13-Life in the Kingdom of God - Those Who Won't Be Citizens
1. Once again we stand with the premise that there are two categories of people.
1 John 3:1
There are those who know God and are his children and those who are not.
2. What is the main distinction between them and their outward action?
1 John 3:3-10
3. What is the great divide between Kingdom of God citizens and the citizens of this world?
3 John 11
4. What does Jesus say is the main sin of the citizens of this world?
John 16:9
And then several things follow from this.
John 8:23-24 / John 14:24a
5. What keeps a person from entering the Kingdom of God?
A. Hebrews 3:19
B. Matthew 22:11-14
(The man in this parable is symbolic of those who refuse Jesus Christ's robes of righteousness.)
C. John 3:3-8
There are some who think and talk like they are in the Kingdom of God, but they are not. According to these verses in John can you pick out the way someone will be living if they are truly a Kingdom of God citizen?
1 John 1:5-10
Now reread the same verses and list how a person will be living if they are NOT in the Kingdom of God.
6. A citizen in the Kingdom of God is a child of God and they act like it. It's not enough to just talk like we are in God's family but don't walk like it. Our actions, based on our belief in Jesus, is the proof of our citizenship.
1 Corinthians 4:20
7. The Bible is clear about who won't be Kingdom of God citizens.
A. Jews who reject Jesus.
Matthew 23:13-14 / Luke 19:41-44 / John 5:45-47 / John 8:39 / John 9:28
B. Any Kingdom of God citizen who turns his back on God and goes back to his former life.
Hebrews 6:4-6 / 2 Peter 2:20-22
C. Some who are rich.
Mark 10:23-25 / Luke 18:24-25
D. Make a list of those mentioned in these verses.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 / Galatians 5:19-21 / Revelations 21:8,27 / Revelations 22:15
8. What is the ultimate fate of those who reject the opportunity for citizenship in God's kingdom?
A. Revelations 13:8-9
B. Revelations 8:13
C. John 12:48 / Revelations 20:11-15
So, we must be clear that citizenship is open to all of us, but not all of us will choose it. God tells us clearly the consequences of our choice.
Reread Revelation 20:15