The Gospel of the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 4:23
Series: Sermons 2001 Rewritten
Date:
Speaker: Ed Rangel
Location: Waupaca Church of Christ
Bible Version: NASB 1995
Sermon Type: Expository

Learning Objectives

1. Explain what the gospel is according to Scripture.
2. Show that the gospel was promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Christ.
3. Identify the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as the heart of the gospel.
4. Defend that the gospel is for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.
5. Warn Christians not to receive the gospel selfishly or lazily.
6. Call sinners to obey the gospel and Christians to live faithfully in its power.

Thesis

The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised from the dead, reigns as Lord, saves all who obey Him, and calls His people to proclaim His saving message to the world.

Introduction.

1. Everybody likes to hear good news. a. A sick man rejoices when the doctor says the disease is gone. b. A couple unable to have children rejoices when they finally hear a child is coming. c. A young couple rejoices when they are approved for their first home. d. A family rejoices when a marriage is announced.
2. Good news lifts the heart. a. It changes the atmosphere. b. It gives hope. c. It moves people to speak, rejoice, and act.
3. The Bible announces the greatest good news of all. a. Man is lost in sin. b. Christ came to save. c. Christ died, was buried, and rose again. d. Salvation is offered to all who will receive and obey the gospel.
4. Matthew 4:23 says Jesus was “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.” a. That gospel is not man-made optimism. b. It is not religious entertainment. c. It is the saving message of God through Christ.
5. The question is not only whether we know the gospel. a. The question is whether we have obeyed it. b. The question is whether we are living worthy of it. c. The question is whether we are sharing it.

I. The Gospel Is Good News from God.

A. The word “gospel” means good news.

1. The Greek word euangelion means good news or glad tidings. a. It was used for the announcement of favorable news. b. In Scripture, it becomes the announcement of salvation through Christ. c. It is not merely good advice; it is good news.
2. The gospel is good news because man’s condition is bad. a. If man were not lost, he would not need saving. b. If man were not guilty, he would not need forgiveness. c. If man were not spiritually dead, he would not need life.
3. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. a. That includes the moral man. b. That includes the religious man. c. That includes the respectable man. d. That includes you and me.

B. The gospel is the good news of the kingdom.

1. Matthew 4:23 says Jesus was teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease. a. His miracles confirmed His authority. b. His preaching announced the kingdom. c. His works showed divine power and mercy.
2. John the Baptist came as a forerunner. a. Mark 1:2–3 describes the voice crying in the wilderness. b. His work was to prepare the way of the Lord. c. He announced that the King was coming.
3. Jesus came preaching the kingdom. a. The King was present. b. The rule of God was being announced. c. The good news centered in Christ Himself.

C. The gospel is not merely any religious message.

1. Not every message called “gospel” is the gospel. a. A message without the cross is not the gospel. b. A message without the resurrection is not the gospel. c. A message without repentance and obedience is not the gospel.
2. Galatians 1:6–9 warns against a different gospel. a. Men may pervert the gospel. b. Men may preach another message. c. God does not accept man’s alterations.
3. The church must guard the gospel. a. We must not water it down. b. We must not replace it with entertainment. c. We must not make it softer than God made it.

II. The Gospel Was Promised Before It Was Fulfilled.

A. The Old Testament pointed forward to Christ.

1. Deuteronomy 18:15–19 promised a prophet like Moses. a. God would raise Him up from among the people. b. God would put His words in His mouth. c. The people would be required to listen to Him.
2. That prophecy points to Christ. a. Jesus is the prophet greater than Moses. b. Jesus speaks the words of the Father. c. To reject Jesus is to reject God’s final authority.
3. The gospel did not begin as an afterthought. a. God planned redemption. b. God promised redemption. c. God brought redemption to fulfillment in Christ.

B. Isaiah pointed to the coming Messiah.

1. Isaiah 11:1–2 speaks of a shoot from the stem of Jesse. a. The Messiah would come from David’s line. b. The Spirit of the Lord would rest upon Him. c. He would have wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.
2. Christ fulfills the hope of Israel. a. He is the promised King. b. He is the righteous Branch. c. He is the One in whom God’s saving purpose is fulfilled.
3. Romans 15:12 applies Isaiah’s promise to Christ. a. The root of Jesse would arise. b. He would rule over the Gentiles. c. In Him the Gentiles would hope.

C. The Old Testament promised salvation for all nations.

1. God’s purpose was never merely ethnic pride. a. Israel was chosen to serve God’s redemptive purpose. b. Through Abraham’s seed, all nations would be blessed. c. Christ is the fulfillment of that promise.
2. The gospel is not for Jews only. a. It is for Gentiles also. b. It is for every nation. c. It is for every sinner willing to fear God and do what is right.
3. Acts 10 shows Peter learning this clearly. a. God is not one to show partiality. b. In every nation, the one who fears Him and does what is right is welcome. c. Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

III. The Gospel Centers in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

A. Paul defines the gospel clearly.

1. First Corinthians 15:1–4 says Paul preached the gospel. a. The Corinthians received it. b. They stood in it. c. They were saved by it if they held it fast.
2. The gospel facts are plain. a. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. b. He was buried. c. He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
3. This is the message of first importance. a. Not politics. b. Not entertainment. c. Not human philosophy. d. Christ crucified and raised.

B. The death of Christ was for our sins.

1. Christ did not die because of His own guilt. a. He was sinless. b. He was innocent. c. He was the righteous One dying for the unrighteous.
2. His death shows the seriousness of sin. a. Sin is not harmless. b. Sin required blood. c. Sin placed the Son of God on the cross.
3. His death also shows the love of God. a. God did not leave man without hope. b. God provided the sacrifice. c. God opened the way of salvation.

C. The resurrection is essential to the gospel.

1. First Corinthians 15 says if Christ has not been raised, preaching is vain. a. Faith would be vain. b. We would still be in our sins. c. The dead in Christ would have perished.
2. Christianity stands or falls with the resurrection. a. A dead Christ cannot save. b. A buried-only Christ cannot reign. c. A risen Christ is Lord.
3. The gospel is good news because the tomb is empty. a. Christ conquered death. b. Christ was raised by God. c. Christ now reigns as Lord and Savior.

IV. The Gospel Must Be Preached to All People.

A. Jesus gave the great commission.

1. Matthew 28:18–20 begins with Christ’s authority. a. All authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth. b. The church does not preach by its own authority. c. The church preaches because the King commanded it.
2. Jesus commanded His apostles to make disciples of all nations. a. They were to baptize them. b. They were to teach them to observe all He commanded. c. This work reaches every nation.
3. Mark 16:15 commands the gospel to be preached to all creation. a. The gospel is not local gossip. b. It is not private religion. c. It is a worldwide message.

B. The gospel was preached at Pentecost.

1. Acts 2 records the first gospel sermon after the resurrection and ascension of Christ. a. Peter preached Jesus. b. He preached the crucifixion. c. He preached the resurrection. d. He preached Jesus as Lord and Christ.
2. The people were pierced to the heart. a. They did not ask for entertainment. b. They did not ask for a softer message. c. They asked, “What shall we do?”
3. Peter told them to repent and be baptized. a. The promise was for them. b. It was for their children. c. It was for all who were far off. d. About three thousand received the word and were baptized.

C. The gospel was preached to Cornelius and his household.

1. Acts 10 shows the gospel going to Gentiles. a. Cornelius was devout. b. He feared God. c. He prayed. d. He still needed the gospel.
2. Peter preached Jesus to them. a. Jesus went about doing good. b. Jesus healed those oppressed by the devil. c. Jesus was put to death on a cross. d. God raised Him on the third day.
3. Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized. a. They heard the word. b. They received the message. c. They were not refused baptism. d. The gospel demanded obedient response.

V. The Gospel Must Be Obeyed, Not Merely Admired.

A. Knowing the gospel is not enough.

1. Many people know facts about Jesus. a. They know He died. b. They know He was buried. c. They know Christians believe He rose. d. Yet they have never obeyed Him.
2. The gospel is not a museum piece to admire. a. It is a message to receive. b. It is a command to obey. c. It is a salvation to enter.
3. Second Thessalonians 1:7–9 warns of judgment on those who do not obey the gospel. a. The gospel has commands. b. The gospel demands submission. c. Refusing the gospel is not harmless ignorance when truth has been heard.

B. The sinner must respond to the gospel.

1. The sinner must hear the word. a. Faith comes from hearing. b. No man can believe a gospel he refuses to hear. c. The word of Christ must be received.
2. The sinner must believe Christ. a. Jesus is not merely a teacher. b. He is the Christ, the Son of God. c. He is Lord of all.
3. The sinner must repent. a. Sin must be turned from. b. Self-rule must be surrendered. c. Christ must rule.
4. The sinner must confess Christ. a. Faith must not remain hidden. b. Christ must be confessed as Lord. c. The mouth must agree with the believing heart.
5. The sinner must be baptized for the remission of sins. a. Acts 2:38 connects repentance and baptism with forgiveness. b. Baptism is not an optional religious symbol after salvation. c. Baptism is obedient faith submitting to the gospel of Christ.
6. The Christian must live faithfully. a. Matthew 28:20 includes teaching disciples to observe all Jesus commanded. b. Conversion begins the life of discipleship. c. The saved must walk under the authority of Christ.

C. The gospel can be received wrongly after conversion.

1. Simon the sorcerer obeyed the gospel in Acts 8. a. He believed. b. He was baptized. c. Yet his heart later became wrong before God.
2. Simon wanted to buy the power of God. a. His desire was corrupt. b. His ambition was sinful. c. He needed repentance.
3. Peter told him to repent and pray. a. A Christian who sins must not pretend. b. He must repent. c. He must seek forgiveness from God.

VI. The Gospel Must Not Be Rejected Like the Gadarenes Rejected Christ.

A. Mark 5 shows Jesus delivering a demon-possessed man.

1. The man had been tormented. a. He lived among the tombs. b. He could not be bound. c. He was miserable and destructive.
2. Jesus delivered him. a. The man was found sitting down. b. He was clothed. c. He was in his right mind.
3. That should have produced joy. a. Mercy had been shown. b. A man had been restored. c. Christ’s power had been displayed.

B. The people asked Jesus to leave.

1. They saw the healed man. a. They heard what happened. b. They knew the swine had been lost. c. They became afraid.
2. They begged Jesus to depart from their region. a. They wanted Him gone. b. They rejected the presence of the Savior. c. They valued comfort and property over deliverance.
3. That is still possible today. a. A man may hear the gospel and ask Jesus to leave him alone. b. A person may prefer sin to salvation. c. A family may prefer comfort to truth.

C. The hearer must decide what to do with Christ.

1. Will you receive Him? a. Not sentimentally. b. Not half-heartedly. c. Not on your own terms.
2. Will you send Him away? a. By refusing obedience. b. By loving the world. c. By delaying repentance.
3. There is no neutral ground. a. Christ is Lord. b. The gospel is true. c. The soul must respond.

VII. The Gospel Must Not Be Buried by Lazy Christians.

A. Jesus taught responsibility in the parable of the talents.

1. One servant received five talents and gained five more. a. He used what was entrusted to him. b. He served faithfully. c. He was commended.
2. Another received two talents and gained two more. a. He had less than the first. b. He still worked. c. He was also commended.
3. The servant with one talent buried it. a. He did not use what he had. b. He offered excuses. c. He was condemned.

B. Christians must not bury the gospel.

1. We cannot claim to possess the truth and hide it. a. The gospel is saving truth. b. The lost need it. c. The church must speak it.
2. We cannot claim to love souls while remaining silent. a. Silence is easy. b. Fear is common. c. But the gospel must still be preached.
3. We cannot say we have light and refuse to shine. a. Christ calls His people the light of the world. b. Light is meant to be seen. c. Truth is meant to be proclaimed.

C. The saved must be workers, not spectators.

1. Christians must be faithful in worship. a. Regular assemblies matter. b. Bible classes matter. c. Gospel meetings matter. d. Worship is not a hobby.
2. Christians must serve. a. Teach. b. Encourage. c. Visit. d. Evangelize. e. Strengthen brethren.
3. Christians must stop using grace as an excuse for laziness. a. The gospel saved us for service. b. The kingdom has work to do. c. The Lord will judge His servants.

Application.

1. For the sinner. a. The gospel is good news because you are in a bad condition without Christ. b. You have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. c. Christ died, was buried, and rose again so that you may be saved. d. Do not admire the gospel while refusing to obey it.

2. For the Christian. a. You received the gospel, but you must continue in faithfulness. b. If sin has entered your life, repent as Simon was told to repent. c. If laziness has taken hold, wake up and serve.

3. For the congregation. a. The gospel must remain central. b. Do not replace gospel preaching with entertainment, motivational talk, or human tradition. c. Preach Christ, His kingdom, His cross, His resurrection, His authority, and His terms of pardon.

4. For parents and teachers. a. Teach children what the gospel is. b. Do not let them think the gospel is only “go to church and be nice.” c. Teach them the death, burial, resurrection, reign, command, and promise of Christ.

5. For evangelism. a. If the gospel is good news, then share it. b. If people are lost, then speak. c. If Christ is Lord of all, then all need to hear Him.

Conclusion.

1. The gospel is good news. a. Better than recovery from sickness. b. Better than financial relief. c. Better than earthly announcements. d. It is the good news of salvation in Christ.
2. The gospel was promised in the Old Testament. a. Moses spoke of the coming Prophet. b. Isaiah spoke of the root of Jesse. c. The prophets pointed forward to Christ.
3. The gospel was fulfilled in Jesus. a. He died for our sins. b. He was buried. c. He was raised on the third day. d. He reigns as Lord.
4. The gospel is for all. a. Jew and Gentile. b. Rich and poor. c. Near and far. d. Every nation under heaven.
5. The gospel must be obeyed. a. Hear. b. Believe. c. Repent. d. Confess. e. Be baptized for the remission of sins. f. Live faithfully.
6. Do not ask Jesus to leave. a. Do not bury what He gave you. b. Do not delay obedience. c. Do not neglect the gospel that can save your soul.

Invitation.

1. Hear the word. a. Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ.
2. Believe Christ. a. John 8:24 warns that unless you believe that Jesus is He, you will die in your sins.
3. Repent. a. Acts 17:30 says God now commands all people everywhere to repent.
4. Confess Christ. a. Romans 10:9–10 connects confession with faith.
5. Be baptized for the remission of sins. a. Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. b. Mark 16:16 connects belief and baptism with salvation.
6. Live faithfully. a. Matthew 28:20 requires disciples to observe all that Christ commanded. b. Revelation 2:10 calls Christians to be faithful until death.

Word Study.

Scripture Interlock Table.