The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (89)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on September 27, 2011
Topic: Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (2)
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, as we began to conclude on our global bible study theme, “The Message of the Teachings on the Mount”, we saw that there is more to entering into the kingdom of heaven than just being born again and speaking in tongues. Indeed, we saw that the Lord Jesus said that certain criteria that we may have thought would give us access into the kingdom of heaven are actually misconceptions. These misconceived criteria, are; professing Jesus as Lord (calling Jesus, “Lord, Lord”), prophesying in His name (declaring, “Thus says the Lord”), casting out demons in His name (conducting deliverance meetings), and, performing wonders in His name (bringing about healings, and working miracles). Other misconceived criteria among many others, also include, attending church programs, producing gospel CDs or albums to the ‘glory of God’, supporting the work of ministry with our finances. It was thus our goal to straighten out these misconceptions, with a view to setting us on the right path to gaining access into heaven.
We saw that when the Lord chose people for ministry, His first and uppermost requirement was that they would spend time with Him. The idea is for those who come to Him to get to know Him and build a firm and loving relationship with Him first and foremost. Following this relationship, the Lord can then send them to serve in any area of His choosing, not theirs. We also saw that merely saying “Yes, Lord” to God, does not open the gate into the kingdom of heaven; rather, it is actually doing what you said “Yes, Lord” to, that does the opening. We concluded that it is not an outward show of ‘devotion’ that matters, but an inward dedication of one’s life to the service of God in true obedience that is the issue. Indeed, the Lord Himself tells us that obedience to God’s commands is the ticket to gaining access into the kingdom of heaven!
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:21-23
Last week, we saw from the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32), that it was the son who actually did what his father had asked him to do (even though he had earlier said “NO”), who did the will of his father. Tonight, we shall press further and look at what constitutes obedience to God. May the Holy Spirit help us to have a clear understanding of this essential theme, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
When the Lord talks of obedience as being necessary to gain access into the kingdom of heaven, we may think that He is referring to doing what seems right to us. On the contrary, God knows what and why He wants us to do certain things, and He certainly does not need us trying to force Him to accept our own perceived ‘acts of obedience’. Tonight we shall be seeing the distinction between motive and mission, as it refers to separation between the doers of works without obedience and the truly obedient.
1 Samuel 15:1-23; Matthew 24:45-51; John 4:31-34; Mark 4:35-40; Matthew 10:16-33; Acts 4:18-21, 23-32; 5:17-42; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Philippians 3:17-20; John 12:23-28; Mark 16:14-18, 20; Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 2:1-13.
Conclusion
Obedience to God is not something we dream up and try to achieve, rather it is something that we are enabled to do having been given the instructions to carry out. Obedience is more about doing what God has said to do, than obtaining the anticipated result. For example, what is important is that a child goes to fetch water as he has been asked to. If that child returns with a half-filled cup of water, then, we train him on how to return with the water in the cup intact. Obedience is not just starting an assignment given to you by God, but finishing it. Obeying God does not mean that there will not be opposition and persecution, rather, obedience means that in spite of opposition and persecution, you keep on doing what God has asked you to do. Our obedience to God is a sign of our faith in Him! There can be no room for fear of anything in obeying God!
Obedience is carrying out God’s mission. Unfortunately, the motive of many Christians for fame and gain has thwarted the mission of God for their lives. Also, man’s measure of success which contradicts God’s measure, has derailed many a believer in their quest for access into the kingdom of heaven. Then, there is the matter of doubt and unbelief in the hearts of those who have been called to carry out God’s mission; and these prevent them from obeying God. Except we have made up our minds to shut out earthly pursuits, the comfort of this world, and the convenience of living, we shall be unable to obey God, and will definitely be denied access into the kingdom of heaven.
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