Looking for True Spirituality 7 Preaching of the Good News

Spirituality and the Preaching of the Good News

Jesus is an example of a charismatic religious leader, who preached the word of God and told others about the coming Kingdom of God. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the Gospel of Mark, we find an account in which Jesus cured many ill people, doing so late into the night. Early the next morning when he was alone praying, his apostles came and told him that many people were looking for him, perhaps wanting to be cured. However, Jesus told them:

“Let us go somewhere else, into the village towns nearby, that I may preach there also.”

Then Jesus explained why:

“It is for this purpose I have gone out.” (Mark 1:32-38; Luke 4:43)

Although curing people was important to Jesus, preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom was Jesus’ primary mission.

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus went into Gal′i·lee,+ preaching the good news of God+ 15 and saying: “The appointed time has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent,+ and have faith in the good news.” (Mark 1:14, 15).

14 Now Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Gal′i·lee.+ And good reports about him spread throughout all the surrounding country. 15 Also, he began to teach in their synagogues, and he was held in honor by all. (Luke 4:14, 15)

8 Shortly afterward he traveled from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God.+ And the Twelve were with him, (Luke 8:1)

43 But he said to them: “I must also declare the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities, because for this I was sent.”+ (Luke 4:43)

Today, telling others about God’s Kingdom is still an identifying mark of those who have the mind of Christ. To all who want to be his followers, Jesus gave the command:

“Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20)

In addition, Jesus foretold:

“This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

A frequent sight to be seen on Omagh’s High Street on a Saturday afternoon, a group of preachers and religious tracts handed out. – Photo: Kenneth Allen

Since God’s Word indicates that the preaching work is accomplished by the power of the holy spirit, having a meaningful share in that work is a sign of true spirituality.

8 But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you,+ and you will be witnesses+ of me in Jerusalem,+ in all Ju·de′a and Sa·mar′i·a,+ and to the most distant part* of the earth.”+ (Acts 1:8).

Preaching the Kingdom message to people around the world requires the united efforts of millions of people.

20 “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word, 21 so that they may all be one,+ just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you,+ that they also may be in union with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. (John 17:20, 21)

Those engaged in this work need to be not only spiritually-minded but also well-organized on a global scale. Can you identify the people who are following in the footsteps of Christ and preaching the good news of the Kingdom around the world?

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Preceding articles:

Looking for True Spirituality 1 Intro

Looking for True Spirituality 2 Not restricted to an elite

Looking for True Spirituality 3 Mind of Christ

Looking for True Spirituality 4 Getting to Know the Mind of Christ

Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit

Looking for True Spirituality 6 Spirituality and Prayer

Fruits of the spirit will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful

Next: Looking for True Spirituality 8 Measuring Up

Dutch version of this article / De Nederlandse versie van dit artikel:

Op zoek naar spiritualiteit 7 Prediking van het goede nieuws

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Additional reading:

1. Exceeding Great and Precious Promise
2. The builder of the Kingdom
3. Not all will inherit the Kingdom
4. Knowing where to go to
5. Kingdom of God what will it be like
6. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
7. The Involvement of true discipleship
8. Testify of the things heard
9. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
10. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #2 Witnessing
11. A Voice to be heard
12. Creator and Blogger God 4 Expounding voice
13. Blogging for Jesus…
14. Preaching to an unbelieving world
15. Words to push and pull
16. Good or bad preacher
17. Learn how to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News of the coming Kingdom
18. How should we preach?
19. Breathing and growing with no heir
20. Breathing to teach
21. Bringing Good News into the world
22. United people under Christ
23. Manifests for believers #5 Christian Union
24. Jehovah’s Witnesses not only group that preach the good news
25. Belonging to or being judged by
26. Holland Week of billing
27. Trying to get the youth inspired
28. When discouraged facing opposition

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