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Into the Kingdom
April 02, 2017
How does one enter the kingdom of God -- the kingdom of heaven? Logistically, it is not hard. What is hard is surrendering our own will to the mighty will of God! Jesus told us how to enter the kingdom, and if we follow His simple instructions and His example, we have easy access. - Bernie Parsons
Into The Kingdom
a sermon by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 04-02-2017
Presented to Load church of Christ on 04-09-2017
We have established that Jesus came to bring the true, spiritual kingdom
of God.
Now, let’s look at entry into the kingdom.
John 3:1 "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of
the Jews:
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."
As previously discussed, entry is by baptism in the water and received
the Spirit of God.
It must also be our heart’s desire, and it must be our foremost purpose
to seek that kingdom.
Matthew 6:31 "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or,
What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you."
Entering the kingdom requires a deep spiritual commitment and not just
religion for show.
Matthew 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall
exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
It is not easy to enter the kingdom of heaven.
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.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity."
The love for riches can hinder entrance into the kingdom.
Matthew 19:23 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto
you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,
Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible."
1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in
destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows."
It generally will be a hard thing to enter the kingdom due to the
tribulations faced.
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."
There will be few who find that way into the kingdom.
Matthew 7:13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which
go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it."
“Strait” here means “narrow”, while “narrow” here means “pressed upon”,
and Strong, in Strong’s Concordance, renders it as “crowded, afflicted,
pressed upon by tribulations.”
The following discourse by Jesus indicates the attributes of the
kingdom’s population.
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for
they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
The entrance into the kingdom is not complicated. The difficulty is not
the process, but the attitude. One who will not enter the kingdom
humbly, willing to learn and grow, will not enter.
Matthew 18:2 "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in
the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the
same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Luke 18:17 "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."
When we read of the glorious city of God, we see that God is careful
whom He allows in.
Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the
moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb
is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of
it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall
be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth,
neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which
are written in the Lamb's book of life."
If we are serious about inheriting the kingdom, we must understand the
narrow entrance and the way lined with afflictions and tribulations that
conducts us to our eternal home.
