The KINGDOM of GOD - Part 2

Highlights from Pastor Jerry’s message on Sunday, May 4, 2025

On Wednesday night we talked about the call of God of on our lives.  God is saying, “Can you hear Me?”  How many of us can hear Him? 

In John 3:3 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born- again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  If we hear and see, are we a doer?

Jesus said to His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name He may give you.” (John 15:16).

We have to hear Him call us first; them we have a choice to make if  we will follow Him. He will enter all our circumstances with His purposes, offering us peace, and His Holy Spirit power!

Here some scriptures that express His thoughts towards you…

·      Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope,“

·      Psalm 115:12 – “The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us.”

·      Psalm 139:17- "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!How great is the sum of them!

·      Psalm 84:2 – “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”  It all starts with searching! If you search for love you will find it!

In Matthew 16:15 when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [h]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

(Jesus meant that Peter could hear the Father’s voice and that many would come to repentance.)

Jesus specifically mentions Keys of the Kingdon of Heaven. What is locked in Heaven?  How do we get access? (Pastor Jerry used the illustration of his many keys on a chain and how each key opened a door in his home, car or office.)

1.    Repentance: Repent to Jesus.  John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, came preaching a baptism of repentance. When he saw Jesus coming to be baptized, he cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). When Jesus began His ministry, He preached a message of repentance: ”Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

The keys represent JESUS and the gifting and ministries for the people He chose to follow Him, even though they didn’t understand everything correctly.

2.    Keys provide authority: Jesus talked to the Father.  He is going to talk to you!  What does it sound like when He God speaks to you? (A voice inside of comfort and peace.)  

When God gives you keys: 1) there will be opportunities He will give you; 2) He will give you revelation of His Word that you may be a messenger to your family, friends, community and the world.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven He instructed His disciples, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49). Act 1:5 & 8 adds, “5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus instructed them not to go out and do anything until they had received the Holy Spirit that produced power-filled-living, It is God’s gift and grace that enables us to do what He has called us to do.

Acts 4:31 says, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

Acts 4:33 says, “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”