Lord, Teach Us How to Enter the Kingdom (Luke 4:43)
Introduction:
1. Jesus was in Capernaum where He had been teaching and healing people. 2. According to vs.42, the people wanted Him to remain in that area. 3. However, vs.43 shows us that Jesus was compelled to "preach the kingdom of God to other cities also." 4. This is what He was sent to do. 5. During His ministry Jesus had much to say about God's kingdom. 6. In our lesson we are asking the Lord to "teach us how to enter the kingdom." Discussion: I. THE LORD TEACHES US TO REPENT TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (Matthew 4:17)
A. John had been preaching the same message (Matthew 3:1-2). B. John and Jesus both taught that the kingdom would soon be established. C. They both called upon people to repent. D. Jesus illustrated the meaning of repentance in Matthew 21:28-32.
II. THE LORD TEACHES US TO BE "POOR IN SPIRIT" TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (Matthew 5:3)
A. In Psalm 139:23-24 David showed that he was poor in spirit. B. Also, the publican in the Lord's parable in Luke 18:9-14 was poor in spirit while the Pharisee was not. III. THE LORD TEACHES US TO "EXCEED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES" TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (Matthew 5:19-20)
A. The scribes and Pharisees disobeyed certain commands of God, and they taught others to do the same. B. To enter the kingdom of heaven we must not follow the example of these people. IV. THE LORD TEACHES US TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER IN HEAVEN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (Matthew 7:21-23)
A. At the judgment many will be lost who will claim to have done great things in the Lord's name. B. Jesus requires us to do His Father's will. V. THE LORD TEACHES US TO "BE CONVERTED AND BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN" TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (Matthew 18:1-4)
A. The disciples wanted to know who was the greatest in the kingdom. B. Before Jesus answered their question in vs.4 He told them how to enter the kingdom in vs.3. VI. THE LORD TEACHES US TO ELIMINATE THINGS THAT WILL CAUSE US TO STUMBLE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (Mark 9:43-48)
A. Jesus illustrated His point by referring to important parts of the body that we would not want to lose, including a hand, a foot, and an eye. B. Anything that will cause us to stumble must be eliminated, even something as special as a hand, a foot, or an eye. VII. THE LORD TEACHES US TO "BE BORN AGAIN" TO ENTER THE KINGDOM (John 3:3-5)
A. This new birth consists of being "born of water and of the Spirit." B. People responded to the Lord's teaching by being baptized (John 3:22). Conclusion:
1. How grateful we need to be that Jesus was compelled to "preach the kingdom of God." 2. By examining His teaching we can know how to enter God's kingdom. 3. Have you complied with the Lord's instructions?
