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Preaching The Kingdom Of God |
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Written by Glenn Gray
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I have heard people say "Preach Christ and not the church." I'm sure these people were thinking that members of the Lord’s church place more emphasis on the church than we place on Christ. Surely they are not saying that the church should never be preached. If so, they are indicting Christ Himself because He preached the church.
"And he said unto them, 'I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore am I sent'." (Luke 4:43) These are the words of Jesus. He said he was sent to preach the kingdom of God. He also preached "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt.4:17). Jesus came into the coast of Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. (Mark 1:14)
The church of God (Christ) is the kingdom of God. The Bible makes this very clear. Jesus used the words church and kingdom interchangeably (Matt. 16:18-19). The apostle Paul refers to the church at Thessalonica as the kingdom. (1 Thess.1:1; 2:12). The seven congregations of the church in Asia are referred to as the kingdom. (Rev.1:4,10) The Hebrew writer uses church, kingdom interchangeably (Heb.12:22-28). Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper to be eaten in the kingdom of God and we find it being observed in the church of God at Corinth. (Matt. 26:29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26) When one is born again (saved) he (she) enters the kingdom of (John 3:5). When 3000 were saved (born again) on Pentecost they were added to the church. (Acts 2:328,41,47)
Actually, one cannot preach the cross without preaching the church because the blood of Christ shed on the cross purchased the church (Acts 20:28). One cannot preach Christ, the head of the church, without preaching the church. (Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18) One cannot preach the plan of salvation without preaching the church because the church is the body of the saved. (Eph.5:23-27)
When someone says "Preach Christ but not the church" I'm sure that person does not understand the relationship of Christ and His church.
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