I n the O livet D iscourse , the disci ples, as representatives of the Jews, are told of the testimony they will promulgate in the end times. We read, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). One good question to ask is, “How many ‘gospels’ are there?” Let us be quick to answer that while various names are used, there is only one true Gospel. Sometimes it is referred to as “the Gospel of God,” or “the Gos pel of Christ.” Paul, on a number of occasions, refers to it as “my Gos pel.” In the book of the Revelation it is spoken of as “the everlasting Gos pel.” Here in Matthew it is “the Kingdom Gospel.” The various names are given since each writer is giving specific emphasis, under the inspira tion of the Holy Spirit. The word “Gospel” comes from an old English word which simply meant the spelling out of God and His good ness. From the Greek word we get such terms as “evangel.” It means a good message or good news. One of the best definitions is given by Scrip ture itself wherein wexread, “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all peo ple. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10 and 11). Here we see the reason why it is called “God’s Gospel,” for He it is who introduced us to the marvelous good news. One of the first verses most of us learned was of a similar nature, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16). This makes it Christ’s Gospel because it was the Saviour Himself who came to die for us. In Paul’s great epistle to the Romans, at the
very outset, he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also the Greek” (Ro mans 1:16). WHERE ARE THE REAPERS? "Oh, where are the reapers, my Fa-, ther? And w h/ are the laborers few? The field is so white unto harvest! Oh, Father, there's so much to do" "The reapers are plenty," He an swered; "I have called forth to harvest a host; A few have responded," the others Are sadly neglecting their post. "One lingers at home for a living, For fear that I should not supply: Another shrinks back with '{ Cannot/ And even refuses to try. "Another is lost in earth's pleasures, Forgetting the sorrow and pain Of sad, sinful multitudes dying. Another is bent on earth's gain. I have called, but my call is un heeded," Oh awaken ye slumberers, I pray, Awaken! God hasn't forgotten The call that He gave you. Away! Tear loose from thy puny excuses; For the souls whom your efforts should have Are daily and hourly sinking Down, down to a hopeless grave. Awake, oh, awake! ye slumberers, God hasn't forgotten 'twas you That He called to work in His har vest Nor the task that He gave you to do. Now coming back to our text in the Lord’s prophetic discourse, we con sider the Gospel of the Kingdom. One must always keep in mind the con- 13
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