“K-I-N-G”: Hear The Good News Of Jesus’ Kingdom

In the ancient Roman world, “gospel” (Greek euangelion) meant “good news of victory and a new king.” Roman soldiers would run into cities announcing good news, that Caesar has conquered, and that Caesar reigns. This was called the “Pax Romana” (peace of Rome) — but it was peace by the sword.

In contrast, the Gospel of Jesus declares: The true King has come. Jesus reigns. His Kingdom brings real peace — reconciliation with God, life, and joy.

Mark 1:14–15 (ESV) — …Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

So, we invite you to hear the Good News that Jesus is King, and that to have peace and eternal life, allow Him to reign in your heart.

To explain why all should make Jesus their King, we’ll share these 4 points, K-I-N-G:

K — Kneeling Before A False King

• Satan enticed all of us to reject God’s rule and “be like God,” putting the crown on our own head (Gen 3:5)

  • Genesis 3:5 (ESV) — 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

• Satan, the enemy king, is god of this world, and he blinds and devours all in his kingdom (1 Jn 5:19; 2 Cor 4:4; 1 Pet 5:8, John 10:10)

  • 1 John 5:19 (ESV) — 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) — 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

  • 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) — 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

  • John 10:10 (ESV) — 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

• We enter Satan’s kingdom through sin — All have sinned; sin’s earned wage is death—this is why we’re “dead in trespasses.” (Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23; Eph 2:1)

  • Romans 3:23 (ESV) — 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

  • Romans 6:23 (ESV) — 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Ephesians 2:1 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

• God wants to rescue us from the domain of darkness into Jesus’ Kingdom. (Col 1:13–14)

  • Colossians 1:13–14 (ESV) — 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I — Incarnation Of The True King

• The eternal Son became flesh; He came not to be served but to serve, showing us an example of the opposite of self-rule—Sacrifice, service, submission. (Jn 1:1, 14; Mk 10:45; Phil 2:5–8)

  • John 1:1 (ESV) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

  • John 1:14 (ESV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

  • Mark 10:45 (ESV) — 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

  • Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV) — 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

• He died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. (1 Cor 15:3–4)

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (ESV) — 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

• As the spotless sacrifice, He paid our debt and gives us His righteousness. (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 9:26; Rom 3:24–26)

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) — 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

  • Hebrews 9:26 (ESV) — 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

  • Romans 3:24–26 (ESV) — 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

• He ascended and now reigns at God’s right hand as Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:32–36; Eph 1:20–23; Col 1:18)

  • Acts 2:32–36 (ESV) — 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

  • Ephesians 1:20–23 (ESV) — 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

  • Colossians 1:18 (ESV) — 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

N — New Life In Jesus’ Kingdom

• Forgiveness of sins and eternal life begin now with King Jesus and last through eternity. (Acts 2:38; Jn 3:16; 1 Pet 1:3–5)

  • Acts 2:38 (ESV) — 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • John 3:16 (ESV) — 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

  • 1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• A life patterned after the King: sacrifice, submission, and service. (Lk 9:23; Jn 13:14–15; Rom 12:1)

  • Luke 9:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

  • John 13:14–15 (ESV) — 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

  • Romans 12:1 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

• We overcome the world through faith working in love—even in trials. (1 Jn 5:4–5; Jn 16:33; Gal 5:6)

  • 1 John 5:4–5 (ESV) — 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

  • John 16:33 (ESV) — 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

  • Galatians 5:6 (ESV) — 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

• Empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk holy and bear fruit. (Acts 2:38–39; Gal 5:22–23; Eph 3:16)

  • Acts 2:38–39 (ESV) — 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

  • Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

  • Ephesians 3:16 (ESV) — 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

G — Giving Your Crown To The King

• Believe in Jesus—the only true King and the Way, Truth and Life. (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12; Jn 8:24)

  • John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

  • Acts 4:12 (ESV) — 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

  • John 8:24 (ESV) — 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

• Repent: turn from sin to God’s rule. (Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30)

  • Acts 3:19 (ESV) — 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

  • Acts 17:30 (ESV) — 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

• Be baptized into Christ to share His death, burial, and resurrection. (Rom 6:3–5; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21; Acts 2:38)

  • Romans 6:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

  • Colossians 2:12 (ESV) — 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

  • 1 Peter 3:21 (ESV) — 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

  • Acts 2:38 (ESV) — 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• Grow in loyal obedience: daily cross-bearing, devoted church life, steadfast hope. (Lk 9:23; Acts 2:42; Heb 10:24–25; Rev 2:10)

  • Luke 9:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

  • Acts 2:42 (ESV) — 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

  • Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) — 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

  • Revelation 2:10 (ESV) — 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

• Await the King’s appearing and the full handing over of the Kingdom to the Father. (Titus 2:13; 1 Cor 15:24–28)

  • Titus 2:13 (ESV) — 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

  • 1 Corinthians 15:24–28 (ESV) — 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Will you crown Jesus as King in your life today?