In John 10 Jesus said “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Notice that the “thief” Jesus refers to here, is not the devil has been so often preached, but the religious leaders who came before Jesus. Religion is having an outward form of godliness but without the life, power and presence of God. All religion will do is produce death and rob us of our joy, power and passion. When Jesus came He didn’t come bringing a new religion, instead He came bringing a kingdom. Jesus is the gate into God’s kingdom. Whoever goes through Jesus enters into kingdom life!
1. In the kingdom there is abundance of life!
Jesus said life in the kingdom is life to the full! Another version puts it “life more abundantly”. This is what life is like in the kingdom. In the kingdom there is no lack, no needs, there is just abundance everywhere you look! It is a life flowing with milk and honey! It is a life where you are thriving and not just surviving!
It is a life of joy! “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!” It’s being filled with a joy unspeakable and the peace of God that only comes from knowing our sins are forgiven, our chains are gone and our burden has been lifted!
2. In the kingdom there is provision
There is no recession in heaven! The storehouses of God are full and running over. In the kingdom your source is no longer your boss, your job or the bank manager, your source is Almighty God!
3. Life in the kingdom includes divine protection
In the kingdom you live as a son of God with all the divine protection, favour and sercurity of the Fathers love.
4. In the kingdom there is light
This is the kingdom of light! There is no darkness, fear or confusion. Just Jesus, the light of the world!
5. Those who live in the kingdom reign as kings and priests who have authority and dominion over sickness, circumstance and all the powers of darkness!
6. Those who live in the kingdom have the same power as Jesus had!
This kingdom is not a matter of talk but of power!
7. Those who live in the kingdom are friends of God
It’s about intimacy with the shepherd, constantly living in His presence. It’s a supernatural kingdom that includes angelic realms, glory encounters and divine visitation. Its the very atmosphere of heaven. It is wherever Jesus reigns. It’s an overcoming life.
Jesus is the gate into Gods kingdom. Everything we need is found in Christ Jesus. When He shed His blood on the cross, the gate to the kingdom was open. Now all who desire can go through the gate and experience life in the kingdom.
The way through the gate is repentance. You come humbly, like a child, and you surrender all you have and all you are to the King. There is a price to be paid to enter into the kingdom, it means taking up your cross and giving all you are to Him. But this Kingdom is the pearl of great price that is worth giving all you have for! This Kingdom is worth living in and worth living for! Nothing can compare to life in Gods kingdom!
Jesus said that as we enter through the gate we will “come in and go out”. As we daily enter into the kingdom of heaven through the word, prayer, worship and encounters with the Holy Spirit, we then go out and take that Kingdom with us into our communities. We demonstrate this Kingdom in all its love, power, glory, joy and peace!
Don’t be content with religion today. Don’t be content with just being forgiven and having a ticket to heaven. Encounter Jesus afresh today and enter into His Kingdom life and then go out and take that Kingdom with you wherever you go! This kingdom can not be shaken and has the power to transform lives, families, communties and nations!
Andrew Murray 