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"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM" (Mt 24:14) June 11th, 2008 Int. In spite of these persecutions, there should be a universal publication of the glad tidings of the kingdom, for a testimony to all nations. 1. Tacitus informs us that, as early as the reign of Nero, the Christians were grown so numerous at Rome as to excite the jealousy of the government. 2. This gospel of the kingdom. (Vr. 14-a) A. "The good news of the coming of Messiah’s kingdom — what we call in short, "the gospel" B. (2 Cor. 5:19) "That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself" C. Notice that He calls it "this Gospel". (Mt 26:13) "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 1. Because "this Gospel" is that which he preached, which it was the object of his incarnation to set forth." D. A. W. Pink: "Law and Gospel are antithetical terms: "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (Jn. 1:17) 1. It is significant that the word "Gospel" is never found in the Old Testament." 3. CONSIDER AGAIN "THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM" 1. (Mat 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." 2. (Mat 9:35) "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." 3. (Mat 24:14) "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." 4. (Mark 1:14) "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God," 4. J. Cummings sure missed it in his day concerning the Kingdom: "This kingdom, thus composed, SHALL OVERFLOW ALL KINGDOMS. He proclaimed: 1. He taught that Heathendom is gradually dying out over all the world. 2. He taught that Mohammadanism was almost gone; the crescent wanes over all the earth, etc. Note: Jesus said that the gospel shall be preached to all the world as a witness. Not to convert all nations, etc." 5. Consider the controlling influence of the gospel: 1. It controls the opinions. They who are under this kingdom are obliged to believe all the truths of the Bible. 2. It controls the will. God makes it criminal to choose the evil and refuse the good. 3. It controls the belief of mankind. The subjects of this kingdom are called upon to trust in Christ, and in Him only, for salvation. 4. It controls the affections — "Thou shalt love," etc. It controls the temper, pride, and all those feelings which are akin to it. 6. THERE IS INFINITE MERCY IN SUCH CONTROL. 1. The opinions of those not under this control have ever been tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. 2. There is mercy in having our minds and wills under His control. . Man is in a wilderness of sin, etc. 3. All the denominations and sects of religion are the result of men not being under his controlling influence. 7. This gospel of His Kingdom shall be preached for WITNESS. 1. A witness of man’s total depravity. 2. A witness of God’s method of reconciliation for lost mankind. 8. Consider a few thoughts on this Kingdom. 1. The very word "kingdom" suggests a "King", and Christ is labeled, "The King of the Jews" (Mt 2:2 ) 2. He is called "King of Kings" 3. The Pharisees were not the least hesitant in affirming that the Christ would be Son of David. a. (Mat 22:45) "If David then call him Lord, how is he (Messiah) his son?" b. (Mark 12:35) "And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ (Messiah) is the son of David?" c. (Luke 20:41) "And he said unto them, How say they that Christ (Messiah) is David's son?" 4. Frequently in life He was hailed as "Son of David," and after His ascension, Peter declares that the promise God had made to David that "of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne" a. (Acts 2:30) "Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ (Messiah) to sit on his throne;" b. (Acts 2:30) was fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. c. (Rom 1:3) "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ (Messiah) our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;" 5. Therefore, on the human side He had the title to kingship as son of David, while on the Divine side as Son of God He had also the right to the throne. 9. Jesus was and is King by Divine Appointment. 1. (Ps 2:6) "Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion" 2. (Acts 2:36) "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ(Messiah), this Jesus whom ye crucified." 3. (Phil 2:9) "God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name" 10. Again and again the great Old Testament word of Yahweh is applied to Christ: 1. (Heb 1:13) "Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet" 11. CONSIDER THAT OUR LORD'S KINGDOM IS A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM. 1. (John 18:36) "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." 2, Because it is of an unworldly origin, it is not to be propagated by worldly means, and the non-use of worldly means declares it to be of an unworldly character. 12. CONSIDER THAT THIS GOSPEL IS TO BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD. 1. Jacob Chamberlain said: "Every church should support two pastors: One for the thousands at home and the other for the millions abroad." 2. C. H. S. A Stunning Statement: "In my inmost soul, I believe that the Lord is not with most of our foreign missions. And why? Because God never called the missionary societies to the work. He never bade the missionary society become the spouse of Christ and bring forth sons unto Him. His offspring, His seed, which shall reward Him for His soul's travail, must spring from His own well-beloved bride." Conclusion: C. H. S. On the Vitality of the gospel: — "See what vitality the gospel has! Plunge her under the wave, and she rises the purer from her washing; thrust her in the fire, and she comes out the more bright for her burning; cut her in sunder, and each piece shall make another church; behead her, and like the hydra of old, she shall have a hundred heads for every one you cut away. She cannot die, she must live; for she has the power of God within her."
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