God's Concern for the Lost

Lost Sheep Matt 18:12-14; Lk 15:3-7
God's primary concern is for those who stray
Lost Coin Lk 15:8-10
God rejoices over the repentance of one sinner
Lost Son Lk 15:11-32
All who repent are heirs of God's forgiving grace without distinction.

Prerequisite Attitudes to Enter God's Kingdom

Placing Value on Eternal Things

The Wedding Feast Matt 22:2-14; Lk 14:16-24
Though many are invited to partake of eternal life, few respond and many have trivial excuses.
Hidden Treasure Matt 13:44
Saving faith has the quality of valuing the kingdom above all
The Pearl of Great Price Matt 13:45,46
Total commitment to the kingdom should be given because of its infinite worth
The Rich Fool Lk 12:16-21
The faith that saves is one that looks to eternal rewards
rather than earthly material things

Humility

Pharisee and the tax collector Lk 18:9-14
God's forgiveness comes to the repentant, not the self-righteous

Application Oriented Faith

A Wise Man's Foundation Matt 7:24-27; Lk 6:47-49
Obedience to the word of God provides a strong foundation for salvation
Two Sons Matt 21:28-32
Reluctant obedience is more acceptable that fake obedience.
The "irreligious" Jew who repents will enter the kingdom rather than the unfaithful Jewish leaders.

Commitment

Building a Tower and a King Making War Lk 14:25-35
Only after on has counted the cost should he say that he believes

Forgiveness

Unmerciful Servant Matt 18:23-35
If you do not forgive in the manner that God forgave you, neither will you be forgiven.

Sufficient Information to Enter God's Kingdom

Rich Man and Lazarus Lk 16:19-31
The Word of God contains sufficient information to persuade people into the kingdom apart from their personal experience of miracles.

The Growing Seed Mk 4:26-29
God will bring about His kingdom apart from human effort

Nominalism - False Believers

The Weeds Matt 13:24-30; 36-43
Until the judgment day, it may be difficult to distinguish between real and nominal Christians within the kingdom of God.
The Mustard Seed Matt 13:31,32; Mk 4:30-32; Lk 13:18,19
Though the kingdom begins small, it will be large at the end.
And non-Christians will nest in its branches.
The Leaven Matt 13:33; Lk 13:20,21
Nominalism grows quickly in the Kingdom
The Dragnet Matt 13:47-50
Though many enter into Christendom, they will be separated on Judgment day.

Attitude Towards the Old Covenant

New Cloth on an Old Garment Matt 9:16; Mk 2:21; Lk 5:36
New Wine in Old Wineskins Matt 9:17; Mk 2:22; Lk 5:37,38
Righteousness by faith is independent of the Law of Moses

Judgment upon unbelieving Israel

Tenants Matt 21:33-45; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19
In the present age God has transferred stewardship of His kingdom from unbelieving Israel to other stewards

Application of God's Word

The Householder Matt 13:52
Disciples should be able to draw spiritual truths and applications from the Jesus' teachings.

Serving God - Obedience

Ten Minas Lk 19:11-27
Disciples of Jesus are to remain faithful until He returns
Talents Matt 25:14-30
One must be prepared for the coming of Christ by commitment to service
Unworthy Servants Lk 17:7-10
Disciples are not to expect gratitude for everything they do;
Service must come from a sense of mission

Fruitfulness

The Sower Matt 13:3-23; Mk 4:2-20; Lk 8:4-15
Productivity within the kingdom depends on the kind of response to the Word one makes.
Barren Fig Tree Lk 13:6-9
God will bring judgment on those who produce no fruitfulness to God

Money

Shrewd Manager Lk 16:1-13
Christians should develop mastery over material things in service to God.

Love

Good Samaritan Lk 10:30-37
Christian love is to provide for the needs of others impartially

Gratitude of the Redeemed

The Creditor and the Two Debtors Lk 7:41-43
Gratitude for forgiveness is proportionate to the recognition of one's sinfulness.
Workers in the Vineyard Matt 20:1-16
Christians should not be envious of the graciousness that God shows to others.

The Light of the Redeemed

Lamp Under a Basket Matt 5:14-16; Mk 4:21,22; Lk 8:16,17; Lk 11:33-36
Christians should promote rather than suppress the truth

Humility

Lowest seat at the feast Lk 14:7-11
Disciples are to be exalted by God, not by themselves

Persistence in Prayer

Friend at midnight Lk 11:5-13
If a neighbor will certainly help in time of need rather than bring shame on himself,
how much more will God meet the needs of those who ask
Persistent Widow Lk 18:1-8
If an unjust judge will give justice because of persistence, how much more will the just and gracious God make things right at the coming of Christ.

The Faithful and Wise Servant Lk 12:35-40
The faith that saves is one that looks to the return of the master
The Fig Tree Matt 24:32-44; Mk 13:28-32; Lk 21:29:33
There will be signs of Christ's coming available for Christians.
The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Those who intend to meet Christ at His return must be prepared in view of the imminence of His coming.
Wise and Wicked Servants Matt 24:45-51; Lk 12:42-48
All true followers of Jesus will watch and be ready for His return.
Watchful Porter Mk 13:33-37
True followers of Jesus will watch and be ready for His return.