A.      In this short series, we have considered what the kingdom of God is and how it is established.

B.      In this final lesson, let us allow the Scriptures to demonstrate to us how we may obtain entrance into the eternal kingdom of God.

II.      THOSE WHO WILL INHERIT THE KINGDOM

A.      Those who are humble and contrite because they recognize their spiritual condition will inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      The Lord said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

                                                             2.      Poverty of the spirit is achieved when one realizes how sin has made him spiritually bankrupt.  Such humble souls will be exalted by God to enter the kingdom (Jas. 4:10).

B.      Those who endure persecution for the cause of righteousness will inherit the kingdom.

                                                             1.      Christ said, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).

                                                             2.      Paul encouraged early Christians who were suffering because of their faith, saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22; see also 2Thess. 1:5).

C.      Those who do the will of God will inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      The Lord looked ahead to the judgment and said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21-23).

                                                             2.      Only those who submit to the will of the Father truly acknowledge Jesus as Lord.  These will be rewarded with entrance into the kingdom in the day of judgment.

D.      Those who make the kingdom of God their first priority will receive it.

                                                             1.      Notice the words of Christ – “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:31-32; see also Matt. 6:33; Mark 9:47; Luke 18:29-30).

                                                             2.      Those who place the pursuit of the spiritual kingdom of God above the pursuit of material needs will receive both material provisions and the kingdom.

E.       Those who enter the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ will receive it.

                                                             1.      Jesus indicated that He was the only means for man to enter the kingdom when He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

                                                             2.      In a context of speaking about salvation and the kingdom of God, Jesus said, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:22-30; see also Matt. 7:13-14).  Jesus is that narrow door and the only way to enter.

F.       Those who cultivate the character of Christ within themselves will inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      Peter wrote, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you” (2Pet. 1:10-11).  “These things” are faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2Pet. 1:5-7)

                                                             2.      This is an admonition to become like Christ in order to be gain entrance into His kingdom.

III.   THOSE WHO WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM

A.      Hypocrites and self-righteous persons will not inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      Christ exposed the spiritual failures of the Pharisees and told the people, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20; see also Matt. 21:28-32; 23:13).

                                                             2.      In contrast to the example of the Pharisees, Christ pointed to the pure, trustful, and unpretentious nature of children when He said, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all” (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17).

B.      Those who turn back toward the world after committing to Christ will not inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      The Lord said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).  This saying invokes the example of a plowman who must have unwavering focus on his task to succeed.

                                                             2.      Lukewarm and part-time Christians are rejected by the Lord (consider Rev. 3:15-16).  Complete devotion to Christ is required for admittance to His kingdom.

C.      Those who are not born again will not inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      Consider the Lord’s dialogue with Nicodemus in John 3:3-5 – “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’  Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?  He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?’  Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’”

                                                             2.      This rebirth is accomplished through the physical means of water (via immersion, baptism) and the spiritual means of a changed heart by faith in Christ (see Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-38).

D.      Those who are consumed with riches and worldly gain will not inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      Notice Matthew 19:23-26 – “And Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’  When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?  And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

                                                             2.      James wrote, “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (Jas. 2:5).

                                                             3.      The Scriptures are filled with warnings regarding the love of money (see 1Tim. 6:10).  Such love for riches competes with our love for God and prevents us from entering His kingdom.

E.       Those who are sinful and carnally minded will not inherit the kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      Notice Paul’s words in 1Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”

                                                             2.      Paul also wrote that those who perform the deeds of the flesh will forfeit the kingdom of God – “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

                                                             3.      Again, Paul wrote, “For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph. 5:5).

F.       Those who expect the kingdom of God in this material world will not receive the spiritual kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      As we noticed in the first lesson of this series, Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).  His kingdom is not worldly or material, but it is spiritual in nature.

                                                             2.      Because the kingdom of God is spiritual in nature, our physical bodies are not compatible with it.  Paul asserts this by saying, “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1Cor. 15:50).  This is why God will raise Christians with spiritual bodies suitable for His kingdom.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      A simple summary of God’s terms for entrance into His kingdom is this: we may obtain entrance to the kingdom of God through faithful obedience to Jesus Christ according to His gospel.

B.      If we comply with God’s conditions, then we will have the benefits and privileges of citizenship in the eternal kingdom of God.

                                                             1.      Consider Hebrews 12:28 – “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”

                                                             2.      If you are not on course to be in the kingdom of God, then please realize the value of what you are missing and make citizenship in the kingdom your highest priority.