In business circles there has been a lot of discussion in recent years about developing a corporate culture with the clear communication of vision, internalization of core values and contagious passion for your particular company's mission. These components have proved to have more persuasive and permeating power than the circulation of thick procedural and policy manuals.

Jesus spent three years orientating His select team to the vision, values and passionate agenda of the Kingdom of God. They struggled to adopt this new way of seeing things and these customs that were so foreign to the way they were used to conducting the business of life. Their own self-preservation instincts got in the way of their loyalty when their Master was crucified. But the three years of Jesus' modeling the kingdom life was not in vain. When the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost, these followers of Christ were empowered to walk the Kingdom talk. The kingdom culture pervaded the church. They demonstrated a kingdom courage. Those who saw them in action "took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13).

Jesus cast the vision, modeled the values and consecrated Himself to the pursuit of God's mission. He taught the values of poverty of spirit, humility, repentance, dependence upon God, obedience, purity, and relational integrity (peacemaking). He taught that meekness was not weakness. He taught that those who were passionate in their pursuit of righteousness would be fulfilled. Those who were persecuted would know God in a special way and participate in His work in the world. (This orientation session is outlined in Jesus' 'Kingdom Talk', the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5-7.)

What made Jesus' teaching so compelling was that He walked the talk. He led His followers by demonstrating the purpose and values of the kingdom. Those who saw Him in action witnessed His commitment to mercy, purity, and communion with God.

Jesus also orientated his disciples to the unique traditions of heaven. He taught them to regularly petition God the Father for the wisdom and ability to see, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN." In other words, we daily need to expect that God's will can be done in our lives in a heavenly manner. We need to so adopt the traditions of heaven that our lives, our families and work places offer, 'a touch of heaven' itself.

Jesus modeled a heavenly lifestyle. He modeled excellence. It was said of Jesus that "He has done all things well." (Mark 7:37). Notice, observers do not say that Jesus did all things. They tell us that of all the things that He did (that is, the revealed will of God) He did with excellence. He prayerfully limited His activities to pursue God's purpose. He demonstrated the will of God being done on earth as it is in heaven.

When Jesus saw the multitudes, He had compassion on them. He perceived that they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 9:36). Jesus' sympathies were translated into committed action. He surrendered this perceived need to His heavenly Father and committed Himself to His plan to be the Shepherd that would lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:11,15).

How are the virtues of the kingdom being modeled in your life? Has the culture of heaven begun to permeate the culture of your home, your relationships, your church, your workplace? God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us 'walk the talk'. Are we committed to moral purity and relational integrity? Do we have a vision of the will of God being done on the earth as it is in heaven? Do we demonstrate a commitment to excellence? Do our actions reflect a heart of compassion?

Let us learn to walk the kingdom talk. (1John 2:6).