THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM — LESSON 1
Date: 18th January 2026
Theme for 2026: My Year of Good News
🔹 General Introduction
What is the Gospel?
A. The Announcement (Good News) That a New King Has Come
In the first century, the word gospel was used when a herald announced the rise of a new emperor. The apostles borrowed this same word intentionally.
Jesus declared:
“The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).
A kingdom means a king has arrived with authority, government, and a new order. The gospel of the Kingdom therefore declares that Jesus of Nazareth has become Lord, the true King of the world.
The Kingdom means God’s rule taking over the hearts of men (Romans 14:17), and ultimately filling the whole earth (Daniel 2:44).
So, the gospel is:
- The announcement of a new King
- The announcement of a new government
- The announcement of the kingship of Jesus Christ
B. The Announcement of What God Has Already Done in Christ
The gospel is not:
- Good advice
- Good philosophy
- Good ethics
- Good religion
It is good news — the announcement of what God has already done in Christ.
According to Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 1:1–4), the gospel is the declaration that:
- Jesus Christ died for our sins
- He was buried
- He rose again the third day
The apostles did not preach ideas — they preached a Person and His finished work.
This gospel is the power of God because it announces what God has accomplished, not what man must achieve.
It is the announcement of the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Redemption is the remedial work that prepares and qualifies man to enter the Kingdom.
🌍 One Gospel — Many Descriptions
As we begin 2026 — My Year of Good News, it is important to understand that the New Testament uses several expressions to describe the gospel:
- The gospel of grace
- The gospel of peace
- The gospel of salvation
- The gospel of Christ
- The gospel of the glorious God
- The gospel of the glorious Christ
- The gospel of life
These are not different gospels, but descriptions of the blessings and results produced by one central message.
That central message is:
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
This is the gospel Jesus preached, commanded His disciples to preach, and declared would be preached in all nations before the end comes.
It is not the gospel of remedial works that will be the witness — it is the gospel of the Kingdom.
They are all good news:
- The arrival of the King from heaven
- And what the King did to grant us access into His Kingdom
🎯 Purpose of These Lessons
In these lessons, we will:
- Show clearly that Jesus and the Apostles preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
- Examine how the blessings we often preach today flow from the Kingdom message
- Show how losing the Kingdom emphasis has weakened the Church’s witness
The Gospel of the Kingdom is the dominant subject, so do not be surprised if it is discussed throughout the year in various forms.
📘 THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM — LESSON 1
🧠 Memory Verse
Mark 1:15 —
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
🎯 Lesson Focus
To understand that the primary message Jesus preached was the Gospel of the Kingdom.
📖 Teaching Section
Jesus did not begin His ministry by preaching grace, peace, or personal breakthrough.
Scripture records clearly that Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
The announcement of the Kingdom meant that God’s long-awaited rule had arrived in the Person of Jesus Christ.
In the first-century world, the word gospel was used to announce the rise or reign of a king. Jesus intentionally used this language to declare that God’s government had come near.
The Kingdom is:
- Not merely a place
- Not only future
- It is God’s reign breaking into human history
It confronts sin, restores order, and demands response.
Jesus did not separate preaching from response. He called people to:
- Repent (change allegiance)
- Believe the gospel
Therefore, the Gospel of the Kingdom is not only an announcement — it is a summons.
📝 Questions for Participation
(Each answer must be found from the scripture.)
a. According to Mark 1:14–15, what message did Jesus preach when He began His ministry?
📖 Read: Mark 1:14–15
b. From Matthew 4:23, what did Jesus preach throughout Galilee?
📖 Read: Matthew 4:23
c. According to Luke 4:43, why did Jesus say He was sent?
📖 Read: Luke 4:43
d. From Matthew 12:28, what did Jesus say had come when demons were cast out?
📖 Read: Matthew 12:28