As Christian believers, we are living in the time in which Christ is working to gather his church. The time in which the gospel is to be proclaimed and the nations called to faith and obedience. How long these last days will be is known only to the Father, and our task is not to pry into the unknown by fixating on rumours of war or talks of rapture. Our task is to support the proclamation of the kingdom. And we can do this in lots of different ways, many of which we see in the book of Acts.
Firstly, we can support kingdom proclamation with our prayers. By praying for the good news of Jesus Christ to be spread throughout our world. By praying for the work of the devil to be destroyed. By praying for more ministers of the Word to be trained, called, and sent. By praying for faithful Bible teaching in our church fellowship. By praying for and making use of opportunities to share the gospel with our friends and family. Prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us and one of the primary ways in which we support the proclamation of the kingdom.
Along with prayer, we can also support the proclamation of the kingdom through our giving. Money is needed to train and care for those who have been called to preach and teach God’s Word. When you give your tithe or make a donation to a theological seminary, you are helping to ensure that God’s church can continue to bear witness to Jesus Christ. If the Good News of the gospel has captured your heart, then it will quite naturally also be seen in your wallet.
Finally, we can and must support the proclamation of the kingdom with our words. It is the duty of every Christian to confess the name of Christ, to proclaim publicly that Jesus is my King.1 When we are known as Christians and live in obedience to his commands, we will win many opportunities to explain the reason for the hope that we have. Opportunities to invite people to come and hear the preaching of God’s Word, to listen to the testimony of the apostles.
Supporting the proclamation of the kingdom is our task and privilege until Christ returns, but it is by no means easy or comfortable. It is hard to set aside time for prayer when you do not see the results for which you were hoping. When there is suffering and struggle instead of glory, we become despondent. It is hard to give sacrificially when the cost of living continues to rise. It is hard to be known as a Christian when it comes with mocking and abuse. Supporting the proclamation of the kingdom will be costly for all of us.
With his ascension, however, Christ gives us great comfort and encouragement as we do so. The comfort of knowing that we have an advocate in heaven interceding on our behalf whenever we stumble and sin. The comfort of knowing that even now we are citizens and members in a kingdom that will never end and one day we will live in the New Jerusalem. The comfort of Christ’s presence by the Spirit. He has not left us alone; he is with us day by day.
Then there is the encouragement of his rule. Taken up into heaven and seated at the Father’s right hand, there is no part of this world outside of his control. He will work to build his church and he will graciously use our feeble efforts to do so. What a privilege to think that your prayers, your giving, your speaking will all be used by Christ to accomplish his purposes.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”