030 Whose Kingdom Are You Building?

The Watchman Discusses the difference between building God's Kingdom and building your own. Do you not know?

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Transcript

030 Whose Kingdom Are You Building?

Welcome to the Watchman Speaks! I’m your host, Lonnie Richardson.

I’m going to take a moment and pat myself on the back here for a moment. This episode is the 30th episode of The Watchman Speaks. According to my research, most podcasts have either quit or run out of steam at this point. According to my research, it is between the 30th and 50th episodes that most podcasts die altogether. However, it has also been found in my research that somewhere between episodes 40 and 50 that most podcasts that do make it seem to find their stride and begin to become “discovered” and gain listeners.

All that does not really mean much to me. I don’t do the podcast to gain followers and I certainly don’t do it to make the big bucks. Thus far, my expenditures have been growing while the income still remains at zero. You know what that means? It means that I don’t produce a podcast in an attempt to become famous or wealthy. God did not call me to be a Watchman to be wealthy or famous. God called me to be faithful. So, I shall be.

Anyway, the Lord has blessed me to make it through 30 episodes. That’s more than a good many others have done. If you think it’s easy, give it a try. Let me know how you do. If I offend anyone in the words I speak as a Watchman, I make no apologies. Your problem is not with me. Your problem is between you and God. Take it up with Him. All I do is look into His Word and tell you what I find there.

So, what’s going on with The Old Watchman? Well, here three or four weeks ago I met with an old friend that I’d not seen in a few years. I almost didn’t recognize him. He’d lost about 100 pounds! When I got home, I looked in the mirror and realized that I’d probably gained 70 pounds since I last saw him. When I met my sweet little Swedish wife some 28 years ago, I was six feet tall and weighed 210 pounds. As I’d looked into the mirror I realized that thanks to a broken neck, multiple knee surgeries, and a total knee replacement, I’m five feet ten and a half inches tall and weighed 275-ish pounds. 

I was reminded of 1st Corinthians 6:19-20. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

I know that, in context, this verse pertains specifically to the avoidance of sexual immorality. However, I could not escape the results of my past gluttony or lack of exercise in my accumulated girth. I had allowed the temple to fall into a state of neglect and disrepair due to the repairs that were necessary to keep the temple open for service. I had to do something about that. So, I ordered a bicycle. 

The bike came in and I put it together only to come to the realization that I’d ordered the wrong size bike. The frame was too large. When I throw my leg over the top bar, I have to stand on the tips of my toes and even that was painful. The painful truth was that the bike was too big for me to ride safely. Cheryl asked me, “Why don’t you go to a bike shop and get fitted for a bike?” I rolled my eyes because I’d gotten a bargain on the bike that was too big on the internet. A bike from a bike shop would cost almost double the amount. But she wouldn’t let it go. So, we made a trip to a local bike shop and came home with a new bike that fits. I got on, found the low gear, and made it to the top of the driveway before I gave out and had to return to home base. But I didn’t quit. I rode to the top of the driveway three times that day. The next day I conquered the driveway and made it down to the next street. Each day I’ve made it a little further down the street before having to return. Still haven’t gotten out of low gear yet. But I’ve lost 8 pounds in the last 12 days! That’s a start! That’s a win.

The goal is to lose 62 more pounds before my sixty-second birthday on May 2 of next year. I think I can do it. Cheryl says that we’ll celebrate and she’ll buy me a new wardrobe. When she said that, I wondered, “Why?” All I do is work, go to church, produce this podcast, and do a little woodworking in the shop. Why spend that money on fancy clothes that I will only wear occasionally? Honestly, if I were to spend any money at all celebrating I think I’d rather spend it on some tools, or wood, or perhaps a gravel bike to travel various sections of the country on. Who knows? We’ll probably go out and have a nice steak dinner, buy a pieces of wood, and curl on the sofa and watch a movie. That’s how us old folks roll.

Anyway, I’m working on re-building or restoring the temple. Meanwhile, I’m still watching from the wall and I’m still issuing warnings when needed. Which brings me to the topic of today’s episode which is building kingdoms.

You do realize, beloved, that we are living in today’s world as aliens in a foreign land awaiting for a kingdom to come? Don’t you? Or, let me say it this way. You do realize that we should be living expectantly of a kingdom that is coming, don’t you? You should.

Now some will say that the Church is God’s kingdom on this earth. I understand how most come by that line of thinking. There are Scriptural references that allude to that thought. However, let’s look at that concept with a clear eye for detail. Let’s look at the church. I mean the whole church. That means the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox church, the Anglican church, and all of the independent non-denominational churches and the gazillion different denominations and offshoots of the Protestant church. Let’s look at the church. 

Here's what I’ve seen in the past fifty years. I didn’t hear about it, I’ve seen it. I’ve seen despot preachers. I’ve seen active nepotism. I’ve seen continual sexual immorality not only within the pews but from behind the pulpit. I’ve seen church leadership lauding their authority over their flocks. I’ve witnessed the storing of treasures. I’ve seen misappropriation of funds. On occasion, I’ve seen churches that are basically money laundering operations. Does that sound like God’s kingdom? If that’s God kingdom, then I seriously question whether or not I want to be a part of that kingdom. 

Having said that I have to digress and say that the church is probably the only foothold that God has in the earth. That being said, from what I’ve seen, it’s a shaky footing. But not all churches are corrupt, overbearing, sinful, prideful, and self-serving. That gives me hope. What I’m getting around to is this. Whose kingdom does the church think it’s building? 

I’ve seen instances where the pastor basically owns the church. He is the highest authority and he makes certain that it is known that he is the highest authority. They do not answer to a board of directors. The Board of Directors are hand picked and are “yes” people or he will replace the Board of Directors IF there is actually even an active Board. Question that authority or the teaching and you’ll be asked to move your stookas elsewhere. Stookas, that’s Yiddish for your backside. That’s not building God’s kingdom. That a man building a legacy. 

On the other hand, I’ve seen churches where the pastor, for lack of additional support, signs all leases and agreements with his name, submits before a board of directors or a board of elders, and loves the flock entrusted to him to no end. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention. He does not set his own salary. The Board does that and he does the best he can do with what comes in. That’s a man who is laboring for the kingdom. 

Enough about the church. Let’s talk about you and me as individuals. Whose kingdom are you building? Are you building God’s kingdom or are you building your own? Tough question. 

Here’s what I’m doing. I read, pray, study, worship, and praise God everyday. I don’t say that to boast other than I boast in the Lord. I prayerfully produce this podcast using my time, resources and money and I don’t ask anything of anyone or ask for donations. Freely I have received, freely I shall give. Occasionally, I might speak out of turn. When I do, I have men whom I walk with, whom I know, whom I trust that will correct me. I thank God for them. Oh yeah, between myself and those men, correction works both ways. I encourage younger men in the church. I offer them wise counsel. I lift them up in prayer and stand by them to strengthen them. And when I am out and about whether it be at work or running errands, I cannot help but share the gospel and love of Christ with all who will stop and talk for a few minutes.  

Again, I’m not bragging. I’m merely stating facts. Cheryl and I pay tithes, give gifts of giving, and give first fruits offerings. We do so in joyful obedience grateful and thankful that we have it to give. We do not give with the idea that our giving is a slot machine and God is going to bless us with financial wealth. God promised BLESSINGS to those who give with a joyful heart. He never said anything about wealth. You may disagree with me on that issue and that’s okay. I don’t mind if you disagree with me. But bear in mind when God speaks of blessings that He is not speaking merely in financial terms. 

“You have not because you ask not.” Everyone loves that verse, right? That’s all well and good but that’s not what it says in context. Here’s what it actually says. 

James 4:2-3 “You lust and o not have; so you commit murder. You are envious (that’s coveting in Old Testament language) and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. (Here’s the clincher) You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 

Which would you rather have? Money or good health? Money or an empty belly? Money or a roof over your head? You might say, “With money I can feed myself and have a roof over my head.” That may be true. But money won’t buy you good health. Money won’t bring the prodigal home. Money won’t repair trust that has been broken. There are a lot of things that money can’t do. Money in and of itself is not a bad thing. It’s the love of money and worldly things that is evil.  

Let me tell you about my nephew, Jamie Hooks. Jamie has been an alcoholic and drug addict for most of his adult life. He’s five years younger than I am. I’m sixty one so I suppose he is around 56 years old. My dearly departed brother, whom we buried this past May, and I have prayed for Jamie to come around for over three decades. Thirty years we prayed for him. In July 2022 Jamie hanged himself. My brother and sister-in-law cut him down and miraculously Jamie survived without any long term lasting effects. He went into rehab, again. But this time Jamie found the Lord, or the Lord found him. Jamie works at a cricket/bait farm. He rose from the position of packaging crickets to head of the cricket raising operations rapidly. He has his own apartment that he pays for. He pays his own bills. Something he has never been able to do. He lost his driver’s license for having too many DUI’s, so he rides a bicycle to and from work every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot, cold, wet, or dry. He commutes to and from work every day on his bicycle unashamedly. He’s doing good. 

He works with a ministry called Black Sheep Ministries in Sterlington, Louisiana. Its’ a church that his cousin, Tim Stampley, pastors. Tim was once one of the biggest drug dealers in Northeast Louisiana. But no longer. Together, Tim and Jamie have lead over seventy addicts to Christ and baptized them. But tighten your seat belts, that’s only been since May. Today, Jamie will tell you that he raises crickets to have a place to stay and something to eat, but he works for Jesus. Now people, THAT’s building the Kingdom of God! 

Not only do those addicts get out of rehab clean they come out cleansed. Not only do they go back out into the world, but if they choose, they have Black Sheep Ministries to hold them accountable, help them maintain jobs, and give them a place to meet others like them where they will not be judged for their past deeds and where they can worship God. THAT’S building God’s Kingdom! I pray for Tim and Jamie every day. Will you not join me in doing so? 

Over the past fifty years, since I was old enough to pay attention, I’ve seen and heard people talking about building or furthering God’s Kingdom. Really? For the most part, and I said, for the most part, that is not what I’m seeing or hearing. What I’m seeing and hearing, for the most part, is people building their kingdom or their legacy. 

What does that look like? Well, I’ll tell you.  

I see pastors who are more concerned with their side hustles, businesses, and book deals than they are concerned with the flock that they are charged to under shepherd. I see deacons, elders, and teachers more concerned about obtaining speaking engagements than tending to the flocks along with the under shepherds. I see successful business men using the church as a means to escape taxes while not lifting a hand to help those who are genuinely trying and struggling to make ends meet. I see the church, for the most part, acting in a “what’s in it for me?” attitude. I see a church waiting on God to promote them, bless them financially, and hand them a life on easy street. 

James addresses this as well in James 3:13- 18. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavoir his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure; then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” 

Jealousy and selfish ambition permeate the church throughout the world. I know for I was once part of all that. I wanted to be the rock star preacher out of selfish ambition. However, I came to realize that I’m not a preacher, rock star or otherwise. I’m a Watchman. I watch and warn. And most of the time I’m despised for it. 

A lot of people in the church have told me, “You can’t judge me.” To which I reply, “Go read your Bible.” 

1st Corinthians 6:1-8 “Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judge by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.  

I hired a man, a brother in Christ, to do some work for me, fixing a water drainage and erosion problem that I have. Paid him over $5000.00 to do it. However, the drainage has not been improved nor has the erosion problem. I confronted him, peaceably about the problem and he will not even come to see his failed efforts. I told him that I hoped that he had gotten some benefit out of the $5000.00 that I paid him because I had gotten no benefit out of my investment. He refuses, to even meet with me to talk about it. I wish him well. I’m not going to take him into small claims court. “Why not be wronged? Why not be defrauded?” Those words ring in my ears. My question is, “Why lose a brother who has wronged me?” 

Here's the chilling part. James 6:9-10. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Sounds to me as if Paul is giving us parameters to judge within the church. And you know what? That is kind of what Peter was talking about in 1 Peter 4:17-18. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not OBEY the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?”

Judgement begins in the House of God. Paul gave us parameters. Ultimately, Jesus will judge us all. Don’t believe that I invite you to do a little digging your Bible for yourself.

WHOSE KINGDOM ARE YOU BUILDING? Are you building God’s kingdom? Or are you asking God to build for you your own little mini kingdom here on earth? If you believe that God exists to promote you, or give you everything that you want or to give you a life on easy street I’m afraid you have been deceived.

Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I hate to burst the bubble, but it’s a fact. You may desire the nice house, the fine cars, the lifestyle with bling. Those are treasures of this earth. They will eventually decay or corrode away. Is that where your heart is? Whose kingdom are you building?

Look at Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." 

 That kind of puts a whole new wrinkle on what James was talking about in Chapter 4 when he’s talking about asking with impure motive so that one can spend their gains on their own pleasures doesn’t it? 

Now I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with a nice home or a nice vehicle or nice things. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with having nice things. But when having nice things is what drives you day in and day out, if paying for nice things takes up your waking moments that you have little time for anything else, could it be that you’re building your kingdom instead of God’s kingdom? Whose kingdom are you building?

I hear people say all the time, “I don’t have the time to pray.” Why don’t you? You have the same amount of time in twenty four hours that everyone else does. Could it be that you have allowed other things to exert demands on your time? I’ve heard it often said, “I don’t have time to read the Bible.” Why don’t you? Is that television or computer screen calling you to devote time to it rather than devoting time to God’s Word?

I mean, let’s just be honest here. I’m not even talking about attacks of the devil here. I’m talking about the flesh, the “old man” that overrides the Spirit to do what the flesh wants. What’s wrong with allowing the Spirit to overrule the flesh? Some have admitted to me that such is boring to them. You know what? I’ve said it myself. But somehow, I overcame the flesh to allow the Spirit to teach me and for the life of me I can’t remember how I once thought that it was boring! 

Now, I have to say that I find it fascinating, inspiring, refreshing, and….well….energizing! 

But I understand. It’s easy to get distracted by the things of this world. Take that bicycle that Cheryl bought for me. Yes, I need to ride that bike. Yes, I need to do some restoration on this temple. But here’s what I caught myself doing. I caught myself thinking about riding some of the “rails to trails” rides next year. Those are bike trails that are now defunct rail road passages that have been turned into trails that people can bike. Some of them are quite lengthy. There’s the Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania to Maryland of some 160 miles. There is the Katie Trail in Missouri that is over 200 miles. I thought about how neat it would be to take a week here and there and ride some of these trails, camping out along the way. That would be fun. I even thought about buying a new gravel bike and all the necessary gear to make the trips with, that is if I meet my goal of losing 62 more pounds before my 62nd birthday in May. However, I quickly realized that one could spend days, weeks, or months planning such outings and acquiring the gear to complete such an outing. That’s time and money spent that would take away from my time with God. No outing, no bicycle, no adventure is worth that. Not to me. Right now, I’m just going to concentrate on racking up miles on my bike, losing the tonnage, and improving my fitness.  

Maybe I’ll acquire a gravel bike and camping gear to ride the Allegheny or the Katy trails. Maybe one day I’ll bike the Natchez Trace Parkway, all 440 miles of it. Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. But for the time being I’m going to ride my bike, lose the weight, improve my fitness and praise God for the results. I still get out into the wood shop and build things. I like doing that too. But I’m not going to deprive myself of my relationship with God for any past time or earthly dream. 

But you know, it’s just that easy to become distracted long enough to become obsessed with something else. It’s just that easy to lose the rest that I have in God and find myself in unrest. I’m not having it. 

Whose Kingdom are you building, God’s kingdom or your own? 

I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. You have been warned.

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