Gateway Church - MO

We like a sure thing. We like to know that whatever we do will succeed. But the reality is that we have no such guarantees in life. But when we try to play it safe and avoid taking risks, the only thing we succeed in doing is nothing. Jesus expects his followers to have a bias for action. Serving God by serving others doesn't guarantee success from the world's perspective, but it open's the door to God's approval. In the Kingdom, the biggest risk you take is taking no risks at all.

Most of us like a good bargain. We love the idea of getting something for nothing or at least getting a lot for a little. However, when we approach Jesus with a ‘bargain hunter’ attitude, we miss out on the depth, richness and fullness of his kingdom. There are no bargains to be had when it comes to following Jesus. Following is always costly and a faith that doesn’t cost something is worth nothing. However, when we are willing to go all in, we discover that it is always worth the price.

To enter God’s kingdom, one must do His will. Lip service won’t suffice. God won’t tolerate those who don’t produce fruit in the kingdom. It’s not about good works; it’s about your heart for God and people. God’s invitation to His table is gracious and costly, but the benefits are beyond compare.

Most of us love to keep score. And often, when it comes to the Kingdom of Jesus, we want to keep score for others. Are they good enough? Have they done enough? Do they work hard enough. But do we really want God to operate that way. Because if we want God to keep score, he keeps it for ALL of us. What if, instead of keeping score, we just accepted the grace of the Father. In the Kingdom, it's not about what I’ve done. It's about the generosity of the Father.

When we've been hurt, our natural response is to hurt back. It's no wonder that hurt people hurt people. But in the Kingdom of Jesus, responding to our pain by causing pain in others isn't an option. In fact, Jesus says that we're supposed to forgive those who have hurt us. Not just a few times, but EVERY time. This is one of the most difficult aspects of life in the Kingdom. But when we recognize how much God has forgiven us, how can we not forgive others. If I have been forgiven by God, how can I not forgive others?

So often we feel like our efforts are unappreciated, unimportant or simply insignificant. When we think of the Kingdom of God, we think of huge acts of faith, we think of miracles, or we think of “celebrity Christians” having a big impact. We rarely stop to think that our small efforts matter. But Jesus tells his followers that even a small faith and a small effort, when surrendered to God can have a big impact. There is no such thing as insignificant in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Nobody likes the person who makes it their business to do everyone else’s job, especially the job of whoever is in charge. We often tell such people to “worry about themselves” or to “mind their own business. It’s solid advice.  But often, those of us in the Kingdom of God take it upon ourselves to try and do God’s job for him. We want to determine who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out.’ But Jesus tells his followers that they have one job to do, and it isn’t judging others. God will judge the hearts and lives of men. But in the Kingdom of heaven, you and I have one job to do: Live (and love) like Jesus.

Most of us like a good bargain. We love the idea of getting something for nothing or at least getting a lot for a little. However, when we approach Jesus with a ‘bargain hunter’ attitude, we miss out on the depth, richness and fullness of his kingdom. There are no bargains to be had when it comes to following Jesus. Following is always costly and a faith that doesn’t cost something is worth nothing. However, when we are willing to go all in, we discover that it is always worth the price.

When people talk about the end of the world, they usually talk in terms of doom, destruction and devastation. And with those comes the natural response of fear. But when Jesus talked about the ‘end of the world’ to his followers, he painted a picture of hope and renewal. When we think about ‘end times’ we don’t’ have to be afraid, because in Jesus, the best is yet to come.

 Everyone likes to be liked. In fact, our need to be liked is so strong that we’ll almost anything to make other people happy. But the truth is that we spend far more time worrying about what people think about us than other people spend thinking about us and a fear of what people think becomes a trap. However, God has called us to live lives that please him, not others. And even though pleasing God means sometimes disappointing people. Faith in Him sets us free from the trap of fear.