Epaggelia

Key Texts: Matthew 4:23, 9:35 & 24:14

Jesus treated the Kingdom’s nearness as the reason people needed to change their lifestyles and attitudes,  Mt. 4:17- 5:12, it was good news because His Kingdom had God’s power ruling over the minds & hearts of His disciples, making them more than happy! This good news message is repeated in Mt. 9:35.  The good news of the Kingdom mentioned in Mt. 24:14 relates to how good it was for His followers to have the warning to flee in the oncoming persecution upon Jerusalem by the Romans. Their physical escape and their spiritual deliverance is certainly good news. Following Jesus had it’s price to pay, but it also had much bigger benefits. His royal authority exercised in our heart helps to change our lifestyle and results in our salvation. Being in His Kingdom gives us the advantage of being, “forewarned is forearmed”! In “Him” we are more than conquerors, Rom. 8:37.

As His Kingdom grew in nearness and was established in the hearts of people during Pentecost, it became synonymous with the ‘church’.  Colossians 1:13-14, 18, Ephesians 1:22-23 & 4:4 &  1Corinthians 1:10-13.  Once your in the kingdom/church, we have access to His power, but unless we pick up our cross DAILY, deny ourself and try to follow Him, (Luke 9:23) we do not enjoy His power and use it to bear fruit.  Do we continue to let His authority and power be exercised in our heart through prayerful reading of His good news!

Here are some descriptions of the Church in God’s word. This list will help us identify our goals in the churches of Christ. 

• The Body of Christ, Colossians 2:19 & 1Corinthians 12:27. The goal of working as His spiritual body in a physical world. Being Benevolent and Truthful. This is also seen in the description of the church as the…

• The Building or Temple of God, Ephesians 2:21, & 1Peter 2:5 & 1Corinthians 3:10.  
• The Spiritual Israel, Philippians 3:3, Galatians 4:24-26, & Hebrews 12:23.

• The Spiritual Light of the World, Php. 2:15, 1Thes. 5:5, John 9:5, Matthew 5:14.

• The Bride of Christ, John 3:29 & Revelation 21:1. The goal of loving Christ  in worship, not just on Sundays! Being full of praise, Php. 4:4.This is also seen in the description of the church as the…

• The Family of God, Romans 8:15 & 2Corinthians 6:18 & Galatians 3:19-27.

• The Flock of The Good Shepherd, Luke 12:32, Acts 20:29, John 10:1-10, Isaiah 40:11 & Zechariah 9:16.   The goal of Growing Faith, Grace, Knowledge & The Fruit of the Spirit.  Flocks need feeding and branches need pruning!   This is also seen in the description of individual Christians as the…

• Branches of The True Vine, John 15:2

 It is good news to have a God-given identity, purpose and goal which has rewards now and also is rewarded in eternity, Hebrews 11:6