Are We Preaching the Good News?

Audio is preceded by 40 seconds of silence.

Luke 4:42–43 ESV

And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

What was Jesus preaching? 

Acts 28:30–31 ESV

He (Paul) lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

What was Paul preaching? 

Luke 9:1–2 ESV

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Luke 10:1 ESV

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. Luke 10:9

Luke 10:9 ESV

Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Matthew 10:7–8 ESV

And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

What is the Kingdom of God? 

Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done ON EARTH just like   it is being done in heaven right now. 

The Kingdom is where God has dominion, where his will is done, and his rule is perfectly carried out. 

What are the signs of the Kingdom?  Healing, cleansing, casting out demons… Not just salvation. 

How does God establish his kingdom?  

It is through the church!  The word “church” in Greek is Ekklesia. It is used of the governing body of a city or province. 

God’s government is established on the earth through the church acting as his government administering the will of God. 

Paul likens the church’s role is a military one: 

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 3:10 ESV

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

The aggressive force of the church is supposed to break down hell’s defensive gates and rescue those imprisoned by satan.

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not be able to withstand it.” – Matthew 16:18  

Matthew 24:14 ESV

And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Church is given a Great Commission, and Jesus is not coming back until we have accomplished it: 

Matthew 24:14 ESV

(First) …this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus expects the church not just to preach the kingdom or the dominion of God but to establish it in all nations. 

Why would he tell us to do that if we were going to be defeated? He expects us to be victorious. Not with weapons of war but by the power of God working in and through the church, his governing body, by the Holy Spirit. 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. 

And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. 

Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.” – Isaiah 60:1–5(ESV)

Transcription Here: