The Power of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom

Explore the Christian concept of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing its "already" and "not yet" aspects. The "already" refers to the present spiritual realities, such as a restored relationship with God and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The "not yet" encompasses future realities, including face-to-face encounters with Jesus and the restoration of creation. The texts examine this tension, highlighting humanity's role as image-bearers in God's restorative work, both now and in the coming new creation. They ultimately connect the Gospel, God's power, and the Kingdom's "already" and "not yet" dimensions to restoring humanity's purpose and identity.

The concept of "already and not yet" helps us grasp the tension Christians experience as they await the complete fulfillment of God's kingdom. It highlights the significant work God has already accomplished through Jesus, which believers experience through the Holy Spirit's power in their lives. However, some aspects of the complete restoration of all things are yet to be experienced.

Here's a breakdown of what is "already" and what is "not yet," presented in a way that's accessible to believers today:

What is ALREADY:

• Restored Relationship with God: Through Jesus' sacrifice, believers are forgiven and reconciled to their Creator [1]. They become children of God through adoption by the Holy Spirit, entering into an intimate relationship with Him [1].

• Kingdom Authority and Power: Believers have been restored to their original purpose as God's image bearers [2]. They are empowered by the Holy Spirit to partner with God in His work, carrying His presence and demonstrating His power in the world [3]. They are called to live, love, and serve like Jesus [4]. This includes:

• Proclaiming God’s Word: Through believers, the Holy Spirit speaks God's message to the world, just as Jesus did during His earthly ministry [3].

• Demonstrating God’s Power: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to perform acts of healing, deliverance, and compassion, mirroring Jesus' ministry [5].

What is NOT YET:

• Face-to-Face with Jesus: While believers now experience God's presence through the Holy Spirit, they haven't yet seen Jesus face-to-face [5]. This awaits the future when they will fully know God as they are known [6].

• Resurrection Bodies: Believers currently reside in mortal bodies subject to weakness and decay. They anticipate receiving glorified resurrection bodies like Jesus' [5], free from limitations [7].

• Full Reign with Christ: While believers participate in God's kingdom work now, the full manifestation of their reign with Christ awaits the future [5]. This includes ruling and reigning over the cosmos alongside Jesus [5].

• Judgment of Angels: Scripture indicates believers will participate in judging angels, a responsibility not yet experienced [5].

• Removal of Social Barriers: The current world is marked by social divisions. In the "not yet," these barriers will be eradicated. There will be no distinction between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, male and female [7].

The tension between "already" and "not yet" encourages believers to live in the present with the hope of the future. They can celebrate the remarkable work God has already accomplished in their lives while eagerly anticipating the fullness of His kingdom when He ultimately restores all things.

Here are some more details about this conversation.

Source: "The Power of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom," Ron Ford, 2022

Main Themes:

• The inseparable connection between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the power of God.

• The restoration of human identity and vocation through the Gospel.

• The "already and not yet" nature of the Kingdom of God.

Most Important Ideas & Facts:

1. Eschatology & The Gospel: Our understanding of the end times (eschatology) shapes how we view the Gospel and God's power. Viewing the ultimate goal as restoration of creation, rather than just going to heaven, reveals the Kingdom as God's ongoing rule and humans' role in collaborating with Him.

2. The Bible's Macro-Narrative: The Bible's overarching story is about God's mission to establish His Kingdom rule on Earth. Humanity was created to be His image-bearers and co-labor with Him in creation, but sin disrupted this. Jesus, as King and Savior, restores humans to this relationship and role.

3. "The Gospel of the Kingdom is not an abstract philosophical idea but a declaration that the creator has successfully achieved his intentions through Jesus and that his will is being worked out 'on earth as in heaven.'" (Ford, p. 7)

4. A 360-Degree View of the Gospel: The Gospel is multi-faceted, encompassing God's claim to rescue creation, His message of Jesus as King, the storyline of Jesus' life demonstrating true image-bearing, the goal of reconciling humanity to God, and the means of achieving this through Jesus' death, resurrection, ascension, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

5. Human Identity in the Gospel: Contrary to modern culture's focus on self-creation, the Bible defines humans as God's creation, designed for relationship with Him and fulfilling His purpose. Our identity as disciples of Jesus is rooted in being restored to this original design:

6. “I am created in the image of God. As a disciple of Jesus, I am being restored to my responsibility, authority, and power to manage the good purposes of the Sovereign Creator on earth as in heaven.” (Ford, p. 20)

7. The "Already and Not Yet" Kingdom: God's Kingdom is both present ("already") and future ("not yet"). In the "already," we experience forgiveness, adoption as God's children, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to live and minister like Jesus. This empowers us to fulfill our restored responsibility as image-bearers, foreshadowing the full expression of the Kingdom in the "not yet" of the new heavens and new earth.

Key Quotes:

• "God chose the human race to be the priests of all creation, offering up creation’s worship to him and bringing his wise order to it." (N.T. Wright, cited in Ford, p. 9)

• "The gospel is the true story of how Jesus the Son was sent by God the Father to become the saving king who now rules forever at his right hand through the sending of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling God’s promises in Scripture." (Matthew W. Bates, cited in Ford, p. 15)

Implications:

• Christians should embrace their identity as image-bearers, empowered by the Holy Spirit to participate in God's kingdom work.

• A focus on the restorative aspect of the Gospel motivates us to actively seek God's healing and transformation in all areas of life, not just personal salvation.

• The "already and not yet" framework encourages us to live in the tension of experiencing the Kingdom's power now while anticipating its full manifestation in the future.

This conversation is courtesy of Google’s Notebook LM Ai and explores some of the key themes and ideas presented in Ron Ford's "The Power of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom." The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of the Gospel and God's power, emphasizing the restoration of human identity and purpose within the framework of God's ongoing Kingdom rule.