“What must I do?”

Child like, law/gospel entrance into the Kingdom

Thesis: Salvation and entering into the kingdom has to do with what has been done than what we must do

1. What is the Kingdom of God?

Kingdom of God is used 5x in this chapter, which is the most of any chapter. 5x in these 18 verses.

in the gospels “kingdom” is used 126 times.

in comparison the word gospel is used just 12 times and only 8 of those times were Jesus’ actual words.

Kingdom of God is the most taught on and referenced concept in all of his ministry.

Crucial to our understanding of salvation, and the gospel is Jesus’ teaching of the Kingdom of God.

In fact the Kingdom of God is the primary theme and framework of all of scripture.

159 times in the New and 215 times in the old= 364 mentions of the kingdom in 66 books

We all have a definition for the Gospel and yet hardly are we ever asked for a definition for the kingdom of God, let alone would we be able to come up with a definition, and it is the core teaching of Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus does not however give a clear definition.

Greek word is βασιλεία basilĕia A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible royalty; rule; realm; reign

A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament sovereignty, royal power, dominion;

Already/Not Yet

Already= Christ is King and has conquered Death (Satan) through is life and resurrection and thus those who repent in believe by faith receive the blessing of salvation now (already). Reigns over individual hearts

Not Yet= Christ will come again and fully bind and throw satan into the lake of fire and thus establish His kingdom reign fully over all the earth over everything and everyone at the end of His millennium reign in the future (not yet)

In this context it is the sovereign rule of sphere of salvation

Matthew 4:23 (ESV)

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

2. Requirements for the Entering the Kingdom

Mark 1:1 ESV

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Gospel means good news= not a command, not something to do

Mark 1:15 (ESV)

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

The requirements for entering into the kingdom is repentance and faith. two words one concept.

Luke 17:20–21 (ESV)

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

The kingdom of God first comes through faith within the heart.

but how?

received like a child

through understanding youre a sinner

through christ

2. Jesus Teaching of Child-likeness

Mark 10:13–16 (ESV)

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Busy Grown ups: “They were bringing the children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.”

Jesus rebuked them for being busy grown ups, even says he was indignant (Only time this word is used to show Jesus’ anger.

Child like or Childish “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Child like= dependent, lowest, humility

Childish= 1 corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.”

Colossians 1:28 (ESV)

28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

I dont want to acquire too much “head knowledge” because Ill become “puffed up” with knowledge.

3. Jesus teaching of the Law

Pervasive lie of the day, “Be a good person”, “Raise good humans”, “do the right thing”

By what standard? God’s moral standard is contained in the ten commandments

Mark 10:17–22 (ESV)

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 19:16 ESV

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Self Righteous He said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

In other words, “I have my righteousness, I don’t need yours Jesus”

“Ignorance of the law and ignorance of the gospel will generally be found together.” JC Ryle

Luke 5:31–32 (ESV)

31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus was not saying that he limits his calls with certain people - as if some are righteous and do not need him - but that his call addresses sinners, and only those convinced of their sin will respond.

Childrens Catechism #103

Q: Can any man keep these ten commandments perfectly?

A: No mere man, since the fall of Adam, ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 ESV

20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Childrens catechism #104

Q: Of what use are the ten commandments to us?

A: They teach us our duty, and show us our need of a savior.

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Heildelberg Catechism #115

Q: “If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly?

Rich “You lack one thing; go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” Dis heartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 6:24 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Law/Gospel Distinction

Law

Jesus here teaches not the gospel, but the law. It is not as though Jesus came preaching and teaching the gospel of good news only, and gave information and one would decide which way might they choose God or money, or God or self. no instead, by way of his law, he revealed their problem…. which is that they dont want God

Romans 3:19–22 ESV

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Beeke Systematic Theology P. 479-480

1 Timothy 1:9–11 ESV

9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Galatians 3:21–24 ESV

21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

4. Jesus teaching riches

Mark 10:23–26 (ESV)

Mark 10:23–26 ESV

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

4. Jesus teaching of the Gospel

Mark 10:27–31 ESV

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Understanding of God’s sovereignty rule reign over salvation then goes in reverse order of these passages

A Child busy needing, and adult is busy doing

Rich young ruler has possessions, a child has not possessions, he has a father, a provider