Setting Our Minds To God's Kingdom Series

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.