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THE WAY INTO THE KINGDOM
A. Introduction: We have spent much of this year talking about developing Christ-like character, or becoming
like Jesus in the way that we think, talk, and act. Jesus is God become fully man without ceasing to be fully
God, and Jesus, in His humanity is the standard for Christian behavior. I John 2:6
1. God created human beings to become His holy, righteous sons and daughters through faith in Him.
Jesus is the pattern for God’s family (Eph 1:4-5; Rom 8:29). Through His teachings and His example,
Jesus showed and taught us what sons and daughters of God look like—what their character should be.
a. Jesus urged men and women to follow Him, meaning follow His example, imitate Him, and learn
from Him. In the context of urging people to learn from Him, Jesus referenced His character.
b. Jesus said: Take my yoke upon you (submit to me), and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and
lowly in heart (humble), and you will find rest for your souls (Matt 11:29, ESV).
1. Humble means lowly in mind. The one who is humble sees himself in his true position before
God and in relation to others: He is a servant of God and a servant of men.
2. Meek means gentle. The word meek was used to describe wild horses that had been tamed or
brought under control. One who is meek has anger and impatience under control.
2. For almost three months we’ve been looking at what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, His
longest recorded teaching in the New Testament (Matt 5, 6, 7). We’ll conclude our series tonight.
a. The sermon describes what a person who is Christ-like in character looks like in this world. Jesus
opened His sermon with seven specific statements about the character of God’s sons and daughters.
b. Jesus said that they are poor in spirit (humble), truly sorry for (mourn over) sin, meek (gentle),
hunger and thirst for righteousness (long to be and do right), merciful (forgiving), pure in heart
(pure or unmixed motives), and they are peacemakers (seek to get along with people). Matt 5:3-10
3. These traits seem like an impossible standard for most of us. But we were created to live like this.
Human beings are made in the image of God, with the capacity to be indwelled by His Spirit (the Holy
Spirit) and then reflect or image Him to the world around us by the way that we live. Gen 1:26;
a. But human nature has been corrupted by sin, and we are no longer fit for God’s family. Jesus came
into this world to die as the perfect sacrifice for sin, and open the way for humans to be restored to
our created purpose as sons and daughters who reflect or image God our Father.
1. When a person acknowledges Jesus as Savior and Lord their sins are forgiven, God indwells
them by His Spirit, and a process of restoration begins. This process will fully restore us to our
created purpose as sons and daughters who express these traits and reflect and glorify God.
2. We have a part to play in this process of restoration. As we put forth effort to obey God, He
works in us by His Spirit to help us grow in Christ-like character. Phil 2:12-13
b. This list can seem overwhelming, and even condemning, to people who are sincerely trying to live
in a way that pleases God because we all fall short, and often struggle with the same issues over and
over. But keep these thoughts in mind.
1. The one who gave this list of character traits on that day two millennia ago was Jesus, God
Incarnate. He loves the people He is speaking to so much that He has humbled Himself and
taken on a human nature so that He can die for them to make this restoration possible.
2. Jesus knew that no one in the crowd that day was able to fully express the character traits He
listed because they do not yet have the Holy Spirit in them to help them. Jesus is wetting their
appetite for what is to come.
3. The audience response to Jesus’ sermon was not condemnation and fear. Matt 7:28—They
were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His teaching (Amp).
c. Over the next three years Jesus will freely associate and dine with sinners and become known as a
preacher of love and forgiveness, despite His high moral teaching. Matt 11:19; Luke 7:48; John 8:11
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B. To fully appreciate what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, we have to consider who Jesus was talking
to when He delivered the sermon and what His goals were as He delivered it.
1. Jesus was born into 1st century Israel, a people group that was looking for and expecting God to establish
His visible, eternal kingdom on earth. Many believed that Jesus was the one who would establish the
kingdom, and they were eager to hear what He had to say about who will have a place in His kingdom.
a. Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount early in His ministry, and His opening words got their
attention: Blessed are the poor in spirit (the humble) for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Matt 5:3
b. At that point, the crowds do not yet know that Jesus has not come to establish God’s visible kingdom
on earth. He’ll do that in connection with His second coming (lessons for another day).
1. They also don’t yet know that Jesus has come as a humble servant to die a humiliating death
that will pay for their sin, and open the way for them to become sons and daughters of God who
are indwelled by His Spirit. I Pet 3:18; John 1:12-13; John 3:3-5; John14:17; etc.
2. Because God’s plan was not yet fully revealed, much of Jesus’ ministry, including this sermon,
was aimed at preparing people to receive what Jesus will provide through His sacrifice—a new
type of relationship between God and man, that of Father and son, Father and daughter.
2. Jesus’ audience did know that to have a place in God’s kingdom, people must be righteous (Ps 23:3-4).
So, when Jesus opened His sermon with character traits it resonated with the crowds.
a. But then, Jesus made an astounding statement: For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds
that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of God (Matt 5:20, ESV).
1. The Scribes and Pharisees were Israel’s religious leaders, the standard of righteousness (or right
actions) for the nation. As far as the people knew, these leaders kept God’s Law meticulously.
2. For centuries, Israel’s way of life had been dominated by the Law of Moses and the Prophets
(the Old Testament). But, down through the years since God gave Israel His Law, the religious
leaders had added numerous rules and regulations to the principles in God’s Law.
b. These regulations and rules (or traditions) were considered to be on the same level as the Scriptures
(Matt 15:1-9), and the religious leaders scrupulously observed these traditions.
1. But these rules and regulations missed the true intent or spirit behind Law. Jesus spent most of
His Sermon on the Mount presenting the true righteousness of God’s kingdom as He exposed
the false righteousness preached and practiced by the religious leaders.
2. According to Jesus, true righteousness includes more that correct outer actions. It includes
right motives and right thoughts that are expressed in right actions.

C. We’ve already covered most of Jesus’ sermon in previous lessons. Let’s briefly review the main points
before we look at Jesus’ closing statements. Notice Jesus’ emphasis on motive, intent, and your aim in life.
1. Matt 5:21-48—Early in His sermon Jesus used several examples to show how the Pharisees and Scribes
kept the letter of God’s Law, but missed the spirit behind it, or its true meaning and intent.
a. For example, the Law of Moses says don’t murder (Ex 20:13). The religious leaders did not kill
people, but they had anger toward people that they expressed in unforgiveness and revenge.
b. Jesus’ said that it’s not enough to not kill someone. You must deal with your anger and be humble,
merciful, forgiving, and seek peace if possible.
c. Jesus said that obeying God’s Law is not just negative—don’t pay people back or seek revenge.
He gave the positive side: Love your enemies just as your Father in Heaven does. He is actually
kind to the unthankful and the evil. Luke 6:35-36
1. Matt 5:47-48—If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?
Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect (NLT).
In other words, you are to reflect God your Father by the way you treat people.
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2. Jesus came into the world to open the way for His follower to be transformed and restored to
sons and daughters of God who are Christ-like in character, who like Him, reflect the Father.
d. Perfect doesn’t mean no more mistakes. It means complete. As Jesus’ followers submit to Him
and seek to be like Him, they will progressively be restored to completeness—their created purpose
as sons and daughters who reflect their Father—by His indwelling Spirit.
2. Matt 6:1-34—Jesus went on to make it clear that true righteousness has to do with your motive and aim.
It’s living your life for the approval and praise of God, not the praise and approval that comes from men.
a. Jesus said that the Pharisees and Scribes performed righteous acts, but their motive was to be seen
and praised by men. Jesus told His audience: Do what you do to please your Heavenly Father.
He sees and knows all—not only your actions, but your motives. And He will reward you.
b. Jesus urged them to store up treasure in Heaven, have a single eye, and serve God not money.
These phrases are all metaphors for your ultimate intention, aim, or goal in life.
1. If your ultimate intention is to please and glorify your Father in all that you do—how you think,
speak, and act—you are serving God, storing up treasure in Heaven, and have a single eye.
2. Jesus assured them that as they seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness their Father
in Heaven will take care of them and provide what they need to live this life.
3. Matt 7:1-12—Then Jesus made another statement about how to treat their fellow man. He exhorted
His listeners not to judge one another. By judging, Jesus meant harsh, critical, condemning judgment
done from a position of superiority—hypocritical judgment, like the religious leaders. The Scribes and
Pharisees found fault in others while excusing themselves.
a. Then Jesus urged His listeners to persevere in prayer (ask, seek, knock) because their Father in
Heaven is better than the best earthly father and gives good things to His children. These words
don’t seem to fit with judging people.
b. But Jesus’ next statement shows us the connection: (Therefore,) whatever you wish that others
would do to you, do also for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matt 7:12, ESV).
1. In other words, in light of the fact that God is good and treats you with mercy and grace, you
should not withhold mercy and grace from others.
2. When you treat others as God has treated you (and as you wish to be treated) you reflect Him
and fulfill the purpose for which you were created.
c. Back to where Jesus started His sermon. After He listed the character traits of those in God’s
kingdom Jesus said: Let your light (Christ-like character) shine before others, so that they may see
see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16, ESV).
D. We’ve come to the last major section of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has finished His teaching about the
righteousness needed for the kingdom, and He now addresses how to get into the kingdom. Matt 7:13-27
1. Jesus told them: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road to leads to
destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and
only a few find it (Matt 7:13-14, NIV).
a. The audience will soon learn that way is narrow because there is only one way in—through Jesus
(John 14:6). Jesus will call men and women to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow
Him. Few find the way into the kingdom because few seek Him and are willing to turn from
serving themselves to serving Him (Matt 16:24).
b. Next Jesus warned His listeners to beware of false prophets (Matt 7:15-20). Jesus wasn’t talking
about wild-eyed heretics, He was talking about hypocrites (His main charge against the Pharisees)
1. The fact that they are in sheep’s clothing means they look right, their doctrine sounds right, and
their conduct is not outrageously wrong. If they looked like wolves you wouldn’t need a
warning about them. At one point Jesus actually said: Because the Pharisees sit in Moses’
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seat, do what they teach in regard to the Law, but don’t do what they do. Matt 23:-3
2. Jesus knew that the Pharisees will try to steer the multitudes away from Him and keep them out
of the kingdom. They will threaten to excommunicate anyone who believes in Jesus and will
will persecute Jesus’ followers after the resurrection. Acts 4:17-18; Acts 5:17-18; Acts 7:54-60.
c. Jesus will later say to the religious leaders: Hypocrites! For you won’t let others enter the
Kingdom of Heaven, and you won’t go in yourselves…For you cross land and sea to make one
convert and then you turn him into twice the son of hell as you yourselves are (Matt 23:13-15, NLT).
1. Jesus told His audience that they will recognize these false prophets by their fruit. Fruits in
Scripture and in Jewish phraseology meant works of any kind. It was said by the Jews that a
man’s works are the tongue of his heart and tell honestly whether he is inwardly corrupt or pure.
2. The Word of God is very clear that a profession of godliness without a life of godliness or fruit
(Christ-like character) is hypocrisy (Titus 1:16). That was the Pharisees.
2. Then Jesus said: Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only
he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did
we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I
will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers (Matt 7:21-23, NIV)
a. Jesus did not have Joe Christian in mind when He spoke these words, someone who’s doing his
best to live for God but struggles. Jesus was exposing the false righteousness of the Pharisees and
contrasting it with true righteous living.
b. The Pharisees called on God and did works in the name of the Lord, yet they don’t know the Lord.
Jesus will later say to them: How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law (Scribes) and
the Pharisees. Hypocrites!…You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts
are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matt 23:27-28, NLT).
c. Jesus later talked about a tax collector and a Pharisee who went to the Temple to pray. Luke 18:9-14
1. The Pharisee approached God on the basis of his goodness—I fast, I tithe, I don’t sin, cheat, or
commit adultery. I’m not like that awful tax collector over there. The tax collector
approached God with humility and sorrow for his sin: Be merciful to me oh God.
2. Jesus said that the sinner, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God, for the proud will
be humbled, but the humble will be honored (Luke 18:14, NLT).
3. Notice that in the context of saying that only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom,
Jesus calls Himself Lord. God Incarnate is the one who is delivering this sermon.
a. Then Jesus put His sayings on the same level as doing the will of the Father: Everyone then who
hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock…
and everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who
builds his house on the sand (Matt 7:24-26, ESV).
b. Jesus said that the rains, wind, and floods came and the house built on the rock survived, but the one
built on sand was destroyed. And great was its destruction. Matt 7:27
1. The crowds don’t know it yet, but Jesus will give His life on the Cross so that those who believe
on Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
2. Destruction and perish are the same Greek word. It means ruined or lost. Those who do not
acknowledge Jesus as Lord will be forever lost to their created purpose.
E. Conclusion: As we close this series on the Sermon on the Mount, take note that the emphasis is on our aim
and intention in life. Jesus asks you and me to change the end for which we live. He asks us to live for
Him and bring praise and honor to Him. None of us are perfect at it yet. But if growing in Christ-likeness
is truly the intent of your, then God is pleased with you now, before you are fully perfected. Let us recommit
ourselves, with God’s help, to becoming increasingly Christ-lik*e in our character and behavior.