Gospel of the Kingdom

Message preached at Casey

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-10:8

This passage teaches us three things about the Gospel.
1) The Gospel Jesus preached is the “Gospel of the Kingdom.” 
2) Jesus Declared and Demonstrated the Gospel.
3) Jesus empowers and commands us to do likewise.

1. The Gospel Jesus preached is the “Gospel of the Kingdom.” (Matthew 9:35)
Jesus summarised His message as “The Kingdom of God”. We see that when Jesus preached the gospel, it was the “Gospel of the Kingdom of God.” When He taught parables, they often start as, “The Kingdom of God is like…” When Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons He proclaimed, “The Kingdom of God has come to you!”

Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” And when He sent them out, He sent them to “Proclaim the Kingdom and heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons!” Finally, in-between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension He taught on the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God was the first message Jesus preached, (Mark 1:15) and it was the final message Jesus preached. (Acts 1:3) The Gospel of The Kingdom of God is the summary of the message of Jesus.

Discussion
What do you think the Gospel of the Kingdom means?
When you think about the term “The Gospel” what do you think of?

2. Jesus Declared and Demonstrated the Gospel. (Matthew 9:35, 10:7-8)
Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom involves the “DECLARING” of the good news, along with the “DEMONSTRATION” of the good news. The two are linked and should not be broken apart.

Jesus models this for us. When He healed the sick or cast out demons He would DECLARE, “The Kingdom of God has come to you!” (Matthew 9:35, 12:28, Luke 10:9) Then, when sending out the disciples, Jesus linked the declaring of the Kingdom of God with the DEMONSTRATION of the Kingdom of God through miracles such as healing and deliverance.

Discussion
What does it mean to Declare the Gospel?
What are some ways Jesus and the Disciples Demonstrated the Gospel?

3. Jesus empowers and commands us to do likewise. (Matthew 10:1-8)
Just as Jesus Declared and Demonstrated the Kingdom in His Ministry, He now passes this same mission on to us. Jesus commands us to, and gives us the authority to Declare and Demonstrate the Gospel of the Kingdom.

What God commands, God enables. This mission has been passed down from generation to generation of believers, and so has the power and authority to obey this command. You and I have the power and authority to Declare and Demonstrate the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Discussion
Why does the Declaration and Demonstration of the Gospel require authority?
What did the Disciples use this authority to do?
When have you used this authority?
How can you use this authority in your life and ministry?