Jesus came to preach The Gospel of the Kingdom. In our different church traditions, we have learned a lot about the Gospel of Salvation and the Gospel of the church.
The Gospel of Salvation is focused on getting saved while we are here, so that when we die we have a place secured in heaven. However, Jesus is often not Lord over every area of our lives. Church becomes compartmentalized and become one part of our lives.
The Gospel of the Church place focus on that particular distinctive of the church or denomination to which the believer joins. It promotes their particular church and demands conformity to certain speech, dress or prayer. Not long ago, I met someone who shared that a person came to believe in Jesus. Their church culture requires anyone that worships with them wear a suit for their worship service. This new believer couldn’t afford the suit, so he couldn’t go to church. How sad is that?
Jesus preached the true Gospel. He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. God chose a kingdom where God is the King and conducts his rule and reign. If we have the wrong mindset of the Kingdom, we will not enter into the fullness of all that God has for us.
Kingdom of God is designed as ‘Top down, inside out’ Kingdom. Top Down is Heaven’s influence on earth of Jesus Lordship.
‘Inside out’ describes how Jesus transforms our lives, so that we can represent Him to our community.
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man
“They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.”
Luke 8:26-29 NIV
Our culture tried to change the demon possessed man by making him conform to what is normal; they bound him, put external pressure to change him. Jesus dealt with the root of the problem. The Kingdom message results in us looking more like Jesus. The reason why we change is that we love God and does not want to hurt him.
“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. ”
Mark 10:17-22 NIV
This passage challenged me. I can keep all the laws but still not make Jesus Lord of everything. God wants us to fully surrender our lives to him and not withhold anything from him. The rich young ruler was faithful to obey a lot of the laws and yet he cannot surrender his great wealth to Jesus.
Is there anything in our lives that we have not totally surrendered to God?
When we make Jesus Lord, we place the kingdom of God the centre of our lives. God can take our brokenness, our poverty and turn it around and make something so beautiful out of it. God can take our weakness and turn it into something so powerful for His great purpose. He wants us to conform to the image of His Son so that we can represent him well to the world.
Is Jesus Lord in our lives? Are we living God’s order? Is there comfort in our life that is preventing me for living fully for God?