Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 228. Mat 24:14. The Gospel of the Kingdom
Subjects in this Topic:
Mat_24:14. The Gospel of the Kingdom
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come."—Mat_24:14.
The text may refer to the general publication of the Gospel in the then known world, before the entire destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish polity. For it appears that, before that period, it had been made known to all the world, and brought forth fruit. See Col_1:6. But we conceive the passage may more especially refer to the universal diffusion of the truth before the termination of the Christian era.
Let us consider,
I. The Subject of the Text.
II. The Mode of its Communication.
III. The Extent of its Diffusion.
IV. The Design of its Publication.
I. The Subject of the Text.
"The Gospel of the kingdom."
1. The Gospel.
Glad tidings; good news; tidings of a Saviour for a lost and dying world. See 1Co_15:1-6; Luk_2:10; 1Ti_1:15.
2. The Gospel of the kingdom, or reign.
Jesus the Saviour is a King. He came to erect a spiritual empire in the world. Hence his church is not a lawless but a governed society or polity, Jesus being the Head and Lord. Sometimes called the kingdom of God, of grace, of heaven, &c. The gospel publishes this kingdom, is the grand means of its extension, &c. This kingdom also is inseparably connected with the glory of heaven. One is introductory to the other. Those who are the subjects of the kingdom of grace, are heirs to the kingdom of glory.
Observe,
II. The Mode of its Communication.
This gospel of the kingdom is to be "preached." We have it written, but that is not enough; that is not the divine plan for the evangelization of the world. It is to be effected by the preaching of the cross. This preaching implies the explaining, the illustrating, the offering of the gospel to mankind. Ethiopian eunuch.
It must be preached,
1. Freely.
Its statements and invitations are all such.
2. Plainly.
That the poor and illiterate may under stand it, and live.
3. Affectionately.
From love to Christ and love to souls 4. Faithfully.
Declaring the whole counsel of God "Warning every man," &c. Col_1:28. The gospel, the whole gospel, and nothing but the gospel.
Notice,
III. The Extent of its Diffusion.
"In all the world."
1. The whole world stands in need of it.
Lieth in wickedness—fallen—guilty—perishing.
2. The Gospel is the only remedy for it.
Philosophy, legislation, education, &c., have all failed. Gospel grand recipe—the world's catholicon—the balm of life.
3. It is expressly designed for all.
It announces a Saviour for all—testifies of a sacrifice for all. It is authoritatively seat to all; all are invited, and all the world shall hear its joyful sound.
IV. The great End of its Publication.
"As a witness," then shall the end come.
It is not clear that it will ever convert all. We now live in the evening of the last day. Six hundred and fifty millions of our race never yet heard it. The church will never possess more ample resources than in the apostolic age. But all the world shall have the offer. And it shall be a witness to the whole world.
It shall witness, To man's ruined state—to God's unbounded mercy and grace—to the efficacy of Christ's death—to man's accountability—to the inexcusableness of every child of man. It will be a friendly joyous witness to every believer, and a condemnatory and awful witness against every unbeliever. Wherever it is preached it witnesses now to the consciences of men; but it will witness clearly and universally to all men at the last day.
Application
1. The important responsibility in having the gospel preached unto us.
2. Our duty to labor for its diffusion among those who possess it not. Zeal for the divine glory, love to the blessed Jesus, and compassion for souls, should excite us in this holy and divine work.