Good news travels fast. In fact, it is unstoppable. At the beginning of the book of Acts, Jesus told a small group of men and women in an upper room to go in the power of the Holy Spirit as his witnesses. They did and the world was changed. So what was their message? Did they pray sinners' prayers in every place and move on? Or was there more? Even in our gospel presentation we must include the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Paul had always wanted to go to Rome. Through many dangers, toils and snares he made it to Rome and found friends there. In fact, Paul lived under house arrest in a home he rented. There he shared hospitality and told the good news to Gentiles and Jews who were willing to listen. What was the content of his teaching? He proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about Jesus.
Do we still do this? In our gospel presentations, connect groups and sermons are we still talking about the Kingdom of God? This is not a synonym for heaven as the place we go when we die. A kingdom must have a king. Paul preached in Rome in the shadow of the Imperial Palace (which must have cast a long shadow).
Some of the guards in the palace became believers. Others in Caesar’s household came to faith as well. Living near the emperor, they came to know King Jesus. The first century confession was "Jesus Christ is Lord" (Romans 10:9-10).
The gospel is subversive. It reveals the truth about the pretense of political power. On this Presidents’ Day in the United States, remember this: King Jesus still rules without rival over all. What difference does that make in our lives today? We live under his lordship. The gospel is still unstoppable. Has it caught you? As my friend Jim Denison puts it, “Is Jesus your King, or is he just your hobby?”
