Keys of the Kingdom

Dear Brethren,

What are the Keys to the Kingdom?  Why is this vital information hidden from so many?  Jesus revealed Himself to His disciple/students as the Messiah: “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. … And He said unto them, these are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”  (Luke 24:27, 44)  Jesus Christ, as Messiah, is the foundational principle upon which the Church of God is built.

The apostle Paul tells the brethren that it is God who builds-up the Church congregation upon Jesus Christ, who is the foundation.  “We are laborers together with God: you are what God is producing, you are God's building.  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have [passively set forth] the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.  For no other foundation can a man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (1Corinthians 3:9-11)

It is a false teaching that Jesus built His Church on the apostle, Peter.  The primacy of Peter is a wrong teaching.  The man, Peter, did not have the keys over the Church, nor was Peter the foundation upon which the Church was built.  Who is the foundation, and who has the Keys to the Kingdom?  Jesus, Himself, gives us the answer. Jesus said, “I will give unto you the Keys of the Kingdom.

“When Jesus… asked his disciples, saying, who do men say that I the Son of man am?...  Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I say also (with the Father) unto you, that you have said it, Peter [‘petros’- pebble], and upon this rock [‘petra’ firm immovable foundational stone] I will build my Church; and the gates of the grave shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto you (pl) the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven… Then He charged His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Messiah.”  (Matthew 16:13-20)

God the Father had revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Messiah.  Jesus was confirming the Father’s revelation when He said, “I say also unto you…”  Jesus, alone, has the Keys to the Kingdom to give.  In response to Jesus’ question, Peter responded that Jesus “is the Messiah.”  The fact that Jesus “is the Messiah,” is the premise – the “rock” – the foundation upon which the Church is built.  Jesus, as the Messiah – is the foundational principle on which the true Church – the called out brethren – is built .  When Jesus said, “this rock,” it was a reference to Himself as the Messiah.  “Upon this bed-rock – I am the Messiah – I will build my church.”  Jesus is the rock-solid foundation.

We, the brethren, in God’s Church have been given the Keys of the Kingdom so that we might build on that sure foundation.  Jesus said, “He is like a man who built an house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”  (Luke 6:48)

Jesus started His Church with the disciples and those who received God’s Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost Day.  When Jesus said, “I will build my Church,” He did not construct a cathedral, basilica, mosque, or any other kind of physical structure but He began bringing together His saints the Church.  The most High God does not dwell in man-made temples (Acts 7:48).  Christians are the temple of God.  He lives in them, walks in them; He is their God and they are His people (2Corinthians 6:16).

There is a prevailing belief today that any and all religion leads to God – that God will accept any practice, ritual, or ceremony as a pass to some heaven above.  Most of the so-called Christian world thinks of going to heaven when they die.  That is a false concept not supported by Scripture.  Those who believe that way lack the Keys to the Kingdom.  Jesus Christ made it perfectly clear that when a person dies, he does not go to heaven.  He said, “No man has ascended up to heaven.”  (John 3:13)  The Bible does, however, speak of the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God.  This is what Jesus was speaking of when He said to His disciples, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are mentioned in over one-hundred places in the New Testament.  Jesus explained that God is in heaven, but that man’s realm is on the earth.  We must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Luke 4:4).  What are some of the Keys that God has given to His Church that open the Kingdom to us?  Keys open doors.  Keys let you in.  Jesus is the door to the Kingdom  (John 10:7).

Every parable of Jesus is a Key to understanding the Kingdom.  “The Kingdom is like unto…”  (Matthew 13:31)

God’s annual Holy Days are Keys, not only to the Kingdom, but also to understanding the Plan of God.  (Luke 2:42)

The Ten Commandments are Keys.  “You know the Commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother.”  (Mark 10:19)

Become as children is a Key. “Truly I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”  (Mark 10:15)

Living the Beatitudes are Keys to the Kingdom.  “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5:10)

All the teachings of Jesus are Keys to the Kingdom.  “…This is the work of God, that ye believe on [Jesus Christ, the Messiah] whom He has sent.”  (John 6:29)

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Sermon:  "Keys of the Kingdom"

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