What Did Jesus Preach?The predominant focus
of mainstream Christianity is the undeserved crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent forgiveness of sins that is available
through accepting that sacrifice. While this selfless act was and is unquestionably momentous, and its effects exceedingly
far-reaching, many would be shocked to find out that the Bible defines the gospeldifferently than what they have
always been told. A thoughtful reading shows that accepting Christ's blood in payment of our sins—as foundationally
important as it is—is actually not the focus of the "good news" that He brought and that the apostles continued to preach. In
addition to dying for our sins, Jesus Christ came to earth as amessenger from God the Father: Behold,
I send My messenger [John the Baptist], and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even theMessenger of
the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of
hosts. (Malachi 3:1)
Jesus did not speak His own words, but the words that the Father gave Him (John 8:38-42; 12:49-50; 14:24). His message was not primarily about Himself, but rather the good news that the Father ordained
to be announced on earth. While Jesus Christ was categorically the most important individual ever to walk this earth, the
Bible shows clearly thatthe gospel that Jesus brought was not simply about Himself. Read His statements, and prove this for yourself: »
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds
of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew4:23) » And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of
the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35) » Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God,
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15) » [Jesus] said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of Godto the other cities also, because for this
purpose I have been sent." (Luke 4:43) » Now it came to pass, afterward, that [Jesus] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad
tidings [gospel] of the kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1) » The law and the prophets were until John. Since that timethe kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone
is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:16-17) » And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations,
and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
The inspired Word of God makes it abundantly plain: The "good
news" that Jesus Christ brought was about the Kingdom of God! The "gospel of Jesus Christ" is simply the message of good news that
Jesus preached—not a message about Jesus. It is not primarily a message about the events in His life and of His
becoming the Savior of the world—although it most certainly does include all that. But if the events of His life are
not seen in the context of what He said, the resulting "faith" will be full of error and ultimately disastrous! The
announcement of "good news"—the very best news that could be heard today—which the Father gave through Jesus Christ,
was about His Kingdom being established on earth. But what is a kingdom? It is essentially a nation, with
all of its citizens, land, and laws, ruled by a government. In biblical usage, a kingdom can also mean a family from a single
parent grown into a nation. A kingdom has four basic elements: 1) a king, supreme ruler, or governing agent; 2) territory,
with its specific location and definite boundary lines; 3) subjects or citizens within that territorial jurisdiction; 4) and
laws and a form of government through which the will of the ruler is exercised. If we ignore any one of these essential elements—if
we ignore the message that Jesus Christ brought from the Father—we will have a distorted faith, one that will not bring
salvation.
Next: Who Will Be King?
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