Birthing the Kingdom: Transforming Culture Through Faith

What does it look like when God is at work? It’s a powerful transformation happening right here at Life Springs Church, and it requires us to have eyes of faith to see it. God is on a mission to transform our culture — from our personal lives to our families, our communities, and even our nations. This transformation is rooted in faith and the understanding that God desires our lives to reflect His heavenly reality.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the profound implications of faith and the birthing of the Kingdom of God, which are essential for cultural transformation. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Cultural Transformation

God wants to transform not just our personal lives but also the culture of our families and communities. Imagine a world where our families reflect heaven on earth, where corporate cultures align with divine values, and where our local and national landscapes are infused with the love and grace of God. However, achieving this transformation takes faith. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge forgiveness through Jesus Christ; we must also cultivate a hunger for holiness and a desire to emulate His likeness.

Faith is the key. If we don’t believe in the power of the Gospel, the grace of God, and the transformative potential of His Word, we will remain stuck. We must take the territory of our lives by faith, just as we need to do for our families and communities. Many people feel discontent with their relationships and circumstances. But it’s through faith that we can initiate real change.

The Role of Prayer and Labor

To transform culture, we need to engage in prayer. We can’t pray for things we don’t believe God can change. Our prayers must be fueled by faith in His ability to break through the darkness that surrounds us. Additionally, transformation requires labor. We need to invest our time, resources, and efforts into what God is doing. If we don’t believe in the potential for success, we will hesitate to invest.

This brings us to the concept of birthing something new. Each step toward cultural transformation is connected to faith. The Church of Jesus Christ has seen breakthroughs throughout history because faithful individuals believed that the Kingdom belongs to the King. We must dare to believe that God can transform our lives, our families, our churches, and our nation if we remain steadfast in our faith.

The Kingdom Belongs to the King

In 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, we read about the end times when Jesus hands over the Kingdom to God the Father after subduing all His enemies. This passage is essential for understanding the battle between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of man. The Kingdom of God is characterized by life, grace, mercy, and truth, while the Kingdom of man is often ruled by sin and darkness.

The heroes of faith throughout church history understood that they were ambassadors of this Kingdom. They witnessed the power of Jesus subduing nations and transforming lives through His saving grace. Jesus came not just to change laws but to change hearts. External laws without internal transformation will not bring about lasting change in our culture. Only the Gospel can write God’s law on our hearts, empowering us to love genuinely and live righteously.

Resurrection Life: A Major Biblical Theme

Resurrection life is a significant biblical theme that is intricately connected to the birthing of the Kingdom. In Scripture, resurrection is often seen as a new birth from the dead. For instance, the restoration of Israel after exile showcases how God can bring life back into what seems hopeless. Even great kings like David and Solomon could not save the nation from sin because the hearts of the people were turned away from God.

America stands at a crossroads today, much like Israel did. The hope for our nation lies in massive repentance and a collective turning back to God. We must turn away from sin, rebellion, apathy, and doubt. Only through genuine repentance can we hope to see cultural transformation and the birthing of a new reality in our communities.

God’s Mercy and the Call to Repentance

God is merciful and desires to bring His people back to Him. He sends prophets and messengers to call us to repentance, just as He did with Israel. Despite our failures and rebellion, He offers us a way back to Him. The song of deliverance becomes a reminder of His promise to restore us if we turn to Him with all our hearts.

Take the example of Daniel, who, while in exile, understood through Scripture that God had promised to restore Jerusalem after seventy years. He didn’t sit passively; he prayed, fasted, and sought God’s face. His faith and actions became part of the process of restoration that God desired.

The Challenges of Rebuilding

When God starts birthing something new, expect challenges. The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem faced opposition from neighbors who did not share the same values. They sent letters to cease construction, and the people were discouraged. They thought that trouble was a sign that God was not in their efforts. But the truth is, when you engage in God’s work, you will face opposition.

Many people give up when the going gets tough. They think that if things were truly of God, there wouldn’t be any struggles. But the reality is that the enemy does not trouble those who are not a threat to him. If you are committed to building the Kingdom, you will encounter trials and tribulations. The key is to remain steadfast, keeping your eyes on Jesus and the mission He has given you.

Revelation as Key to Breakthrough

Revelation is crucial for breakthrough. God sent prophets like Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people in their rebuilding efforts. They reminded the people that it was time to focus on building God’s house rather than their own. When we neglect the work of God, we hinder the blessings He wants to pour out upon us. Haggai’s message was a wake-up call: “Consider your ways.” The people needed to realize that their struggles were tied to their neglect of God’s house.

Every time we prioritize our own desires over God’s work, we miss out on His blessings. God desires to bless us, but we must put Him first. The moment we turn back to Him and rebuild His house, we will see His favor and blessings flow into our lives.

Embracing the Birth Pains

As we pursue the birthing of the Kingdom, we must also embrace the birth pains that come with it. These pains signify growth, transition, and the process of bringing forth something new. They remind us that we are engaged in a spiritual battle and that the enemy will resist our efforts. But we must not lose heart. If we remain faithful and committed, we will witness the glory of God manifested in our lives and communities.

We must also be aware that the call to rebuild God’s house is a collective effort. It requires unity, prayer, and a willingness to work together. As we labor in faith, we will see God move mightily among us.

The Hope for America and the Church

The hope for America lies in the Church of Jesus Christ fulfilling its calling. We need to be united in prayer and committed to bringing forth a message that reflects the heart of God. This is not just about filling church pews; it’s about transforming lives and communities. We must dare to believe that God can and will bring revival in our time.

Let us rise to the challenge of rebuilding the Kingdom in our generation. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. We are called to be light in the darkness, ambassadors of hope and transformation. Together, let’s labor in faith, embracing the birth pains, and trusting that God will bring forth His Kingdom in our midst.

Prayer Ministry

As we conclude, we want to extend an invitation for prayer. If you feel burdened or struggling to believe that God can break through in your life or circumstances, we encourage you to seek prayer. Let’s come together, united in faith, and ask God to ignite our hearts, empower us for transformation, and help us believe in the possibilities He has in store for us.

Birthing the Kingdom

1. What does it look like when God is at work?
   1. God is doing a great work in our midst and it is very exciting.
   2. God wants to transform our culture. It may sound like foolishness to those without faith, but I can trace similar movements throughout the history of the church, and the radically committed always prevailed.
   3. Why did they prevail? Because the Kingdom belongs to the King!
   4. 1 Corinthians 15:24–26 (NIV) — 24 Then the end will come, when he (Jesus) hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
   5. Yet the victory of Jesus is worked out in the midst of His people. The kingdom is being birthed through labor pains.  We can better understand what this looks like by studying scripture.
2. Resurrection Life is a major biblical theme.
   1. Israel Restored as a nation after being sent into exile. What happened?
      1. They Forsook Gods commandments and precepts
      2. Had been warned in scriptures what would happen, but also what would happen with repentance (the song of Moses).

• Did not heed the prophets

1. Became worldly rather than manifesting the kingdom – injustice, tyranny, oppression, sin.
2. Even godly leaders could not stem the tide of corruption in the land.
3. Sent into Exile, but God went with them – Daniel

1. Daniel 9:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
   1. Notice how Daniel Responded to scripture.
   2. Isaiah about 200 years before prophesied about Cyrus

• Decree to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem.

1. Exiles return, build the altar and lay the foundation of the temple.

1. Trouble breaks out regarding the rebuilding of the temple.
2. The people quit building the temple and began focusing on building their own lives.
3. The prophetic ministry of Haggai and Zechariah got the work going again.

3. Haggai 1:2–11 (NKJV) — 2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 6 “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
   1. The people rebuild the temple in the midst of persecution. God actually turns the persecution around and forces them to fund the building and administration of the temple from local taxes.
   2. There is always constant warfare around morale, and it often centers around perspective.
4. Haggai 2:1–9 (NKJV) — 1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. 5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ 6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
   1. The result of success in rebuilding the temple was cultural transformation
5. Haggai 2:15–19 (NKJV) — 15 ‘And now, carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the Lord—16 since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord. 18 ‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it: 19 Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’”
6. Birthing the kingdom in our lives
   1. All creation groaning awaiting the revelation of God’s sons.
   2. Where births take place
      1. Personally
      2. Locally

• Generationally

1. Every member doing their part.
   1. Leaders
   2. Prophets

• People

1. Prayer

1. Overcomers
   1. Trouble and conflict
   2. Discouragement and morale

• Falling asleep

7. Committed to the message and forms that will harvest this generation.