Kingdom Realities about the Gospel.

In today’s world, much of the preaching we encounter fails to truly grapple with the reality of our membership in the kingdom of God. Instead, it often focuses on how to become better situated in the “present evil world” Galatians 1:4 rather than on the transformative call to live as ambassadors of a Kingdom that is yet to come. This shift towards self-improvement or material success can leave us missing the heart of the Gospel, which is a message that is radically different, and especially countercultural.

The Gospel is not just a set of guidelines for a better life. It is so different that it requires a fundamental change to even begin to understand it. This change is what the Bible calls being “born again” a new birth that changes our perspective, values, and entire approach to life. The message of Jesus challenges a scientifically, antigod and narcissistic-oriented society with a claim that defies logic – What a message one which tells of a man who was dead has risen from the grave and remains with us through the Holy Spirit. This is not a philosophy that can be neatly packaged; it is a declaration that turns the assumptions of the world upside down.

The Gospel reveals that the pain, heartache, and brokenness we see are not the final word. It points to God’s ultimate intention, a world remade, where those considered “losers” in the eyes of society are crowned as “victors” in the kingdom of God. It teaches that being “nice” as opposed to “good” is not the goal; rather, the Kingdom calls us to a radically different way of being, one that…