“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
– Matthew 4:17
Main Thought: This statement comes very soon after the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, and right on the heels of his 40 days fasting in the wilderness, followed by the three temptations of Satan. The first thing then that we see Jesus doing in his ministry is to preach the Gospel. Many people who are only vaguely familiar with Jesus will extol the social aspects of His ministry, like healing the sick, feeding the thousands and washing the feet of His disciples. However, if they really understood the Jesus of the Bible and what His true initial ministry was, they wouldn’t be so fond of that Jesus. You see Jesus was not just a social example, but he was a preacher of The Gospel, a message that for the most part lost men and women do not want to hear, that identifies all as having sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Jesus knew perfectly well that the world He came to more than anything else needed to hear the Gospel, and part of that Gospel message was that men needed to repent of their sins. The truth is that a message of the Gospel without repentance is really not the Gospel at all, for men need to know of their sinfulness against God and then repent from it before being saved. When Peter and the apostles preached the Gospel following the ascension of Jesus back to the Father, they did not preach a Gospel without repentance, but the Gospel where repentance was necessary (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22), with Paul also later on proclaiming in Athens on Mars Hill to the pagan idolaters “the times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). What Jesus was proclaiming, and what still must be proclaimed, is that repentance from sin is still necessary for salvation. As we look around us, as in Jesus’ day, we see a world of men and women who need to hear the Gospel and still must repent. May we be faithful as God’s people, out of love and compassion for the lost, to proclaim this Gospel to them, and may we pray earnestly that God will move upon many of them by His Holy Spirit to bring about repentance and salvation.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Hosea 6:6
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
Hebrews 11:24-26
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” – Hebrews 11:24-26
Revelation 22:20-21
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” – Revelation 22:20-21
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Isaiah 8:20
“To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” – Isaiah 8:20
2 Corinthians 4:7
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Colossians 2:5
“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” – Colossians 2:5
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1
Isaiah 41:17-18
“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” – Isaiah 41:17-18