THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17).

Devotion 4 of 27

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

There is not a lot said these days about the Kingdom--but Jesus and the Apostles said a lot about it. The Gospel announces a kingdom that cannot be moved (Heb 12:28)--a kingdom that is not only accessible to us, but is offered to us.

When Jesus started preaching, He declared the "gospel of the kingdom." "And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people." (Mat 4:23). "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity." (Mat 9:35). What a glorious announcement! Behind the scenes, always dominant, and always moving forward with Divine precision is a Kingdom. Jesus came to announce its effectiveness in accomplishing and maintaining the salvation of fallen men.

Daniel's Prophecy Comes True

This is the kingdom prophesied by Daniel--a kingdom that would supersede all other kingdoms. This kingdom, the kingdom of God, would eventually decimate every kingdom originated by men. "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It shall crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever" (Dan 2:45). The world had never heard of such a kingdom! There had been world empires, but they had all given way to succeeding ones. This kingdom, however, would be a superior one, set up by the God of heaven Himself. Later, Jesus told His disciples to preach "The kingdom of God has come near to you" (Luke 10:9,11). Prior to Jesus, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord by preaching, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt 3:2).

The Gospel of Matthew refers to "the kingdom of God" five times, and "the kingdom of heaven" 32 times. It was the announcement of a kingdom that would gladden the hearts of believers! The heralding of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was not good news! Nor, indeed, was the awareness of the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, the Grecians, or the Romans. All of those kingdoms eventually aligned themselves against the Lord. Now a kingdom has been "set up" that is effective and dominant, and has a very glorious message!

The Gospel announces a beneficent reign! It proclaims a rule that is calculated to give the advantage to the sons of God, and bring down the devil, with his entire hierarchy.

It Will Be Preached

The Lord has decreed this kingdom-Gospel be preached throughout the world! A reign of grace (Rom 5:17,21) is announced as the appointed means of working salvation "in the midst of the earth." How wonderful is the announcement! "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" (Matt 24:14. The end of all things is subordinate to the preaching of this Gospel! First the Gospel, then the end! First good news, then Divine confrontation! This priority confirms the Lord's desire to save!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise Your holy name through Jesus that You have told us of your rule, and that it is for our good in the Son.

-- TOMORROW: PRESSED OUT OF MEASURE --