
From the moment John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” the message of God’s coming Kingdom has reverberated throughout history. It is a call not just to turn from sin but to prepare our hearts and lives for the arrival of God’s perfect rule. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, from the prophets to Jesus’ ministry, inviting believers to embrace the values of His Kingdom and walk in its transformative power.
The Kingdom of God is not just a future promise; it is a present reality breaking into the world through Jesus Christ. Through His teachings, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus inaugurated a Kingdom marked by justice, mercy, and love. As His followers, we are invited to live in alignment with these principles, becoming forerunners who proclaim and demonstrate His reign. This article explores what it means to prepare the way for God’s Kingdom, to embody its values, and to partner with Him in bringing its reality to the world.
Forerunning God’s Coming Kingdom
(Matthew 3:1-6 NASB) “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, ‘The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!”’ 4 Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 At that time Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.”
John The Baptist's Message
Before Jesus began His public ministry, His cousin, John the Baptist, stepped into the role of “preparing the way of the Lord.” Devoted to proclaiming the Messiah’s arrival, John’s ministry broke away from traditional norms. Living in the wilderness, dressed in camel’s hair and sustained by locusts and wild honey, John embodied the essence of a prophet and a forerunner. His message was simple yet profound: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John’s call to repentance urged people to confront their spiritual condition, acknowledging their separation from God and choosing to realign their lives according to His will. Though the concept of repentance wasn’t new to his audience, John’s emphasis carried a fresh urgency. The Kingdom of heaven was near, and this required an immediate response.
(2 Timothy 2:24-26 NASB) “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
John’s proclamation—“The kingdom of heaven is at hand”—reflected a Jewish idiom that signified something imminent and present. By declaring this, John was announcing the arrival of Jesus, the King, and the inauguration of His earthly reign. However, this kingdom defied expectations. Jesus did not come as a conquering warrior king but as a servant and a sacrificial lamb. The fullness of His reign would unfold over time, culminating in His return to establish His physical kingdom. John’s life and message underscored the tension of the "already but not yet" Kingdom of God.
Jesus' Message
When Jesus began His ministry, He didn't begin with a new and revolutionary message, He reiterated John’s message: (Matthew 4:17 NASB) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This continuity emphasized that Jesus was building on John’s foundation, confirming the truth of his ministry. More than that, it set the tone for Jesus’ mission, inviting all to embrace the Kingdom and its transformative power.
The Early Ministry of Jesus - Proclaiming and Demonstrating the Gospel of the Kingdom
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus outlines the core values of His Kingdom. However, before teaching these principles, He actively demonstrated the Kingdom's reality by “proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom” and affirming His message with acts of power and authority.
(Matthew 4:23-24 NASB) “Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them.”
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The “Gospel of the Kingdom” is the announcement of God’s perfect and complete leadership and the good news of His coming reign, which will be everlasting and unshakable. This message of hope has been proclaimed since humanity’s fall in the Garden of Eden, beginning with the protoevangelium:
(Genesis 3:15 NIV) “And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he [Jesus] will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The book of Daniel provides a vivid depiction of this Kingdom’s ultimate fulfillment:
(Daniel 7:13-14 NASB) “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a son of man [Jesus] was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days [The Father] And was presented before Him. 14 And to Him was given dominion, Honor, and a kingdom, so that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.”
Jesus promised that this Gospel of the Kingdom would be proclaimed to all nations, commissioning His followers to spread the message, live it out, and disciple others in its truth:
(Matthew 24:14 NASB) “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
(Matthew 28:18-20 NASB) “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Demonstrating the Kingdom’s Power
Jesus didn’t just preach the Kingdom—He demonstrated its power through signs, wonders, and miracles. Healing the sick, casting out demons, and performing other miracles were tangible proofs of the Kingdom’s authority breaking into the present.
(Mark 16:15-20 NASB) “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation… 17 These signs will accompany [Gk. parakolotheo—to be always present, to attend one wherever he goes] those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ … 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”
This pattern continued in the early church. The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preached the Gospel with boldness, accompanied by miracles that confirmed their message:
(Acts 4:29-30, 33 NASB) “…grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:5 NASB) “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sakes.”
Walking in the Kingdom’s Power
As followers of Christ, we are called to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and to demonstrate its power in our lives. Just as Jesus and the apostles operated in signs, wonders, and miracles, the Church today is commissioned to walk in the same authority, bringing tangible evidence of the Kingdom’s reality to the world.
The Sermon on the Mount as an Invitation
The Sermon on the Mount is more than a collection of teachings—it is an invitation to live according to the values of God’s Kingdom. Jesus outlines a transformative way of life, calling His followers to embrace attitudes and actions that reflect His character and leadership. This Kingdom lifestyle goes beyond external compliance, challenging believers to embody genuine righteousness, selfless love, and unwavering trust in God. As we live out these principles, we not only align with God’s purposes but also become a testimony that draws others to His Kingdom and prepares the way for Christ’s return.
Kingdom Living
The Sermon on the Mount is a profound teaching that lays out the ethical and moral principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. It highlights the attitudes and character traits that are blessed, such as meekness, mercy, and purity of heart. Throughout the sermon, Jesus deepens the understanding of the Law, urging His followers to go beyond mere external obedience and embody genuine righteousness. This includes transformative commands like loving one’s enemies, avoiding judgment, and seeking reconciliation. Additionally, Jesus provides practical instructions on spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and giving. He concludes with a call to trust in God, pursue His righteousness, and build one’s life on the solid foundation of His teachings.
However, the Sermon on the Mount is far more than a list of rules or moral guidelines to follow in an attempt to earn God’s favor. It is an invitation to embrace the values of His Kingdom and live a lifestyle that reflects the coming age and Jesus’ perfect leadership. By adopting the Kingdom’s value system, believers not only align themselves with God’s purposes but also walk in the power and authority of His Kingdom.
Walking In Kingdom Values
When the body of Christ collectively embraces a Kingdom lifestyle—a “Sermon on the Mount lifestyle”—it becomes a powerful testimony. This wholehearted living provokes other believers to deeper devotion and draws unbelievers toward the knowledge of God. Such a witness hastens the return of Jesus and the fulfillment of His promises.
(Hebrews 10:19-25 NASB) “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Living out the principles of the Sermon on the Mount transforms how believers interact with the world. As Peter urges:
(1 Peter 2:11-12 NASB) “Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.”
This Kingdom lifestyle also fulfills the prophetic call to prepare for Christ’s return. As Peter writes:
(2 Peter 3:11-12 NASB) “…What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”
The Sermon on the Mount is not just a teaching—it’s an invitation to partner with God in proclaiming His Kingdom and preparing for His ultimate reign.
Final Thoughts
The message of God’s Kingdom is both a challenge and an invitation. It calls us to repentance, alignment with His values, and participation in His redemptive mission. The Sermon on the Mount offers a roadmap for Kingdom living, while Jesus’ ministry demonstrates the power and authority that accompany it.
As we embrace the Kingdom lifestyle, we become a living testimony to the world, drawing others to Christ and hastening His return. This is not just about following a set of rules but embodying the hope, peace, and righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us prepare the way for the Lord, just as John the Baptist did, by proclaiming the Gospel, living its truth, and inviting others to join in the coming reign of Jesus Christ. Together, we partner with God in forerunning His eternal Kingdom.
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