Kingdom Mindset: Matthew 21:23-22:14

CIT: Jesus punishes those who reject the Kingdom of God and blesses those who enter the Kingdom of God.

Who gives the invitation to the Kingdom of God?

Punishment for those who reject

Blessing for those who enter

Who gives the invitation to the Kingdom of God? (Matt. 21:33-46, 22:8-9)

The prophets came first proclaiming the Kingdom of God

Matt. 21:35 “And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.”

John the Baptist came proclaiming the Kingdom of God

Matt. 21:36 “Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them.”

Jesus came bringing the Kingdom of God

Matt. 21:37-39 “Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”

Christians are going to tell the nations about the Kingdom of God

Matt. 22:8-9 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’”

Punishment for those who reject

There is an eternal punishment for those who reject the Kingdom of God

Matt. 21:40-41 “When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.””

Matt. 22:11-13 ““But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

There is an eternal punishment for those who refuse to invite others into the Kingdom of God

How much sense would it make for a true disciple of Jesus to not tell other about him and invite them into a relationship with him? Answer: None

This was the major sin of the Pharisees, holding onto the blessing of God without sharing them.

Matt. 21:43 “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”

Blessing for those who enter

The Kingdom of God is for all peoples

Matt. 21:28-32 ““What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”

The blessing now is that we get to produce fruit for the Kingdom

Matt. 21:43 “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”

The blessing in eternity is that we dwell with our King

Matt. 22:10 “And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Matt. 22:14 “For many are called [invited], but few are chosen.””