1.  “The Kingdom of God is at hand”  This is the Good News  Gospel ( god spel, Old English for “good news”)  Evangelist, one who spreads the good news, from euangelion, Greek for “good news” or “happy message”  Jesus’ most important message; his reason for being  Everything Jesus was, said, and did is based on this proclamation!

2. The Kingdom The Presence of Jesus Himself His Teachings Miracles and Healings His Death Resurrect- ion, and Ascension

3.  His name  Jesus: “God saves”  Immanuel: “God is with us”  His nature  God becoming a human  God’s Son  His titles  Messiah, Christ: Savior of the world

4.  Parables  Stories that are mostly about the Kingdom  The Sermon on the Mount  The “laws” of the Kingdom  Moral teachings; how we are to behave in God’s Kingdom  The Beatitudes  Who is blessed in the Kingdom  The Lord’s Prayer  “Thy Kingdom come”

5.  Nature Miracles  Examples: Calming the Sea, Walking on Water, Feeding 5,000, Turning Water into Wine  Jesus shows the power of God in the world  Healings  Examples: Curing the Blind, Deaf, Lame, Diseased  Jesus has the power to forgive sins (illness and defects were an outward sign of sin)

6.  Exorcisms  Examples: The Gerasene Demoniac, other demon- possessed people  Jesus shows his power over evil  Raising the Dead  Examples: Lazarus, the daughter of Jairus  Jesus has power over death itself

7.  Suffering and Death  “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”  Jesus takes away our sins so that we might fully be restored as members of God’s Kingdom  Resurrection  “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (St. Paul)  Jesus’ rising from the dead is the ultimate sign that God’s Kingdom has come  Ascension  “I will be with you always”  Jesus’ ascension to heaven was necessary for God to send the Holy Spirit so we all can work to build the Kingdom.

8.  The Kingdom of God is one of LOVE, JUSTICE and PEACE  Even before Jesus came this is how God intended His people to live: “This is what the Lord requires of you: To act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)

9.  But how can we say “the Kingdom of God is at hand” in a world filled with hatred, injustice and war?  Jesus came to establish the Kingdom; Christians must continue his work of bringing it into the world  Every act of love, justice, or peace that we do, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, builds the Kingdom of God