God’s Mission - Reality of the Gospel

God's Mission - Reality of the Gospel

This Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the core message of the gospel and its implications for our lives today. The speaker begins by questioning the audience's understanding of fundamental biblical concepts and emphasizes the paramount importance of the gospel of Yeshua (Jesus). He asserts that the gospel, encompassing Yeshua's life, ministry, teachings, death, burial, and resurrection, was the most significant event in creation since its very beginning. While acknowledging the importance of other aspects of the Bible, the teaching firmly states that nothing surpasses the significance of Yeshua and the gospel he proclaimed.

The teaching challenges a common perception of the gospel, which often focuses on individual salvation and the afterlife – the idea of receiving a "ticket" to heaven after death based on correct beliefs and avoiding hell. This view typically pictures heaven as a blissful, ethereal realm and hell as a place of eternal torment. However, the speaker argues that this understanding minimizes the true scope and immediate relevance of the gospel.

Instead, the teaching emphasizes that the gospel is fundamentally about the kingdom of God coming near, here, and now. Drawing from Matthew 4:17 and 4:23, it highlights that Yeshua's preaching centered on the arrival of the kingdom of heaven and was accompanied by healing to demonstrate this reality. The gospel, therefore, is not primarily about what individuals must do to secure a place in heaven after death, but rather the good news of what God is doing to restore his creation.

The speaker traces the origins of the idea of escaping the physical body to reach a heavenly afterlife to first-century pagan philosophies, particularly referencing the teachings of Plutarch. He contrasts this with the early Christian understanding, citing Justin Martyr, a second-century church father, who considered the denial of the resurrection and the sole focus on the soul going to heaven at death as contrary to the foundations of the gospel.

The teaching then delves into the creation narrative in Genesis 1:26-28, highlighting that humanity was created in God's image ("tselem" in Hebrew, meaning a representation of a king's power and authority) to rule and have stewardship over God's good creation ("rada" meaning authority and stewardship). The initial plan was for humanity to cultivate and progress the world alongside God, expanding the "garden" (God's presence) to encompass the entire earth. God's creation was good, dynamic, and meant to progress, not remain in a static state of perfection.

The entry of evil and corruption in Genesis 3, through humanity's desire for autonomy and the ability to define good and evil independently of God, disrupted this plan. This rebellion led to a separation between heaven (God's perfect reign) and earth. The temple in the Old Testament symbolized the meeting place of heaven and earth, a place where God's kingdom was revealed.

The gospel, therefore, is the good news that God has come in the person of Yeshua to reverse the effects of this separation and to dispel "hell" (separation from God and its manifestations) from his good creation. Drawing from the Gospel of Mark 1:1 and 1:14-15, the teaching emphasizes that the gospel is about the arrival of God's kingdom and his reign on earth, echoing the prophecies of Isaiah about the end of exile and God's redemption.

The concept of "hell" is presented not merely as a future destination but as a present reality of separation from God, manifested through our selfish pursuits, greed, lust, and the corrupting influence of our words and actions. References to Gehenna (a burning trash heap outside Jerusalem used as a metaphor), outer darkness (Matthew 8:12, 22:13), and Paul's description of eternal separation from God's glory (2 Thessalonians) illustrate this concept. Yeshua himself spoke of the Pharisees creating "children of hell" through their present actions (Matthew 23:15), and James described the tongue as being set on fire by hell, capable of spreading its destructive influence.

God's mission, revealed through the gospel, is to confront and eliminate this "hell" from both creation and our hearts. The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 is presented as a daily petition for God's kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, reflecting this very mission. Ephesians 1:10 speaks of God's plan to gather all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. Yeshua himself, in his actions and being, manifested heaven on earth, embodying the function of the temple.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Live as ambassadors of God's kingdom in your daily interactions, reflecting his love, justice, and mercy.
• Actively confront the "hell" in the world around you – injustice, hatred, suffering – through acts of love, compassion, and truth.
• Cultivate God's creation responsibly, recognizing your role as a steward of what he has entrusted to you.
• Embrace "eternal life" as a present reality, experiencing God's love, grace, and forgiveness now, not just as a future hope.
• Forgive others as Christ forgave you, recognizing that reconciliation is a hallmark of God's coming kingdom.
• Love others as Yeshua loved, demonstrating a selfless and sacrificial love that transcends personal boundaries.
• Teach and share the good news of God's kingdom coming to earth, empowering others to experience this reality.
• Examine your own heart and confront the "hell" within – hatred, lust, unforgiveness – allowing God's transforming power to bring healing and restoration.
• Live in hopeful anticipation of God's final restoration, allowing this hope to shape your actions and attitudes in the present.
• Recognize that your life as a believer has a purpose now, to be an image-bearer and participate in God's mission of bringing heaven to earth.

References:

Bible Verses:

• Genesis 1:26-28
• Matthew 4:17
• Matthew 6 (The Lord's Prayer)
• Mark 1:1
• Ephesians 1:10
• Revelation 21

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• Books by N.T. Wright
• Books by Christopher Wright
• The Bible Project (created by Timothy Mackie)
• Books by G.K. Beale

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