The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (90)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on October 4, 2011
Topic: Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.1.1)
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we took a look at what constitutes obedience to God, and stated that obedience to God must be total and complete, otherwise, it is disobedience. We said that if you were supposed to do ten things, but you did nine and stopped; your obedience is incomplete, which translates to disobedience. We said that when the Lord Jesus talks of obedience as being necessary to gaining access into the kingdom of heaven, many people think that He is referring to our doing what seems right to us; or, what is convenient for us to obey; or, what we are comfortable to obey. Quite on the contrary, God expects us to do what He has asked us to do, regardless of whether we think it is not what we would want to do, or, it is not convenient for us, or, we are not comfortable with doing it. Obedience is more about doing the will of God, than a desire to obtain an anticipated result. This is because, God asks us to do things which only He truly knows the reason why we should do them. We also saw the distinction between “motive” and “mission”, which separates between those who do works without obedience and those who are truly obedient, respectively. Obedience is not just starting an assignment given to us 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 or anyone else in obeying God!
Obedience is carrying out God’s mission, for which we are enabled or empowered by the Holy Spirit. However, personal motives and desires for fame and gain hamper the accomplishing of God’s mission. We saw that other things that hamper carrying out God’s mission include, the challenges of life, the fear of harm from men, a religious leader’s pronouncements, threats to our lives and the lives of our loved ones, scourging and persecution, unwillingness to die to self (or love for one’s life), and, unbelief and doubt. 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. We concluded that except Christians have a mindset to shut out earthly pursuits, the comfort of this world, the convenience of living, and personal motives, they shall be unable to obey God, and will definitely be denied access into the kingdom of heaven.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:21-22; Revelation 2:1-7
Tonight, we shall begin to look at the criteria which the Lord used in assessing the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3. The first of these, is the church in Ephesus. As we study and learn from the commendations or/and condemnations of these churches, we pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to us directly and help us as always to live as God wants us to, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
The letters to the seven churches had some things in common, even though they were each different and distinct. Among the common things were:
(a) To whom it was sent: the angel/custodian/messenger of the particular church.
(b) From Whom it was sent: a description of the Lord that is fitting to His comments on the particular church.
(c) Christ’s commendation or/and condemnation based on His own assessment; not the assessment of men/nations.
(d) Christ’s counsel to the church: how they could turn things around in their favour, where they had failed; or how they could ensure that they did not lose their reward, where they were already doing okay.
(e) Then there was Christ’s warning to those who were hearing what He was saying to the churches.
(f) He then spelt out the reward awaiting those who overcame the challenges/spiritual warfare they were in.
(g) Finally, the reward all pointed to one thing: access into the kingdom of heaven or access into eternal life!
As we turn our focus to the letter to the church in Ephesus, we make some observations.
Revelation 1:12-13, 20; Hebrews 1:7, 14; Matthew 18:20; 6:24-33; Ephesians 1:15; Romans 1:8-11; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 32:1-5; Romans 12:2; Hosea 6:1-2; Isaiah 60:1-7; John 1:4-5; Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 10:32; 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Conclusion
As we look at the introduction to the letter to the custodian of the church in Ephesus, we observe that though it was written to the custodian of the church, it was directed at the church as a whole. We also note that it was sent from the Lord, Who described Himself as the One “that holdeth the seven stars (the custodians of the churches) in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (all the churches).” We further note the knowledge of the Lord about the Ephesian church’s works, labour, patience, proving of false apostles, forebearance/longsuffering in labour and waiting, and hatred for the deeds of the Nicolaitans. We have also seen the flaw of the church in Ephesus, which was that they had left (abandoned, forsaken, or given up on) their first love (Christ). He then calls on them to remember the great height from where they had fallen, repent (change the way they have related to their Lord), and return to Him; or else, He would come to them quickly (in a rush), and remove their golden candlestick from its place.
In saying that He would remove the candlestick, we note that the Lord did not mean putting out or quenching the flame of the candlestick, which gives light to the individual, community, or territory where it is located. Rather, He would move it to another individual, community, or territory, leading to darkness in the individual or locality where there was once light. It is time for us all to look inward and ask if the light of Christ has been removed from our lives, communities or territories.
Back to all Bible Study Outline List