Good News of a Kingdom

Mark 1:14-15, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

In Mark’s gospel, before we read of any of what Jesus did or the miracles He performed, we are told that he went out preaching.  Specifically, he went out “proclaiming the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14).  We read also, in the context, of how his teaching was unique and how others were astonished in hearing him, because “he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).

What’s the significance of this?  Its possible for us, especially in this day, to lose sight of the importance of the authoritative preaching/teaching of the Word.  But as with the prophets of old, and what would be the case in the church following Jesus’ ascension into heaven, preaching has always had a significant role in God’s plan.  The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2), and the admonition to the pastor/teacher stands in effect to this day.

The one major difference in Jesus’ preaching was that he was not only the messenger, the message was all about him.  He was proclaiming the gospel (the good news) of God.  His message was “The time is fulfilled; the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).  He represented and embodied the good news that he himself was preaching.

Jesus is good news.  Remember the message of the angel of the Lord to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10).  What was the good news?  It was the good news of the birth of a Savior.  Good News indeed.  The shepherds saw the truth of it and went and shared the good news with a bunch of other folks.

Here the good news has to do with a kingdom?  According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, the word translated “kingdom” here refers to “the sphere of God’s rule.”  Vine’s goes on to explain, “The fundamental principle of the Kingdom is declared in the words of the Lord spoken in the midst of a company of Pharisees, ‘The kingdom of God is in the midst of you,’ (Luke 17:21)…that is, where the King is, there is the kingdom.”  Vine’s goes onto explain that there is also a future aspect to the expression “kingdom of God,” so in one sense the kingdom “is at hand” inasmuch as Jesus was “at hand,” in another sense the fulfillment of all that would transpire and accompany the reign of Christ was yet in the future.

We should make note of something else here in this account.  Jesus spoke of a kingdom, but where was the palace?  Not only was there no palace, there was no throne, no royal robe, no royal entourage, no royal crown, no royal feast or anything, in the earthly sense, that would lead one to believe that Jesus, the one who was speaking, was in any way associated with the rule of which he was speaking.  The kingdom of God, the reign of God, was fully founded and invested in His person, not lesser things. Though the full majesty of his divine glory was “veiled in flesh,” by divine disclosure the truth was apprehended by some (Cf. Matthew 11:25-26; 16:17).  It will be apprehended by all in a future day (Cf. Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom.  We’ve a message of good news, a matter of first importance, that centers around the person of Jesus Christ, to proclaim in this day (Cf.1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.  Salvation is by grace through faith in Him (Cf. Ephesians 2:8-9), the One who died once for all for sins (Cf. 1 Peter 3:18), and then rose from the dead, defeating sin, and death, and the devil himself.  He saves those who come to Him by faith, and then reigns in their hearts forevermore.

 

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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