Christian Universe ™
Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
Entering The Kingdom Of God
June 19, 2016
There is a specific way to enter the kingdom of God, as spelled out by Jesus Christ and His apostles. If we want to enter the kingdom of God, we must follow the instructions of He who made the entrance possible. To those in denial, it does include being born again of water and spirit. - Bernie Parsons
Entering The Kingdom Of God
A sermon by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 06-19-2016
Presented to Load church of Christ on 06-26-2016
I last talked about the eternal kingdom of God. Now, I wish to discuss
how we enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus said that those who enter heaven’s kingdom are those who do God’s
will.
Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven."
John the baptizer and Jesus both preached repentance and that the
kingdom was at hand.
Matthew 3:1 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the
wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Jesus said that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized shall be
saved.
Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned."
Jesus said that one had to be born again of water and spirit to enter
God’s kingdom.
John 3:2 "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we
know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these
miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Apostle Paul explained that baptism is the likeness of Jesus’ death,
burial and resurrection.
Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace
may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer
therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and
have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
Apostle Paul described our entry into the kingdom as being translated
into it.
Colossians 1:12 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet
to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated
us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of
sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are
in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for
him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to
reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things
in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by
wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and
unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was
preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made
a minister;"
Apostle Paul also stated that we must enter the kingdom through much
tribulation.
Acts 14:21 "And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had
taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue
in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the
kingdom of God."
Jesus said that we must enter the kingdom with the character of a little
child. To me, this means to be innocent, pure, eager to learn and
willing to forgive, and to get along.
Mark 10:13 "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch
them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them,
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of
such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God
as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed
them."
Jesus said that we must enter the kingdom with a forward, not a
backward, view.
Luke 9:59 "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord,
suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and
preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go
bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Jesus instructed an emphasis on the kingdom versus the things of this
world.
Luke 12:29 "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink,
neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your
Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be
added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom."
Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and
approved of men."
