The Gospel of the Kingdom

The traditional evangelical approach to sharing the gospel often begins with sin and forgiveness, but this sermon argues that the primary message of the gospel is that Jesus is King. This kingdom-centered understanding frames salvation as taking refuge in Christ's kingdom from the oppression of worldly and spiritual powers. The sermon explains how this reframing helps us better understand both evangelism and Christian security, suggesting that our eternal destiny hinges not on perfect behavior but on our recognition of and submission to Christ's kingship.

Synopsis:

The Problem of Human Rebellion

At the heart of humanity's struggle with God lies rebellion. As Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." While this verse is often used to emphasize human sinfulness, the key issue is how sin diminishes God's glory. This dynamic was first displayed in the Garden of Eden, where Eve's fundamental problem wasn't a propensity for wickedness but rather a desire to be "like God," essentially attempting to claim His crown for herself.

The story of human rebellion extends beyond individual sin to encompass spiritual forces. In Deuteronomy 32:8, we learn that God divided the nations according to "the number of the sons of God" - divine beings appointed as judges over nations. However, these spiritual rulers proved unjust. As Psalm 82:1-2 reveals, "God stands in the divine council; He pronounces judgment among the gods: 'How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?'"

The Pattern of Divine and Human Oppression

These unjust spiritual rulers established a pattern of oppression that human rulers would emulate. The oppression manifested in similar ways across both spiritual and physical realms. Psalm 82:3-4 outlines the divine beings' failures: "Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked."

This pattern of oppression is mirrored in human society, as evidenced in Amos 2:6-8: "The Lord says: I will not relent from punishing Israel for three crimes, even four, because they sell a righteous person for silver and a needy person for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the poor on the dust of the ground and obstruct the path of the needy."

The Solution: Taking Refuge in Christ's Kingdom

The biblical solution to this oppression is not social transformation but rather becoming refugees in Christ's kingdom. Romans 5:10 states, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life." This reconciliation involves recognizing our former status as enemies of God - not merely neutral parties but active opponents of His reign.

Christ's work involved descending into death itself to break its power. As 1 Peter 3:18-19 describes, "For Christ also suffered for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison."

The Church's Mission: Gathering God's People

Just as Christ emptied hell of God's people through His death and resurrection, the church's mission is to empty the world of God's people by calling them into His kingdom. This is captured in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you."

This mission involves reversing the traditional evangelical approach to sharing the gospel. Rather than beginning with belief in Jesus' death for sins, followed by baptism and then obedience, the biblical pattern starts with recognizing Jesus as King, followed by baptism as a pledge of allegiance, with understanding of forgiveness coming later through discipleship.

The True Heart of the Gospel

The story of the thief on the cross perfectly illustrates this kingdom-centered understanding of the gospel. In Luke 23:42-43, the thief says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom," to which Jesus replies, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." Notably, the thief doesn't ask for forgiveness of sins but rather acknowledges Jesus' kingship and desires to be part of His kingdom.

This understanding has profound implications for Christian security. Rather than basing our assurance of salvation on our ability to avoid sin, we can find security in our recognition of and submission to Christ's kingship. The fundamental question is not "Have I stopped sinning?" but rather "Who is my king?" - ourselves, the world, or Jesus Christ?

The gospel is indeed bigger than we think, encompassing not just personal forgiveness but the entire story of God's kingdom from creation to consummation. This kingdom-centered understanding provides a more biblical and effective approach to evangelism, focusing on the fundamental issue of authority and kingship rather than merely emotional appeals about sin and forgiveness.