Questions:

• Is it EASY to enter the kingdom?
• How do you think people can enter the kingdom of heaven?
• Are there people who think they have entered but have not?

Matthew 19:22–26 NLT: 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—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!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Entering God’s Kingdom

1. Overcome the OBSTACLES.

1. Religion is an obstacle.
   1. Matthew 23:13 NLT: What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
   2. Religion is doing a God thing without God.
   3. It gives you the feeling that everything is okay.
2. Loving this world is an obstacle. 
   1. 1 John 2:15 NLT: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for if you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 
   2. Many of us love this life too much to truly follow Christ.
3. PRIDE is an obstacle.
   1. Pride is like hardened concrete.
      1. “I have arrived.”
      2. “I have it figured out.”
      3. “I have accomplished everything by my own power.”
   2. God OPPOSES THE PROUD.
   3. Pride will keep you from repentance.

2. Have the right ATTITUDE.

1. God only permits HUMBLE hearts to enter the kingdom.
   1. Matthew 5:3 NLT: God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
   2. Matthew 5:5 NLT: God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
   3. Matthew 18:3 ESV: Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
   4. Isaiah 57:15 NLT: The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.”
2. You must be willing to CHANGE.

3. Come to the right DOOR.

1. The Kingdom of God has an entry point—JESUS.
   1. John 10:9 NLT: Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
2. The wrong doors
   1. The church is not the door! You can’t just start coming to church and say that you’ve entered. 
   2. Good behavior is not the door! Your good behavior will not seal your entry.
   3. Universalism is not the door! 

Matthew 7:13–14 NLT: 13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

4. Understand the PROCESS.

1. What is needed in order to gain entry?
   1. Repent of sin.
   2. By faith, come to Christ and declare allegiance to Him.
   3. Be born of water and Spirit.
   4. Follow Him.

What Are the Benefits?

Matthew 19:27–29 NLT: 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”

1. You get to know the truth.
2. You are filled with peace.
3. You will inherit eternal life.
4. You will be with Christ forever.