THE KINGDOM IS FOR EVERYONE

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Matthew 8:5-13

We are presently dipping into the book of Matthew to examine the teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom. We just finished Matthew 5, 6 and 7 where Jesus sets forth almost a Kingdom Manifesto. After this dynamite message, Matthew sets forth a section on the miracles of Jesus (Matthew 8-12). And, in each chapter-8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-Jesus makes some reference to the Kingdom.

Here in chapter 8 of Matthew Jesus encounters a Roman centurion who is asking for Jesus to heal one of his servants. Let's look at it:

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."

7 Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"

8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

This is a simple reference to the Kingdom, but it speaks volumes. A Roman centurion, a non-Jew, or in application to today you might say this man is a non-Christian. He does not come from any "acceptable" religious background (an outsider), yet he expresses a most remarkable faith-a faith so outstanding that it far exceeds any faith of an insider.

I want to offer four observations from this encounter about the Kingdom: FIRST-Jesus makes it clear that the Kingdom is for many "outsiders" coming from the east and the west. This is the message of the entire Scripture. The Lord chose the Jewish people to be a blessing to the nations of the world. The Kingdom was never to be owned by the Jews and kept for themselves.

SECOND-Jesus makes it clear that what is required of an "outsider" is a simple active faith in Jesus-what He says and does and can do. He believed in Jesus enough to act as if it was true.

THIRD-Jesus doesn't require this "outsider" to become an "insider". He doesn't stop the centurion after he displays his active faith and insist that he go quickly and take a course in "insider" doctrinal studies. He doesn't urge the centurion to join a local synagogue. He let him go with his active faith as if it was enough.

FOURTH-It's clear to me from this encounter that Jesus demonstrates the bottom-line of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is not about a set of beliefs, not a commitment to an order, nor to an institution, nor a movement, nor a code of conduct-you are attached primarily to a Person, and secondarily to these other things. The person? His name is Jesus.

2 GATES, 2 GUIDES, 2 FOUNDATIONS

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Matthew 7:13-29

For the past few weeks we have been dipping into Matthew to pick up on Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom. Today we are coming to the end of the most fertile words of Jesus on the Kingdom. He ends this section speaking about 2 ways or gates (narrow and wide), 2 guides or prophets (true and false) and two foundations (on the sand and on the rock).

First, the two gates: 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

NOTE the results of each. The narrow gate leads to life and the wide gate leads to destruction. In a very real sense, we are left with two choices. Do we enter by the narrow gate that is difficult where few will find it? Or, do we enter by the wide gate that is easy and many will find it?

NOTE also Jesus begins with the command urging us to enter in through the narrow gate. Remember, the entire Sermon on the Mount is answering the question, "How does your teaching differ from what we've been taught, Jesus?" His answer here is that to follow Him and His teaching will be difficult, but will lead to life. To choose not to follow Him and His teaching will be the easiest thing to do, because the masses are going in that direction. Don't follow the crowd; follow Jesus.

Jesus next speaks of two guides or prophets: 15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Unfortunately, false prophets don't wear an FP on their sleeves or foreheads. Jesus warns that there will be false prophets who seem harmless, but are out to destroy. He says that you can decipher them by their fruits. But even this may be difficult to judge (conclusively judge) whether or not a prophet is false or genuine, because many false prophets show a certain kind of fruitfulness in what they do. That's what makes them so attractive and authentic.

But NOTE what the test here really is. The term fruit is the operative word here. In order to check out a prophet's fruit (not their show or outward demonstration), you need to observe the person and ministry over a prolonged period of time. It takes time to produce fruit. There is no instant fruit. So watch for the fruit over a long period of time and you'll know.

Now NOTE what these false prophets actually do. 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Jesus says that there will be people who come before Him in the last days, calling Him Lord, but will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Just using the right language will not get a person into the kingdom of heaven. HOWEVER, the one who does the will of the Father will enter-the person who not only talks a good game, but walks it and proves it out by his actions.

These people, Jesus says, will do 3 things that will make it all the more difficult to discern whether or not a person is a false prophet. · They speak in the name of Jesus. · They cast out demons in the name of Jesus. · They perform many miracles in the name of Jesus.

WOW! These are some powerful things that the false prophets do. So how can you tell the difference between the false and the genuine? The only answer Jesus gives here is that you will know them by their fruits, so watch what they do.

2 GATES (narrow and wide) and 2 GUIDES (true and false). Now, Jesus finishes up these pairings with 2 FOUNDATIONS. 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

The 2 Foundations are representative of people as they build their lives. Compare the two foundations. Each person hears the words of Jesus and each person faces the same rain, floods, and blowing winds slamming against them.

NOTE also the differences between the two. Each person responds differently to the words he has heard-one by acting upon the words of Jesus & the other by not acting upon them. Then, each person experiences a different result-one does not fall down and the other falls flat!

I am now convinced that most of us, most of the time, have lived our lives founded upon the sand. It's what I call the "sandcastle lifestyle". What Jesus is saying is so simple and so profound. Jesus wants only two things from us.

FIRST-He wants each of us to listen to His words. Instead of talking all of the time when you pray, try sitting still and waiting for Jesus to speak to you. You'll know what He wants from you. You'll know what His will is for you. I regret to say that I have spent most of my life talking and not listening. Therefore, I have missed out on what Jesus is attempting to say to me. It's as simple and as tragic as that.

SECOND-He wants each of us to act upon what He says to do. Listen to Jesus and do what He says to do-no more and no less.

NOW, NOTE THE RESULTS: If you hear His words and are careful to do them, no matter what comes in against you, your house will not collapse! If you hear His words and don't do them, the very same rain, floods, and winds will come upon you, then your house will fall flat-dramatically!

The response to Jesus' words is truly amazing: 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Jesus didn't quote other authorities to make His point. He spoke from His own authority. Jesus spoke so powerfully that it amazed all those who heard Him. This Jesus is for real! Jesus is so attractive! Jesus is the most irresistible One Who ever lived!

KINGDOM LIVING REQUIRES JUDGMENT

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Matthew 7:1-12

This passage seems to say "No judging!" and is commonly quoted in this way. However, there are so many other passages in the Scripture that imply the necessity for making judgment calls in a variety of ways. There has to be sound judgment in our world. Otherwise there would be chaos, confusion, attractive cults and cultishness, rampant lying throughout our society and immorality reigning on every hand. But wait a minute! That's exactly what we have now! It's because of the misunderstanding of what this passage really means.

There are two types of judgment: · Condemnation judgment-a pronouncement of condemnation, reserved for God only. · Conclusion judgment-making a judgment call after examining the evidence-a personal responsibility for us.

This passage isn't saying not to judge, but when you judge (make conclusions about things and people) conduct your judgment in the proper way. Here are 4 steps for doing this:

#1-JUDGE WITH THE PROPER SPIRIT 1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

When you judge (conclusion judgment), understand that you will be judged by others in precisely the same area. If you are critical of another's parenting style, you will be critically analyzed for your parenting prowess.

#2-JUDGE WITH THE PROPER STARTING POINT 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person's eye.


When you judge (conclusion judgment), look at yourself first. Don't go after the speck in your brother's eyes, until you have taken the log out of your own eye. It's all a matter of perspective. Once you remove the log out of your eye, then you will be able to see clearly how to take the speck out of your brother's eye. What's interesting is that when you haven't dealt with your own "stuff", you tend to pick away and condemn others for whatever their "stuff" happens to be. The favorite indoor sport for most churches is to confess the sins of the world!

#3-JUDGE WITH PROPER SCREENING 6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

When you judge (conclusion judgment), don't just randomly make your judgment calls wherever you might be. For instance, don't walk into a bar and start making pronouncements against drunkenness and alcoholism. This will be throwing your pearls before swine. They not only will not appreciate your words, but they will not be able to hear them at all, in turn, having grounds to criticize you.

#4-JUDGE WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 


When you judge (conclusion judgment), don't rely only on your insights and wisdom. Be sure to seek God's perspective on the matter. Ask for wisdom on the matter! Ask and keep on asking, Seek and keep on seeking, Knock and keep on knocking, and your heavenly Father will give you what you need!

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

I call this teaching of Jesus THE PERSPECTIVE PRINCIPLE. This principle requires that you be a judge-bringing discernment into your world. Without discernment your world will fall apart for sure! For without discernment or a conclusion kind of judgment, your world will never understand what is right and wrong, good and bad, or wise and foolish.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

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Matthew 6:34

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I've said it many times: YESTERDAY is a cancelled check. TOMORROW is a promissory note. TODAY is the only cash you have.

Alcoholics Anonymous and all of the other Anonymous groups operate upon the theme of "ONE DAY AT A TIME." This is exactly what Jesus is saying here-one day at a time. Worry has little to do with the past, but mostly has to do with the future. We worry over what might happen or what might not happen. It's not in our control, but we spend lots of energy as if our worry could make a difference in the outcome. Jesus says "Don't bother!" Each day has plenty of trouble of its own without worrying about your tomorrows.

Jesus is teaching that if you are seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness, He will take care of everything else you need. He will do this ONE DAY AT A TIME. This is what He did with the children of Israel about one month into their 40 years of wandering. He rained down bread from heaven-manna-each day, except on Sabbath. Each day the manna came down from heaven-each day they were to gather enough for the day, never thinking of storing up some for tomorrow. Each day there was enough.

Jesus is the "new manna in town." Jesus is our daily bread. The word "manna" means a surprise like "What is it?" I see Jesus giving each of us a surprise of His manna, His leadership, His sustenance each and every day for those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. This is again why we practice the 3 habits of:

1. Walking with Jesus. 2. Walking with others. 3. Waiting on Jesus to lead out.

We practice these habits in order to gather the manna for today, which helps in minimizing our worry factor.

Just today I was in a discussion with a former State Senator who has personally come to this understanding of practicing these habits. He and I had an amazing time sharing back and forth how exciting this adventure with Jesus actually is.

Have you noticed that when you think about tomorrow or next week, then the worries become overwhelming? I have to constantly focus my thinking and reflection upon today. This goes along with the message of the book of Ecclesiastes. King Solomon had tried everything to fill his life with satisfaction and all was found to be empty-luxury, liquor, lust, etc. He sums up his life's search with two summary truths.

FIRST-Fear God and keep His commandments. SECOND-Enjoy your blessings every day.

Now, that's living life ONE DAY AT A TIME.

STOP WORRYING-START SEEKING

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Matthew 6:25-33

NOTE the connection to earthly and heavenly treasures. If you focus your life on heavenly treasures, then the logical result is: DON'T WORRY!

25 "Therefore I tell you". Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Jesus first says: Stop Your Worrying about EARTHLY TREASURES! FIRST-Don't worry about your life-your eating and drinking. He points out how God cares for the birds. Worry is natural, but it's also useless. You can't add anything to your height or the years of your life.

SECOND-Don't worry about your clothes. He points to the flowers-the lilies of the field. He says: 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith?

The point here is if God takes care of them, He will most surely take care of you. He makes it clear that worry is not only useless; it is faithless. When you worry, you take everything into your own hands, which is not trusting in God.

Jesus goes on to say: 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

In addition to stop your worry about EARTHLY TREASURES, Jesus' second assertion is to seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness of HEAVENLY TREASURES!

Since God already knows your needs and is not surprised when something happens (or doesn't happen) to you, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things (eating, drinking and clothing) will be taken care of by God Himself. This is what is meant by "walking with Jesus." It's the principle of plenty.

The principle of plenty says that with God there is always enough; without Him there is never enough! Trust God, enjoy the plenty; trust anything or anyone other than God, and you will surely have a perpetual state of dissatisfaction and dis-ease. When you come to the end of yourself, then and only then will you come to the understanding that God is ENOUGH!

Look around you and be distressed; look within you and be depressed. LOOK TO JESUS AND BE AT REST.

ONE MORE THING: We've been using a new approach lately when it comes to worrying. I think you can use this very effectively. We continually encourage one another with the words: WAIT TO WORRY! You see, most things you have worried about in your life have never happened, so WAIT TO WORRY.