We have a message to share. That message comes from God. Do we know what that message is?
When Jesus began His ministry, He used the same message that His forerunner, John the Plunger, used to alert people to the good news.
“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2 and 4:17 NLT)
When the Holy Spirit caused a commotion on the day of Pentecost after Jesus had ascended, Peter instructed people as to the rightful response to the declaration of what Jesus accomplished.
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NLT)
As the astonishing book of the Acts of the Apostles concludes, we see the apostle Paul who “welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.” (Acts 28:30-31 NLT)
There are different aspects of the Kingdom of God that people can get consumed with. The aspect of His justice or righteousness, or mercy, or grace, or wisdom. One aspect that is given prominence is the love of the King. Indeed, it’s given so much prominence that some even think that’s the message. Some are encouraged to come to Jesus because He loves them, and stay with Jesus because He loves them, and then feel warm and cuddly over the fact that Jesus loves them, as though that’s the message.
There is, however, significantly more to the message than the love of God. To commit to the rule of God is a radical act of defiance to the current rule of the world. To turn to God in belief is to turn our backs on the way the flesh used to rule us. To respond to the message of the Kingdom is so significant an act that it embraces a new approach to life, even as the Spirit gives new life.
Recognising our position in God’s Kingdom – wherever we’re located – gives us a responsibility to reiterate and reaffirm the message that John the Plunger and Jesus resounded thousands of years ago. Acknowledging our place in the rule of God gives us the privilege and honour of joining Peter and Paul in resounding the good news that the rule of God is here. It’s here to offer the true way to live – it’s not the alternative, it’s the truth. And to know the truth is to experience the freedom to express what we were created to be – members of the family of God and ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We live under His rule, and we have the message to declare this rule as we carry out the mission to demonstrate it by His indwelling Spirit.
It's easy to be so wrapped up with other activities that we lose sight of the essential nature of the message we’re called to deliver. It’s good in those times to be steered back to what the message is all about and return to the heart of the one who has sent us to deliver this message for His honour, for His glory, for His praise …
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
Next Steps
Reflect: How familiar are you with the message that John the Plunger, Jesus, Peter, Paul and others shared about the Kingdom of God? How often do you share this good news?
Pray: Father, thank you for the good news of your Kingdom. Thank you for your Son who rules forever and has given us your Spirit so we can embrace this message and share it with others. Refresh my memory of this news and give me boldness to share it effectively today for your glory, Lord.
Act: Talk through with a friend the nature of the message of the good news of the Kingdom and resolve to share it with at least three people this week, as God gives you the opportunity.
