Empire building and kingdom building are two distinct concepts that have been used interchangeably throughout history, but they have different meanings, especially when viewed from a Christian perspective. In essence, empire building is a quest for power and domination, while kingdom building is a quest for justice, love, and righteousness.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between empire building and kingdom building from a Christian perspective.
Empire building, as the name implies, is the pursuit of power, wealth, and influence at any cost. It is the desire to create a vast, dominant, and centralized system of governance that controls every aspect of society. Empires are often built through conquest, colonization, and subjugation of weaker nations and peoples. They are characterized by authoritarian rule, centralized power, and a disregard for individual liberties and freedoms.
It is the desire to create a society that reflects the values and principles of the kingdom of God.
Kingdom building, on the other hand, is the pursuit of justice, love, and righteousness. It is the desire to create a society that reflects the values and principles of the kingdom of God. Kingdom building is based on the belief that God’s kingdom is not of this world, and that we are called to work towards its establishment here on earth. It is characterized by selfless service, love, compassion, and a commitment to social justice.
From a Christian perspective, there are several key differences between empire building and kingdom building. Firstly, empire building is driven by a desire for power and control, while kingdom building is driven by a desire to serve and love others. Jesus himself exemplified the principles of kingdom building when he said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” – Mark 9:35
Secondly, empire building is often characterized by violence and oppression, while kingdom building is characterized by peace and justice. The Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Kingdom builders seek to promote peace, justice, and equality for all, while empire builders seek to maintain their power and control at all costs, even if it means exploiting and oppressing others.
Thirdly, empire building is often motivated by selfish ambition, while kingdom building is motivated by love for God and others. The Apostle Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Kingdom builders seek to love and serve others, even if it means sacrificing their own interests and desires.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” – Philippians 2:3
In conclusion, empire building and kingdom building are two distinct concepts that have different meanings, especially when viewed from a Christian perspective. While empire building is characterized by a desire for power, control, and domination, kingdom building is characterized by a desire for justice, love, and righteousness. As Christians, we are called to be kingdom builders, working towards the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth, through selfless service, love, and compassion.
As some of you may have noticed there has been a lack of activity and development here at Manna Central and right from the get go I would like to apologise for that.
When Manna Central launched I reached out to fellow Christians and various Christian organisations for help and assistance in providing content and resources that we could make available for visitors to the website, things however did not go according to plan.
Unfortunately I was met with a lot of negativity, in some cases even hostility, and on occasion even silence from those I reached out to.
Then there were the financial problems, I had not realised just how much financially was needed to not only meet the basic costs of running the website but also the costs involved in developing it further.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not totally financially naïve, I had the basic website costs covered for 2 years but even so, with the current cost of living crisis and other issues, I just did not have the finances in place to develop Manna Central as I had hoped.
Given all of this my mental health took a battering and I started to doubt what I had started in Manna Central, I began to doubt myself and sadly I began to doubt God.
I had all of these doubts and I could not understand how I had got things so wrong, it got to a point where I was ready to just give up, not just on Manna Central, but life in general….. I had simply just had enough.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.– Proverbs 3:5 NIV
A couple of weeks ago though something changed, something shifted in me and I felt compelled to go along to a meeting that was being co-hosted by a friend of mine and God was surely at work because whilst there the speaker delivered a message that spoke directly to me.
Even though I wanted to give up because of the situation and trials I was facing I got a sense of don’t give up!
Despite things not going to plan, and no matter what the situation looked like, God is at work in my life.
Things are not over until God says it is over!
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. – Matthew 17:20 NIV
Although it seemed to me there was this massive mountain towering over me, that I stood no chance surmounting, I was reminded that what I should have been doing was telling that mountain about my God!
So in closing I would just like to ask you to please hold the work of Manna Central and I in your prayers, and that I will have the discernment and wisdom to hear Gods will.
Most Christians know the prayer by heart in their own language, and it is used today by every Christian tradition, though there are sometimes minor variations in the wording.
Here are the two most common variations of The Lord’s Prayer.
Traditional
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Contemporary
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Today is the day that Manna Central officially opens it’s doors (well website) to the world.
We are looking forward to reaching out and working with various Christian organisations, pastors, churches and Christians from around the world.
Please have a look around the website and feel free to send us your comments, ideas, suggestions or any questions you may have, you can get in touch via our contact page, we can then all work together and help each other grow in our relationship with the Lord.
These are exciting times, so let us all work together and support each other as we strive to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving.
Empire vs Kingdom
7 March 2023
By Manna Central
Empire building and kingdom building are two distinct concepts that have been used interchangeably throughout history, but they have different meanings, especially when viewed from a Christian perspective. In essence, empire building is a quest for power and domination, while kingdom building is a quest for justice, love, and righteousness.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between empire building and kingdom building from a Christian perspective.
Empire building, as the name implies, is the pursuit of power, wealth, and influence at any cost. It is the desire to create a vast, dominant, and centralized system of governance that controls every aspect of society. Empires are often built through conquest, colonization, and subjugation of weaker nations and peoples. They are characterized by authoritarian rule, centralized power, and a disregard for individual liberties and freedoms.
Kingdom building, on the other hand, is the pursuit of justice, love, and righteousness. It is the desire to create a society that reflects the values and principles of the kingdom of God. Kingdom building is based on the belief that God’s kingdom is not of this world, and that we are called to work towards its establishment here on earth. It is characterized by selfless service, love, compassion, and a commitment to social justice.
From a Christian perspective, there are several key differences between empire building and kingdom building. Firstly, empire building is driven by a desire for power and control, while kingdom building is driven by a desire to serve and love others. Jesus himself exemplified the principles of kingdom building when he said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Secondly, empire building is often characterized by violence and oppression, while kingdom building is characterized by peace and justice. The Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Kingdom builders seek to promote peace, justice, and equality for all, while empire builders seek to maintain their power and control at all costs, even if it means exploiting and oppressing others.
Thirdly, empire building is often motivated by selfish ambition, while kingdom building is motivated by love for God and others. The Apostle Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Kingdom builders seek to love and serve others, even if it means sacrificing their own interests and desires.
In conclusion, empire building and kingdom building are two distinct concepts that have different meanings, especially when viewed from a Christian perspective. While empire building is characterized by a desire for power, control, and domination, kingdom building is characterized by a desire for justice, love, and righteousness. As Christians, we are called to be kingdom builders, working towards the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth, through selfless service, love, and compassion.
Don’t Give up….. It’s Not Over!
22 February 2023
By Manna Central
As some of you may have noticed there has been a lack of activity and development here at Manna Central and right from the get go I would like to apologise for that.
When Manna Central launched I reached out to fellow Christians and various Christian organisations for help and assistance in providing content and resources that we could make available for visitors to the website, things however did not go according to plan.
Unfortunately I was met with a lot of negativity, in some cases even hostility, and on occasion even silence from those I reached out to.
Then there were the financial problems, I had not realised just how much financially was needed to not only meet the basic costs of running the website but also the costs involved in developing it further.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not totally financially naïve, I had the basic website costs covered for 2 years but even so, with the current cost of living crisis and other issues, I just did not have the finances in place to develop Manna Central as I had hoped.
Given all of this my mental health took a battering and I started to doubt what I had started in Manna Central, I began to doubt myself and sadly I began to doubt God.
I had all of these doubts and I could not understand how I had got things so wrong, it got to a point where I was ready to just give up, not just on Manna Central, but life in general….. I had simply just had enough.
A couple of weeks ago though something changed, something shifted in me and I felt compelled to go along to a meeting that was being co-hosted by a friend of mine and God was surely at work because whilst there the speaker delivered a message that spoke directly to me.
Even though I wanted to give up because of the situation and trials I was facing I got a sense of don’t give up!
Despite things not going to plan, and no matter what the situation looked like, God is at work in my life.
Things are not over until God says it is over!
Although it seemed to me there was this massive mountain towering over me, that I stood no chance surmounting, I was reminded that what I should have been doing was telling that mountain about my God!
So in closing I would just like to ask you to please hold the work of Manna Central and I in your prayers, and that I will have the discernment and wisdom to hear Gods will.
May the Lord bless each and every one of you.
The Lord’s Prayer In British Sign Language
5 July 2022
By Manna Central
Rev Cathy Nightingale signs The Lord’s Prayer in British Sign Language.
The Lord’s Prayer – Traditional and Contemporary
5 July 2022
By Manna Central
Most Christians know the prayer by heart in their own language, and it is used today by every Christian tradition, though there are sometimes minor variations in the wording.
Here are the two most common variations of The Lord’s Prayer.
Traditional
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Contemporary
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
We Are Open
2 October 2021
By Manna Central
We are open!
*Does a happy dance*
Today is the day that Manna Central officially opens it’s doors (well website) to the world.
We are looking forward to reaching out and working with various Christian organisations, pastors, churches and Christians from around the world.
Please have a look around the website and feel free to send us your comments, ideas, suggestions or any questions you may have, you can get in touch via our contact page, we can then all work together and help each other grow in our relationship with the Lord.
These are exciting times, so let us all work together and support each other as we strive to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving.
Wishing the Lords blessing upon you all.
Manna central