THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

Matthew 16:13-20

As we continue to move through Matthew's perspective on the Kingdom, we have arrived at Matthew 16:

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Years ago when working on university campuses, we made it our goal to do whatever we could to make Jesus the issue on the campus. We did this by speaking to the needs of the students and then relating Jesus as the solution to those needs. This was the atmosphere during the times of Jesus in the 1st Century. He was the issue that everyone was talking about and everyone had an opinion about Him.

Jesus asked "What are people saying out there?" Then, turns the corner and asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter came through with the answer: "YOU ARE THE CHRIST (Messiah), the Son of the living God!"

Just when Peter was about to take credit for this observation, Jesus points out that His Father gave him that insight.

Then Jesus makes one of the most important statements of His early ministry. "You are Peter (little rock) and upon this rock (big ledge) I will build My church." He refers to some sort of huge rock or ledge upon which Jesus will build His church. Here are the most common options:

· He is speaking of Peter as the foundation of the church. (This would place Peter as THE leader-even the Pope of the church. This would give great power to the leadership of man and especially those who are successors of Peter.)

· He is speaking of the words Peter spoke-the confession of who indeed Jesus is-the Messiah, the Son of the living God. (This would place words and theology as the governing foundation and force of the church of Jesus.)

I have difficulty accepting either of these explanations of Jesus' words. And, in fact, at the rate of 70+ churches shutting down in the USA every week, it seems that the gates of Hades or something may be overpowering them. These are not the churches of Jesus. They are based upon man's leadership and man-made theological structures. I think the best is the third option:

· He is speaking of the actual living confession of Peter to make this testimony and assessment of Jesus. The church of Jesus that will not be destroyed by the gates of Hades is the testimony of the followers of Jesus as they speak of Him. It is the beauty of people from a variety of backgrounds and status who are given by the Father the power and courage to confess that they are followers of Messiah Jesus, the Son of the living God.

NOTE that Jesus says that He will build His church. That's the only kind of church that will not be overpowered. So if Jesus is building the church, what does He want us who follow Him to do? Let's get it straight: HE BUILDS THE CHURCH; WE ARE TO BE THE CHURCH.

ONE MORE THING: What is this "church" that Jesus says He will build? The Greek term is ekklesia. It literally means those who are "called out" for a reason. This could refer to a city council, an assembly or a gathering of any kind. So, this term is a very common term and has no great significance at all. This is one of two times Jesus even uses the term.

When Jesus speaks of "building" His "church", He is speaking of a gathering of those who are followers of Jesus. The revolutionary movement of Jesus is being built-energized-by Jesus Himself. Nothing can stop this movement. Don't you see that this kind of movement is the Kingdom movement.

NOTE that those who are actively expressing this confession of being followers of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God are given the "keys of the Kingdom" to bind things on earth. And, those things that are bound on earth are also bound in heaven. This is the essence of the Kingdom teaching. There is no separation between the earth and the heavens. Why? Because the Kingdom of heaven is all about living life on earth. It's the presence of God in and through us right here, right now. Here's how it works: Confess that Jesus is God's deliverer for planet earth and He wants to set up His Kingdom right here among us RIGHT NOW.

IN SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

Today I want to sum up the 8 parables in Matthew 13. Remember, Jesus is answering a fundamental question going through the disciples' minds: "Jesus, what's going to happen to the Kingdom now that the Jewish leadership has rejected you as the King?"

Jesus answers with the 8 parables we've been discussing over the last several days. His answer is: FIRST-The Kingdom will consist of the sowing of the word-the good news of the Kingdom. This sowing will be indiscriminate to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. The Kingdom will be a continual invitation to everyone, no matter their background.

SECOND-The Kingdom will consist of two types of people-wheat and tares (false wheat or weeds). In other words, there will be a constant imitation of genuine wheat standing alongside which are the weeds and will be so much like the real thing it will be difficult to sort it all out. So, don't even try. Jesus will take care of the sorting later.

THIRD-The Kingdom will enjoy incredible growth. It will begin with very few-a very small seed like a mustard seed, then that seed will grow immensely into the size of a large bush. That bush will be strong enough for birds to nest there.

FOURTH-The Kingdom will experience an irreversible growth as when leaven or yeast is worked into a large amount of dough. There is no way to remove the leaven once it is present. In the same way, the Kingdom cannot be stopped; it's irreversible.

FIFTH-The Kingdom is a movement where many will enter into it by surprise. They were not looking for the Kingdom, but when they were exposed to it dropped everything in order to embrace it for themselves.

SIXTH-The Kingdom is a movement where there will also be many who will enter it by searching for it. Many spend their lives seeking out the ultimate answers to life. Then, when they discover what they have been searching for in the good news of the Kingdom, they also drop everything and hold on to this discovery for dear life.

SEVENTH-There will be an ultimate accountability at the end of the age and everyone in the great dragnet will be sorted out individually by Jesus, Himself.

EIGHTH-A person who receives and studies the Kingdom is like a person who now can relate to anyone, because he is able to think through all of God's truth. Once you receive this good news message with ears to hear and eyes to see, you will enjoy an ongoing journey of learning and sharing the universal principles of life.

You know what strikes me the most as I think through all 8 parables? There seem to be only two actions on our part. All of the rest is out of our hands altogether. The two actions are:

1. The primary action that we are to be caught up in is the sowing of the seed-the word-the good news of the Kingdom.

2. The secondary action is that we are to be students of the Kingdom as it universally applies to not only our lives, but for all who God brings to our homes.

In other words, what we are to be all about in our life's work is the sharing of the Kingdom and the studying of the Kingdom. For some reason, I missed it all these years. I have spent my time building churches, producing books, audio and video publications, developing my ability to communicate with the masses in the church and corporate arenas, and discussing the many issues of life-all without any thought of the message of the good news of the Kingdom. I've read about it, but I never understood how pervasive this good news of the Kingdom is. And, I also have missed that this Kingdom of God is already right here, right now. How is it going with you?

THE NET AND THE SCRIBE

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

Matthew 13:47-52

We come now to the last two of the eight parables in Matthew 13. The first of these is: THE PARABLE OF THE NET 47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Whatever else the net means it seems that again Jesus wants to make certain that we understand that there will be a sorting and He will be in charge of that procedure. We don't have to do any sorting whatsoever. In fact, we believe it's clear that you and we cannot do anything with respect to the ultimate results of who are the wicked and who are the righteous.

NOTE the term "wicked" that Jesus seems to use frequently. He isn't speaking of a vile, despicable person, but it seems that "wicked" is used of those who do not hear or welcome the words of Jesus and do not practice them.

The primary issue here for me is that the parable of the net teaches us that there will be an accounting at the end. Also, NOTE that everyone will be caught in the net for the final accounting.

Next, we come to a parable that has been so easily overlooked. I've never even noticed it until recently. It is: THE PARABLE OF THE SCRIBE 51 "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied. 52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

NOTE Jesus is referring to a person who is a teacher of the law-one who knows the law well. Then, this one who is conversant with the law is taught the message of the Kingdom of heaven. A person in this position is like the owner of a house who is able to share with his guests new things (things of the Kingdom) as well as the old things (the Law). In fact, what we're discovering is that walking with Jesus in the Kingdom lifestyle brings something new and fresh every day. Personally, my learning curve isn't a curve anymore; it's perpendicular! It's the most thrilling adventure ever! So, do everything you can do to come along on this journey with Jesus. You won't be disappointed at all.

A VALUABLE TREASURE AND PEARL

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

Matthew 13:44-46

This is one of the most fascinating observations about how people actually receive the message of the Kingdom. Jesus offers two ways:
FIRST—44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

SECOND—45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

THE FIRST IS BY SURPRISE—Here is a person, not particularly looking for it, yet finds a treasure hidden in a field. He is overjoyed with his discovery. He hides it again. Then sells all that he has to buy the land where it is!

THE SECOND IS BY SEARCHING—Here is a merchant who has been searching for fine pearls. He finds a fine pearl of great value. Then goes, sells all that he has to buy this valuable pearl!

Do you know people who are like these two? The one who by surprise discovers the Kingdom treasures—the one who never would have imagined being ‘caught dead’ sitting among a group of Jesus followers. This person, along with many onlookers, are quite surprised that he found such a valuable thing.

OR the one who by searching out truth or the meaning of life or whatever, finds himself delighted to have found a satisfaction that no one can take away, so he sold everything he had in order to buy it.

NOTE both have the same response. They each sell all they have and buy their new-found treasure! Now this has nothing to do with purchasing or performing well enough to gain a place in the Kingdom. However, it has everything to do with the comparable value of being with the King in the Kingdom rather than rocking along, living a life that is routine and predictable with all of the traditional comforts of life—all without the King and outside the realm of His Kingdom.

So, how do you value your relationship with the King and His Kingdom? Is it the most valuable, priceless, place to be, ever? Or, is it a convenient place to visit from time to time? This is the difference between being a spectator and a participant!

INTERPRETATION OF WHEAT & TARES

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

Matthew 13:36-43

Matthew interrupts the series of the parables of the Kingdom by inserting what Jesus said concerning the wheat and the tares (false wheat): 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." 37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

NOTE that it is Jesus-the Son of Man-Who is the Sower of the good seed and the devil is the sower of the seed that is called the tares-false wheat. Also note the devil isn't sowing a seed that is much different than the wheat. In other words, he is not sowing seeds that might grow into fruit trees. The devil is sowing seed that looks so similar to the wheat that it can be hard to tell the difference at a glance. The devil is the great counterfeiter of all that God is doing.

Jesus is the sower. So, how does He do this through us? FIRST-Jesus works in us through Incarnation. He lives His life in us. You want to be able to see Jesus at work in and through you. So you are to take on being like Jesus in everything you do!

SECOND-Jesus works through us through the process of Infiltration. Here you are able to see Jesus going along with you. In this way you are a part of God's movement-His Kingdom on earth.

THIRD-Jesus works in and through us through a universal Invitation. That universal invitation is attractive to others. The Kingdom movement is one of attraction, not promotion. The invitation is triggered by a question on the heart of each follower of Jesus: "What can I do to help?"

THINK ABOUT IT IN THESE FOUR WAYS: #1-Jesus is calling you today. a) You who are interested-Believe in Me-whosoever will. b) You who are believers-Follow Me. c) You who are followers-Make Disciples of Me. #2-Jesus believes those He calls are good enough-you can do it. #3-Jesus believes you can be like Him-to perpetuate His Kingdom. #4-Jesus empowers you by His presence as 2 or 3 gather together in His name.

"The Lord says, 'this is a special invitation to all of you who don't have all the answers. Who struggle with life. Who are tired. Who are burned out. Who are bruised. Who struggle with grief. Come to me I will teach you how to trust. I will teach you how to learn. Walk with me, work with me. Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to trust and live with joy and freedom.'"

SO, we take on the characteristics of Jesus, because we seek to embrace His teachings and principles as a lifestyle. That's incarnation at its best! We allow Jesus to work through us to infiltrate the society around us. And, we become channels for Jesus to invite the world to Him through us. The wheat-kind of people get this privilege. Those who are tare-like will never know the joy of working that closely with Jesus.

So, in the Kingdom there are two kinds of crops-genuine wheat and weeds that are a counterfeit wheat. Don't worry yourself about sorting them out. It's really none of your business. Jesus will do all of the sorting out at the end. Just focus on being that genuine wheat and be responsive to the One who planted you-Jesus.