What does it take to be a Citizen of God’s Kingdom (Lesson one)

Luke 13:22-24 NASB  And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.  (23)  And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,  (24)  "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Citizenship in the Kingdom of God has stringent requirements.  Jesus said to strive to enter.  The pathway is paved with good intentions.  We must realize there is spiritual conflict.  Our personal relationship with God takes effort.  There is always a spiritual tug-of-war.

Jesus says the entryway is narrow.  It is so narrow that you and your bag of good works will not fit.  It is so narrow that only one person at a time can go through. 

People try to enter based on what they have done.  People sometimes try to enter based on Mom and Dad or maybe Grandpa and Grandma.  Only through and by Jesus can we enter into the Kingdom of God.  Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life and no one enters into Father but through Him. 

It takes total surrender to be a citizen in the Kingdom of God.

An Ounce of Prevention is worth and Pound of Cure (Lesson Three)

In this series, we will explore the need for Christians to be ready for the Lord’s Return.

Matthew 11:20-24 NASB  Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.  (21)  "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  (22)  "Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.  (23)  "And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day.  (24)  "Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."

God has the power to know what might have been.  If Tyre and Sidon had known the power of God like Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen, they would have repented. 

What can we learn from this?  Sometimes we are tempted to stay on the sidelines.  We think it is better if we do not get involved.  Jesus knows what might have been and your unfaithfulness will be judged.  To whom more is given, more is required. 

What compares to the gift God has given?   The cities in the verses above saw Jesus.  He performed many miracles there and yet the failed to repent.  It is time to take inventory.  

What have you been given?  The blood of Jesus Christ, His broken body as payment for your sins.

What is required of you?

An Ounce of Prevention is worth and Pound of Cure (Lesson Two)

In this series, we will explore the need for Christians to be ready for the Lord’s Return.

Luke 12:41-48 NASB  Peter said, "Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?"  (42)  And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?  (43)  "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.  (44)  "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  (45)  "But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk;  (46)  the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.  (47)  "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,  (48)  but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Faithful Servants will be rewarded.  Who is the faithful and sensible steward?  Does this just mean the Pastor, the Deacon, and the Sunday School Teacher?  This is talking about anyone who takes on any responsibility in the church.  I think we can make the argument that this applies to all Christians.  We all have a responsibility in spreading God’s Word.  

The servant must be faithful.  This means we are steadfast in our relationship with Jesus.  The servant is to be sensible which means to exhibit good sense and reason.  Lastly, a servant must be a good steward.  We are here to attend to the things God has committed into our hands.  If we are mindful of these things God will bless us.

The Unfaithful Servant will be judged.  These servants said, “while the cat is away the mouse will play”.  Sadly, some people who profess Christianity exhibit this attitude.  We need to always be ready for His return.

Just as sure as there are rewards for the faithful, there is also punishment for the unfaithful.

An Ounce of Prevention is worth and Pound of Cure (Lesson One)

In this series, we will explore the need for Christians to be ready for the Lord’s Return.

Luke 12:35-40 NASB  "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.  (36)  "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.  (37)  "Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.  (38)  "Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.  (39)  "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  (40)  "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

Faithful servants anticipate the return of Christ.  Jesus tells us to be dressed and ready.  Galatians 3:26, 27 says once we are saved we are clothed with Christ Jesus.  One of the first things people see is our clothing.  People should look at us and see Jesus.  

We are also told to have our lamps lit.  1John 1:5-7 says that God is light and if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another.  The servant, who is dressed with their lamp lit, will be ready to fellowship with the master when he comes.

Being ready is our responsibility.  The owner of house does not know when a thief will come.  Therefore, they must always be aware of this possibility.  It is the same way with the Christian.

Jesus is coming and it could be today.

God is Our Provider (Lesson 3)

Luke 12:11-12 NASB  "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;  (12)  for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

God has provided His Spirit to lead us.  Jesus was preparing His disciples for the inevitable.  Matthew records Jesus telling us to rejoice in our persecutions.  He goes on to say our reward in Heaven will be great.

It seems as though we live in a world that has turned away from God.  People do what is right in their own mind.  We have seen on more than one occasion, Christian views are not accepted.  We have seen when people stand and speak for Jesus they are ridiculed and rejected. 

This should not surprise us.  Jesus said this would take place.  We must take encouragement from this.  Peter gives sound instruction in his first letter.  Chapter 3:15 tells us to sanctify Christ in our hearts and to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks about the Hope we have in Him.  He goes on to say that, we are to do this in gentleness and reverence.

Only when we witness with love can the world see the HOPE we have in Christ.

Even in times of persecution, God has provided sound instruction.

God says if we lift Him up, he will draw all people to Him.