Rediscovering the Gospel of the Kingdom
Several years ago, I began to ask myself a deeply unsettling question: “Whatever happened to the gospel?” This question, though simple in its phrasing, opened a floodgate of reflection on the current state of the Church and the message we proclaim to the world.
It is my hope today that this message will clear away the clutter of every other version of the gospel except the one Jesus Himself preached—the gospel of the kingdom. This is the gospel that has been entrusted to us, yet in many ways, it has been lost or overshadowed by other priorities, programs, and perspectives.
Jesus, from the very beginning of His ministry, was clear about His mission. He sent out His disciples with these instructions:
“Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” —Matthew 10:5-8
This was the foundation of their mission: to announce the arrival of God’s kingdom, to demonstrate its power, and to reflect its generosity. Later, in His final words to His disciples, Jesus broadened this mission:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20
The gospel of the kingdom—that heaven’s rule is breaking into earth—is the thread that runs through the entirety of Jesus’ teaching and ministry. It is this message that we are called to proclaim.
Why Did Jesus Come?
Why did Jesus leave the perfection of heaven to walk among us—to live, suffer, and die on this broken earth? In these uncertain times, it is vital for us to remember why He came and to faithfully share this truth with others. Jesus came to rescue us, to save us from the judgment of sin, and to restore us to relationship with God.
The Scriptures make this abundantly clear:
“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” —John 3:17 NIV
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” —Luke 19:10 NIV
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” —Luke 5:32 NIV
“I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative.” —John 10:17-18 NASB
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:28 NIV
Jesus’ mission was not an abstract theological idea—it was deeply personal and practical. He came to heal the brokenhearted, to set captives free, and to bring hope to the hopeless. Every action, every word, and every miracle pointed to the reality of God’s kingdom breaking into the world.
The Danger of a Distorted Gospel
Sadly, the pure gospel of Jesus Christ has often been distorted, perverted, or replaced within the Church. This is not a new problem—it grieved the Apostle Paul deeply, and it should grieve us as well.
Paul writes to the Galatians:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” —Galatians 1:6-7 NIV
And again, to the Corinthians:
“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” —2 Corinthians 11:4 TPT
These warnings are as relevant today as they were in the first century. The gospel is too often overshadowed by cultural agendas, political movements, or self-help philosophies. But the gospel of the kingdom is not about us—it is about Jesus and His reign.
A Call to Hunger for Righteousness
If we truly desire to reclaim the gospel of the kingdom, we must cultivate a hunger for the things of God. Jesus said in the Beatitudes:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” —Matthew 5:6 TPT
This hunger is not a vague longing—it is an active, intentional pursuit of God’s will in every area of our lives. It means seeking His kingdom first, above all else. It means turning away from counterfeit gospels and embracing the radical, life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
So I ask again: Whatever happened to the gospel?
The answer lies in us. The gospel of the kingdom has not disappeared—it has been entrusted to us to share, to live, and to proclaim.
Let us return to the simplicity and power of the gospel that Jesus preached. Let us resist the temptation to water it down or twist it to suit our preferences. Let us boldly declare that the kingdom of heaven has come near and that Jesus Christ is Lord.
And let us never forget His promise:
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:20
Amen.
Minister A. Francine Green
July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 