The Six Kingdoms

THE SIX KINGDOMS

INTRO.- Where are you? Where are you spiritually?

ILL.- A young Bible college student was witnessing in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. As he approached one house, there was an elderly man sitting on the porch and he asked him, “Are you a Christian?” He replied, “No, I’m a Smith. The Christians live two doors down.”

The student said, “No, you don’t understand. I mean, are you lost?” The old man replied, “No sonny, I ain’t lost. I’ve lived here for 25 years.”

He said, “But are you ready for the Judgment Day?” The man replied, “When’s it going to be?”

The student replied, “Well, it could be today or it could be tomorrow.” The old man replied, “WELL, PLEASE DON’T TELL MY WIFE. SHE’LL WANT TO GO BOTH DAYS.”

Brethren, old Mr. Smith didn’t seem to understand what that Bible college student was talking about. HE WAS SPIRITUALLY IGNORANT! He knew where he lived, but he didn’t know where he was spiritually! He knew nothing about the Judgment Day.

MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST LIKE THAT OLD FELLOW. They either don’t know or else they don’t care. But someday, they are going to care! But by then it will be too late!

ILL.- If you were to ask most people the question, “Are you married?” They would quickly say, “Well, Yes, I’m married.” Or “No, I’m not married.” And some might say, “I’d like to be.” And others might say, “I wish I wasn’t married!”

ILL.- Or if you were to ask most people this question: “Are you a Republican or democrat?” they would be quick to tell you. But then again, maybe not, the way this election has gone.

But if you were to ask most people the question, “Are you saved and are you going to heaven?” Many people would respond, “Well, I think so.” Or “I don’t know.” Or “I hope so.” Or “I would like to know for sure.”

WHERE ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY? Do you know? Probably, most of you know where you are spiritually or what your spiritual condition is. But a great many do not know!

PROP.- In this message, I want to talk about the six spiritual kingdoms: innocence, sin, the church, apostasy, hell, and heaven. Actually, we will only consider 4.

1- THE KINGDOM OF INNOCENCE

This is the child’s kingdom or the infant’s kingdom.

Matthew 19:13-14 “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven

belongs to such as these.’”

ILL.- Bob Entzel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said, “After a day-long family get-together, my niece, Katie Marie, then four, and her grandma were in the bathroom getting ready for bed. “Katie was fascinated with Grandma’s teeth-cleaning routine, especially since she had never seen dentures before. “As Grandma removed them and began brushing them, Katie sweetly asked, "Grandma, can you take

your eyes out, too?"

Brethren, children are innocent when it comes to many things in life. And the state of innocence is very sweet. Small children and infants do many cute things.

ILL.- It’s like our own Ridge Boyer and Sydney Myers. Ridgey will come to me with arms outstretched, wanting to be held and hugged and kissed. How cute! How sweet! And Sydney... I’ll say to her, “Hi! Curly Joe!” And she will say, “No! You Curly Joe!” Recently Robin was walking out of the building with Syndey and I said, “Bye, Sydney.” And she said, “Bye, Curly Joe.”

Children are cute and innocent, but it doesn’t take very long for them to get over it, does it? Children don’t seem to stay in the state of innocence very long. Why is that? I think it’s because of several factors: parents, playmates, TV, TV, and TV. TV has changed

dramatically. When I was a youngster it was Howdy Doody Time. Now it’s anything and everything! And little eyes are watching and little ears are listening and little minds are learning!

- For those in the kingdom of innocence, there is no direct doorway into the church or into Christ. Why is that? Because before a child can become a Christian, first, there has to be a recognition of sin and a willingness to turn from that sin.

ILL.- Preacher Willie White once preached a sermon entitled, “What shall I baptized my baby?” He wrote:

- when my baby sins

- when my baby believes in Jesus Christ

- when my baby repents of sin

- when my baby confesses faith in Jesus

All of these things are required in Scripture for a person to do before they are baptized into Christ. This is why we don’t baptize babies. Children need to be old enough to have faith in Christ and respond in faith.