The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

When Jesus sent out his disciples to go door-to-door to proclaim the gospel, He needed the words needed to be simple, powerful, and easy to remember.

He told them to proclaim the following message, “The Kingdom of heaven is near.”  (Matthew 10:7)

How can we apply this same message to today’s world?

When Jesus instructs His disciples or believers on how to be His ambassadors to the world, it seems He usually begins and ends with a promise.

When Jesus begins to instruct his disciples on how to be evangelists, he gives them a promise.

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  (Matthew 9:37-38)

Jesus tells his disciples, “If only you could see what I see. Because of sin, all you see are problems, hopelessness, and a lack of faith. What I see are lost sheep – and I’m going to send you to find them and bring them home to me.”

With a promise that their work will not be in vain, Jesus gives them authority and the power to proclaim His name by using these words, “The kingdom of heaven is near.”

Can you imagine knocking on a stranger’s door and telling them, “Hi, my name is Dave and I’m with a church nearby and I’m here because God has asked me to deliver a very important message that you need to hear. The kingdom of heaven is near!”

Simple, powerful, and an easy message to remember.

But it’s not a message that I would recommend using in today’s world.

Most people would think that I’m declaring that the world is coming to an end. Instead, these six simple, yet powerful words are stating that Jesus Christ is here and available. Trust in His promises and what He has done to rescue you. Believe Him and you will receive the kingdom of heaven right now.

Simple, powerful, and easy to remember. And what I like best about the words Jesus gave to his disciples is that there was a sense of urgency. Jesus is here! Right now! Why waste your time trying to solve your own problems? Your time on earth may be nearer than you think. Trust in Him and you will receive all the eternal and temporal benefits that He promises.

Despite how a person responds to our message, we cling to His promise that the harvest is plentiful and we are one of a privileged few who are proclaiming this message.

Out of His grace and mercy, Jesus ends with a promise before sending His disciples out into the world.

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  (Matthew 10:42)

All Christians are commissioned to be God’s ambassadors. When believers step out in faith to share their faith, they will be rewarded. This does not mean that a believer will receive the reward of salvation, because that is already secure. It means that they God will graciously reward a believer’s service when it is an expression of faith.

One of the greatest blessings a believer receives for being God’s ambassador and delivering His message of salvation, is the immeasurable joy and sense of privilege of serving God in this way.

[Learn how to joyfully and confidently proclaim His name!]

Sharing our faith is one of the greatest exercises of our faith (Phil 2:12). When believers exercise their spiritual muscles that can’t help but to grow in their faith and deepen their trust in all of God’s wonderful promises. That is one of the greatest blessings that God promises for those who take on the role of being God’s messengers.

The kingdom of heaven is near! Jesus Christ is with us. Together let’s proclaim His name to the world.

Related Posts:

A way to find delight in the fear of evangelism

How evangelism rests on trust and what you possess

Experiencing the promise of the Great Commission

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