THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
INTRO TO TOPIC:
Is this the end of the world as we know it? Perhaps you’ve seen the apocalyptic movie “2012” and wonder if there’s any truth to it. Or you look the increase of natural disasters in the world and wonder if these are the signs of the times:
• In January, a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti, with over 230,000 dead
• On February 27th, an 8.8 earthquake and tsunami hit Chile, with around 500 dead
• On March 2nd, landslides in Uganda, with 350 people missing
• On March 4th, a 6.2 earthquake hit Taiwan, and the list goes on and on.
Are we living in the last days?
SIGNS OF THE TIMES:
“3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ’I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:3-13).
• Jesus said: When you hear of wars, don’t be troubled – the end is not yet.
• There will be famines and earthquakes everywhere, but this is just the beginning.
• “For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:19-22).
• A sign of the times would be many people being offended, betrayals and hatred.
• The challenge: He who endures to the end will be saved!
• What then is the sign of the end times – the second coming of Jesus?
KEY TEXT:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14).
THE BIG IDEA: The signs of the times are all around us – we are living in the last days. Our job is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom into all the world, and then King Jesus will return.
1. WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM?
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15).
• The Gospel of the Kingdom is the Good News about God’s Kingdom.
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38).
• The Gospel of the Kingdom declares: King Jesus is here to save, deliver and heal!
• Jesus taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).
• We want to see more of the Kingdom manifested, more lives transformed!
2. HOW ARE WE TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM?
“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).
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
• Jesus never commissioned a signless, powerless Gospel!
• “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation!” (Romans 1:16).
“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease… And as you go, preach, saying, ’The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:1,7-8).
• Everywhere you see Jesus and His disciples preaching the Gospel (Good News), lives were changed and transformed.
“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest… And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you.” (Luke 10:1,2,9).
• First Jesus had sent out the 12 disciples, now He sends out 70 to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and heal the sick.
“And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:15-20).
• Jesus has commissioned ALL of us as His disciples to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.
3. HOW DO WE ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
Jesus said: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).
“Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15).
• Entrance into the Kingdom is granted to those who have surrendered to the sovereignty of the King (repentance) and those who have trusted in the goodness of King (faith).
ALTAR CALL FOR SALVATION:
If you have never repented – turned from your sins to God – then put your faith in Jesus today!
ALTAR CALL FOR HEALING:
If you’re sick, we will pray for you to be healed in Jesus’ name!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
