|
THE
COMING OF THE KINGDOM
Jesus' earthly ministry
was only directed to the
lost sheep of the house
of Israel
The message Jesus preached
was the gospel of the
Kingdom. After the resurrection
of Jesus the first question
asked by the disciples
was, will you now again
restore the Kingdom to
Israel? (Acts
1:6)
His answer brought disappointment
and confusion.
In
the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, the people of Israel were
looking for a Messiah. This Messiah was to be the "Son of
David," to have been of David's lineage. It is written that
he will sit upon the throne of David and rule all of the nations.
This notion of the NATIONS (
goyim) refers to any people among
all nations outside of the covenant established by Abraham.
The Kingdom of God was a hope that should eventually be realized
of that literal kingdom ruled over by a flesh and blood king.
The stumbling block for the religious leaders among the Jews was
and remains today, this issue of how anyone outside of the covenant
can be received as righteous sons. In the days of the Caesars
the oppressive rule of the Roman empire was a burdensome yoke
upon the Jewish nation in the days of the apostles and remained
so until the final sieges that ended temple worship and dispersed
the remnant Jews to surrounding nations.
The
church was born from among God's people Israel, a vindication
of Yeshua's ministry and his supernatural resurrection. An early
disciple Stephen, attested to this (Acts 7) as did Paul and other
disciples who declared Jesus' death and his resurrection that
verified his identity as the son of God. The consideration of
the Kingdom of God remained foremost in the minds of the disciples
in Jerusalem. They anticipated that it would be a short time before
it was realized. As practicing Jews, they had been used to keeping
the ceremonial laws, following all of the precepts of Judaism
to the letter and were inclined to continue in these practices
even after the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Peter
was directed to share the testimony of the resurrected messiah
to Cornelius, a gentile and his family and was amazed that God
would actually admit a non Jew into fellowship. It was only after
the conversion of the rabbi Shaul of Tarsus that the mystery of
the church among the gentiles began to come into focus. Paul's
message was even more about being accepted by grace for merely
believing that Yeshua, Jesus died for the sins of any who could
believe that one man, resurrected from the dead, could pay for
the sins of another.
Jesus (Yeshua) of Nazareth, The
Jesus of the Gospel
Jesus
Christ- Rock & Cornerstone of the Gospel
Despised, Rejected, Cursed, Reviled and Unrecognized,
He Remains - The Builder, the Framer,
and Chief Corner Stone of the Gospel
It
seems that in the course of living a "religious" life, we tend to
lose sight of some of the most basic essentials of Christianity,
essentials which contain within them foundational truths and indispensable
revelation. Among these essentials truths is the fact that the Christian
faith is built upon a man, one man who is the only begotten son
of God..
Who is this man and what makes him special? Did he come to teach
about love? Did he come to model a moral lifestyle? Did he come
to found a religion replete with ritualistic protocols? Who do
men say that I am?, Jesus asked his disciples. If we do not
get the correct answer to that question, you can not avail yourself
of the 'gift of God' which he brings.
There
is a simple African hymn-tune that states:
God
loved the world and sent a savior, That we might live with Him forever,
If you believe, if you receive, You can be born again.
Jesus was born a man, he was a man, but he was more than a man.
His name in Hebrew was Y'Shua, or Yeshua (equals Jeshua or Jesus)
and it was only after his ministry, death and resurrection that
he became known as the Christ. Christ was not his last name. Christ
(Greek Kristos) is the equivalent title for the Hebrew Meshiach
(Messiah), the Anointed One, the Son of God.
Jesus name in Hebrew, Y'Shua , means Jehovah is Salvation. Angels
were sent to announce the miraculous birth both to Mary and to Joseph,
in the gospel accounts. The angels told them what his name was to
be, You shall call His name Jesus (Y'Shua) for he shall save
his people - -(Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31).
Prophecy
foretold the Messiah's birth in detail. Prophecy is the testimony
or witness of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 19:10.) It began in the
earliest verses of the Book of Genesis and continues through the
books of the law, the psalms, and the prophetic books of the first
covenant, (old testament.) There is an unbroken line of scriptural
promises and scriptural fulfillment attesting to the birth of Jesus.
In addition Jesus Christ was portrayed metaphorically as a spiritual
type throughout all of the Old Testament. In a sense the whole
Bible is a composite picture which, when constructed shows the fullness
of God in one Man, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Prophetic
words spoken and recorded hundred of years in advance, describe
the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ in perfect detail. His
birth was to be at a certain place, at a certain time, under certain
circumstances. At the birth of Jesus, God affirmed that Word
of prophecy with precision. precisely and in perfect timing.
Jesus's life continued on its prophetic course, as sure as hands
on fine clock, from the time of Jesus matured and was presented
to the public, to his being received as the messiah (by some) rejected,
tried, and crucified. All of these events followed a precise time-line
corresponding to the sure words of prophecy.
God's
prophets were afforded no misses in their predictions. A prophet
who missed only 10% of the time was declared a false prophet and
subject to death by stoning.
There
are many interesting books and commentaries which biblical scholars
have written which detail the specifics of prophetic scriptures
and their fulfillment pertinent to the life of Jesus. Though the
study of prophecy per se goes beyond the scope of this writing,
it is important to note that Messiah was promised by God.
Jesus
and Salvation Derives From Jewish Heritage
The
Jews were the people that God appointed to bring forth the Messiah.
God chose a man, (Abraham) made a covenant with him with the singular
purpose of having a people for His own special treasure and pleasure.
The same people whose way was foreknown through Moses and the prophets,
through trials, through captivity and deliverance, a people to nurture
and prepare His man, His seed, His king, His savior.
It
was God's Wisdom, to construct this Way, in such a manner
as to make the working impossible in man's eyes and in man's reasoning,
so that He could prove the excellency of His own power. When God
chose and man (Abraham,) he chose one as good as dead, old
in years and whose wife (Sarah) was far past the age of child-bearing
and nurturing.
When
He chose a king, He chose a shepherd boy, (David). When He chose
a woman to bear the Messiah He chose a virgin. When Jesus Christ
chose his disciples he chose unlearned fishermen or workmen. When
He chose how to establish a kingdom he chose a king who would forego
an earthly crown and die the death of sinful man upon a cross.
God
chose the way of faith.
Faith
is essentially a way of being persuaded by believing rather than
by observation and reasoning.
God chose to make reason and 'human smartness' a pitfall to believing
His word and His promises.
Jesus?
The Messiah
The Anointed One, the prophesied Son of David and of the other prophets,
is the Messiah, destined to sit upon the throne of an earthly kingdom.
He will in a time to come be enthroned but that time is yet future.
He will at the end of this age put a total end to all opposition
and rebellion against God's purposes. This end time event is described
prophetically as The Day of Vengeance (Day of Wrath) or the
Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is a time promised in
scripture, when all unbelief, unrighteous, and rebellion will be
addressed and overcome by God himself. It will not be accomplished
through negotiation or compromise; it will not be accomplished with
reasoning, negotiation, nor with political bargaining, nor with
treaty making. Rather, God will exercise supernatural power, all
of the forces of heaven and earth against all the nations and peoples
who stand in rebellion against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The
Messiah of the Gospels will return in majestic glory revealed in
the skies. He will not be that charismatic politician winning over
the peoples of the earth. He will rule with the force and authority
of the name of God Almighty. And one more very important attribute,
lest you should be deceived; He is the one who carries the imprint
of the nails in His hands! (Zechariah 13.6.)
Who
is Jesus? The Son of God
Jesus
was conceived by the Spirit of God. This makes him the only begotten
son of God. He is the seed of the woman who is mentioned in Genesis
3:15. It is important to understand that the father's blood line
of Jesusí parental inheritance is that of God himself
who was and is sinless and undefiled. Yet within the human seed
is the nature of humanity, weaknesses, want and human emotion.
The
life that Jesus lived was a life lived within the limits of the
human condition. Yet scripture states that He knew no sin,
and though he was tempted in all areas just as we are. He remained
undefiled and separate from the sin nature which is particular to
all of the natural born human race. (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26)
He
was a man, but certainly unlike humanity in a special way. The human
race according to the bible, has an Adamic hereditary line
or genealogy, descended from the line of Adam. Since Adam the human
race is under a curse. The fall and the curse is portrayed
in the first chapters of Genesis. At the moment, you may not believe
in Adam or in any kind of curse, but for the time being, set that
argument aside. God can work that issue out with you at a later
time. It is necessary to believe that the Bible is not a fable or
fiction. To argue against the Bible is to lose the blessing of believing
in it, both in small questions and in larger questions.
Jesus
submitted his will to God the Father
The
Jesus of the Gospels demonstrated meekness, submission and servant-hood.
He did not present himself as a worldly leader, nor a member
of the religious establishment.
Jesus
did not demonstrate God-like powers at will from his infancy onward,
though some apocryphal tradition stated this. Scripture indicates
he did no miracles until his baptism in the Jordan river by the
prophet who announced and made the way for Jesus' ministry, John
the Baptist. After his baptism at the age of 30 the Spirit of God
came upon him and filled him with the necessary endowment of miracle-working
power. Even with supernatural spiritual endowments there were times
when Jesus himself was not able to heal or do mighty works, this
was owing to the belief or unbelief of those he ministered
to.
While
Jesus did not flaunt God-hood it would be an error to say that he
did not know of his DIVINE nature or of his divine calling. He spoke
of being about his Father's business even as a child. Jesus was
filled with grace and wisdom, both of which are spiritual
enablements given by God. Jesus was the Logos (the Word,
the whole counsel of God) made flesh.
A
movie which came out a few years ago, The Last Temptation of
Christ, portrayed Jesus as mostly human and flawed with the
worst of human weaknesses, dark passions, indecision and unbelief.
It is a depiction of a Jesus with no divine or supernatural inheritance,
whose only vision was of some kind of vague personal sacrifice.
Though this is interesting fiction it does not dignify the person
of Jesus Christ as having transcendent divinity or as having any
potential for impacting humanity with eternal consequences.
Jesus
Christ, The Word Made Flesh
The
Son of God, the Word was made Flesh. He was born into human
form but he also had pre-existence with God. This can not,
however, be said of the rest of the human race. Jesus spoke of His
own glory which he had with the Father before the world was in his
prayer recorded in John chapter seventeen. From this it can be stated
with certainty that Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God was also God.
This becomes one awesome mysteries of the nature and person of God.
I find it beyond my ability to comprehend but I expect that it will
be revealed to my understanding at another time.
Because
Christ was pre-existent some may conclude that we all pre-existed.
The question is appealing in some ways, curious and interesting
at least. It is argued as a reality by those who have received spurious,
demonically inspired revelation. But let it be said by a
person who once thoroughly believed in reincarnation, that I have
set that belief aside in favor of the bibleís teaching. It
is appointed unto man to die once, and after that the judgment.(Hebrews
9:27).
Reincarnation
or Resurrection?
The
doctrine of resurrection which is taught in the Bible excludes the
possibility of reincarnation. One life is promised, one body and
eternal judgment for that one life at some time in eternity. The
resurrection of Jesus own physical body from the dead, will be replicated
for every living human soul, both the good and the bad, righteous
and unrighteous. Jesus was called, the first fruits of they that
sleep 1Corinthians 15:20.)
The
doctrine of the resurrection is given so much attention in the New
Testament especially in the epistles that I could quote texts by
the dozens, but at this reading it would be beyond the scope of
this writing. Yes, it is unreasonable to the rational mind, to assert
that a body which is dead or has even returned to dust can be brought
forth alive out of the dust. But that is in fact the teaching of
scripture from the prophet Daniel to Jesus, and restated by the
apostle Paul in particular.
The
man Jesus, will be presented as he was already presented to the
disciples in Gospel accounts, alive õ in the flesh, bearing
the same nail scars and the same spear wound in the side. As he
left in a physical body ascended into glory, he will also
return in a physical body. As he departed from the Mount of Olives
he will also return in glory to that same spot to begin his reign.
No
Resurrection, No Gospel!
The
doctrine of the resurrection is the proof and the cornerstone of
the Gospel. Jesus had to rise again, having defeated death, alive
with the keys to hell and the grave. The gospel which the apostle
Paul presented stated this, If Jesus Christ is not risen from
the grave, then all of our preaching, is for nothing and our faith
is for nothing; furthermore our futures would hold only misery.
(1 Corinthians 15:17-19 paraphrased)
We
could not have a supernatural Gospel without a supernatural
Christ. We could not derive supernatural spiritual benefits from
believing in a Gospel presented by a mere man, even if he was a
great man! If this were the gospel we followed, the best we could
do would be to try to live an honest and moral life with the limited
powers of our own willpower, but we could not have received total
acceptance by God without Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Because
he was the Lamb of God.
Who
is Jesus Christ? The Lamb of God
A
sacrifice is made, The price is paid
I
believe that if Christian religious traditions have shorted us on
any one thing, it is the knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ's
sacrifice as the Lamb of God and the legacy of blessing that
His sacrifice brings to change the life and circumstances of every
soul on earth. The sacrificial death of Jesus, God's only begotten,
is the reason that Jesus came. It is the cornerstone of the Good
News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This
same good news is not an option for possible consideration. The
Lamb's gospel is established in the very heavens and every person
on the earth will be held to account for it. For, the earth is
the Lord and everything that is in it. (Exodus 9:29 Psalm 24:1)
The
sacrifice of the lamb of God is a better sacrifice than any of the
First Covenant, where bulls and goats were killed and the blood
of those offerings was applied to the sin of the nation. These offerings
could not touch the innate sin nature of the people themselves,
but were only a temporary fix, a covering over for the sin of the
people. The Book of Hebrews goes into detail about the new
covenant and the nature of the sacrifice which Jesus made on our
behalf. It compares the First and Second covenant and the provisions
of the new which transcend the original.
The
lamb of God was pre-figured in the sacrifice which Abraham was
prepared to make of his own son, Isaac,
the son of God's promise. Abraham took Isaac to the mountain and
as he prepared to put him to the knife, said to his son, God
himself will provide the lamb. (Genesis 22:8).
The
lamb of God was described prophetically in the Book of Isaiah, chapters
52 and 53. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep
before the shearer is silent, he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah
53:3-9).
The
description of the purification of the priests who prepared to bring
offerings into the Holy of Holies is a depiction of Jesus Himself.
It was His blood that would purify and sanctify the mercy seat It
was blood that was sprinkled seven times upon heaven's altar.
Jesus'
Undefiled Blood: Shed for Us
--
Was shed, when He sweat drops blood in the Garden of Gethsemene,
gripped with the terror of separation from his Father, who turn
from him, abandoning to death; and the prospect of being made a
Curse separated from God by the sins of the world.
- -Was shed, when the servant of the high priest smote him upon
the face.
- - Was shed, when the Roman soldiers ridiculed him, mocked him,
stripped him, buffeted him and torn out His beard.
- - Was shed, When he was flogged with the Roman flagellum, the
deadly scourging with the lash, Each of the nine strands were tipped
with an object which cut or wounded.
- - Was shed, when the crown of thorns was plaited upon Jesus' head.
- - Was shed, when Jesus hands and feet were penetrated by the spikes
which would hold him suspended above the earth upon a Roman cross
(the curse of hanging on a tree.)
- - Was shed, when the Roman officer pierced his side with a spear
and blood and water flowed out upon the ground.
Blood
Purchased the Provisions of the Gospel
Discussing
the blood of the lamb may strike you as something primitive, strange
or disgusting but it is the fact that it is the living bloodwhich
makes a sacrifice spiritually effectual. From the writings of Moses
we learn that the Life is in the blood. Blood is the life
of the soul and holds potential for both blessing and for defilement.
Innocent blood is said to cry out from the earth. The blood
of victims of war and of violence cry out with a certain voice from
the earth.
Jesus'
blood was blood untainted by sin or the curse or death. It is 100
per cent imbued with the power of life. This blood had within it
perfect eternal life; it still has, in the present, perfect eternal
life. That blood that sprinkled the earth from the Mount of Olives,
to Pilate's hall of judgment, to the via Dolorosa, to the hill called
Golgotha, is still nurturing the whole earth. As Jesus was dying
the death of crucifixion upon a cross, he declared the sentence
which his blood would continue to enforce, Father forgive them,
they do not know what they do. Jesus blood purchased the price
for our sins, sins past, sins present, and sins future.
Father
forgive them, Among the last words spoken by Jesus upon the
cross is the legacy which any person whose soul is in want can appropriate
as his or her own personal blessing and legacy, eternal life.
Who
is Jesus? (Aside
from being the Son of God) A Really Nice Guy, A
Man who knew Love and Serving
It
is written in the law of Moses that we should make no graven image.
Among all of the ten commandments this one may not lend itself readily
to application although the first references seem to figure in the
question of idolatry. I think, however, it has much more to apply
to our present knowledge or lack of knowledge about God. One of
the characteristics of human nature is to draw inferences and conclusions
based upon things we see with the natural eye.
Throughout
the nearly two thousand years of Christian tradition we become the
victims of iconography, Icons which in some manner or another depict
God or the Son of God. Any of us who have ever been to a major museum
have seen depictions of Jesus Christ created during different historical
eras. The characteristics of portrayal is to make a presumptuous
statement about the personality, the humanity or the divinity of
the subject that is being portrayed. Iconography has colored our
interpretation of who Jesus is. Some of these images are very static
with a very narrow portrayal. A sense of Jesus Christ's humanity
was not apparent for centuries. When he was depicted by the first
Christian artists there was not a trace of life or humanity. For
the period from the 4th century until the 14th, he was no more than
an stylized icon, lacking any features which would make him like
us. Later, after the fifteenth century, he was portrayed as very
human in works by Rembrandt, or Caravaggio, Rubens, and others.
The point that I am making is in respect to narrowness and misunderstanding
of who Jesus was. Religious traditions sometimes portray Jesus in
such a narrow light that we can not associate him in all of his
attributes, human and divine.
The
human quality of Jesus needs to be preserved. I think the phrase
"Jesus was a nice guy," may strike a negative chord among some who
are religious and formalize so much of Christian life into liturgy.
But I say it for a reason. We need to de-mystify Jesus and make
Jesus accessible to people, especially in the now of the Gospel
rather than the then of religion. The Lord is not someone
who placed himself out of the reach of humanity.
To
think of Jesus as a friendly, loving and kindly person does not
interfere with his divinity nor his sovereignty.
There
are other aspects to Jesus too, as depicted by the the Hebrew names
of Jehovah: Nissi, Tsidkenu, Rapha, Shama, Jireh, Sabaoth, and numerous
others, as well as: the 'Righteous Judge', the 'Captain of the Army
of God', or as the 'Ancient of Days', and many other powerful and
illuminating titles. One day, we will all fall before Christ, the
Righteous Judge. But for now Jesus is still bringing gentle compassion,
forgiveness, restoration and blessing to those of us with a need.
He is extending a hand of friendship to those who need a friend.
Jesus'
friendly and compassionate personality is described as a friend
to sinners, one who went out of his way to meet and have fellowship
with those that the religious community had excluded (Matthew 9:10-13.)
Jesus was known to have been in the middle of fun and frolic where
there was feasting and drinking. He said of himself, that he was
accused of being a glutton and a wine bibber, but in spite of this
Jesus, declared that wisdom is known by her offspring. (Matthew
11:19 paraphrase).
Stories
are numerous where men or women who were considered 'the wrong
sort,'
received mercy from the Lord's hand of compassion and acceptance:
Zaccheus
the publican; (described in Luke 19:2-10)
The
Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar; (John 4:5-30).
The
woman taken in adultery; (John 8:4-11).
Mary,
a former prostitute anointed Jesus feet at the house of Simon the
leper; (Luke 7:37-47).
Jesus
who came to the grave side of Lazarus and wept; (John 11).
Jesus
who consoled the man healed of blindness after the church council
expelled him; (John 9).
At
a certain future day when Jesus will be the host at a great feast
and serve all of those attending. (Luke 12:37).
The
friendship factor as it pertains to the person of Jesus is something
that must not be lost. There is a proverb that states, There is
a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) This
is the love and friendship of Jesus Christ.
There
are so many hurting, there are man who are bruised, and there are
man needing a friend. The love and power of the Spirit of Christ
Jesus can supply this. It is a kind of supernatural miracle that
someone who needs and asks believing can receive.
See
also: The Mysteries of God Series
Mystery 5 - Gospel of Kingdom.htm
Return to Gospel Without Religion Index
FEATURES
of The
GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
Jesus'
Message was the Gospel of the Kingdom
Too
often, religious tradition has taken away the spiritual nature and
power and potential of our relationship with Jesus Christ and replaced
it with human- centered ideas and institutional church behaviors.
The foundational Gospel is the message of God's plan for restoring
the earth and reconciling its people under His own rulership; to
gather them unto himself. (Exodus 19) It is a prophetic plan and
timetable for God's rulership. (Matthew 4:23)
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner
of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
The Gospel addresses the restoration and redemption of the
race of mankind, delivering the people from the control of Lucifer.
It was Satan, Lucifer, who once had the dominion of worldly rulership.
Jesus regained authority over principalities and powers and made
a triumph (a victorious parade) before every spiritual power
entity, ( angels and demons) and displayed that He, Jesus, the son
of man had received kingship, all ruling authority, in the World.
"The Son of God came to destroy the works of the Devil."(1John 3:8)
Two
Kingdoms in Conflict
Jesus came Against Satan's Kingdom With Messianic Power
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every sickness and every disease among the people.(Matthew 9:35)
"The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor
have the gospel preached to them. "(Mat 11:5) "But is now made manifest
by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished
death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel:"(2 Tim 1:10) "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of
David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:" ( 2 Tim
2:8)
Destroying
Bondages and Removing the Curse
The curse of the law and the curse of Adam was/is evident
in all sickness and evil that is manifest in the world. Satan
is reluctant to surrender control and authority and must be driven
out by the conquering king. Those who have been born of God are
given authority in His Name.
Just how long will Satan's "lease" be allowed to stand? There
are differences of opinion on this. The answer is hidden in
the "mystery of iniquity". Most agree that the "end times"
are here and now. The Mount of Olive discourses that Jesus
outlined the end-time events are recorded in Matthew 24, Luke
21 and Mark 13. They describe the end of the age and the final
defeat of the Evil One in an all-out conflict in the end.
The
day of the Lord is the prophetic reference to the time of the Judgment
of God against those who resist his Gospel and live in rebellion
to Him.
Judging
the True Gospel
The Gospel of the Kingdom is a Gospel of power, peace and righteousness:
The Gospel I believe, has three important elements, all of which
touch or are founded upon the rulership and authority of the
King and Heir of all things, Jesus Christ.
The
King Who is this King of Glory?
This one man, Jesus of Nazareth, has been ordained to be the
Head of the Kingdom of God? It is He who has been given all authority
within the Kingdom. It is He who was appointed by God the
Father, approved by Him in the resurrection of His body from the
dead.
Redemption, Being freed from the Consequences
of Our Old Nature
Redemption
goes much further than belief and ideology. Fallen man had to be
changed supernaturally from the inside out. A Provision had
to be made to deal with the sinful nature residing within every
person in a fallen race. God's plan to is to make something new
out of that man, a new creation, recreated by the Spirit of
God. This new right-standing status is not achieved by philosophy,
theology or religious ritual or belief but through the power of
a New Life.
The issue of righteousness outside of the law hangs upon this
"New Creation". He who was without sin was made sin for
us, so that we could become the righteousness of God. The teaching
of the "power of the cross" and the "exchange at the cross" are
the hinge upon which the miracle of the new birth and righteousness
articulates.
The
Hidden Gospel The
Extension of Jesus Ministry
The
long hidden Gospel of the Kingdom has to the do with the EXTENSION
OF JESUS MINISTRY upon the earth by Christ acting through
every believer. We become as Kings and Priests in the earth,
with Jesus in us and working through us to minister the supernatural
work God. Through the enablement of the Holy Spirit who was given
to each disciple for the sole purpose of doing these works.
It is this third aspect which has been missing in the revelation
of Christianity for hundreds of years and is only now coming to
light, although there is great resistance to the message by the
spirits of darkness. The very wonderful truth of "Christ In
Us, our hope of Glory" expresses a new life, a new character, and
new spiritual potential. We become not church members in the
manner of the worldly tradition but partakers of Jesus character
and of his ministry (gr. diakonia).
Commissioning
Disciples
The
gospel of the Kingdom is expressed in relationships more than in
knowledge. Jesus chose men and women to grow close to
and to share in the witness of His glory. It was they who
witnessed all of the miracles and wonders of His word and
deed. Yet amazingly, it was not enough for his living disciples
to witness His words and His works for 3 years, the Gospel required
more than that. They needed a empowerment from God; the same power
that was in Jesus had to re-energize each man and woman.
The Enabling "Anointing" of the Holy Spirit
Spiritual
Ministry: Healing, Preaching and Deliverance
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering
of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
(Luke 4:18) "Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and
tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind
see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the
dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached." (Luke 7:22)
"And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel,
and healing every where." (Luke 9:6)
Darkness continues to withstand the full gospel message from being
taught. The "leaven of the Pharisees" is still an active agent of
resistance to the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is this religious
spirit that brings a believer into the bondage of unbelief and the
traditions of man. The Gospel says that we are transformed
into a new life of provision and authority and supernatural ministry
but tradition says otherwise; The gospel says we are as He was in
this world, tradition says otherwise; The gospel says we are Kings
and Priests and the anointing teaches all things, tradition says
otherwise; The gospel says he ascended and gave gifts to man and
that every man has received these gifts in order to minister, tradition
says otherwise; The gospel says there is but one mediator between
God and man and we do not go to man to meet God, tradition will
direct otherwise. The gospel says not by man, not by man's
own will, or by any worldly means, tradition says otherwise.
The
Gospel of the Kingdom is Manifested Power
"For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek. "(Romans 1:16)
"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of
God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have
fully preached the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:19)"The
Gospel
means "Good News" - - Hope and Blessing
Why
is the Gospel called the "good news"? Through it is found
liberty, peace with God, joy and righteousness.
"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!"(Romans10:15)
"And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness
of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:29)
The
Message of the Gospel is Hidden to Human Minds The natural man with
all of his intellect can not receive things which are spiritual,
for it takes faith to believe. "But if our
gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"
(2 Corinthians 4:3) "But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Romans 10:16)
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them."(2 Corinthians 4:4)
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but
the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith
in them that heard it.(Hebrews 4:2) "Now to him that
is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching
of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which
was kept secret since the world began," (Romans 16:25)
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of
none effect." (1 Corinthians 1:17)
False
Gospels, Other Gospels
There are many cultic or non Christian "gospels" being taught. Every
cult and sect has any of three things which are wrong with it: The
wrong Jesus, the wrong Gospel, the wrong spirit.
"For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not
preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received,
or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear
with him."
(2 Corinthians 11:4)
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into
the grace of Christ unto another gospel:" "Which is not another;
but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel
of Christ." (Galatians 1:6,7)
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
(Galatians 1:8,9)
Fellowship
with the Holy Spirit "Instructs
us in the Gospel"
The
Gospel of the Kingdom was communicated directly to the Apostle Paul
by revelation of the Spirit of God, and face to face with Jesus
Christ (revealed "to one out of due time " a time after the forty
days when Jesus made in the flesh visitation with his disciples
before ascending into heaven.) Paul was visited personally by
Jesus. The epistles indicate a time of extraordinary revelation
of His Gospel.
Now for any who will seek it, there is the same Spirit of
revelation, "the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth". The Holy Spirit will
communicate all the things which are of Christ and show them to
us in prayer, reading of the word and in meditation.
"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached
of me is not after man."
(Galatians 1:11) "And I went up by revelation, and communicated
unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately
to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run,
or had run, in vain." (Galatians 2:2)
The
Gospel: Good News of Salvation
Salvation is not limited strictly to promised heavenly rewards,
having been made free of the fierce judgment of God's wrath upon
sinners. Salvation encompasses total restoration, (salvation, healing
and deliverance.) "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard
the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after
that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
(Ephesians 1:13)A Prayer of Faith, The Prayer Which Brings
Salvation If any person believes the Gospel in their heart
and declare this aloud to witnesses, that person shall be saved;
changed and made alive in Christ! The testimony of the believer
which brings salvation is a prayer of Faith, which is a spoken proclamation
declaring a promise from the Word of God. It should include some
of the following understandings. "Who is Jesus? What did he do for
ME? What will He do in ME because I believe?" These are elements
of the Gospel you should know after reading these chapters. Grafted
into the Vine of God's Elect The gospel of Jesus Christ extends
God's grace and provision outside of circle of the people of
God's original covenant. Beyond the fellowship of the Elect of Israel
-- outside of the boundary of the Abrahamic line.
"That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians
3:6) "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,
whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;"
(Colossians 1:5)
When the Gospel is Preached in its Fullness
Through mighty signs and wonders by the Spirit of God, from Jerusalem
and round about, I have preached fully (the gospel in its full measure)
the Gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19)When Fully Preached there
are Signs Attesting its Truth.
Yes, God can and will manifest His power to bless in order to demonstrate
His power! "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also
in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know
what manner of men we were among you for your sake." (1 Thessalonians
1:5)The Gospel Age is the Season of the Lord's Favor. The
church age has been called the age of Grace, the year of the Lord's
favor, or the acceptable year of the Lord. (Read Isaiah Chapter
61, the portions the Jesus quoted in Luke Chapter 4.)
In a future time, which may be nearly upon us, the night will come
when no man can work. The time will come for judgment and purifying
the earth. This promised, prophetic time will see "the thorough
purging of the threshing floor with fire. (a figurative picture
of Jesus spoken by John the Baptist, (Matthew chapter 3:12 and Luke
Chapter 3:17.)
The day of the free access to Christ's forgiveness of sins
is a window of opportunity which will not be extended indefinitely
and in terms of us as individuals we do not know what tomorrow will
bring. We may have no tomorrow, as the evangelist Billy Graham
has expressed so strongly in all of his appeals.
It is a certainty that there is coming a time of wrath
and judgment upon those who have not believed or received the word
of Gospel. "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that
know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
(2 Thessalonians 1:8) "Unto whom it was revealed, that
not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which
are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel
unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things
the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:12)The Gospel Begins
in Simplicity The Gospel begins simply in its scope as a simple
seed of promise, but deepens and grows as the mustard seed of the
parable into a great size; into greater and greater revelation
and spiritual wisdom of Christ.
"But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
(1 Pet 1:25) "Now to him that is of power to establish you
according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ -" (Romans
16:25)
As long as any disciple lives and grows in the knowledge of
Christ he or she will never exhaust the fullness of its splendor,
or the greatness of its wisdom. We are as the apostle says, looking
in a foggy or cloudy mirror. But some day that mirror will be clear.
"Knowledge
makes arrogant, love edifies."
1995 - 2023
|
