The Gospel of the Kingdom

Fettes Park Baptist Church23rd Feb 2014

Gospel definition

• The Greek word for gospel is “euangelion” which means good news.

• The word “euangelion” occurs 76x, “euangelizo” occurs 54x in the Greek new testament.

The Gospel

• The word gospel appears in various descriptive phrases in the NT

- gospel of Jesus Christ (Mk 1:14)- gospel of God (Mk 1:14)- gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24)- gospel of Peace (Eph 6:15)- gospel of the Glory of Christ (2 Cor 4:4)- gospel of the Kingdom (Mt 24:14)

• They all refer to the same gospel emphasizing on the different aspects.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

• The gospel that Jesus preached.(Mark 1:14, Matt 4:3, Matt 9:35)

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” Mk 1:14

• The gospel that will be preached to all nations.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, then the end will come.” Matt 24:14

The Gospel of the Kingdom

“How many times have you heard about the gospel of the kingdom of God being preached today?.”

Michael Green1974 Lausanne Conference of World Evangelism

The Gospel Message today

• Heavily focused on Salvation – eternal life after death.

• Little or no mention about living kingdom life here on earth.

The Gospel of Atonement (Dallas Willard)

• Teaches people how to be saved but doesn’t teach people how to live as disciples.

• As a result, there is a disconnection between faith and life.

“Does Jesus only enable me to “make the cut” when I die? It is good to know that when I die all will be well, but is there any good news for life? If I had to choose, I would rather have a car that runs than a good insurance on one that doesn’t. Can I have both?” Anonymous

Quote

The Gospel is much more than a fire insurance..

“I come that they might have life and have it to the full”

John 10:10

• God promised abundant life .

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19

The Gospel is a real Good News

The Key to experiencing abundant life is to understand the Gospel that Jesus preached – The Gospel of the Kingdom

See the Gospel in the Context of the Kingdom of God

Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near. (Mt 3:2, 4:17, Mk 1:5)

• Is a call to reconsider our approach to life in the light of the coming of the kingdom..

The Gospel is …

• An invitation by God to live an alternative kind of life in His kingdom.

Born again or “Regeneration”

No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3)

• A Spiritual rebirth

You were dead in your transgressions… God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ (Eph 2:1,4)

Salvation (In Kingdom Context)

• Is a day to day interactive relationship with God.

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”

John 17:3

How can abundant life be experienced?

Kingdom Principles

• Little is much• Die to live• Lose to gain• Walk the extra mile• Turn the other cheek• Wash your enemy’s feet

True Happiness

• Happy are the Spiritually poor• Happy are the Mourners• Happy are the Humble• Happy are the Seekers of God’s will• Happy are the Merciful • Happy are the Pure in heart• Happy are the Peacemakers

How do we relate to God in an Unseen Kingdom ?

Two Realms

“… We fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor 4:16-18

The Seen and the Unseen realm.

Two Kingdoms

• Physical kingdom• Spiritual kingdom

Two Identity

• Physical identity• Spiritual identity

Two Capacity

• Physical capacity• Spiritual capacity

God relates to us through our inner life..

• Mind (1 Cor 12,16)• Will ( Phi 2:13)• Emotions (2 Cor 1:3-5)

The Gospel in a Nutshell

• It is more than just a ticket to heaven• It is an invitation by God to live and

experience abundant life in His Kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ.

• Abundant life is experienced by daily walking with Jesus, obeying Him and putting kingdom principles into practice.