1. 1 The Gospel According to Jesus

2. Mk 1:14-15, After John was put in prison Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” 2

3. Acts 28:31, Paul boldly and without hindrance preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. 3

4. What is the gospel? The kingdom of God is near. 4

5. What is the kingdom of God? It is not a physical or political kingdom; it is a spiritual kingdom. 5

6. How will Jesus rule his kingdom? 6

7. Isa 9:6-7, He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace … He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. 7

8. How will Jesus rule his kingdom? He will rule his kingdom with justice & righteousness forever. 8

9. God is just and he will reign with absolute justice. This is both good news and bad news. 9

10. 10 Dan 9:9, The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

11. 11 1 Tim 1:13-14, Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

12. 12 God is merciful. This is the gospel. God is just and He should have judged us according to His Law but instead He pours out mercy & forgiveness on everyone.

13. 13 Lk 16:16, the Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

14. 14 What is the meaning of forcing your way into the kingdom? It is not about receiving wealth and health in this life. “The kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking.”

15. 15 It is not about having a spot in heaven after this life. It is not about turning losers into winners. It is not about legislating morality.

16. 16 Mt 21:31-32, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.”

17. 17 It is about receiving mercy instead of judgment & punishment. Are you standing outside the kingdom feeling guilty, shameful and unworthy? Don’t stand there, come on in.

18. 18 What is the expectation of Christ on Christians? Mt 23:13, 23, Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to …

19. 19 V23, You give a tenth of your spices but you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness.

20. 20 Mt 10:37-38, Jesus said, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

21. 21 Rom 12:1, Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

22. 22 Mt 23:23, You give a tenth of your spices but you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

23. 23 To be a kingdom citizen is … To give everything to Jesus. To act justly – to act fairly. To love mercy – to forgive your enemy