The good news that our Jesus preached and taught is what He commanded believers to teach in the Great ‘Co-mmission’ of Matthew 28:18-20.
The most important feature of the Gospel of the Kingdom is that, it is the Gospel of the grace of God and the whole Counsel of God for mankind – Acts 20:24-25, 27,
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
Features of the Gospel of the Kingdom
It has the following characteristics:
1. It goes beyond salvation into ruling both in heaven and on earth-Matt.16:19; Lk.19:17-19; Rev.5:10
2. It goes beyond the salvation of individuals to that of people-groups -Matt. 24:14; 28:19; Lk. 4:43.
3. It goes beyond Heaven as the ultimate destination of saved people to the earth- Rev. 21:1-4; Gen.1:26; Is.46:10
4. It aims at taking responsibility for the earth, which is the place for man to rule – Ps.115:16; Jn. 5:27; Matt.4:8-10; Gen.1:28
5. It goes beyond Jesus as Savior to Jesus as Lord – Rom.10:9-10
6. It takes us to the mandate of mankind before the fall in the Garden of Eden, i.e. to have dominion or overcome on earth, not to be afraid of earth – Matt.19:8b; Gen. 1:28
7. It goes beyond the believer as a son of God to the believer as a king and God’s regent in life -1 Pet.2:9; 2 Cor.5:20a
8. It goes beyond God as our Father to God as our King – Matt. 6:9-10a
9. It goes beyond the idea of escaping to heaven to the idea of overcoming the difficulties of earth – Jn.16:33; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21.
10. It goes beyond the church as the kingdom of God, to the world as His kingdom – Matt.13:38,41
11. It goes beyond Satan as our enemy to religion as an enemy – Mk.7:13
12. It goes beyond our love for God to God’s love for us -1Jn. 4:19, Heb 12:28.
This is the Gospel that our Jesus preached and taught. He prophesied that this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in “all the world”, for all people groups to experience it, before the end of the Church-age – Matt. 24:14.
Yes, Jesus said in the Great Commission for us to teach “all” that He taught. This way, you will be free from the “blood of all men” – Acts 20:26. Yes, that is how to finish your life’s assignment with joy – Acts 20:24.
