Politics – Kingdom Series

Julian Adams • May 20, 2019
There is no worldly system that looks like the Kingdom of God. Unlike the rulers of the world, Jesus models His Kingdship not by grasping for power or position, but by letting go of His position and living with LOVE.
  • Transcription

    I am more and more convinced that the Bible is true when it says that the Kingdoms of this world will become, and are becoming, the Kingdoms of our God. 


    I think that when you begin to understand that any worldly system- whether it be communism, whether it be socialism, whether it be democracy- all of those systems are nothing compared to what the Kingdom looks like. 


    The Kingdom is led by an incredible King called Jesus who models his Kingship not by grasping for power or position, not by legislating a Christian world-view, not by trying to get people into uniformity or systems that determine... What’s the word I am looking for?... That make people do what He wants them to do. It’s not determined by any of those things. 


    That Kingdom led by our King looks like a life laid down. It looks like letting go of power, it looks like letting go of position, in order to demonstrate a new way of love. A new way of being. A new way of being human; that’s what Jesus modelled for us. 

    And I think when we begin to understand that, we will realize that, really, the hope of our nation is not in getting the ‘right’ government in place, it’s not in getting the ‘right’ president in place. In fact, I don’t believe it’s got designs simply to have Christian countries that legislate Christianity. I believe that the Kingdom always works in obscurity. 


    You will see through all the parables that Jesus talks about the Kingdom being like a mustard seed; it drops into nothing, but it begins to grow, and it begins to demonstrate God’s kindness. And the way the Kingdom grows is not through finding positions of power, it’s not through voting for the ‘right’ people. And that is important; I believe it is important to vote. I lived in a country where I couldn’t vote for many years. I believe in voting wisely, and I believe in voting for what looks like Kingdom-values on display. 


    But what I do not believe is that I will find hope in a politician. I do not believe that I will find hope in a ‘King’ in this world. I only find hope in a King called Jesus. And when our communities and churches begin to realize that the hope of seeing the Kingdom demonstrated is not through legislating laws that protect our freedom (although that’s important), it’s through living lives that look like the Kingdom. 


    It’s through living lives that lay down our lives for others. It’s through loving the one in front of us. It’s through lifting the poor and the broken. It’s through making sure that we stop human trafficking, making sure that we stop modern day slavery. It’s making sure that we engage with the issues around us through a Kingdom-lens of love. It means that we want freedom and security for everyone. It means that the way I deal with the immigrant looks like love; it doesn’t look like trying to self-protect, because ultimately God is the one who protects us. 


    Our nation, South Africa, has seen some of the xenophobia that’s led to incredible violence. That’s not what the Kingdom looks like. The Kingdom looks like, “How do I serve the one who’s oppressed?” It looks like me not waiting for a politician to try and change laws. It looks like me going, “I am the expression of the King and His Kingdom. I am the expression of His love and His kindness. I am the expression of shalom.”

    The bible says that the government of Jesus is a government of peace. That word is ‘shalom’. It means that we make things the way God always intended them to be. We are the shoulders on which that government rests. We are the demonstration of peace to the world around us. How we live our lives is ultimately what changes culture, which changes hearts, which brings transformation, and which ultimately changes a country and disciples a nation. 


    When we begin to live like that, oh my gosh, things begin to change. I want you to hear me: I’m not saying, “Go vote for a good candidate”. I don’t really care who or what you vote for. What I care about is: are you good news to the poor? Are you good news to the broken? Are you living from a place of love? Because ultimately the only government that is being established on the earth is the government through which the church demonstrates the Kingdom. 


    The bible says that there are many principalities and powers. The word ‘principality’ means ‘first ruler’. Ultimately, the first ruler over any given area should be the church, because we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. How we demonstrate the Kingdom through love, and establishing a government of peace on earth, is subversive engagement, and eventually  it will topple every other government, it will topple every other expression, until we begin to see the Kingdom of God fully established on the earth. And there will be a day when He comes back and His government will finally cover everything, and all ends will be made new. Until then, I want to be a prophetic picture of what it’s going to look like in the way that I live. 

Your Story Matters: Here's Why

By Julian Adams • January 3, 2025
We are living in a world of dramatic change. The relentless pace of development often leaves us breathless and exhausted. The demand for innovative ways of communicating, inventing, and staying ahead of cultural trends can feel daunting and demoralizing. It can push us into a space where we find ourselves trying to copy rather than be authentic, to imitate rather than create. This pressure can lead us to believe that we need to be more creative, and that our individual stories do not matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. Your story, no matter how small, matters and is powerful. One of the remarkable aspects of ancient manuscripts, like the Bible, is that they tell the stories of individuals whose lives may seem small and insignificant. Yet, God chose to make their lives a memorial of what He could do with a life that the world deems insignificant. The incredible power of the gospel is that it changes lives one at a time. God is as interested in the individual story as He is in redeeming the cosmos. The aim of the gospel is not just dealing with personal sin; it is about restoring individuals to a relationship with a kind Father. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis beautifully said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Justification addresses our standing before God, but our adoption invites us into a relationship with the Father. It allows us to partake of who He is and to live in a place of deep joy from who He is. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Many of us forget that the work of salvation has turned this verse around. Through Jesus, we have been restored to the glory of God. One description of the word "glory" refers to the divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, and splendor. It is the revelation of God's intrinsic worth and beauty. Do you see that? We have been restored to His divine quality, splendor, and beauty. In a world where it can be easy to feel like just another face in the crowd, remember that your story is significant. Your experiences, your journey, and your voice matter. Embrace the unique narrative God has given you and let it shine. You are not just a spectator; you are a vital participant in God's grand story. Your authenticity, creativity, and individuality are valuable. As you navigate the rapid changes of our world, hold on to the truth that your story has power and purpose. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your life that is uniquely yours. Let us celebrate the beauty and significance of each individual story, knowing that together, we contribute to a tapestry of divine splendor and glory.

Pursuing Wholeness: My Journey from Rejection to Healing

By Julian Adams • July 17, 2024
Rejection is a powerful force that can shape the trajectory of our lives, often in ways we don't fully realize until much later. For me, this journey began in childhood. I was born with a cleft palate, which affected my ability to speak, and coupled with my passionate devotion to Jesus, I faced daily ridicule and rejection throughout my school years. My speech and my fervent faith made me a target, and I found myself isolated and misunderstood. Despite the rejection, something beautiful began to grow within me: a deep and abiding friendship with Jesus. Through profound encounters with the Lord, I began to walk in the prophetic. This newfound gift led me to public ministry, where I started releasing prophetic words. However, beneath the surface, I was carrying an immense amount of pain that I hadn't dealt with. This pain manifested as a lifestyle of performance, driven by the need for acceptance and validation. Though I was a new creation in Christ, I was living as if I were still bound by my old wounds. In Matthew 23:27-28 (MSG), Jesus describes the Pharisees as "manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin, you're total frauds." These words struck a chord with me because I realized I was living like a professional Pharisee. Outwardly, I appeared to have it all together, but inside, I was disconnected from the healing process that God wanted to take me through. This disconnect had a significant impact on my prophetic ministry. My words, especially those concerning sin, were often harsh and unkind, reflecting my damaged perspective of myself and the world. It wasn't until I began to address my heart issues that my approach to the prophetic truly changed. God started speaking to me about the connection between my gift, my performance, and my worth. Through this process, He took me back to moments of pain and difficulty from my childhood and even into my adult life. In one profound moment, God said to me, "Son, I want you to grow up and be a child." This statement might seem paradoxical, but it revealed a crucial truth: the posture of the kingdom is one of childlike fascination and trust. My journey into sonship transformed how I viewed the prophetic and how I ministered to others. No longer driven by judgment and legalism, I began to approach people with love, kindness, and the heart of the Father. Understanding my identity as a beloved child of God allowed me to see others through His eyes. This shift not only brought healing to my heart but also enabled me to minister more effectively and compassionately. Rejection and pain had shaped my early years, but God's love and healing power brought me to a place of wholeness. This journey has taught me that dealing with our heart issues is essential for authentic and impactful ministry. As we pursue wholeness, we open ourselves to deeper intimacy with God and greater effectiveness in serving His people. If you find yourself struggling with similar issues of rejection, pain, or performance, I encourage you to invite God into those wounded places. Allow Him to heal and transform you, just as He did for me. Embrace the posture of childlike wonder and trust, knowing that you are deeply loved and valued by your Heavenly Father. In this place of wholeness, you will find the freedom to live and minister authentically, reflecting the heart of God to a world in need.

Four Practices for Hearing God's Voice

By Julian Adams • July 21, 2023
In my years of teaching people the prophetic and how to hear God's voice, I've learned several practices that help people hear Him. Here are a few of my most helpful!
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