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Christian Citizenship  /  What is a Kingdom Christian?  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 4
Bercot distinguishes “the gospel of Jesus” (what Jesus preached and commanded) from “the gospel about Jesus” (truths about His identity and saving work), and says most preaching since the early fourth century emphasizes theology over how we live; where do you see your own church tradition placing its “center,” and what would have to change in preaching, discipleship, and assurance of salvation if Jesus’ way of life became central rather than optional?
Another way to ask: Does your church focus more on what Jesus taught us to do, or mainly on facts about who Jesus is and what He did? If living Jesus’ way became the main focus, what would need to change in preaching, discipleship, and how people find assurance of salvation?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s teaching, many conservative churches center on “getting saved” and theological correctness (the “gospel about Jesus”), while kingdom Christianity centers on serving the King by living out Jesus’ teachings (the “gospel of Jesus”). If Jesus’ way of life became central, preaching and discipleship would stress obedience to Jesus’ commands as the heart of Christianity, not an “extra,” and assurance would be tied to a lived kingdom life rather than merely correct beliefs.

Support from Transcript:

  • He defines the contrast: “the gospel of Jesus versus the gospel about Jesus.”
  • He affirms the “about Jesus” truths but says, “that’s just the beginning…Jesus’ gospel…included so much more.”
  • He critiques post–fourth century emphasis: preaching focuses on “theology. Get your theology right…that is what is going to get you into heaven.”
  • He says Jesus’ gospel “primarily emphasized how we live…He said very little about theology.”
  • Kingdom center: “the kingdom life is at the center of his Christianity. He doesn’t try to separate the king…from the teachings of the king.”
  • He contrasts focuses: conventional churchgoers’ focus is “getting saved…theme of most of their sermons,” while kingdom Christians focus on “serving their king and living by his teachings through the power that he gives us.”
Discussion Follow-ups If sermons were measured by how clearly they call people to obey Jesus (enemy-love, nonresistance, truth-telling, wealth), would your church’s “main message” change?

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