Inheriting the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom is at Hand

Many of us have a travel bucket list. A list of places we want to visit. Some have on their list Disney’s magical kingdom, where audiences from all over the world gather and are captivated by its fairytale-esque experiences and familiar characters, many want to visit the Grand Canyon to a awe at the size and vastest of this geological spectacle of nature and the kingdom to many different species of animals, many want to visit, the pyramids of Giza in Egypt to see in person, this archaeological marvel of the ancient world, to explore the tombs, and read the hieroglyphs that tell of an ancient kingdom. To see these places costs and the costs can be quite expensive. But, we save, until we have enough and are able to visit, we are are exited and we visit, but only for a short time because those places aren’t our permanent places of residence. We have to leave this place that brought us great joy and wanting to take a portion of it with us, we buy merchandise and settle for it embroided on a key chain then look to it for joy as we drive down I-4 on a Friday at 6pm.

Then there are places that we need to go, not on a travel bucket list but on a to -do list, regularly, the gas station, to fuel our vehicles so we can go from place to place, Walmart, so we can buy food to then stand long lines if you live in Poinciana. The bank to deposit and withdraw money that we use to pay for our bills and expenses. We are not elated to go to these places we don’t buy a keychain and say look I was just at Wells Fargo but we need to go to these places. Today I urgently need to tell you about the kingdom, the kingdom that all of us need to inherit, to belong to, the kingdom that will exhilarate and blow our minds once we are there and will bring us eternal joy, happiness and peace. The kingdom that is a permanent place of residency but only for the believer, the one who accepts its King whose name is Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior and lives by His Kingdom values and standards. I need to tell you of how you can inherit this kingdom if you are not it’s citizen, and how you should operate as its ambassador, if you are it’s citizens, as you wait through this life to enjoy it as your inheritance for all eternity. I need to tell you today about how this kingdom is not only a place for you to inherit, to be, to reside. But a place, to be shared to the generations that come after you to also inherit, to be and to reside with the King who has many rooms prepared for them, His people, I need to tell you of your part to play in this transfer, because time is of the essence, that day, is close, the return of the King is neigh, the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Turn with me to mark 10 : 13-16.

Mark 10:13–16 NKJV

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Freedom

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to die. A bittersweet moment, bitter because the cup was heavy but sweet, because the imminent victory, that would guarantee freedom for his people, for us, was close. On His way to Jerusalem He makes a stop in the region of Judea. As the people heard Jesus was in town, flocks of people gathered to the good Shepherd and as was His habit, He taught. These are his final moments of teaching, especially to his disciples, who would then go out and teach as well, so the Lord allowed for the issues that needed to be addressed. The people gathered here were people that had heard who He says He is, they came to see if this man can do what they heard and they came to hear what He had to say. Let’s turn back to Mark. 3: 7-8

Mark 3:7–8 NKJV

7 But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.

People from all areas in the land came to listen to Jesus a people in need of a connection to their God. Waiting for the promised deliverer, To break them out of this heavy yoke of the Romans. Jesus, felt to them, to some, at least, as a bridge that connected them to their God, His words though hard to understand, felt true, his power hard to explain was healing people in the crowds. But Jesus was so much more, He was and is God in the flesh, the promised deliverer, to break them, us, out of the heavy yoke of sin. These people experienced Him and the Judeans ran back home from galilee to tell their people what they experienced with Jesus, whom some said was the Messiah. These people in Judea were more religious than those in Galilee, due to the fact Jerusalem and the temple was in this vicinity, they knew what this meant and all the more they flocked to Him. Is there any one in here under the yoke of sin, suffering, carrying a burden you do not have to, Jesus is your liberator, He is the promised Deliverer and He is calling you, today, to give up your sinful life, accept Him as Your Lord and savior and so you can be freed from sin to then change your ways because today You will encounter Him and You must decide what your news will be to the people you encounter after you leave, will it be a message that never gets told because your time on this earth was up, will it be a message that is never mentioned because you did not believe, or will it be a message,spoken, a message of hope to all you tell, especially to those in your house your a asks especially your kids who are apart of the next generation, introducing them to the one who can save them from their sin that leads to the eternal destination of Hell. Recognize your sin and accept the Lord Jesus today and don’t let it pass you by, your decision, affects your freedom and the freedom of your Children.

An offering

For generations to experience the blessing of God to inherit the kingdom of God, it requires firstly an offering. It says in verse 13

Mark 10:13 NKJV

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

They brought little children to Jesus, the word for they brought is the Greek word prosphero, It means to offer with the sense of leading someone to a person that can heal him, ready to show him kindness or to a person who is to judge him. You are willingly offering the responsibility of them to, their well being or life is in that persons hands. Let’s read Hebrews 11:17

Hebrews 11:17 NKJV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

The same word Pros-phero is used here Abraham was offering his only son to God as God had asked, the parents in this chapter of Mark were doing what parents or those who raise children are to ultimately do do, offer them willingly back to the Lord. So the Lord can bless them. The word Pai-dion is used here, meaning a child that is young and dependent on someone else to survive. To survive something needs life Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. The children need to be attached to Jesus, but we cannot attach them to someone we do not know therefore, I implore you today accept, the Lord Jesus, become associated with the king of the kingdom, then, ensure that your beloved child, who was entrusted to you, by the Lord, is introduced to the king as well. This looks like praying with your child, taking them to the church, and getting them involved with a youth group.

A connection

You are bringing the child not just for the king to see but for the king to touch. The king needs to form his own connection with the child. The people here are Jewish and they sought a touch from Jesus because they believed the laying on of hands, communicated power, the laying on of hands was associated with three ideas:consecration which means [declaring something something sacred], transmission of a divine gift and identification. Such as in Deuteronomy 34:9

Deuteronomy 34:9 NKJV

9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

In other words, these parents were seeking a divine transfer of spiritual blessings through Jesus. They willingly brought their children to be blessed with a connection to the king. The word bless means divine favor. Perfect God, extending his power and kindness to sinful me. They recognized this man who was a healer in the eyes of some, a teacher, in the eyes of others, to be the one in divine standing with God, and they sought their children to receive the divine favor through him. These parents met and had a connection restored with the God of the universe, and wanted that for the kids as well, not only for wants sake, but they now knew this was their God-given responsibility.

Sin show its’s head

But it’s when you’re doing what God called you to do that’s when you receive a fight. This fight came through 12 men the disciples of Christ. Verse 13 b

Mark 10:13 NKJV

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

The word rebuke here implies the admonished they warned forcefully. They said get out of here with these children, where do you think you’re going with them? You people must’ve lost your minds. Here you are fulfilling your responsibility offering your dear child to the king for a touch, a touch that will change their eternity, and you are being stopped by his man. How would you feel? I can imagine your emotions would be raging. It would be easy for us to be angry at the disciples, Jesus was angry, displeased, but not at the disciples at the root of their rebuke.

Children in the Jewish society were deeply cared for, but they had no social standing. They were to learn and serve then not get in the way. If we look a few verses back, we see were Pharisees are asking Jesus questions about divorce, a big topic a conversation with Jesus was clearing up the meaning of the law. Prominent figures, big conversations and you’re bringing children to be touched. You better go on wit yo kids. But I can hear Jesus, over the bickering and arguments, with a thunderous voice, filled with displeasure over the sinful ways of his disciples

Mark 10:14 NKJV

14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

All things new

Let’s take a quick look at who Jesus here, his name can be translated to Joshua, as in Joshua from the old testament, and just as Joshua, led the people out of the old land and into the new promised land, so Jesus leads us from the old fleshly ways of thinking to the new spirit filled ways of thinking. Some of us are hanging onto old fleshly ways, when Jesus says let that go, I am making all things new, follow me and become a new creation, listen to my words, and move from death to life, let go of your own understanding and trust my words, that is to be a light to your path, an lamp to your feet. Young man and woman. The Bible says, how can a man keep his way pure, by living according to the word of God. Guys its good at times for you to put down the instagram and tick- toc and instead take up the Word of God, your Bible, that will lead you to a pure life. Obey your parents, and come to the house of the Lord, where it is preached to you, Jesus wants to lead you from the old and into the new. The child needs, Jesus, he, or she cannot survive or navigate this life without him, hence, our society, we have kids on drugs, kids, committing suicide, taking guns and shooting up schools. These kids are dealing with so much, where do they turn when they don’t know where to turn because they weren’t introduced. They need Jesus introduced in their lives, because he is the source, without him nothing makes sense. The word says 14 b.

Mark 10:14 NKJV

14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Let them come and fill their need do not forbid them, the translation of the word not not here is not, do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of God, for such is the kingdom of God what does that mean?

The kingdom of God

The kingdom of God is a domain, ruled by God as a sovereign king, don’t forget what I said about a child, a child must be brought to Jesus because they need him. The Bible says of such is the kingdom of God. Catch this, the kingdom of God is for those who desperately need Jesus to save them from sin and death, and are freely off their own accord, coming to him for life, because they recognize they cannot survive without him. The kingdom of God is for the one who sings I need thee, o, I need the every hour I need thee, Oh bless me now my savior I come to thee. The kingdom of God is for those who need God, not for those who don’t need God not for those who are self-sufficient. Some of us are self-sufficient, we are operating and surviving off our own efforts. Let’s look ahead to.Mark 10:23–27 (NKJV)

Mark 10:23–27 NKJV

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Jesus is not saying those who have abundant possessions will not enter the kingdom. He is saying if you trust in the abundance of anything/anyone but me to provide eternal security, then where I am is not for you. The translation of the word not here is not. Verse 15. Whoever does not recognize that you need me will not go to the place where everyone there needs me, survives on me, and is sustained by me. If you are not humble enough, need enough to recognize that Jesus Christ is the source of life, our life, and Sustains it then you need to find your own sauce and be warmed. It will not Sustain you, because nothing besides, Jesus was made to. The drugs will never be enough, the money on material things will never be enough, the sex will never be enough. There is a fountain, who is a king, victorious warrior, and lord of everything, my rock, my shelter, my very own, blessed redeemer, who reigns up on the throne.

How can the world be changed?

Parents need to fulfill their roles, starting with seeking a relationship with the Lord, then bringing your kids to him. It may seem difficult but Jesus is there to walk with you.

The sin that plagues men and women in our society, to speak words, act, and do things that stop and hinder a child from going to the Lord, must be addressed, and they must be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, because these men and women in these influential rules need to realize there is an outcome worse than a millstone around their neck a and then being thrown into the sea at the end of their path of destruction.

Our children, my fellow youth need to ensure that after being introduced to Jesus by godly parents to latch onto him as he guides them to the kingdom, this looks like praying, reading and following the Word of God, staying active in your church, an example is, by being apart of small groups especially youth groups.

Mark 10:16 NKJV

16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

There are three things mentioned here one experiences on His way to the Kingdom.

On your way to the kingdom expect: An Embrace, A connection, A blessing

An embrace

He took, the Greek word- enankalizomai- is used Here which means to embrace, Jesus will take you into his arms. He does this to nourish, protect, sustain and guide.

A connection

Jesus wants to commune with us, It says, then he laid his hands this meant healing and symbolized a restored connection, symbolize that he receives you as His own.

A blessing

He grants you divine favor with God. Holy God interacting with sinful man.

Please stand

Through our acceptance and recognition of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, telling him we need him, we enter into a position as sons and daughters of God,

Not by anything we have done, but by what Jesus did for you at Calvary. The gospel says that Jesus died for your sins, he was buried, then rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the father mediating for his people. Jesus is the only way to escape the kingdom of darkness that is hell, where we are all bound, but there is great news Romans 10:9 says.

Romans 10:9 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

So, as I pray, come to the altar, if your kids are here, bring them, let us cry out to God, tell him we need him, and as his children, he will hear us, and bless us with his presence. But there are some here, who need to cry out for the first time come to the altar, you know who you are. The deacons will be here are here to help you through this decision. It’s time to stop running my brother and sister it’s time to stop being self-sufficient. Jesus is calling you to life. It’s an easy step to take to this new life. Let’s let go of the old become like a child inherit the kingdom of God. As I pray please come.