What are people hearing instead of the gospel of Christ?
Instead of the gospel of Christ, most of Christendom today is hearing the gospel of the Kingdom. They are not hearing the gospel of grace, the gospel of Christ, the gospel of God, or what Paul calls 'my gospel.' Rather, they hear the Kingdom gospel that Jesus and the Twelve proclaimed to the nation of Israel.
Les explains that most of Christendom today, without even realizing it, is preaching the gospel of the Kingdom rather than the gospel of Christ. This vast difference is leading so many people glibly down a wrong road. They are not hearing the gospel of grace, the gospel of Christ, the gospel of God, or what Paul calls 'my gospel.' Instead, they hear the gospel of the Kingdom, which Jesus and the Twelve proclaimed to the nation of Israel. Paul, in verse 14, says he came as far as them preaching the gospel of Christ. In verse 15, he refuses to boast beyond his measure or of other men's labors, not building on what the Twelve accomplished, because their ministry was confined to Israel within its borders. Paul was out in virgin territory.
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: