04/04/2025
SERMON
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel. When asked to define his kingdom, Jesus explained it this way:
“The kingdom of God does not come with appearances. […] The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom of God is a matter of “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
The gospel of the kingdom is the good news message of repentance, redemption, and restoration offered by God to all who are willing to receive Christ.
Those who accept this offer become part of his eternal kingdom (John 1:12). Those who choose to remain in their sin cannot be part of that kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21). Although grace makes this offer available to anyone who wants to receive it, Jesus warned that it would be very difficult to enter his kingdom, and that few would succeed (Matthew 7:14).
The gospel of the kingdom is the news that it is possible to be freed from the bo***ge of sin if we repent and turn to God (Romans 6:18-19).
Our Redeemer has come, but it is difficult to enter God's kingdom, not because God demands impossible standards of us, but because we are unwilling to repent and change.
We tend to love darkness more than light (John 3:19). Many prefer to cling to their old sinful identities rather than allow Jesus to create them anew (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Those who receive the gospel of the Kingdom become citizens of heaven and are freed from the bo***ge of this world (Galatians 4:3-9). 2 Corinthians 5:20 refers to God's children as "ambassadors" of our heavenly Father. Just as an earthly foreign ambassador maintains his national identity when representing his country in another land, spiritual ambassadors of God's kingdom owe their allegiance to God even while residing in this world.
We must follow our heavenly Father's code of conduct while on earth. We must not conform to the habits, values, and lifestyle of this world, for it is not our home (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17).
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). So, although we must live here until God calls us home, we must not live for ourselves or according to the value system of this world. Those bought by the blood of Jesus have been given the right to live according to God’s value system. Citizens of God’s kingdom live here at the command of our Father, the King. Living with a kingdom mindset enables us to make wiser decisions as we invest our lives in advancing the gospel of the kingdom.
What did Jesus say about the gospel of the kingdom? He told us that we must “seek first” the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 6:33), meaning that attaining the kingdom of heaven should be the primary goal of every Christian’s life. Fact: Jesus said that those who seek first the kingdom of God will have the necessities of life, such as food and clothing (Matthew 6:25, 31, 32).
The Kingdom of God is a government in heaven that will carry out God's will on earth (Matthew 6:9, 10). A person seeks the Kingdom by making it their priority in life. Not only do they want to know everything about the Kingdom of God, but they also tell others about the good things it will accomplish (Matthew 24:14). Furthermore, someone who seeks the Kingdom prays for its coming (Luke 11:2).
God's righteousness is His principles defining right and wrong conduct (Psalm 119:17). Therefore, we seek God's righteousness by obeying His moral laws, which are always for our good (Isaiah 48:17).
The phrase "all these things will be added to you" is a promise that God will provide for those who prioritize His Kingdom and His principles in their lives (Matthew 6:31, 32).