Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Breaking News:

The gospel of the kingdom

By Chidi Okoroafor
20 January 2019   |   4:01 am
The central message that formed the basis of Jesus entire ministry and teaching is the message of the gospel of the kingdom of God.

[FILE PHOTO] Chidi Okoroafor

TEXT: John 14:10-14
KEY VERSE: “Mathew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (KJV)

The central message that formed the basis of Jesus entire ministry and teaching is the message of the gospel of the kingdom of God. Kingdom of God was the focal thrust of Christ message to the dying world; it was the core of His gospel message. We understand better why He made the statement in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” He tells us to seek first the Kingdom because the Kingdom of God was His primary message.

The Gospel writer Luke reported that Jesus “went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) Jesus himself said: “I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” (Luke 4:43) He sent his disciples to preach the good news in the towns and villages and later commanded them: “You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.”—Acts 1:8; Luke 10:1.

Jesus’ disciples wasted no time in doing what Jesus told them. “Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ.” (Acts 5:42) Preaching was not limited to an elite group but to the entire world. This is the same task He has given us today— to share His gospel with others. There is a clarion call: to ring the gospel bell to all nation of the World.

What Is This Gospel Of The Kingdom?
It is the “the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1), “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1), “the glorious gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4, King James Version), “the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13) and “the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Jesus Has called every believer in Christ to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom. Jesus calls us to work alongside Him in this great enterprise.

Throughout the New Testament history given in the book of Acts, the Church taught the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The book concludes: “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31).

The gospel of the kingdom is the message of salvation proclaiming Christ who was born, crucified and resurrected for the salvation of man from sin. When Philip the evangelist preached “the good news about the kingdom of God,” men and women believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12). This “gospel of the kingdom” called them to turn from their sin, trust in Jesus Christ and begin a new life, symbolized by baptism.

I don’t know any more inspiring missionary charge than this word of Jesus: This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. It is a great certainty, a great confidence.
How Are We To Proclaim The Gospel Of The Kingdom?

We are to proclaim this good news in power. “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
PRAYER: I receive Grace to preach the good news about Christ.
Prayer lines: 09078154261. E-mail: aggospelbell@gmail.com
Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, General SUPERINTENDENT, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Nigeria.

In this article

0 Comments