The Kingdom of God: Luke 8:1-3
“1) Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2) and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3) and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.” Luke 8:1-3 NASB1995
Jesus was preaching the gospel of the kingdom. This message came with authority and power to heal the sick and set captives free from demonic bondage. (See Luke 4:18-21; 31-44)
As Luke chapter 8 opens, He is relentlessly preaching the kingdom of God. Those following Him had been healed or set free by His authority. Mary Magdalene had been delivered from seven demonic spirits.
His team had been deeply impacted by His message and miracles. Many contributed to His support from their private means. Ministry is always underwritten by the followers of Jesus Christ.
The gospel of the kingdom was preached throughout His entire ministry. It was also His primary message between His resurrection and ascension. (Acts 1:3-8) Study these verses carefully.
In the above text, He promised that the Holy Spirit would be given to those who believed in Him. The baptism of the Holy Spirit as promised by John the Baptist would be accompanied by “power.” This miraculous power would equip them to be effective witnesses wherever they went.
In the New Testament, it is impossible to separate the gospel of the kingdom from the accompanying power of God. It was not an empty carnal message of mere words. It was rooted in the Holy Spirit and the power of God.
To amplify this point, I strongly encourage you to study scriptures like Mark 16:14-18; Acts 1:3-8; Acts 4:29-31, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Corinthians 4:18-21, Galatians 3:2-5; Ephesians 3:14-21; Titus 3:4-7 and Hebrews 2:4. These verses all point to the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through those who believe. I could add many more verses.
It took me years to see the power of the Holy Spirit as the signature of the gospel of the kingdom. This gospel transfers believers from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Beloved Son. (See Colossians 1:12-13) It utterly transforms them. It endows them with power from on high.
Jesus both preached and modeled the gospel of the kingdom. His followers were the fruit of His gospel. As today’s text illustrates, His followers were healed and set free by His gospel. They had profound testimonies of personal transformation.
Jesus did not come to start a new religion, He came to build His kingdom. He came to set captives free and provide a way for sinful and carnal people to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
Sent from my iPhone
“1) Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2) and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3) and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.” Luke 8:1-3 NASB1995
Jesus was preaching the gospel of the kingdom. This message came with authority and power to heal the sick and set captives free from demonic bondage. (See Luke 4:18-21; 31-44)
As Luke chapter 8 opens, He is relentlessly preaching the kingdom of God. Those following Him had been healed or set free by His authority. Mary Magdalene had been delivered from seven demonic spirits.
His team had been deeply impacted by His message and miracles. Many contributed to His support from their private means. Ministry is always underwritten by the followers of Jesus Christ.
The gospel of the kingdom was preached throughout His entire ministry. It was also His primary message between His resurrection and ascension. (Acts 1:3-8) Study these verses carefully.
In the above text, He promised that the Holy Spirit would be given to those who believed in Him. The baptism of the Holy Spirit as promised by John the Baptist would be accompanied by “power.” This miraculous power would equip them to be effective witnesses wherever they went.
In the New Testament, it is impossible to separate the gospel of the kingdom from the accompanying power of God. It was not an empty carnal message of mere words. It was rooted in the Holy Spirit and the power of God.
To amplify this point, I strongly encourage you to study scriptures like Mark 16:14-18; Acts 1:3-8; Acts 4:29-31, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Corinthians 4:18-21, Galatians 3:2-5; Ephesians 3:14-21; Titus 3:4-7 and Hebrews 2:4. These verses all point to the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through those who believe. I could add many more verses.
It took me years to see the power of the Holy Spirit as the signature of the gospel of the kingdom. This gospel transfers believers from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Beloved Son. (See Colossians 1:12-13) It utterly transforms them. It endows them with power from on high.
Jesus both preached and modeled the gospel of the kingdom. His followers were the fruit of His gospel. As today’s text illustrates, His followers were healed and set free by His gospel. They had profound testimonies of personal transformation.
Jesus did not come to start a new religion, He came to build His kingdom. He came to set captives free and provide a way for sinful and carnal people to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
Sent from my iPhone
