LESSON 37

background notes
1.

2.

3.

doctrinal points
1.  The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed and like leaven in flour.

2.  The kingdom of God has an open door, but will have a closed door.

 

practical application
Don’t confuse striving with doing good works.

 

questions

1.   What did we learn about the spiritual condition of Israel in the first half of Luke 13?
2.   Where was the Lord Jesus headed?
3.   What is the main point in both the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven?
4.   Is the kingdom of God the same as the Church?  Define each.
5.   When is the door of the kingdom open, when will it be closed?
   

answers

1.   The Lord predicted in the Parable of the Fig Tree that the nation of Israel would be cut down because of her unbelief.  Her crippled spiritual condition because of hypocrisy was vividly portrayed in the crippled woman.
2.   In Luke 9:51, He steadfastly set His face toward Jerusalem, and no threat from Herod or persuasion from the Jews would keep Him from there.
3.   Growth, both good and bad
4.   No.  The Church is composed of all true believers who are called out of this world to become the body and bride of Christ.  The kingdom of God, at this present time, is Christendom.  It encompasses the entire realm, wherever Christianity has spread.  It includes true believers and false professors.
5.   The door is open now, as people are invited to accept Christ.  When the Lord returns to set up His kingdom on earth, the door will be shut, and it will be too late to repent.

 
discuss\ consider
1.  Discuss the important distinction between the Church and Christendom.  Do you see this in the world today?  What are the negative results of confusing the two?

 

challenge
No one drifts into the kingdom of God.  You must strive to overcome all the barriers and ensnarements that would keep you away from the narrow door of Christ.

memorize

• “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!”  Luke 13:34

• “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:24