Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Parables of the Kingdom” Part Two
Review
Parables are stories made up from practical everyday happenings that graphically illustrate some spiritual truth vital for kingdom living. Today’s message continues our of the kingdom parables. God rules His kingdom in matters of the political and spiritual and social. He pronounced certain rules and laws intended to protect the citizens and make kingdom life a blessing. There are no geographical boundaries however because God’s rule is universal and Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” He did not teach them to pray, “May the kingdoms of the earth follow your will.” He instructed His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We were not called to change the kingdoms of this earth which will all pass away but invite people into His kingdom which has come in Jesus and will come will completely manifest at His return. There will be only one nation and one King who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. You cannot enter the kingdom without embracing and swearing allegiance to the King.
I. The Kingdom is open to all but not accepted by all
A. Parable of the Wedding feast
People from all walks of life are invited to participate in the kingdom but not all will accept the invitation.
B. Parable of the Sower
This parable draws our attention to the condition of the heart. It is the heart that makes the difference as to whether the seed of the word bears genuine fruit or not.
Side of the road = hard heart
Rocky soil = shallow heart
Thorny soil = distracted heart
Good soil = humble, contrite heart
II. Entrance to the Kingdom requires life change
A. Requires personal preparation.
Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13
B. Requires a core change (new birth)
C. Requires a robe of righteousness -- Parable of the Wedding Feast
"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen."
"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19-20
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:9-11
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Mat 6:33
D. Entrance includes tribulation on earth
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
Before we reach our final entrance into the kingdom we will encounter the kingdoms of this earth in a fallen world. Expect NOTHING less.
E. Requires an immortal body
The ultimate experience of God’s kingdom not only requires a core change but will require a physical change as well. 1 Cor. 15:50-57
Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philip. 3:20-21
III. Citizenship in the Kingdom demands kingdom participation
Parable of the Master and slaves Matthew 25:14-30
Kingdom citizenship requires kingdom participation. To claim to be a citizen of heaven and act like a citizen of hell is foolishness. To claim Christ as Lord and ignore His commands is delusion. Every citizen of God’s kingdom has kingdom responsibilities. We are all to be PRODUCTIVE citizens. We are all to wisely and faithfully invest the resources given by the King. Jesus told this parable to illustrate not only the differing responsibilities but rewards also.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21
The point is that true life change will bear true fruit. God expects every citizen to employ their resources for the sake of the kingdom. Faithful investment of God given resources here will result in praise and greater responsibly and praise hereafter. What we do here in this blink of the eye called time will determine what we do hereafter through eternity. What are you doing with the resources God has granted to you? Are you banking on more time to do God’s thing later? We don’t know when He will return. We don’t know how long we will be here. I do know that if we you wait till later, you won’t have the energy to do what you could have done in your younger years. Many young people waist their vitality on the things of the flesh. All citizens of the kingdom are required to do Kingdom work. So why should I invest resources in the kingdom?
IV. Kingdom citizenship is worth the sacrificial investment
A. Parable of the Hidden Treasure
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
B. Parable of the Priceless Pearl
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 Luke 18:24-30
Paul was convinced that the grit of life here has no comparison to the glory of life hereafter.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Cor. 4:16-18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18
If we could only get a grasp on the whole picture! If we could only somehow perceive the wonder of God’s kingdom over all the kingdoms of this earth! God has not even given us any real details of life hereafter. He gives us just enough to realize it far surpasses what we experience now. He wants us to take His word for it. It is by faith in His person.
It is by faith in His word. It is by faith in His power. It is by faith in the testimony of Jesus who revealed the end times to John in Rev. 21:1-8
The kingdoms of this earth are nothing compared to God’s kingdom. Isaiah 40:21-26
Do not take lightly his invitation to become a citizen of His kingdom. Don’t miss out on kingdom participation. Make your time on this earth count. Paul urged the Ephesians to make their time count.
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Eph 5:14-21 (NASB-U)
Jesus clearly urged his disciples to get their priority strait.
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33
Put God’s kingdom first and he will take care of the rest.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom is open to all but will not be accepted by all
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom requires life change through faith in Christ.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom assumes participation by ALL citizens.
• Citizenship in God’s kingdom is worth the sacrifice.
V. Miscellaneous truths on the Kingdom
A. God transfers us into the kingdom of Christ out of the kingdom of darkness
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:13-14
B. We enter the kingdom through absolute simple trust in the King
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-6
C. The kingdom operates by kingdom principles
1. Righteousness, peace and joy
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephes. 5:5
2. Humility of spirit
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
3. Persecuted for Christ’s sake
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
Application
Come -- Listen -- Live
Come to Jesus today. Come in humility. Admit your need. Come in faith. Affirm your trust in His power and his love.
What has Jesus said today to you? Listen! And Live it! Obey!
1. He has offered you citizenship in His eternal kingdom.
Will you take it? Will you refuse His offer another day.
2. Citizenship in God’s kingdom requires life change through faith in Christ.
Have you experience God’s touch on your life? Have you trusted Christ for new birth?
Are you wearing the right garments or will the king have to through you from the feast?
3. Citizenship in God’s kingdom assumes participation by ALL.
Have you been faithful to His call? Are you investing His resources in the things of eternal value?
4. Citizenship in God’s kingdom is worth the sacrifice.
What have you sacrificed for the sake of the kingdom? Do you consider such sacrifice worth the pain and discomfort and denial? I am here to declare the truth.
For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Romans 10:8-13 (NASB-U)
I urge you as Paul urged the Romans to present yourselves a living sacrifice to God and to not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
