5. THE ENTRANCE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

6. Luke 17:20-21- “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,

7. Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,

8. nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,'

9. because the kingdom of God is within you."

10. It is hard to get past wrong perceptions, especially wrong religious perspectives!

11. “Careful observation” means “With scrupulous and attentive looking for it, or with such an appearance as to attract

12. observation--that is, with pomp, majesty, and splendor.”

13. the kingdom of God is within you

14. So today our question is how do we enter it?

15. This is not some physical contract; it is a spiritual revolution in your life!

16. Has this ever happened to you?

17. The problem with many religious people is that

18. they have never come to the place where they quit trying to be good enough to save themselves!

19. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

20. Unfortunately there has been too much watering down of the gospel that brought many into our churches but not into the Kingdom.

21. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

29. Galatians 2:20- “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”