Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven

N.T.#189 "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven"

Nov. 21, 2023

Matthew 16-Part 5

LET IT FLOW

We have various kinds of keys. Some open doors to our home, our car, a safe, etc. but Jesus has given us keys to the kingdom of heaven. Read on to find out what they are.

Who had revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Son of the Living God?  The Father God in heaven had revealed who Jesus is, not flesh and blood. (verse 17) It is upon this concept, belief, faith, that Jesus builds His church. this is the foundation for a church of Christian believers. Any other foundation is a cult. Adding to the Scriptures is not part of the Bible. The gates of hell (hades) will not prevail against the church.

Prevail means overcome in the Greek. 

The gates of hell are the powers and policies of the devil's kingdom. These fight against the church by opposing gospel truths, corrupting gospel ordinances, persecuting good ministers and good Christians. (Matthew Henry)

Believers and the church are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. (1 Peter 1:5) Christ's kingdom is not of this world. (Acts 1:3) The church is meant to be a hospital for sin-sick people.

Dear one, are you an active member of a Bible-believing and Bible-preaching church? We all need to hear the truth so we stay close to Jesus. We need encouragement and comfort now and then. We need the love of other believers to help us carry on in this sin-sick world. If you are a Christian without a church, please seek one. Though none of us are perfect in this world, we worship the One who is perfect-Jesus Christ the Savior.

LET IT GROW

What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?

They are divinely authorized resources that grant us authority and access. (Isaiah 22:22) We are supposed to be regularly utilizing heaven to help us live on earth. We are to be living out God's kingdom rule here. (Tony Evans)

Matthew Henry says they are the key of doctrine, discipline, and repentance. Doctrine shows us what is good and what the Lord requires of us. Baptism shows others what has happened in our soul and heart through salvation in Jesus. The old person has died and we are raised a new person in the Lord. The Lord's Supper shows we believe Jesus shed His blood for our sins to be forgiven, that He gave His life in order for us to live in heaven.

The keys of discipline teach us to strive to live beyond the Ten Commandments, to love God and others. Mercy forgives others, because we need it too; grace teaches us to be kind and helpful to those in need.

The keys of repentance shows us we are sinners in need of a Savior. When we compare ourself to others, we come out on top, better, but when we compare ourself to Jesus, we fall short of God's glory. We all sin and need His forgiveness. His supply never ends. What good news!

Some say the keys to the kingdom of heaven is legislation and administration of the church; others say the keys give the authority to announce forgiveness of nis; other say it is the opportunity to bring people into the kingdom of heaven by the message of salvation being accepted. God uses us to help others find their way inside to heaven, by faith in Jesus, and obeying His Words. The doors are flung open. Have you entered in?

What is binding us and loosing us? Are we bound to the law or to love?  Are we in restraint and set free? We must be in God's will and our prayers will be answered, in His Word. Our prayers are to not only benefit us, but others, too. We are called to be a blessing to others, to show the world what God can do through a life surrendered to Him. 

LET IT GO 

I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, all about Somebody who saved my soul.

Ever since You rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing, living for the world to see nobody but Jesus. 

That song sums it up for me. 

Everyone spend time being thankful for Jesus, His blessings, our life and breath, family and food. Stay safe if you are traveling. Go with Jesus today.