The Gospel, the Kingdom, and the King

The following is a partial summary of what I have gleaned from my study over the last year.  It shows areas where some of us have overlooked key aspects of the Gospel, and as a result, weaknesses in some evangelistic presentations.

 

1. The Gospel cannot be separated from the Kingdom

• Jesus proclaimed the “Gospel of the Kingdom”—Matt. 4:23; 9: 35; Mk 1:14,15; Luke 4:43; Lk 8:1
• He indicated that the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all before the end of time—Matt. 24:14
• Jesus linked eternal life to the Kingdom—John 3:3,5; Matt. 19:16-17, 23-24, 25
• Philip preached the Gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 8:12)
• The Kingdom is directly linked to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel—Acts 28:31

2. The Kingdom is essentially the reign and rule of the King (see D.A. Carson and Craig Blomberg’s references in their commentaries on Matthew)

 

3. Jesus repeatedly identified Himself as the Christ/King and was repeatedly identified by others as such—in fact He was convicted and executed for admitting to as much (Christ=Messiah=King—and by implication, Master, Ruler, Lord—not just in title, but in function. See “The First Mark of a Disciple”  http://www.mediafire.com/?bibbjg8yxjz)

 

4. Jesus indicated that the church is comprised of those who recognize (and by implication submit to) Him as King (Matt. 16:16-18—again, Carson and Blomberg)

 

5. Jesus linked eternal life to knowing Him as Christ/King—John 17:3

 

6. John indicated that a prerequisite to eternal life is believing/trusting Jesus as Christ/King—20:31

 

7. The essence of the Gospel in Acts focused on the centrality of Jesus as the Christ/King

• Peter at Pentecost—2:31-37
• Peter upon healing crippled man—3:13-18
• The whole church—5:32
• Stephen—Acts 7:52 (by implication—referring to “the Righteous One”)
• Philip—Acts 8:5
• Paul—Acts 9:22; 17:3; 18:5; 26:23; 28:31
• Observations by the Jews (17:7)
• Apollos—18:28

8. To be saved is to enter the Kingdom. Entering the Kingdom requires acknowledging, submitting to, and yielding to the King. So, in order to be saved, one must recognize and be willing to submit to the King (Master, Ruler, Lord). Therefore, you cannot accurately or adequately proclaim the Gospel without proclaiming Jesus as absolute Christ/King/Lord/Master/Ruler, and explaining the need to trust Him as such.

Hitler and Darwin

My son, Philip, is now a weekly blogger for his church in Louisville–Sojourn Community Church.

Check it out:

http://travelblog.sojournchurch.com/2009/03/24/contend-by-philip-revell-what-do-hitler-and-darwin-have-in-common/

Presenting the Gospel

Here is the Delta/Gamma Chi study from 3/19/09;

http://www.mediafire.com/file/d2zzzmmmzyy/Presenting the Gospel.mp3

The King’s Kingdom Agenda

Here is the study from Delta/Gamma Chi 3/12/09:

http://www.mediafire.com/?lehjhtzjgzy

“Sorry America, but following your heart is overrated.”

Check out Philip Revell’s recent blog: http://philipjamesrevell.wordpress.com/

Some Thoughts on Generations

It is my observation that in each generation there are those who are faithful to God, His Word, and the Gospel, and are used mightily by the Lord to accomplish His Kingdom purposes.

In each generation there also are those who lose sight of the priority and primacy of God’s Word and the Gospel and get caught up in man-made and man-centered methodologies and emphases. Ironically, this group is also used by the Lord to accomplish His Kingdom purposes (see Philippians 1:15-18).

Each generation also has a younger generation that believes it has a “new” and superior insight into God and His Word. Some in this generation show respect to their predecessors even while venturing off into new ways of doing ministry; they are faithful to God, His Word, and the Gospel, and are used mightily by the Lord to accomplish His Kingdom purposes. Others arrogantly disdain the stance and ministries of the former generation; they lose sight of the priority and primacy God’s Word and the Gospel and get caught up in man-made and man-centered methodologies and emphases. Again, ironically, the Lord uses both groups in this generation to accomplish His Kingdom purposes (again, see Philippians 1:15-18).

It was true of my father’s generation, it is true of my generation, it will be true of my sons’ generation, and it will likely be true of the generations to follow.  And for one generation to despise and judge the other is not only unbiblical, it is further ill advised because the former has been the latter, and the latter will one day become the former. May we pray that we all come to a biblically mature way of thinking that joins the Apostle Paul in praying, “In this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (again, see Philippians 1:18).

Is Jesus REALLY the Only Way Part 3

Here is the third and final of the series:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ytytwofzwot

Is Jesus REALLY the Only Way Part 2

Here is the Delta/Gamma Chi study from 1/29/09.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ymizmtmnx1g

Blessings!

Is Jesus REALLY the Only Way? Part 1

Here is the Delta/Gamma Chi study from 1/15/09.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mcdygzyzjz3

Blessings!

More Delta/Gamma Chi Studies

 

These are the additional studies that aren’t tied to the series:

This is “When God’s Plan Doesn’t Make Sense” (a study of Habakkuk) from 11/6/08.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ma2mjovhh5o

 

Immanuel–God With Us, from 12/11/08

http://www.mediafire.com/?vtjzzgm13dc