In Genesis 1:27-28, God vested the authority to rule over creation to men. Man was to have dominion over creation (Psalm 115:16) but that dominion was handed over to Satan when Adam fell into sin. Under the rule of Satan, creation (things and possessions) decays and deteriorates. In Luke 4:5-7, in the temptation of Jesus, Satan had reiterated his authority over creation. Satan knew that Jesus had come to take back what was lost and he wanted Jesus to worship him. However, Jesus paid the price legally on the cross for the redemption of man. Being crucified and now resurrected, Jesus has restored what was rightfully the inheritance of man that is to exercise dominion over earth. And as children of God, we are restored to be His agents of restoration for the world.
In Romans 8:19, 21, creation awaits to be restored and the church is deemed ‘too slow’ in the restoration that will bring healing to her. As believers, we are to spread the Gospel of His Kingdom – to receive salvation, restoration and protection through Jesus. Believing in the Good News will cause people to break away from Satan’s hold. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, there are those who are blinded from what the Gospel reveals of God’s goodness. Many do not know the goodness of God because the enemy is trying to cover up the truth.
Jesus preached that the Gospel of the Kingdom involves preaching of the Good News and healing (Matthew 4:23). In Matthew 3:2, it says ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near’. Repentance is not remorse alone but a change of mindset in order to know the ‘Kingdom’. Our minds are being renewed and we are to demonstrate the Gospel so that people can see and recognise the work of Jesus – and by faith we have become His children through our repentance and belief in the Good News (Mark 1:15).
We should not resist but partner with Him through the end times. We must not fear but partner with Him for there will be a shaking of the heavens (Hebrews 12:26). We have to put on our pair of Kingdom lens which is to interpret truths rightly and to understand the times that we live in, so as to partner with God in the Great Commission. We might have focused on getting people to ‘convert’ to Christianity and have forgotten to live up to the reality of the Kingdom of God which is to reveal the glory of God here on earth. Where the Kingdom of God is, there will be kingdom outcomes such as God’s righteousness, holiness, peace, joy, etc. We submit to His Commission that is to preach the Good News and pray for the sick (Mark 16:15-18).
Discussion Questions
1. Pastor John Koe mentioned that the church has focused on getting people saved instead of talking about the Gospel of the Kingdom. Share briefly what is the Gospel of the Kingdom like? [15 min]
Leader’s Notes: A recap. Pastor mentioned that as the church, our mission is not about making converts that is to merely offer people a ticket to heaven. Along with the message of salvation, we should also share about what the Kingdom of God is like. You can get a glimpse of what the gospel of the kingdom of GOd is like when we look at what Jesus did in His ministry. Read Matthew 4:23-24. When Jesus came to earth, He came to bring healing to sickness, replace suffering with relief, and fulfill emptiness with purpose. He came to change things for the better for a world that had no hope outside of God. The Gospel of the Kingdom deals with all things that the cross affected including salvation, restoration and reconciliation of all things. In short, Christ came to bring us the Kingdom of God on earth. God wanted His Kingdom expressed through His church and make known the blessings which are available here on earth.
2. Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14b-15, NASB). Why the need to repent? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: A relate question. Ask members what they think Jesus is saying here about the kingdom of God, about repenting and believing. Jesus has come and he preaches the gospel – the good news that God forgives sinners. He is saying, “I offer you a place in the Kingdom if you repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ”. Consider 1) How would others see the Kingdom of God (in today’s context)? Others can see this kingdom through the Church or the believers. As God’s children and being co-labourers in God’s mission, we ought to demonstrate His goodness as we live in the presence and power of God – bringing God’s blessings to those around us and bringing glory to Him. God would want us to experience restoration and healing (in His Kingdom) as children of God.
2) To repent is ‘metanoeo’ which means turn and go the opposite way. You first get into the kingdom of God by turning away from your sin and to put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an objective kind of repentance which is based on faith in the person of Jesus Christ and His work. With ref to Acts 3:19-21, repentance is believing that God’s good news reveal His extreme goodness that is extended to man through Christ. This is the key to the restoration of all things before the return of Christ. God calls us to ‘repent and return’ – to have our minds renewed and be aligned with His kingdom purposes.
3. How do you think you can partner with God and carry out His Great Commission at wherever you are now? [15min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a response question. Reflect on Great Commission as mentioned in Mark 16:15-18. Prompt members to discuss about the times where they had shared the gospel but had faced rejection by pre-believers? What difficulties do they face? Do they think they are well-equipped to handle questions about their faith and hold a conversation with pre-believers with the love of Christ? If we lack the ‘handles’ to share the gospel and the goodness of God, perhaps we should consider how we can learn them and also to gather as a cell group and pray for their friends and loved ones. Pray also for the sick as we learn to minister to believers and pre-believers.
