“In Jackson as it is in Heaven.” That’s the mission statement of our church, and it comes straight out of the short prayer Jesus himself taught us to pray.
The Kingdom of Heaven was Jesus’ favorite theme to preach on, but he rarely spoke on it in the way that we think. For him, it wasn’t just a Kingdom we went to when we died—it was a Kingdom breaking through into this world when we give King Jesus his way in our lives and surroundings. We continue to do this until King Jesus one day brings his full Kingdom to earth in his full omnipotence.
Our particular piece of earth at 1208 Greenwood Church is Jackson, MI, so we want the Kingdom of King Jesus to break out here. When people are healed of disease, Heaven breaks through. When people are delivered of demons, Heaven breaks through. When poverty is alleviated, Heaven breaks through. When justice is found, Heaven breaks through. When good works are done, Heaven breaks through. When the sick are cared for, the naked are clothed, the hungry are fed, the refugees are welcomed, the prisoners are rehabilitated, the sinners are forgiven, the homeless are homed, the drug addicts are recovered, the orphans find families, and the lowliest of people become pro-life issues, Heaven breaks through.
The Kingdom is coming and it starts now with us.
*This devotional was created out of the themes of Matthew 6:7-15 found in today’s reading at CommonPrayer.net. Below are the various AI-created pictures I typed into existence via Mid Journey to mock up artwork for today’s post.
Jamin Bradley 