Jesus’ Authority and the “Already, Not Yet” Kingdom

Jesus Christ possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, a foundational truth that empowers His followers to carry out the Great Commission to make disciples. This authority is not merely a static declaration but an active, dynamic power that sends believers into the world to continue Christ’s mission of redemption and transformation ([31:35] to [32:21]).

A significant question arises from this reality: If Jesus holds all authority, why does evil, corruption, and suffering persist in the world? This tension reflects the present brokenness of creation and the ongoing struggle between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness ([36:20] to [37:01]).

The New Testament scholar N.T. Wright provides a compelling explanation. Jesus is already reigning over the world, but His rule is not yet fully realized or completed. The world remains under the influence of death, corruption, greed, and wickedness. However, Jesus is actively working to reclaim and transform the world, bringing it under the rule of His life-giving love. This process is not instantaneous but progressive, reflecting the tension between the “already” and the “not yet” of God’s kingdom ([37:01] to [37:46]).

Crucially, this transformation advances only as Jesus’ followers participate in His mission. Believers are not passive recipients of salvation but active agents commissioned to extend Christ’s reign. The ongoing work of Christ to renew the world depends on the faithful obedience and witness of His disciples. They are the means through which God’s redemptive plan unfolds in history ([37:46] to [38:05]).

This understanding carries profound implications for the church and individual believers. The call to “go and make disciples” is a call to embody and extend the life-giving love of Christ in every sphere of influence. The mission of God is not limited to clergy or missionaries but includes every believer living out their faith in daily life—within families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. The transformation of the world is a gradual, ongoing process carried forward by ordinary people committed to living out Jesus’ love and truth ([38:05]; [50:06] to [50:47]).

Jesus’ authority is real and active, yet the full transformation of the world remains a work in progress. This work is carried out through the faithful discipleship and mission of His followers, who serve as vital participants in God’s redemptive plan. Believers are called to be agents of Christ’s life-giving love, extending His kingdom through their obedience, witness, and daily engagement with the world around them ([37:01] to [38:05]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from ExponentialChurch, one of 14 churches in Harrisburg, PA