Hope and Salvation in the Gospel of the Kingdom

 

Summary

In Matthew 24:14, Jesus proclaims that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations before the end comes. This statement, made just before His crucifixion, is set against a backdrop of impending destruction and judgment. Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70, as a precursor to the ultimate judgment of the world. Despite this grim prophecy, there is a message of hope: the formation of a new kingdom, the Kingdom of God, which offers salvation and escape from judgment.

The critical question is how one can enter this Kingdom. The answer lies not in human effort or moral achievement but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world, lived a life of perfect obedience, conquered Satan, and died on the cross to open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. His actions, not merely His teachings, are the key to salvation. The Gospel is not about following ethical teachings or imitating Christ's example but about believing in what He has accomplished on our behalf.

The necessity of Jesus' incarnation, life, death, and resurrection is rooted in the need for a new representative for humanity. As all humanity fell in Adam, a new Adam was needed to redeem and restore. Jesus, by becoming fully human, fulfilled this role, living a sinless life and offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin. His resurrection and ascension confirm His victory over sin and death, securing eternal life for those who believe.

This Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of grace, offered freely to all who recognize their sinfulness and need for a Savior. It is not for the self-righteous or those who rely on their moral standing but for those who acknowledge their helplessness and trust entirely in Christ's finished work. This is the good news that must be preached to all nations, offering hope and salvation to a world under judgment.

Key Takeaways:

- The Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of hope amidst judgment, offering salvation through Jesus Christ, who has opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers through His life, death, and resurrection. [04:17]

- Entry into the Kingdom of God is not achieved through human effort or moral achievement but through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who alone can save. [07:52]

- Jesus' incarnation and life as a human were necessary to establish a new humanity, providing a new representative for those who believe, as the first Adam led humanity into sin. [29:24]

- The Gospel is not about following ethical teachings or imitating Christ's example but about believing in what He has accomplished on our behalf, offering grace to those who recognize their need for a Savior. [46:33]

- The message of the Kingdom is for those who acknowledge their sinfulness and helplessness, offering them forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal security through faith in Christ's finished work. [51:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Matthew 24:14
- [01:12] - Context of Jesus' Prophecy
- [02:15] - Destruction and Judgment
- [03:58] - The Promise of the Kingdom
- [05:23] - Urgency of Entering the Kingdom
- [07:01] - Jesus as the Key to the Kingdom
- [08:26] - The Works of God in Salvation
- [09:48] - Why Jesus' Actions Matter
- [11:10] - Misunderstandings of Christianity
- [15:07] - Defining a Christian
- [19:22] - Jesus' Teachings on His Mission
- [22:23] - Apostolic Preaching of Christ
- [29:24] - The Need for a New Humanity
- [33:21] - The Necessity of the Incarnation
- [36:17] - Jesus as Our Representative
- [40:03] - The Problem of Sin and Guilt
- [44:06] - The Good News of the Kingdom
- [49:06] - To Whom the Gospel is Preached
- [52:31] - The Free Grace of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 24:14

Observation Questions:
1. What significant event does Jesus predict in Matthew 24:14, and how does it relate to the end times? [00:12]
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary message of hope amidst the prophecy of destruction and judgment? [03:58]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection in opening the Kingdom of Heaven to believers? [09:48]
4. What is the significance of Jesus being referred to as the "new Adam" in the sermon? [29:24]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Jesus' incarnation and life as a human for establishing a new humanity? [29:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Gospel of the Kingdom differs from merely following ethical teachings or imitating Christ's example? [11:10]
3. Why does the sermon emphasize that entry into the Kingdom of God is not achieved through human effort or moral achievement? [07:52]
4. How does the sermon address the common misunderstanding of Christianity as merely a set of teachings to follow? [11:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the Gospel. How does the sermon challenge or affirm your beliefs about what it means to enter the Kingdom of God? [07:52]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our sinfulness and need for a Savior. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of your need for Christ in your daily life? [51:13]
3. Consider the idea of Jesus as the "new Adam." How does this concept impact your view of Jesus' role in your life and salvation? [29:24]
4. The sermon suggests that the Gospel is not about following ethical teachings but about believing in what Jesus has accomplished. How can you shift your focus from trying to earn salvation to trusting in Christ's finished work? [46:33]
5. How can you actively participate in sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom with others, as described in Matthew 24:14? What steps can you take to be a witness to those around you? [00:12]
6. Reflect on a time when you relied on your moral standing rather than faith in Christ. How can you change this mindset moving forward? [51:13]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel helpless or in need of a Savior. How can you bring this to Christ and trust in His grace and finished work? [51:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Hope Amidst Judgment
The Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of hope amidst judgment, offering salvation through Jesus Christ, who has opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers through His life, death, and resurrection. This message is set against the backdrop of impending destruction and judgment, as Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70. Despite this grim prophecy, the promise of a new kingdom, the Kingdom of God, offers salvation and escape from judgment. This hope is not based on human effort or moral achievement but on the person and work of Jesus Christ. His actions, not merely His teachings, are the key to salvation. The Gospel is about believing in what He has accomplished on our behalf. [04:17]

Isaiah 25:8-9 (ESV): "He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, 'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed by judgment or fear? How can you invite the hope of Christ's Kingdom into those areas today?


Day 2: Faith, Not Works
Entry into the Kingdom of God is not achieved through human effort or moral achievement but through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who alone can save. The critical question is how one can enter this Kingdom, and the answer lies in Jesus Christ. He came into the world, lived a life of perfect obedience, conquered Satan, and died on the cross to open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. This Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of grace, offered freely to all who recognize their sinfulness and need for a Savior. It is not for the self-righteous or those who rely on their moral standing but for those who acknowledge their helplessness and trust entirely in Christ's finished work. [07:52]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in Jesus? How can you shift your focus to faith in His work today?


Day 3: A New Humanity
Jesus' incarnation and life as a human were necessary to establish a new humanity, providing a new representative for those who believe, as the first Adam led humanity into sin. The necessity of Jesus' incarnation, life, death, and resurrection is rooted in the need for a new representative for humanity. As all humanity fell in Adam, a new Adam was needed to redeem and restore. Jesus, by becoming fully human, fulfilled this role, living a sinless life and offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin. His resurrection and ascension confirm His victory over sin and death, securing eternal life for those who believe. [29:24]

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV): "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the new Adam change your perspective on your identity in Christ? What steps can you take to live out this new identity today?


Day 4: Belief Over Imitation
The Gospel is not about following ethical teachings or imitating Christ's example but about believing in what He has accomplished on our behalf, offering grace to those who recognize their need for a Savior. Jesus' actions, not merely His teachings, are the key to salvation. The Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of grace, offered freely to all who recognize their sinfulness and need for a Savior. It is not for the self-righteous or those who rely on their moral standing but for those who acknowledge their helplessness and trust entirely in Christ's finished work. This is the good news that must be preached to all nations, offering hope and salvation to a world under judgment. [46:33]

Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor through your actions? How can you shift your focus to trusting in what Jesus has already accomplished for you?


Day 5: Grace for the Helpless
The message of the Kingdom is for those who acknowledge their sinfulness and helplessness, offering them forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal security through faith in Christ's finished work. This Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of grace, offered freely to all who recognize their sinfulness and need for a Savior. It is not for the self-righteous or those who rely on their moral standing but for those who acknowledge their helplessness and trust entirely in Christ's finished work. This is the good news that must be preached to all nations, offering hope and salvation to a world under judgment. [51:13]

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV): "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of grace and hope in Christ? How can you share this message with them in a tangible way this week?

Quotes



The Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations, and then shall the End come. Now this is what it means, as we've been seeing on several Sunday evenings, that prophecy of Doom is not the end. That's not all. There is this good news. [00:04:17]

The good news is that God is forming a new kingdom, that he is separating people out of that world and its Doom into a new kingdom, the kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven. He began doing it in the Old Testament, but now he's doing it much more definitely and explicitly. [00:04:36]

The vital question is how can we enter into this Kingdom, and the answer is the key to the whole question is in the person of the very one who was speaking at this time, Jesus of Nazareth. This person who can thus prophesy exactly the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem. [00:06:47]

He does it by coming into the world, his Incarnation. He does it by his life of obedience. He does it by conquering Satan. He does it by dying on the cross. He does it by being buried. He does it by Rising again and by ascending. That is how he does it. [00:08:01]

Salvation is the result of God's action, a whole series of Acts and actions, not by teaching alone but by what God has done and supremely by what God has done in the person of his only begotten son. Very well, but now we arrive at this position, therefore. [00:08:35]

He opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. That's the answer. These things which he has done are the only way whereby the Kingdom of Heaven could be open to anybody, and the Kingdom of Heaven is only open to all who are believers. [00:09:48]

The only way to save anybody was to start a new Humanity, to start a new human race. You see, this was the problem. The whole of the human race was condemned in Adam, the first man, the first Adam. He was the whole of humanity. He was the representative of the whole of humanity. [00:29:24]

The Son of God came into the world in order to do that very thing. No one else could do it. There was none other good enough, so he came into the world. Yes, and this is the key, you see, to the whole of his activity. [00:33:21]

He has done all the things that we should have done, the things that are essential before any one of us can stand in the presence of God and enter into God's kingdom and be safe. What are they? Here's the first: he has honored God's holy law and given a perfect obedience to it. [00:36:17]

The good news is to those who are failures, to those who feel they have no strength, to those who are sinners and do know it, to those who hate themselves and the sin they've committed, to those who are weak and helpless and vile and black and damned. It is to them I preach it. [00:51:13]

He asks of us nothing but repentance, acknowledgment of sin and shame and failure, and a simple looking to him and trusting entirely and exclusively to what he has done on our behalf. Just As I Am, Without One Plea but that thy blood was shed for me. [00:52:31]

Have you heard the good news of the Kingdom? Have you seen it to be the most thrilling good news that can ever be heard, that you can be saved freely by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, without money, without price, without anything except a realization of your need and helplessness? [00:54:33]

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Transcript
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