From the beginning, Satan has tried to water-down the Gospel of the Kingdom. He has sown all manner of confusion, opinion, and false hope into the souls of sincere believers, and he is robbing them of what Jesus intends us to know. Our readings are from the book, The Gospel of the Kingdom. Here is a brief excerpt from pages 8 and 9:
“But the father of lies wasted no time in trying to confuse the message of the Kingdom of God. False preachers and teachers appeared in various places, preaching something very much like the Good News of Jesus that Paul and the other Apostles had proclaimed – using the same words and offering similar hopes and promises – but with just enough difference to confuse and trouble, and even to lead astray, many of those who had embraced the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
“Especially among the believers in Galatia did the Good News of the Kingdom of God come under attack. By briefly considering the challenge to the Kingdom vision and message which opponents of the true Gospel raised there, we can establish a backdrop for a fuller examination of the Good News of the Kingdom which the Scriptures contain, Jesus taught, and the Apostles proclaimed.
“The churches in Galatia…had come to the knowledge of God through the preaching of the Apostle Paul, who proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom to them in the midst of personal suffering. They entered into the liberating power of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and had hit the ground running, abounding with joy and good works. They had known the powerful indwelling presence of the Spirit of God, witnessed many of His mighty works, and had endured suffering for their conversion to Christ. By all indications a true Gospel work had begun among the Galatians.
“But troubling words soon reached the Apostle [Paul}.”
Questions for Reflection or Discussion
1. What evidence should we expect to see where “a true Gospel work” has begun?
2. What are some things that can sidetrack or even derail “a true Gospel work”?
There is only one true Gospel. It’s the Gospel Jesus proclaimed and Paul taught—the Gospel of the Kingdom. We must not settle for less or else we will cut ourselves off from the power and promises of the Lord. Order your copy of The Gospel of the Kingdom from The Ailbe Bookstore. Forward a copy of today’s podcast to a friend, and be sure to follow-up and see what they think.
T. M. Moore
