Kingdom Thinking
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: Now let me explain this before someone gets the wrong concept. One of the greatest dangers in life is the misunderstanding of a concept. Because of misunderstandings we have many different belief systems, different religious ideas, people have been called heretic, crazy, looney, and many other names all because there is a misunderstanding of concept. Concepts are defined as abstract ideas or general notions that occur in the mind, in speech, or in thought. They are understood to be the fundamental building blocks behind principles, thoughts and beliefs.
Now hear what I am about to say - I am tired of Church! I am tired of the ritualistic mindset that so many of us have operated in nearly all our lives. I am not the only one but there are many people today that are tired of church and have developed a Kingdom mindset, however; many still have not come into the light and are operating as usual. Understand, a Kingdom mindset is one that is void of religious rituals, practices and focuses on the God the King, His Word, and His Will. The person who possesses a Kingdom mindset isn’t being controlled by religion or its traditions but is led by the Spirit of the living God - the Holy Ghost.
Doctrine and traditions have become the focus in many churches and not the message of the Kingdom. Now before I go any further let me say this some of what we call traditional is foundational and you need the Spirit of God inside to be able to decern what is foundational and what is traditional. We must understand that tradition without a God experience only serves to make us more religious and satisfies church or religious etiquette. Many people practice to nearly a fault church but fall short of a God experience or misunderstand an emotional reaction from the touch of the Holy Ghost and become satisfied with a good service.
The message of the Kingdom is more than a good service, it is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
SCRIPTURE:- Philippians 2:1-11 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
WHAT IS KINGDOM THINKING?
Kingdom Thinking is having the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ was a mind that was willing to do the Will of God. He didn’t strive for vainglory, but was meek and lowly, compassionate, and understanding. His mind was to please God.
According to American Heritage Dictionary A Mindset is: A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines or decides in advance a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations.
A Kingdom Mindset or Kingdom Thinking is a fixed mental attitude or disposition ruled by God, governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans and desires, that predetermines or decides in advance a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations.
Kingdom Thinking is having a Submissive mind. Understand that submission is not slavery but is the free-will of one to bring into compliance their will with those over them in order to accomplish that which needs to be accomplished. Jesus was God in the flesh, for the Bible says in John 1:1-2 & 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” When Jesus came into the world, he disrobed Himself of His glory and came in the likeness of man, the flesh, to suffer and be tempted in every way we are yet without sin. He wasn’t self-centered or stubborn, but submissive to the will of God. Christ understood that His purpose was to be slain from the foundation of the world and was obedient to God; therefore, was as a lamb lead before the shearer dumb never mumbling a word. Kingdom Thinking is having a submissive mind that is an obedient mind, for obedience is better than sacrifice. An obedient or submissive mind says Lord whatever you ask of me it shall be done, faithful and true I’ll do what you want me to do till my day is done WHY cause Lord I’m yours and I want to be pleasing unto you.
WATCH THIS: Our eternity was predicated on the submissive and obedient mind of Christ, if Christ would not have been submissive to the cross, death, burial, and resurrection we would be lost. Thank you, Jesus, for saying “Not my will (mind) but Your will (mind) be done.” The measure of your Kingdom Thinking is equal to the amount of the mind of Christ that we possess. If you are not willing to be submissive than you don’t have the mind of Christ and you are not Kingdom Thinking.
If anyone could have had reason not to be submissive Jesus did because He had to give up His heavenly home for an earthly manger (which has great spiritual significance it represented that He is the spiritual food that life sustaining substance). He had to give up His heavenly glory for suffering and shame. He had to give up His sonship and His majesty for a curse. He didn’t do it with an attitude, He didn’t grumble or complain, but freely He gave Himself under submission. The question is: - To be Kingdom Thinking you must have the mind of Christ - what are you willing to give up? Are you submissive to the Will of God? Are you obedient? Are you Kingdom Thinking?
Kingdom Thinking is having a Self-abased mind. The Bible says in verse #7: but made himself of no reputation. Kingdom Thinking is a mind that does not seek self-exaltation. Kingdom Thinking is a selfless attitude, it’s not about me, it’s not about a title or position, but it’s about how to impact people and the Kingdom of God. Jesus didn’t come to make Himself a name, often-times when He healed someone, He would tell them not to tell anyone who did it, and His desire was to point people to the Father, not to achieve popularity or prosperity. The word “reputation” comes from a Greek word called “dokeo”, which means to think, regard, or seem good. In its simplest form it is to be concerned with what others think of you. Understand that this doesn’t mean you develop the I don’t care attitude; I don’t care if people dislike me, but rather means you don’t strive for the fanfare, glitter, fortune, and fame. The Bible says in Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul”? A song we use to sing a long time ago said, “I’m not asking for high men to know my name”. Kingdom Thinking says I just want to be used by God and pleasing unto Him.
Jesus didn’t come into the world to achieve earthly splendor and prestige; however, He came to save those that were lost. Isaiah 53:2 says: “When we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” In other words what the world categorizes as beauty, splendor, and magnificence there is none. If we look at the birth of Jesus Christ and His earthly life, we have a glorious example of what we need to strive to be. His entrance into this world was a humble self-denying one, we are not to strive to look good in the sight of man but do good in the sight of man that they may see God in us and glorify him. His death was one of shame and a curse, but His works were awesome, redemptive, miraculous and glorifying.
The Bible says in Matthew 16:24 says: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” A self-denial or self-abased attitude does not mean that you don’t take care of yourself and do for yourself, but to deny yourself the pleasure of popularity and fortune, like Paul said, count it all as dung for the Excellency of Jesus Christ. The cross is a symbol of shame and disgrace; it showed that the one carrying was a disgrace in the sight of society. To take up the cross is to be considered in the sight of man a disgrace. Jesus said you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. Therefore, Kingdom Thinking is a self-abased or self-denying mind is that is not looking to be popular in the eyes of man, denominations, or church.
Are you Kingdom Thinking? Are you striving for popularity and prosperity or are you pointing people to God the Father?
Kingdom Thinking is to have a Servile mind. The word “Servile” is befitting a slave or servant: Submissive. Jesus Christ’s mind and purpose was to serve mankind. He didn’t come into the world for His own purpose, but to do the Will of the Father.
The word “Serve” means to work, to render obedience and worship to God, to comply with the commands or demands of, to perform an act, to put into, to be of use, to benefit, to prove adequate or satisfactory, to make ready, to furnish or supply with, to wait upon, to contribute. Kingdom Thinking is the desire to serve people, Jesus, during the last supper proved this in an awesome way. There arose a confusion among the disciple of which one of them was the greater one and who has the greatest position. Jesus had to show them that it’s not about position, but about service; therefore, He began to wash their feet to benefit them and supply them with something, Kingdom Thinking with the knowledge of servitude.
Jesus’ servitude was done willingly, he never had to be prodded or pumped up to do the will of the Father. He understood His purpose and did what He knew had to be done without reservation. Kingdom Thinking should never have to be prodded or begged into service.
Kingdom Thinking is a Sacrificial mind. The word “sacrifice” means a total commitment. Understand that a sacrifice must be freely given, it must be completely given, and it must be given at a cost. Jesus Christ knew that His purpose was to be sacrificed, even so He freely gave Himself, completely gave Himself, and at the ultimate cost gave Himself. The Bible says in Revelation 13:8 that He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. Isaiah 53:7-10 says: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearer is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”
Jesus Christ had the mind to do the Will of the Father. Kingdom Thinking is to do the Will of God. We must not try to contend for popularity and prosperity for ourselves, but to please God. The Bible says in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Religious Thinking will apply the Word when it is convenient. Kingdom minded people live and breathe by His Word. They don’t attend religious services, believing that is what keeps them in right-standing with the King, because they realize religious gatherings have nothing to do with their relationship with the King. Religious leaders take the Lord God’s Constitution as a foundation for their denominational doctrines and add things that have nothing to do with Kingdom living.
With a Kingdom Thinking we realize our whole being belongs to the King and nothing or no one comes before it.
Kingdom Thinking is focused on Christ more than anything or anyone else. Every thought is shaped with His presence in mind. Getting even more practical, it means considering what Jesus thinks about things more than how we think. We do that by simply asking Him. Jesus, how would you handle this problem? Jesus, what do I do about that troublesome person? Jesus, what should I say to my boss?
Kingdom Thinking is first and foremost a growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset. With a growth mindset, we are willing to be challenged, to learn, to be humble and teachable.
Kingdom Thinking understands what it means to be humble and operates in the spirit of humility. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5.
Pride, arrogance, is the spirit of the kingdom of the devil. The devil, Lucifer, was cast down from heaven because of his pride Isaiah 14:12-15.
If you want Kingdom Thinking you must activate the spirit of humility. Matthew 18:2-5 “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me”
Without cultivating the spirit of humility, you won’t be able to serve in the Kingdom of God because even the frontline leaders in the Kingdom of God are expected to be chief-servants, servant-leaders. Jesus says, Matthew 23:11-12 says “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”.
