One More For Jesus

Over the last 3 Sundays, we have been preaching about the kingdom of God. In the New Testament, the Kingdom of God is viewed as apocalyptic (describing or prophesying the complete destruction of the world) and eschatological. Jesus is King in a spiritual sense, and His Kingdom is here. It belongs to the church (Matt 12 and Rev. 2-3). Jesus announced it Himself: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15). Yet, it is not until the Parousia (the Second Coming) that this Kingdom of God that will never end is to take over completely.

In the meantime, we are to remain watchful for the return of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, by living our lives as salt and light in this world. We are to act as agents of reconciliation of God's redeeming grace. We are in the world for the world and in our mouths is the Word of God that people need to hear and understand while there is time.

While in New York City, Allan and I visited the Ground Zero Museum, where Twin Tower used to stand (each had 110 floors). There was nothing but remains of the ruins and a museum to house the aftermath of the 9/11/021 tragedy. At least 102 countries lost citizens in the attacks. Most of those 2,977 people killed were civilians except for 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and 71 law enforcement officers who died in the World Trade Center and on the ground in New York City; More than 6,000 others were injured. This tragedy is forever etched in the hearts of the American people, particularly in their surviving families.

Looking at these photos, I saw a parallel between the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone is being accounted for. Jesus is doing the same because He didn’t want anyone to perish! How loving, merciful, and gracious is our God! However, the difference with the 9/11 attack is that there were probably no warning signs or intelligence intercepted about the attack. And so, the US authorities could not prevent, warn, and protect its people from danger like this. UNLIKE THE 9/11 Tragedy, WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR this impending end that is sure to come!

Jesus talked about the end times and final judgment to emphasize to his followers the urgency of spreading the Good News of salvation to everyone. In Matthew 24, Jesus warns about the future. He answers the 3 questions about the end of the age posed by his disciples. 3 Later, Jesus was sitting at a place on the Mount of Olives. The followers came to be alone with him. They said, “Tell us when these things will happen. And what will happen to prepare us for your coming and the end of time?” Jesus described the future as a time of wars, pestilence, famines, persecutions, false Messiahs, and religious systems increasing in intensity as the age near its end, culminating in tribulations such as the world has never seen, nor ever shall see again. And then, in verse 14:

In Matthew 24: 14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness(testimony) to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Mark 13:10 – 11 and the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

INSIGHT: OUR GOD IS A GOD WHO VALUES HUMAN LIVES. HE GIVES PEOPLE AN EQUAL CHANCE TO FIND LIFE IN HIM AND THROUGH HIM.

Jesus left the Temple area and was walking away. But his followers came to him to show him the Temple’s buildings. 2 He asked them, “Are you looking at these buildings? The fact is, they will be destroyed. Every stone will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another.”

WHAT ARE THESE BUILDINGS NOW? NOTHING BUT RUINS AND A TOURIST DESTINATION - IT IS SURE TO HAPPEN

ONE MORE FOR JESUS - Isaiah 52:7 (NKJV) — 7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Mark 16:15 (NKJV) — 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

1) What is the Gospel of the Kingdom? THIS GOSPEL IS THE

A. Nature – Proclamation of Good News!

B. - centres on Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42; 11:20)

Acts 5:42 (NKJV) — 42 And daily in the temple, and every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Content – What’s in it? - The world has fallen into sin and rebellion against its Creator. As a result, it has come under the power of Satan. SIN – THE GREATEST PROBLEM OF THE HUMAN RACE! THIS PROBLEM HAS NO SOLUTION BUT CHRIST!