The Gospel of Jesus Christ the King

[The following article is adapted from a sermon preached by Rev Tan Ye Peng at City Harvest Church on 21 June 2014. ]

When we think of the "gospel", what comes to mind could be gospel music or an evangelistic rally where the gospel is preached unto the salvation of souls. The Greek work for gospel is euaggelion  (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on) which means good news or glad tidings of a king or kingdom. 

Thus, Mark 1:1 speaks of "the gospel of Jesus Christ (King)" and Mark 1:8 speaks of "the gospel of the kingdom of God". This is where many Christians miss it when we relegate Jesus to Baby Jesus lying in a manger or relegate Him as being nothing more than just our best friend. 

Truth be told, Jesus is Lord of all. And, if we do not honour Him as Lord of all in our life, then He is not Lord at all in our experience. Yes, the King demands a response from us to live for Him and His kingdom. Get real lest we sweat over this. After all, Jesus is our King, and He is worthy of our loyalty and worship.

The gospel is not just the good news; it's the glad tidings of King Jesus and His kingdom. We cannot truly get it (the gospel), when we do not have a close relationship with the Person of Jesus Christ and advance the cause of His kingdom. Remember, His sheep hears His voice.

When Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum, He spoke with authority (of a king). "And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Mark 1:22 (NKJV)"  Behold, we have in Jesus the King who has absolute power and authority, and if we allow Him, He can evict every squatters in our closet such as fear, worry, temper problem, addiction, unforgiveness and idolatry.

How then are we to live as one who comes under the authority of King Jesus in His kingdom? Hear then the words of Jesus, "... "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:34 - 38 (NKJV)"

In Mark 1:24 (NKJV), the unclean spirit identified Jesus as the Holy One of God,  "But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him."" Jesus did not need any affirmation from the kingdom of darkness. Yet, the Pharisees could do worse when they kept asking Jesus for signs which clearly show that they would not believe Him as the Son of God. It would be an offence really for us to keep asking the King to prove His authority. Can we deny ourselves of the worldly mentality to challenge God's Authority and Sovereignty? Thus, as Jesus has cautioned, we are to be wary of the leaven (influence) of the Pharisees (Mark 8:15).

Jesus also charged us to rid ourselves of the leaven of the Herod who was an earthly king. Herod speaks of one who is not mindful of the things of God -- which may not be convenient; a person who has not given up the throne of his own life to Jesus and His kingdom. Taking up the cross means unto death and in some countries, disciples of Jesus face martyrdom for real.

When we follow Jesus, we have to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Following Jesus would be doing whatever He tells us to do and it encompasses serving Him rather than mammon (money) as our Master.

Many of us, as with Apostle Peter by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would have a revelation of Jesus as the the Christ -- the Son of the living God. Yet we could still have an impaired vision of who is Jesus in His full glory. Peter found it hard to accept that Jesus had to suffer and go to the cross so as to fulfill God's plan of Salvation. 

Sadly, we have often confined Jesus to a room in our heart and in so doing limit His influence and authority over our life. We could have our best days yet, if we allow King Jesus to reign supreme in our heart of hearts. Today is a great day to start. God bless.


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