Not all “Christians” will enter the Kingdom of God
How many of you believe that what Jesus taught, applies to us today?
Is the Church of America living by the teachings of Jesus?
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.
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.
What must I do to be a part of the Kingdom of God?
- I must enter in at the strait gate. (Vs. 13)
How can we enter this strait gate?
We can only enter on the merits of Jesus Christ through a genuine repentance of our sin and a true faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
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.
Mark 1:14 ¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
How often do you think of yourself as being a good person?
There may be sin in your life but you hold onto a false hope that your sin will not condemn you.
How many of you watch or have watched R-rated movies?
How many of you men look at porn or have lusted after a woman?
How many of you women fill your minds reading romance novels?
What do you think Jesus thinks of those who call themselves Christians but continue to live in sin?
Luke 13:1 ¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What must I do to be a part of the Kingdom of God?
- I must do the will of my Father which is in heaven. (vs. 21)
Do you know the will of God?
It is only when we repent, and come before our King in brokenness and humility that we will begin to Know Him and to Know His Will.
If we are going to be a part of the Kingdom of God then we must live by what our King says!
How can we know the way?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Who were these people who thought that they were following Christ but were eternally doomed to hell?
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.
They were people that:
- Went to church.
- Named the name of Christ.
- Believed in prophesy.
- Thought they cast out devils.
- Possibly did miracles.
…..But they did not do the will of the Father and they did not truly know Jesus!
Do you truly know Jesus?
Is there evidence that you have met the Savior?
According to Jesus….What does it look like to be a part of His Kingdom?
What does Jesus say?
(write the opposites on the board)(which category best matches the church of America?)
-Rejoice when you face persecution or when people speak falsely against you.
X Complain when mistreated
-Let your lights so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify God.
X Keep silent or even deny Christ
-If your righteousness does not exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, there is no way that you will enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
X Unholy living
-If you are angry with your brother because of his failures, you are in danger of the judgement.
X Angered by others
-If you call someone a fool, you are in danger of hell fire.
X Calling people stupid
-If you are holding a grudge against your brother, you need to make things right before you can be useful to God’s Kingdom.
X Not making things right
-Agree with your adversary before he sues you in court.
X Fight for your rights
-If you lust after a woman, you have committed adultery in your heart.
X Lusting after women
-If your eye or hand causes you to sin, remove it. It is better for you to go through life without your eye or hand then to be condemned to hell because of your sin.
X Living in sin
-If you marry someone that has been divorced, you are living in adultery.
X Divorce and remarriage
-Do not swear but just say yes or no because anything other than that comes from evil.
X Using God’s name in vain
-Do not resist evil. If someone hits you on your one cheek, allow them to do the same to the other.
X Resist and revenge those that hit you.
-If someone sues you and takes away your goods, give him more than he asked for.
X Fight for your goods
-Give to those who are in need.
X Keep things for selfish interests
-Love your enemies.
X Hate your enemies
-Bless those who curse you.
X Talk evil of those that harm you
-Do good to those that hate you.
X Repay the evil done to you
-Pray for those that mistreat you.
X Don’t pray for those that mistreat you
-Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
X Live in sin
-Give to the needy secretly and God will reward you openly.
X Make sure people know that you are giving
-Pray in secret and God will reward you openly.
X Pray to impress people
-Don’t use vain repetition in your prayers.
X Ask God for the same thing over and over again
-Pray in awe and reverence to God.
X Disrespect God
-Forgive others and you will be forgiven.
X Keep talking about how people wronged you
-If you don’t forgive others, you will not be forgiven.
X Unforgiveness
-Fast secretly and God will reward you openly.
X Make sure people know that you are fasting
-Do not accumulate excess wealth.
X Accumulate excess wealth.
-Lay up for yourself treasure in heaven where it cannot be taken from you.
X Lay up treasure on the earth
-Your heart will be where you have your treasure.
X Love for things
-Keep your eyes on Jesus.
X Trust in yourself
-You cannot serve two masters, you will either be serving God or this World.
X Serve this World
-Do not worry or take thought of what you are going to eat or what you are going to where because God knows what you need.
X Worry about anything
-Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and God will provide for all your needs.
X Seek after personal necessities before God
-Judge not or you will be judged.
X Judge others
-Rid yourself of hypocrisy…examine your own life and repent from your own sin before you help your brother see his missteps.
X Live in hypocrisy
-Do not give that which is Holy and Sacred to those that will scoff at it.
X Contend with fools
-Ask and God will fill you with the Holy Spirit.
X Demand things from God
-Do unto others as you want them to do to you.
X Treat others unfairly
-Repent and allow Jesus to fill you with His Life.
X Follow after sin and self
-Know your Bible so that you are not lead astray by false teachers.
X Follow after the doctrines of men because you found it on the internet
-Only those that do the will of the Father will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
X Live by your best human reasoning
Do you and I put into practice the teachings of Christ?
Are the teachings of Christ regarded or disregarded in the church today?
Do I personally take to heart the teachings of Christ?
Is it possible to truly know Jesus but not to follow Him?
Who will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven?
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.