Empire vs Kingdom
Published September 9, 2025
"Lord, I'm willing. Teach me again. In every season, there's always room for growth. Correction isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of readiness. No age, no stage, no title exempts us from learning. Even if you've heard it before, ask again: "God, show me where I need to change. Point out what I'm missing. Check my heart. Lord, humble me. I'm listening. Teach me again."
I was watching the TV show about King David on amazon prime a few weeks ago. I was amazed by David's pure heart and how he stayed true to his calling. In contrast, there was the powerful King Saul, who was chosen to lead but lost his way. His focus shifted to his own gain and reputation, which took me on a journey of thinking about "kingdom vs. empire" building and how easy it is to cross that line, sometimes without even noticing, and more often than not, not intentionally.
Matthew 16:18: "I will build My church." Jesus is the Master Builder. He is the Head of the Church, and the work is a divine effort, not just a human one. This truth should free us because it takes the pressure off of us. When we believe that we are solely responsible for building our lives, our ministries, or our churches, the burden can become overwhelming. We worry about our own strength, our abilities, and our resources. This can lead to anxiety, burnout, and a fear of failure. However, when we truly grasp the truth that Jesus said, "I will build My church," it means that the ultimate responsibility isn't on our shoulders. He is the one who initiates, sustains, and completes the work. and fill us with a desire to partner with Him.
PERSONALLY - How is God building us personally. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. God is constantly working in our lives, refining our character and strengthening our faith. This work happens in the quiet spaces with God. This personal connection is what fuels our action. Without it, we become like a dry well.
This is the tension between kingdom and empire building. A ministry example of this is when our passion for our specific ministry becomes so central that we start to build our own kingdom. Our actions are fueled by a desire for our ministry to be the "best." We might hoard resources, resist collaboration, and see our location's success as a personal victory rather than a win for the entire church. This focus on our own glory leads to a ministry that is self-sustained and self-glorifying. Prioritizing our personal connection with God ensures that our actions are a direct result of His leading, making our work truly kingdom-oriented, humble, and powerful.
What does it look like to prioritize your personal connection with God, especially when you're busy with ministry tasks?(Practices like prayer and Sabbath are great disciplines to help us stay on the path to kingdom building and avoid building our own empires.)
One of our leadership imperatives is clear on this: "Our church functions best when structure serves the Spirit." Our plans and programs are important, but they are servants of the Holy Spirit's purpose. When our processes become the main focus, we start building our own empires, not God's church. This is the moment pride and selfishness can creep in, and we become too attached to our own way of doing things to hear the Spirit leading in a new direction. Galatians 5:25 reminds us, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." Our plans and programs should always be in alignment with God's guidance.
Can you think of an example where a ministry's process or a plan had to be changed to follow what the Spirit was doing?
The story of King Saul is a powerful warning for us. God chose him, but Saul’s pride and impatience made him want to be in control. He started doing what he wanted, not what God wanted. The prophet Samuel told him in 1 Samuel 15:22-23: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is like the sin of idolatry." Saul prioritized his own way of doing things over simple obedience, and it cost him everything.
In contrast, David approached his battle with Goliath with a kingdom mindset. He said in 1 Samuel 17:47: “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” David understood his role was to trust God, and that any victory was for God's glory, not his own.
How can we ensure our ministry's success points back to God's glory and not our own?
The "kingdom vs. empire" mindset isn't just for ministry leaders; it applies to every part of our lives. At its core, the difference is whether our life is about building something for our own glory (an empire) or partnering with God to build what He wants (a kingdom).
In Your Career and Finances
- Empire: You chase promotions and higher salaries as the ultimate goal. Success is measured by your job title and how much money you make, because you believe your worth is tied to your achievements. You might work relentlessly, neglecting your health or your family, because you feel the pressure to provide for yourself alone.
- Kingdom: You see your job as a calling, a platform to serve others and honor God. You work diligently and excel, but you are not defined by your career. You're content with what you have because you trust that God is your ultimate provider. Your generosity is a key part of your finances, freely sharing with others rather than hoarding everything for yourself.
In your career, are you more focused on personal recognition or on the purpose of your work?
In Your Family Life
In Your Personal Time and Goals
- Empire: You fill every moment with activities, hobbies, or personal projects because you're driven by the need to prove your value. You have to be "hustling" all the time to feel a sense of purpose. You might feel a constant need to post your accomplishments on social media to get validation.
- Kingdom: You are comfortable with silence and rest. You intentionally create space to be with God, knowing that your identity comes from Him, not from your latest accomplishment. You use your personal time and talents to serve others and build relationships, rather than just for self-gain. Your actions are driven by purpose, not a need for approval.
What fills your time the most? Is it a pursuit of approval or a pursuit of purpose? How can you build rest into your week to listen to what God is speaking to you?
When we choose a kingdom mindset, we're choosing to be a community of multipliers. This means we're unified in our vision, values, and mission. It's a powerful testament to God's Kingdom. An empire focuses on gaining power and credit for itself. It views other ministries as competition and is unwilling to share resources or celebrate their wins. Think of a worship team that refuses to share its best musicians with the children's ministry because they want to protect their own production quality.
A kingdom, however, expands through collaboration and generosity. It celebrates the wins of others as its own, knowing that when one part of the body thrives, the whole is strengthened. The mindset here is simple: "A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL." This looks like a ministry leader happily sharing resources and training with another location, or different departments within the church collaborating on a project without caring who gets the credit. For someone not in ministry, it could look like celebrating a friend's career promotion with genuine excitement, even if your own job isn’t going great, or sharing your professional connections to help someone else, rather than holding onto them for your own benefit. We are not building our own separate castles; our unified effort builds God’s church. Our role is to show up, grounded in our identity in Him, and ensure our processes serve His powerful work. We are building the kingdom, not silos.
Let me read that prayer over you again.
"Lord, I'm willing, teach me again. In every season, there's always room for growth. Correction isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of readiness. No age, no stage, no title exempts us from learning. Even if you've heard it before, ask again: "God, show me where I need to change. Point out what I'm missing. Check my heart. Lord, humble me. I'm listening. Teach me again."