The Gospel Of The Kingdom-1. (Understanding The Gospel Of The Kingdom) This is The Gospel Of The Kingdom simplified. In this study we will dwell on the very basics of the gospel of the kingdom; we can call this The Gospel of the Kingdom 101 or the ABC of the Gospel of the Kingdom. The aim is to remove the philosophy of eschatology and apocalypticism - mysticisms that have been introduced into it, thereby making it lose its simplicity and essence. From biblical and historical records it is evident that men have always been enthralled by high-sounding words: maxims, verbose literature, poetry and philosophy. The turn of the centuries heralded a huge drop in followership and exaltation of the artistry of words as men began to branch out to other areas of knowledge and skills. Paul lived in an era where men became renowned and achieved great successes through the science of words. It was either one became famous and rich through trade/farming or literature. But mostly, the voices of early centuries - great philosophers and thinkers; the powers behind the thrones, kingdoms and palaces (wise men, scribes etc.) were mostly men of passion and craft for words. So when Paul said, My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: he was dealing with a strong culture and mentality that gave much credence to the philosophy of words. Why was Paul so desirous of a shift in paradigm? That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. This is the crux of the matter, what the gospel of the kingdom is meant to address - the mistaking of the wisdom of men as the voice and power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:4-6. NB. God is not against the artistry or philosophy of words but He frowns at the glorification of words (philosophy) that is not after Christ (salvation of souls) but after the tradition of men, rooted in the rudiments of the world, which spoils (pollutes) the soul through vain deceit - false hopes. (Colossians 2:8). Interestingly, we still have offsprings of those era today, who are easily thrilled and swayed by what the bible calls filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness. James 1:21. Words that only pump and puff up but leave the soul empty and unfruitful - confused. The bible warns that we should be careful lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so our minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2Corinthians 11:2. It is on this note we will begin our study: Understanding The Gospel Of The Kingdom. Understanding is the perception of intended meaning of words, language, or a speaker. It is the interpretation or view of something in a particular way expected. It requires the systematic breakdown of a subject matter. Therefore, to understand this subject we have to break it down to tiny details. What is the gospel of the kingdom? How do we know it when we see it or practice it as a commission and live it as a lifestyle expected of us? The gospel of the kingdom is the Voice and Constitution of the Kingdom of God. It is the Tone and Flavour of the message of the kingdom of heaven. If anyone hears and understands it, then he has understood the kingdom of God fully. The best way to understand the operational values; rules, laws and statutes of any kingdom or nation is by understanding its constitution. In like manner, the best way to understand what the gospel of the kingdom is by understanding what the Constitution of the kingdom of God - the Bible says about the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Acts 28:23&31. The gospel of the kingdom is basically the testimony (preaching) of the things concerning Jesus Christ. Which is comprehensively about His Birth, Death/Burial, Resurrection and Ascension/Descension; premised on the love of God and resulting in the salvation of mankind. It covers the expectation of God from man to reciprocate same love towards Him and his fellow men. Simply put it is the gospel of love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Note: The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven is one and the same thing. (Luke 9:1-3, Matthew 10:5-10) So is the gospel of the kingdom of God and the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. (Mark 1:14. Matthew 4:17) The only difference is in the choice of words by the writers. The choice by Matthew to use the kingdom of heaven has thrown up a perspective into the subject. By it we can authoritatively say that the kingdom of God on earth is the extension of the kingdom of heaven - kingdom of God in heaven. Collaborating the directive of Jesus prayer; In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6;9-10. An when He sent out His disciples - us with the command; As you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven has come to you. (Matthew 10:7) He desires we announce to everyone that the rulership of God - the life, power and majesty of God in heaven has come to us on the earth. And that we should not only say it with words of mouth but demonstrate its power and live its lifestyle for all to see. 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 10:7-9. This is the great challenge before us, probably why we have chosen to philosophize it with high sounding words rather than live it out as expected. 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). If what I have said so far hasnt simplified the subject enough, add this and it will cut it open right down the middle. If Jesus came preaching (announcing) the gospel of the kingdom of God, it means a better way to understand the depth of the gospel of the kingdom of God is by simply studying what Jesus preached and taught. The summary of His preaching is For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 3:16, 15:12-13. This sums up the whole gospel of the kingdom; in this is our live, healing, salvation and the experience of the power of God in this life and the world to come. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.1John 4:7-21. If the God of the kingdom is Love; His Name, acts and blueprint is Love, it presupposes that the gospel of His kingdom is Love. The love of God is the basis of our entitlements in Christ Jesus; the qualification to receive the Keys and Knowledge of Mysteries of the kingdom of God - all that pertains to God and godliness. These Keys and Mysteries we would examine by His grace in the course of this study. Meanwhile, let me close by saying, Any revelation that is deeper than God (Love) is heresy and antiChrist. Everything we are now in Christ and would be after (access to deeper depths in God) is sited on the foundation of the LOVE OF GOD for man - us.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 06:50:08 +0000
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