COUNTERFEIT GOSPELS

There can be no doubt about it—the good news of the kingdom is the central theme of all first-century evangelistic preaching. Take a look at the list of preachers:

                                                John the Baptist

                                                Jesus

                                                The Twelve

                                                An Unnamed Disciple

                                                The Seventy

                                                Peter

                                                Philip

                                                Paul

                                                                                               

When we consider the amount of time the founding church leaders spent teaching and preaching about the kingdom, shouldn’t we expect the same from our evangelists and pastors? Where in the world is the “gospel of the kingdom” being preached today? I am not talking about the future reign of Christ, as important as it is, but the kingdom of God as a present reality? I truly believe that if Jesus and the Apostles walked the earth today, they would not recognize “the gospel” message heralded from most pulpits. 

Gospel Counterfeits

            Product counterfeiting is illegal. Dishonest manufacturers and distributors cheat people out of tens of billions of dollars a year. A counterfeit Rolex might look like the Real McCoy at first glance, but it doesn’t work like a Rolex.

            Many well intentioned ministers offer people a counterfeit gospel—one that seems genuine, but has no power to save. The matter was so pervasive in among the Galatians that the Apostle Paul excoriated them for “turning away . . . to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). He then pronounces judgment on those perverting the gospel: “If we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (vv 7–8). While we might expect a cult to endorse a false gospel, we should not expect our churches and trusted parachurch organizations to distort the gospel.

            To my experience, Christians rarely set out to twist the gospel. But they often preach a gospel that is defined more by tradition and culture than the Scriptures.  

            My book Heaven on Earth is an attempt to get the Christian community to recognize that the gospel is about the kingdom as defined by Jesus. Because it is “good news” in the fullest sense of the term, it has relevance for us here and now on earth. Salvation is less about going to heaven and more about experiencing wholeness of life. From start to finish the good news is about how God’s people of every generation can participate in the kingdom’s benefits and blessing while they are still alive, not only after they die. 

[Order your copy of “Heaven on Earth” (Harvest House) today from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Abe Books, CBD, Mardels, etc. Available also in a Kindle edition]       

The Gospel of the Kingdom: The New Testament Message

Luke mentions that prior to his ascension to heaven; the crucified and resurrected Jesus spent forty days with his Apostles “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Stop and think about that for a moment! He could have spoken about anything, but Jesus chose to speak about one thing only—the kingdom. Thus, he ended his earthly ministry the same way he began it—declaring the gospel of the kingdom! 

                He then commissioned his follows to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And what message do you suppose they preached? On Pentecost, we find Peter declaring how God raised up and exalted Jesus “to sit on his throne” (2:30–32), a kingly position of authority. We later follow Philip, to Samaria where he preaches “the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 8:12). At Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul and his team are charged with teaching and acting “contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus” (17:7). Two chapters later Paul moves into Asia Minor and speaks boldly in the synagogues “concerning the things of the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8).

In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders he reminds them how he had spent three full years in their city testifying “to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), which he describes one verse later as “preaching the kingdom of God” (Acts 20:25, 31). From there he goes to Jerusalem where he is arrested and awaits trial. The Scriptures reveal that “many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God” (Acts 28:23). The Book of Acts closes with these words: “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31). 

Thus, the Book of Acts closes in the same way it opens. The kingdom of God serves as bookends for the Book of Acts.

This is the NT pattern. Is this the message you preach? Is this the message that is heralded from our pulpits? Why not? Obviously, something is desperately wrong. A correction is needed.

Read “HEAVEN ON EARTH: Experiencing the Kingdom of God in the Here and Now.” It is a transformational book. You’ll never look at the gospel the same. 

[Next time, we will explore the content of the Gospel of the Kingdom]

Blogger Michael Bird Recommends "Heaven on Earth"

My friend Alan Streett, Research Professor at Criswell College, has written a useful introduction to the meaning and relevance of the kingdom of God to Christian life. This book is well informed about empire studies, voluntary associations in the ancient world, the Christus Victor model of the atonement, use of Psalm 110 in the early church, and more.                                                                                                                          Man, I wish more dispensationalists read the Book of Daniel the way that Streett does! He makes great points about the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom, some controversial comments about flags in churches, an openness to modern miracles, a useful exposition of the sermon on the mount, and many useful practical points too.  

My only quibble is that I wish Streett would have imbibed a bit of Graham Goldsworthy. Otherwise, a very good introduction to the kingdom of God, wish I could send one to every dispensationalist I know!

Jesus and the Disciples Preach the Kingdom

                 After announcing the kingdom’s arrival in time and space, Jesus performed many miracles that confirmed his claim (Luke 4:41–42). When the crowds flocked to him and begged that he stay, he declared, “I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43). His singular message was to preach of the kingdom. Luke writes Jesus went throughout all of Galilee and proclaimed the “glad tidings of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1). 

                In his discourse on worry, Jesus tells the Apostles not to worry about life’s daily needs (Luke 12:22–30), but instead to “seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you . . . . For it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (vv. 31–32). 

                Jesus preached the “gospel of the kingdom” far and wide to every kind of person: to Nicodemus (John 3:3‒5), a Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:24‒25), a wise scribe (Mark 12:34), and a convicted thief (Luke 23:42‒43), just to name a few. He used parables (Matthew 13), beatitudes (Matthew 5‒7), and object lessons (Mark 14:25) to teach about the kingdom. 

                Jesus traveled with a group of disciples who assisted in his mission. He often sent them out on preaching assignments of their own. In doing so, he instructed them “to preach the kingdom” (Luke 9:1‒2). As the narrative reveals, they followed orders: “So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (v. 6). Notice how Luke equates preaching the kingdom with preaching the gospel. The essence of the gospel message is “the kingdom.”

                Jesus invited some who responded positively to the gospel to join his preaching band, while he encouraged others to minister in their own communities (Luke 9:57–59). To an unnamed disciple in the latter category, Jesus commands, “But you go and preach the kingdom of God” (v. 60). Jesus had only one message he wished to get across.

                On another occasion Jesus sent out seventy more followers to cities, instructing them to “heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you’” (Luke 10:1, 9). He also told them that if or when their message was rejected they should say to the townspeople, “The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this: that the kingdom of God has come near to you” (vv 10–11). Judgment was to be pronounced because the people scorned the good news of the kingdom’s arrival. Since they refuse to repent they will perish.

                On another occasion when his accusers charged Jesus with using black arts and magic to perform exorcisms, Jesus countered: “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).

                Do you see a pattern emerging? Everyone mentioned in the four Gospels preached on the kingdom:

John the Baptist

Jesus

The Twelve

An Unnamed Disciple

The Seventy

The kingdom of God is the one constant; it is the central theme of the gospel message. 

Prior to the ministry of John the Baptist the kingdom existed only as a hope. John turned it into a living expectation. This can be seen in Jesus’ words to the Pharisees, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time, the kingdom of God has been preached . . .” (Luke 16:16).

Jesus and the Kingdom

    The Gospel of Mark tells us that at the death of John the Baptist, “Jesus came preaching, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand’” (Mark1:14‒15).  John and Jesus proclaimed the same message—the good news of the kingdom. But Jesus added a new twist by announcing, “The time is fulfilled.” The kingdom was no longer close by only. Time was up. This intensified the kingdom message.

    We might liken the difference between John’s and Jesus’ message of the kingdom to an announcement of a pregnancy. One day a woman receives word that her life is about to change. She is pregnant! This news brings with it great joy and expectation. Although with child, she must wait nine months for the baby’s arrival. In the meantime, she prepares herself in anticipation of the event. Suddenly she feels a twinge of pain. Labor begins; the time is “at hand.” As everyone waits with baited breath, the hour arrives. The baby is born. “The time is fulfilled.” It is the dawning of a new day for everyone. The married couple becomes parents and their parents become grandparents.

In like manner the OT prophets until John the Baptist spoke of the kingdom’s arrival. Israel was pregnant with expectation. As the countdown begins, the years and months turn into weeks and days. Measured expectation is transformed into anxious anticipation. With the onset of labor, John the Baptist declares, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” His message foreshadows Jesus’ announcement that “the time is fulfilled.” The kingdom is birthed in the person and ministry of Jesus.

Luke’s version locates this same announcement within the setting of a synagogue in Capernaum, near Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. After reading from the scroll of Isaiah, which speaks of the promised kingdom, Jesus concludes by saying, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). This verse offers more clues as to the manner of the kingdom’s arrival.

    Examining this verse, we first notice the words, “This scripture is fulfilled.” Jesus is referring to the inspired words of Isaiah’s prophecy about the kingdom coming to earth.

    Second, we are given the specific time of its fulfillment: “Today.” Not tomorrow or next year or in two millennia!

    Finally, we are given a geographic indicator of the kingdom’s start: “in your hearing.” Right there in the midst of the synagogue crowd.

    When we put the pieces together we see that the kingdom must have arrived with Jesus as he launched his public ministry. The kingdom of God was no longer a future hope only, but a present reality. As missionary strategist Lesslie Newbigin so insightfully remarked, “It now had a name and a face—the name and face of the man from Nazareth.”  The waiting period was over, and God was in a climactic way initiating his work of salvation on earth. 

John the Baptist and the Kingdom

According to the four Gospel writers, Jesus’ public ministry began with the appearance of John the Baptist, who called for Israel’s leaders and her people to turn from their self-centered ways and toward the God of their forefathers. John’s message was simple and direct: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). 

Have you ever considered what this verse meant to John’s first-century audience? Let’s make a few observations.

First, John called upon his audience to do something: “Repent!” They were to obey this command without delay. Thus the message was relevant for them. 

Second, John gave them a reason for this action: “for (because) the kingdom of God is at hand.” He did not say, “The Kingdom of God is 2,000 years away” or “The kingdom is being delayed indefinitely.” Yet, many popular Bible teachers believe the kingdom is entirely in the future. If that were the case, John missed the mark by a county mile and his message had no application for his audience. 

So, was John correct or misguided about the kingdom? I will stick with the first option. John called for the people on the banks of the Jordan to repent in order to prepare them for the kingdom’s soon arrival.

Third, John saw no need to explain the phrase “kingdom of God” because Palestinian Jews of his day were already familiar with the term. They had long anticipated the appearance of a God-sent deliverer to defeat Israel’s enemies and usher in a golden age of universal peace over which God would rule. Although there were countless theories how this would occur, every Jew understood the general scheme. In whatever manner it happened, John’s hearers needed to ready themselves, lest they miss out on the kingdom.

Fourth, the words “at hand” means the kingdom was near in terms of time and space. Both ideas are important. Many Jews believed in the imminent arrival of the kingdom (time) and that its advent would occur in their homeland (space). Even our English word “king-dom” conveys these two concepts. A kingdom consists of a king and a domain. The people of God expected that God’s rule was “at hand” in both senses. 

[Next, we will discuss Jesus and the Kingdom]. This discussion is based on the book “Heaven on Earth,” which can be purchased at Amazon.com and other retail and online stores

Is Our Evangelism Relevant?

I recently heard a well-known preacher say, “Our main task is to go to heaven and take as many people with us as we can.” But is he correct? If the gospel is simply about getting people into heaven where is its relevance for today? Since most people will not die in the near future, they have little incentive to respond immediately to this kind of appeal. 

It would be like me trying to sell you seats to a Dallas Cowboys game for a date not yet determined between now and 2080! It may be a good deal, but where is the urgency to buy the tickets? Waiting would seem more prudent.

According to NT accounts, the imminent arrival of God’s kingdom [and not the promise of going to heaven] was the core of Jesus’ gospel sermons. When "our gospel" is compared with Jesus' gospel, we discover they are as different as night and day. One emphasizes a future salvation, while the other invites people to come under God's reign now. One asserts that you have to wait to experience the blessings of heaven, while the other declares boldly that the kingdom's benefits are available to enjoy while you are still alive and well on planet earth.

A discovery of the “gospel of the kingdom” and its relevance for today will revolutionize your life and ministry!

[In our next post we will take a closer at the gospel of the kingdom].