world and your place in it. The Kingdom Agenda offers a fresh and powerful vision that will help you think differently about your life, your relationships, and your walk with God. When you start with a kingdom agenda, living in relationship with the true King, and embracing your place in His kingdom, nothing will ever be the same!

In these pages we’ll explore how, under God, this kingdom vision:

  • Helps you find greater purpose for your life.
  • Guides your family toward Him.
  • Deepens your understanding of God’s use of the church.
  • Changes the way you think about politics, culture, and philosophy.


Join Dr. Tony Evans, one of the greatest Bible teachers of our time, as he unfolds this biblical and practical approach to life—an approach that has the power to change people, families, neighborhoods, churches, and even nations. Discover the power of The Kingdom Agenda!

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

THE KINGDOM AGENDA

LIFE UNDER GOD

By TONY EVANS, Philip E. Rawley

Moody Publishers

Copyright © 2013 Tony Evans
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8024-1061-0

Contents

Prologue...................................................................11
Introduction...............................................................13
PART ONE: THE THEOLOGY OF THE KINGDOM AGENDA...............................24
1. The Concept of the Kingdom Agenda.......................................27
2. The Necessity for the Kingdom Agenda....................................47
3. The Lord of the Kingdom Agenda..........................................62
4. The Covenants of the Kingdom Agenda.....................................77
5. The Government of the Kingdom Agenda....................................90
6. The Authority of the Kingdom Agenda.....................................106
PART TWO: ONE LIFE UNDER GOD...............................................120
7. Your Kingdom Priorities.................................................122
8. Your Kingdom Growth.....................................................135
9. Your Kingdom Calling....................................................151
10. Your Kingdom Mind......................................................167
11. Managing Your Kingdom Resources........................................183
12. Your Kingdom Inheritance...............................................197
PART THREE: ONE FAMILY UNDER GOD...........................................214
13. The Kingdom Family.....................................................216
14. The Kingdom Husband....................................................232
15. The Kingdom Wife.......................................................248
16. The Kingdom Single.....................................................262
17. The Kingdom Parent.....................................................278
18. The Kingdom Children...................................................292
PART FOUR: ONE CHURCH UNDER GOD............................................304
19. The Church's Purpose...................................................306
20. The Church's Unity.....................................................326
21. The Church's Mission...................................................342
22. The Church's Membership................................................360
23. The Church's Leadership................................................376
24. The Church's Outreach..................................................401
PART FIVE: ONE NATION UNDER GOD............................................416
25. A Nation and Freedom...................................................418
26. A Nation and Justice...................................................434
27. A Nation and Economics.................................................454
28. A Nation and Racism....................................................473
29. A Nation and Education.................................................489
30. A Nation and Politics..................................................505
Epilogue...................................................................520
Appendix A: The Kingdom Agenda Covenant....................................525
Appendix B: The Urban Alternative..........................................526
Acknowledgments............................................................529
Subject Index..............................................................530
Scripture Index............................................................535


CHAPTER 1

THE CONCEPT OF THEKINGDOM AGENDA


Everybody, it seems, has an agenda today. People have plans, programs,things they want to accomplish, and specific ways they want to accomplishthem.

God has an agenda, too; something He wants to accomplish in Hisway. The Bible calls this agenda God's kingdom. I like to think of it as thealternative, because that word says there is another way, another idea onthe table. As God's people, we are not limited by the choices this worldoffers us. God has an alternative plan for us—His kingdom.

If you grew up in America, you were reminded to whose kingdom youbelonged each time you said the Pledge of Allegiance or participated inthe singing of our national anthem in school or before sporting or civicevents. It was clear that our country did not want us to forget that we areAmericans. We recited the pledge day in and day out, allowing it to sinkin, enabling us to fully understand that no matter what our background,gender, culture, or color, we belonged to this kingdom called the UnitedStates of America.

In the same way that our country wants us to be regularly remindedabout our citizenship in this kingdom, there is another kingdom—a greaterand more perfect kingdom—of which we are a part. It is the kingdomof God.

If you are an American, it is most likely because you were born here.If you are a part of the kingdom of God, it is only because you have beenborn again into His kingdom. The reason you need to come to a full comprehensionof the kingdom is not only because it affects you, but it also isthe key to understanding the Bible. The unifying central theme, the commonthread, throughout the Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—is theglory of God through the advancement of His kingdom.

Without that theme, the Bible becomes a series of disconnected storiesthat are great for inspiration, but seem to be unrelated in purpose anddirection. The Bible exists to share God's movement in history toward theestablishment and expansion of His kingdom, highlighting the connectivitythroughout which is this concept. Understanding that increases therelevancy of this several-thousand-year-old manuscript to your day-to-dayliving, because the kingdom is not only then, it is now.

Throughout the Bible, the kingdom of God is His rule, His plan, andHis program. God's kingdom covers everything in the universe. In fact, wecan define the kingdom as God's comprehensive rule over all creation. Itis the rule of God (theocracy) and not the rule of man (homocracy) thatis paramount.

Now if God's kingdom is comprehensive, so is His kingdom agenda.The kingdom agenda, then, may be defined as the visible demonstration ofthe comprehensive rule of God over every area of life.

This definition has some serious implications for us. The reason somany of us as believers are struggling is that we want God to bless ouragenda rather than our fulfilling His agenda. We want God to okay ourplans rather than our fulfilling His plans. We want God to bring us gloryrather than our bringing Him glory. But it doesn't work that way. God hasonly one plan—His kingdom agenda. We need to find out what that is sowe can make sure we're working on God's plan, not ours.

The Greek word the Bible uses for kingdom is basileia, which basicallymeans a "rule" or "authority." Included in this definition is the concept ofpower. So when we talk about a kingdom, we're talking first about a kingor a ruler, the one in charge.

Now if there is a ruler, there also have to be "rulees," or kingdomsubjects. In addition, a kingdom includes a realm; that is, a domain overwhich the king rules. Finally, a kingdom also needs regulations, guidelinesthat govern the relationship between the ruler and the subjects. These arenecessary so that the subjects will know whether they are doing what theruler wants done.

God's kingdom includes all of these elements. He is the absolute Rulerof His domain, which encompasses all of creation. Likewise, His authorityis total. Everything God rules, He runs—even when it doesn't look likeHe's running it. Even when life looks like it's out of control, God is runningits "out-of-controlness."

God's kingdom also has its subjects. Colossians 1:13 says that everybodywho has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior has been transferredfrom the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. If you are a believerin Jesus Christ, your allegiance has been changed. You no longer alignyourself with Satan, but with Christ.

And just in case there's any doubt, let me say right now that there areno in-between kingdoms, no gray areas here. There are only two realms increation: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. We are subjectsof one or the other.


GOD'S KINGDOM AGENDAIS UNIVERSAL

The problem we have in the church today is that people inadequatelydefine God's kingdom. Some people secularize and politicize the kingdom,which means they think the solutions to our problems are going to fly intotown on Air Force One.

These individuals believe that political involvement or social actionwill by itself usher in the kingdom. While there is nothing wrong with enteringthe political arena as an evangelical—it ought to be encouraged—weneed to bear in mind that God's kingdom is not comprised of, or limitedto, a political institution of mankind. God is neither Democrat nor Republican.He does not ride the backs of donkeys or elephants.

At the other extreme are those Christians who over-spiritualize thekingdom. In contrast to their politically active brothers and sisters, theseare the individuals who are so heavenly minded that they wind up beingno earthly good. They live with their heads and hearts in the upper levelsof the ionosphere because the concept of the kingdom of God nevermoves beyond the esoteric stage within them. They lack the concrete abilityto put feet to the spiritual reality of the kingdom.

God's kingdom agenda is not limited to the political and social realm.Neither is it limited to the walls of the church. When you were saved, thekingdom of God was set up within you so that it might be best positioned toreach outwardly while directing the circumference of your life.

Trusting Jesus Christ for your salvation will get you to heaven. Buttrusting Jesus Christ for your salvation doesn't automatically get heavento come down to you. Getting into God's kingdom is through conversion,but experiencing God's kingdom in your daily life is through commitment.Commitment results only when the Jesus you placed your faith in is alsothe Jesus who rules within you in the kingdom of which you are a part.God's goal is to manifest in history the operations of heaven. Therefore,when history is not reflecting heaven ("Your will be done, on earth as it isin heaven" [Matthew 6:10]), God's kingdom is not visible.


FOUR FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHSABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM AGENDA

As we start our journey through the depths, clefts, and mountaintopsthat make up God's kingdom agenda, let's begin by examining four basicfundamental truths about this all-encompassing concept and teaching ofScripture.


God's Kingdom Agenda Originates from His Realm

Since the realm in which God operates is spiritual, His kingdom alsooriginated in the spiritual realm. This is not to deny what was said above,that the whole created universe constitutes the domain of God's kingdom.What I am saying here is that the kingdom is from above, not from the earth.

We see this in John 18:28–40, when Jesus appears before the Romangovernor Pontius Pilate. The Jews want Jesus put to death, but they don'thave the authority to carry out capital punishment. Since only Rome cando that, the Jews have to bring Jesus to Pilate to get his approval.

The Jews know exactly what accusation it will take to get Jesus executedby Rome. If He claims to be a king, He will be committing treasonagainst Caesar (see John 19:12). So they decide to make the chargeagainst Jesus that He made Himself out to be a king.

Now if you call yourself a king, that implies you have a kingdom somewhere.So the first question Pilate asked Jesus was, "Are You the King ofthe Jews?" (John 18:33). Notice Jesus' answer in verse 36: "My kingdomis not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servantswould be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as itis, My kingdom is not of this realm."

Don't misread that. Jesus was not saying His kingdom is not in thisworld. He was saying it is not of this world. His kingdom does not originatefrom earth, but rather from heaven. It is not derived from history, but fromthe heavenlies. Jesus' servants weren't up in military arms about His arrestbecause He was not trying to overthrow the Romans militarily.

Jesus explained to Pilate, in my Evans translation, "If My kingdomwere of this world, My servants would be out there with their swords cuttingoff much more than just someone's ears. They would be going to war.If My kingdom were man-made, I would not be going to the cross withouta battle."

But because Jesus represented another King from another kingdomthat was not of this world, He did not resort to the methodologies of thisworld in order to defend or advance His kingdom. The same holds truefor you and me. To live life according to the kingdom agenda will have aneffect on our choices. Our decisions will not align with the world's wisdomor methods. A divine frame of reference will punctuate all that we do.

Too many believers today are trying to find fulfillment and significancethrough human means. They are trying to discover their destinies throughman's methods. However, man's methods have never accomplished God'sgoals. Jesus revealed that when He answered Pilate straightforwardly. Inessence, He said, "My methods reflect My source." As believers, we arecalled to be in the world, but not of the world. Similarly, a boat is made tobe in the water but not of the water. If the boat begins to be of the waterand starts taking on water inside, it will soon go down.

To be in the world and yet not of the world means that the world, orworldliness—the system that seeks to leave God out—does not define thedecisions, relationships, or priorities of your life. Your kingdom controlsyour methodology.


A Body of Truth

In John 18:37 Jesus said something else that was very significant."Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." By this statement, Jesusassumed the existence of a body of truth with which a kingdom agendaaligns itself. Simply defined, truth is an absolute standard by which realityis measured. It is God's viewpoint on the matter. This definition puts usas believers in conflict with our culture, because we live in a world wherea commitment to truth no longer exists. People want relative truth, notan absolute standard that says what is always right and wrong, good andbad. But if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you must believe in, accept,and align yourself with the truth of God's Word—His absolute, governingstandard that transcends time, culture, ethnicity, gender, preference, andall else.

One of the major problems leading to the breakdown of society is thatwe have far too many opinions dictating life choices and not enough truthmandating them. Even among Christians, absolute truth isn't always thegoverning standard. We say things like, "Well, this is how I feel," or "Thisis what I think," or even "This is what my parents taught me." Althoughthere is nothing necessarily wrong with thoughts or feelings, they oughtnot be the deciding factors with regard to what is true. Truth transcendsfeelings. For example, you may feel like you have a headache, so you takean aspirin. But the lab report might tell the truth that you have a braintumor and an aspirin won't do you any good. The feeling of your headachewas real; it just didn't reveal the truth that you have a tumor. When youmiss the truth, you miss everything. Likewise, when you miss the truth ofGod's Word, you miss the kingdom.

Our problem today is that we have substituted relativism, pragmatism,existentialism, pantheism, and many other –isms in the place of absolutetruth. But all of these -isms will become was-isms" one day when they areultimately confronted with God's absolute truth.

Jesus was saying to Pilate in John 18:37, "If you understood My kingdom,you would know the truth." The only lasting solutions to life are biblicalsolutions, because only biblical solutions are derived from a heavenlysource and can address the cause-and-effect relationship between choicesand consequences.


Cause and Effect

Here's what I mean by cause and effect when it comes to the kingdom.Everything visible and physical is always controlled or derived from thatwhich is invisible and spiritual. So if you want to fix the visible and physicalproblems, you have to address the spiritual and invisible issues first.

Why? Because if you don't address the spiritual and invisible, you willnot have addressed the divine precursor from which to solve the visibleand physical issue at hand. What you can see, hear, touch, taste, and smellmust first be addressed from God's perspective before you can make anylasting and real difference on the human level.

Satan wants to get us to skip the divine perspective because he knowsthat we will never be able to solve our visible and physical problems untilwe address them from the invisible, spiritual realm. But heaven rulesearth, so what happens up there determines what goes on down here. Ifyou are not in contact with heaven then you ought not be surprised if youare in a quandary down here on earth.

One of the greatest kings in history, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,learned this truth the hard way. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that disturbedhim deeply, so he asked the prophet Daniel to interpret it for him.Daniel told the king he would lose his kingdom and be driven into insanityuntil he learned that "it is Heaven that rules" (Daniel 4:26). What Danielprophesied then came to pass (see v. 28).


The Right Perspective

God's kingdom is lived from the perspective of heaven, not earth.That's why Jesus said, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, andall these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). The pagans mayrun after the physical, visible things in life (see v. 32), but we are called toprioritize God's kingdom.

But far too many Christians want to mix a little bit of God with a lot ofthe world. As a result, they wind up not experiencing any of God becauseHis kingdom is not of this world. When you bring the world into the Word,you are asking the King to bless something that His kingdom is not a partof, and He won't do it.

If you lose sight of the kingdom, God's perspective gets lost and youstart focusing on the physical and temporal things in life. When that happens,your judgment begins to be skewed and your decisions become shortsighted.Rather than fulfilling your God-ordained destiny and purpose,you end up with wasted time, effort, energy, and emotions.

Yet when God's kingdom is prioritized, you get to see heaven both ruleand overrule in your life. You get to witness God overrule circumstancesand people that you thought had the last word. You get to experience Godat a whole other level when you experience Him as King. Many people saythat God is King but fail to experience God as King simply because they donot position themselves under His rule.

Jesus said earlier in Matthew 6 that if you are not clear on the kingdom—thethings of God—then you can't see because you are spirituallyblind (see vv. 22–23). And if you are spiritually blind, then your feet won'tknow which way to go. Spiritual blindness affects not only your eyes, butall of your life choices.

I will never forget the morning I got soap in my eye in the shower. Myeye started burning, so I began to rub it with my hand. The problem was,I had soap on my hands. So not only did I not get the soap out of my eye,I managed to get more soap in both eyes. Now, instead of one eye thatcouldn't see, I had two.

With both eyes closed, I instinctively reached for the towel. Yet becauseI couldn't see it, I hit my head on the soap dish sticking out of thewall as I leaned over to try and find it. When I did that, I knocked the soapoff of the dish onto the shower floor. You can probably guess what happenednext. As I groped around for the towel in my blindness, I steppedon the bar of soap and went flying, hurting my back. There I was, flailingaround in the shower with a headache and a backache and stinging eyes,all because something had blinded me.


(Continues...)
Excerpted from THE KINGDOM AGENDA by TONY EVANS, Philip E. Rawley. Copyright © 2013 Tony Evans. Excerpted by permission of Moody Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Moody Publishers
Publication date
2013
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0802410618
ISBN 13 
9780802410610
Binding
Hardcover
Edition number
1
Number of pages
544
Rating
  • 4.65 out of 5 stars
    79 ratings by Goodreads

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9780802410085: The Kingdom Agenda: Life Under God

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