Kingdom Plan

Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
 
WE have learned from Jesus in the previous several lessons about Kingdom of God citizenship. Living in the grace of God’s Word transforms our lives as we live what we learn. The King of Kings requires us to be a visible witnesses – salt and light – of the good news, so more of the world will become Kingdom territory. Now we read of Jesus directing his disciples with two specific commands to purposefully evangelize – to make known – the King’s good news.
   The first command is about God’s order. The disciples are Jews, who are to go only to Israel. It is no yet time to go to all the world. We know God’s gospel plan is certainly to save the world, and the plan began in Israel and will ultimately draw all nations to Israel. Isaiah 60:3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
   Jesus’ method was very direct. As Jesus would sometimes feed the masses, frequently heal diseases, periodically raise the dead and often exorcise demons, he would constantly preach the coming of the Kingdom of God, which required repentance. He served Israel’s physical needs. Then he preached soul salvation. His restorative ministry drew thousands to seek his favor.
   Jesus then commanded his disciples to do exactly as he did: Preach the Good News and then, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This is Kingdom power! Jesus is the rabbi who directs his students to be as he is. They are to be very direct, going door-to-door or person-to-person in Israel’s villages. Some of you reading this evangelize in this way. You weekly or monthly engage in this type of ministry. You then testify to God’s work to save, heal, redeem and restore. The Spirit has anointed all Kingdom citizens to preach the news in your communities, so we must.
   We may engage in gospel conversations with people we meet. If we are prayerful and purposeful, the conversation will lead to revealing the gospel’s glory. Evangelism can also be done in a Bible study, sermon, church event or street-side encounter. Bible teaching must always lead to the gospel.  
   This is being Kingdom salt and light, isn’t it? Under the Spirit’s power, the Living Word commanded his disciples to display God’s salvation. He preached the Word.
   It is God’s plan to bring the good news to you. What will you do with it? Do we all have this same authority as those first disciples? The same Spirit who empowered the disciples then lives in us now. We don’t know how he will make us effective gospel ministers until we become active Kingdom workers.