Let’s start with this question: What do you need to have a kingdom?
A kingdom needs a ruler!
A kingdom needs people or “subjects”!
A kingdom needs a realm or a place!
Jesus Christ often talked about the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is mentioned over 70 times in the New Testament. God’s Kingdom has come to earth because Jesus Christ came to earth. How often do we think about the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God exists and has come to us! There are people in God’s kingdom and of course the ruler of the kingdom is God.
What is the Kingdom of God like?
Will every person who ever lived on earth be in the Kingdom of God?
What will happen to those who have chosen not to be in the Kingdom of God?
Now, many of us already know the answers to these questions because we have chosen to believe in Jesus Christ as our only Savior and God for a number of years now. Our passage for this morning may seem “dry” because we’ve heard it all before. But as I have been challenged with my study of this passage from Luke, let me challenge you with this question: How often do you really think about the Kingdom of God?
If we have chosen to be on God’s side, we should always be thinking about this Kingdom of God because we are really part of it! And setting our minds on God’s Kingdom should impact how we live our daily lives! How are we doing with this?
Open your Bibles to Luke 13……..
But before we read our passage, let us pray our commitment to God’s Word…..
Read along with me now Luke 13:18-30……
Jesus describes the Kingdom of God in verses 19 and 21. Before going any further, let us note who Jesus is. Hebrews 1:1-3 states, In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Jesus Christ is God. What can we learn from what Jesus said about God’s Kingdom?
a. Jesus confirms the Kingdom; There is a Kingdom of God! Why is this important to note? How many of us know people who are just into their own world, just into their own kingdom? Some are so into an organization or a sports team or lately political parties or even social medias like Facebook or Twitter that God is neglected! How often do WE neglect God in our daily activities and interests? Whether we ignore it or not, God’s Kingdom exists right now and forever! I think this is so important for all of us that if you can remember only one thing from this message, this is it: Meditate day and night on this truth: God’s Kingdom exists right now, right where you are! Jesus preached this while He was here on earth and if Jesus was present right here right now, He would continue to preach the existence of the Kingdom of God! Why? We are bombarded today with so many views without God and we all end up with all sorts of idols instead of God! Setting our minds in the existence and presence of God in our midst is crucial to our Christian lives!
What else did Jesus say about the Kingdom of God? We can try and interpret all the symbols Jesus used, the small mustard seed, the garden the tree, the birds, the yeast, the woman who made dough, 60 pounds of flour.. but let’s look at the common ideas from the two parables from Jesus. What are the common biblical principles from v19 and 21??
b. God’s Kingdom started simply but it will impact everything and provide rest.
How simple is the start of the Kingdom of God? We can refer to John 3:16 can’t we? The simplicity of the Kingdom of God started with God’s love for people by giving Jesus Christ.
Jesus proclaimed and taught this simple Gospel, the Good News of God’s Kingdom has come to people. Now, because God loves the world, will every person born on earth be in God’s Kingdom?
Jesus answers this question in v22-27 of Luke 13:
a. not everyone will be in God’s Kingdom
b. only those who enter through the “narrow door” will be in God’s Kingdom
What or who is the “narrow door”??
Jesus states in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me!” Jesus Christ is the “narrow door” for entering God’s Kingdom.
c. Many will try to be in God’s Kingdom but will not be able to enter.
Try means working on their own efforts to be good enough to be in God’s Kingdom; we call this religions (like this chart….) No one can be holy like God on their own efforts!
Jesus (show Cross chart) is the only answer for entering God’s Kingdom!
d. God will close the “narrow door” and no more can enter God’s Kingdom! God is love and He gives grace to everyone but He also has a perfect eternal plan. God has to deal with sin and evil forever.
People will plead to enter God’s Kingdom but they will not be able to, why?
e. God will not allow anyone into His Kingdom without Jesus knowing them! Knowing about Jesus is not the same as Jesus knowing the person. Knowing about Jesus and even going to church (eating and drinking with God) is not the same as Jesus knowing a person! Jesus will only know a person when that person humbly comes to Jesus and believes that Jesus is the only Savior from sins.
Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their only Savior and God will enter God’s Kingdom and be saved. Saved from what? Jesus explains the penalty for not believing in Jesus Christ in v28: those not in God’s Kingdom will eternally weep and be in pain! The penalty for sin is eternal death!
But let us not forget that God desires everyone to be saved! This is affirmed in 1 Timothy 2:4.
Entering God’s Kingdom is only through the “narrow door” who is Jesus Christ, but how big and what is the Kingdom of God like?
v29-30: People from all over the world will be in God’s Kingdom and ALL will find eternal rest and provisions (a GREAT FEAST Forever!) no matter when the person believes in Christ before God closes the door.
Let us close with 3 thoughts:
1. Do you know for sure that you are in the Kingdom of God!
Have you entered God’s Kingdom through the One and Only Door?
Memorize and live out John 3:16!
Secondly, God can close the door to the Kingdom of God soon!
2. Pray for and look for opportunities to share the simplicity of the Good News of salvation to someone!
3. As a Christian, see yourself in God’s Kingdom everyday and live accordingly!
