Establishment of the Kingdom / Church

By Jeff Curtis

The kingdom / church existed in purpose. Throughout eternity, it existed in the plans and purposes of God (Ephesians 3:10-11).

It existed in promise. Throughout the Old Testament, the kingdom/ church existed in prophecy and promise. Isaiah said that in the last says the Lord’s house would be established and the Word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3); Paul identifies the Lord’s house as the church in 1Timothy 3:15. Daniel prophesied that God’s kingdom would be established in the days of the Roman empire (Daniel 2:44).

It existed in preparation. Christ began His personal ministry during the days of the Roman empire. During His personal ministry, the kingdom/ church existed in preparation. Both Jesus and John the Baptist preached that the kingdom was “at hand” or almost there. (Matthew 4:17; 3:1-2). Jesus stressed that His kingdom was a spiritual institution (John 18:36) and used the terms “kingdom” and “church” interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19).

Jesus said that His kingdom would come “with power” (Mark 9:1). After His resurrection, He told the disciples that the power would come when the Holy Spirit came and that they would be His witnesses beginning at Jerusalem (v.8). They were to wait in Jerusalem until that power came. At that time repentance for the remission of sins would be preached in His name “beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:45-49).

It existed, and continues to exist in power. The Holy Spirit came on the first Day of Pentecost after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-4). The power came; and so, the kingdom/ church was established.

As Isaiah and Jesus had foretold, the preaching of the gospel began at Jerusalem (Acts 2:29-38). People who believed, repented, and were baptized were added to the kingdom / church (Acts 2:41,47; KJV). From that point, the kingdom/ church was spoken of as being in existence (Acts 5:11; 8:1,3; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 1:6).

Christ is now reigning in heaven over His kingdom, and He will continue to reign until He returns at the end of time (1Corinthians 15:24-27) to take His faithful followers with Him to heaven (John 14:1-3).

Not Ashamed of the Power of the Gospel

by Leland R. Ping

One of the most quoted and powerful verses of Paul’s letter to the saints in Rome is found in Romans 1:16 when the inspired apostle wrote the following: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Packed into this short passage are three valuable lessons that apply to us today.

First, there are ZERO reasons to be ashamed of the gospel. But, because we’re humans, we are sometimes prone to “shying” away from it and perhaps wanting to substitute its simple message for a man-made set of ideas. The gospel message of salvation for all men is simple, straightforward, and easy to grasp. But, we as men sometimes complicate its simplicity.

Second, the power of the gospel is the gospel itself. Not you – not me. You may be good at presenting its contents and I may be talented in explaining it all. But the credit belongs to the Lord and His good news. That’s where the power lies – always has and always will be.

Finally, the gospel’s power does not discriminate. We might show partiality as humans and, we sometimes do. But not the good news of the Lord and Savior. It is powerful enough to see through race, gender, cultural differences, and the like. We must remember this fact when we think about teaching someone or inviting them to study or worship. Let’s be aware of the gospel and its great power to save all – and that means ALL – mankind.

The Power of the Gospel

By Jeff Curtis

Rome was power-mad, and so is today’s world. We want to be stronger, go faster, and build bigger – but even after almost two thousand years, there is no power comparable to the gospel. The story of the cross is still “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1Corinthians 1:24). James Meadows referred to it as “God’s dynamite to blast sin, tradition, paganism, and helplessness out of men’s hearts.”

The gospel is clearly not God’s power of forgiveness; it is also God’s constraining power. Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32). Also, the gospel is God’s remaking power. Multiplied thousands of lives have been changed as men and women have responded to the story of God’s love (2Corinthians 5:17). The story is told of a man whose life was so altered that one of his employees remarked, “He is not the same man!” It’s the same skin, but there’s a new man inside!”

The gospel is so important that we dare not “neglect it, ignore it, change it, pervert it, …or refuse to hear it.” Above all, those of us who are Christians dare not “fail to preach it.” It is still God’s power – His only power – to salvation. Today, some are preoccupied with finding new ways “to attract people to church.” Coy Roper asserted, “Whatever attracts people to the church, no one will be saved until and unless we preach the gospel and obey it.” The Gospel is still God’s remedy for the sin-sick people. If we don’t share it with all who we know, they will be lost.

Is it possible that, unlike Paul, we are ashamed of the gospel? Most of us would never admit to being ashamed of it, but are we embarrassed to tell our friends about our faith in Jesus? Are we afraid to try to teach them because we may lose them as friends? The Contemporary English Version expresses Romans 1:16 like this; “I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people

who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.” May god help us always to be proud of the good news – and to act like it.

Sin is a Slippery Slope

by Andy Sochor

Often when we use the term “slippery slope,” it is in reference to an action or behavior that may not be wrong in itself but could easily lead to actions and behaviors that are wrong. Sometimes there is wisdom in considering this, especially on a personal level.

However, the Lord described a similar situation among His people. Yet instead of warning that questionable decisions could lead to sin, He explained that sinful behavior leads to divine punishment.

God said that “the land [was] full of adulterers” and that “their course also [was] evil” (Jeremiah 23:10). He continued, “For both prophet and priest are polluted; even in My house I have found their wickedness” (Jeremiah 23:11). What was going to happen as a result? God explained, “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, they will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; for I will bring calamity upon them, the year of their punishment” (Jeremiah 23:12).

We are often tempted to minimize the problem of sin. When we do this, it is very easy to continue in it rather than repenting. If we do not turn from our sin, we stand to face eternal destruction for it.

So, remember that sin is a slippery slope. God has provided a way for us to escape the punishment that comes because of it. Yet when we become accustomed to sin, we run the risk of continuing down the path of destruction until it is too late.