[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by OBW

But there is almost no one talking about hungering and thirsting for righteousness, or living a kingdom life now (unless they are talking about acting as if they are one of those in the throne room in Revelation just constantly falling on their faces saying "holy, holy, holy, is the Lord . . . ."). Not saying we should never do that. But that is not the life lived "in the light" so that others can see. It is not the city on a hill. Those are what happens when the Christians live righteous and just lives, and are one with each other even when they don't agree on everything.

Yes, the ultimate kingdom is yet to come. But our real concern, living, and even preaching should be primarily about the one we live in today. It was and still is the main thing that was preached. It was the call for us to bear the image of God — or Christ the visible God — here on earth, not just to seek to be ready for the kingdom in the heavens. That activity too often does not seem to affect our current lives. It seems that getting ready for the kingdom to come at the expense of this one is the reason that people seem to like our Christ, but not so much the Christians he seems to gather.

Good stuff Mike. My home church just got through with a 1 year + study of "The Sermon on the Mount", and I feel like we just scratched the surface. One major thing that I think kind of dovetails into what your have brought forth is illustrated in "The Beatitudes" - a call to action NOW, a call to "represent" (for lack of better word) ourselves as Kingdom people - - with the certain promise of a future reward. This does correspond to the oft used "already/yet to come" nature of our salvation, transformation and glorification illustrated most completely by the apostle Paul.

Blessed are...
....the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
....those who mourn: for they will be comforted.
....the meek: for they will inherit the earth.
....those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled.
....the merciful: for they will be shown mercy.
....the pure in heart: for they will see God.
....the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God.

These are all attributes of the true and original God-Man, Jesus Christ. As a human being, he exemplified how we are to be acting towards our fellow man as a representative of the King. "Pray in this way, Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". God's Kingdom is firmly established in the heavens, yet it is his holy mandate that his will should be done - should be fully accomplished - here on earth. As I see it, not until his will is fully accomplished will the Kingdom fully come to earth. In the end, Christ will indeed subdue all things under him, even death with be subdued, but to some degree his Kingdom must come to earth - he must subdue and reign among a people whom he has called and chosen. This is what the age is all about, and this is the beginning of the Gospel.

But there is almost no one talking about hungering and thirsting for righteousness, or living a kingdom life now.

I wouldn't be so sure of this Mike. I just explained how my home church got through with a marathon study of The Sermon on the Mount. The two teaching Pastors are in their mid to late 30s, and are part of a large and burgeoning move among young pastors, teachers and scholars who are emphasizing the very things you have spoken of. These young brothers are coming from almost every branch and flavor of Christianity. Most of this is emerging from what some might consider the reformed tradition, but it is also emerging from other traditions and lines as well. God is on the move! His will WILL be done.