The Diversity of Kingdom Building Ministry

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:49-50).

The life of a true disciple is all about following Jesus Christ. There is always great temptation to begin following something or someone else. One of the earnest disciple’s greatest temptations is to follow a person or ministry more fervently than Jesus. The disciples enjoyed great success as Jesus had empowered them to preach and heal throughout the villages of Galilee… “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal… And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-6). The Spirit shows us today that along with their success the disciples acquired some narrow vision. When they encountered someone else who had a growing and effective deliverance ministry, John’s report revealed that their hearts were consumed with envy, jealousy, and ignorance. Jesus’s reply shows that He wanted them and He wants serious disciples in all ages to discover and appreciate the diversity of kingdom building ministry.

The disciples’ envy kept them from rejoicing in the power revealed in this other ministry. We recall that this incident came just after the disciples had failed on their own to deliver a poor demon possessed boy. Were they powerless to deliver the boy because they were envious of the power of another ministry? The gifts and power to do kingdom building work are intended to glorify God alone… “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11). Earnest disciples rejoice when God gets glory in kingdom building ministry.

The disciples’ jealousy kept them from sharing His joy over the report from another ministry. The compulsion to protect and defend our ministry makes us falsely believe that other people and ministries are our enemies. Only Christ knows who His enemies are and He is more than able to defeat them… “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). As we grow in Christ we learn to trust God to be our protector and defender… “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name” (Psalm 33:20-21). Maturing disciples enjoy working together with others in kingdom building ministry.

The disciples’ ignorance kept them from seeing the size and scope of God’s kingdom building ministry. Christ’s work is bigger than any person or ministry because Christ’s sovereignty is all-encompassing. Because of the sovereignty of Christ, we can trust that His work gets done through a multitude of others even when they don't do it just like we do… “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Jesus challenges us to open our eyes and hearts to discover the grandeur of the ministry that is bigger than us. He wants us to know we are part of a large, diverse work that encompasses the globe and the ages too… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Dedicated disciples trust the sovereignty of Christ over His huge and diverse kingdom building ministry.

As we grow up into Christ serving in faith, humility, and wonder, we discover that we’re part of…

The Diversity of Kingdom Building Ministry.