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The Keys To The Kingdom by: Dr. Pete Norris

Harvest Fellowship Church

Mar 4, 2026 · 29 min10K

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People confuse eternal life with heaven and kingdom. Receive Jesus to have eternal life not to go to heaven.

“However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (I Corinthians 15:46-49 NKJV)

The first Adam was tested and failed the last Adam had to be tested and pass all the test to be called the “Son of God”. Image means Sonship!!!

He Who comes from above (heaven) is [far] above all [others]; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth, and talks the language of earth [his words are from an earthly standpoint]. He Who comes from heaven is [far] above all others [far superior to all others in prominence and in excellence]. (John 3:31 AMPC)

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7 NKJV)

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (I Corinthians 15:45 NKJV)

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 AMPC)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (II Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:1-7 NKJV)

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 AMPC)

Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above). (John 3:5-7 AMPC)

It doesn’t say that I see the kingdom or that I enter the Kingdom. Kingdom means “authority, power, and ruling. When you are born again from above you can see and enter the kingdom.

IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 AMPC)

Born again is the first step to seeing and entering the Kingdom. Most Christian’s only see Heaven they don’t see the Kingdom. The kingdom must be on earth.

Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (Luke 3:38 KJV)

Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 NKJV)

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35 NKJV)

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:12-15 NKJV)

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19 NKJV)

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:18-20 NKJV)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)

Currently this is after the resurrection, so He is the SON OF GOD!

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8 NKJV)

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Today don't power in the word Guys, come on what he done for us is magnificent, but we don't walk into it because we're just satisfied. I'm going to heaven. Thank you Hallelujah, and you're miserable as the world is and everybody's working a little one. Thank you God And I really don't want it. They ought to be something different about you and me We ought to get around people they see something different in us. I tell you some joy on that boy He's going through some stuff but greater as he does in him that he's in the world They ought to be a smile on our face ought to be joy in our life We ought to be they'll be looking for us instead of us looking for them. We're trying to win them We they ought to be running does Welcome to power in the word in Christian circles we speak much about heaven Eternity in the kingdom of God so often these terms get confused. So today. Dr. Norris shows us in the Word of God What these terms mean and how they apply to you and I it's an enlightening and somewhat provocative Message so you stay with us and be encouraged Let's go to 1st Corinthians chapter 15 and we're going to get going and we're going to talk about the keys to the kingdom now The word keys means authority and we talked about this a little bit Wednesday night But we're going to operate in the kingdom of God and walk in the authority that God told us to walk in now Luke 1721 says low here low there for the kingdom of God is on the inside of us Jesus come after the resurrection He come back to earth and he told what what did he teach the kingdom of God is at hand. I'm the kingdom I'm the kingdom. I'm the kingdom. He only talked about the kingdom preach the kingdom teach the kingdom live in the kingdom Where's the kingdom inside of me and you that's what the Holy Spirit sealed up on the inside of us Was the person of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is the kingdom of God Functioning on the earth now Matthew calls it the kingdom of heaven and Mark Luke and John call it the kingdom of God There's no difference in the two Matthew's just use a different phrase But everywhere along the way the kingdom is compared to stuff So today I want you to listen to me very very carefully and I want you to walk out here Understanding that you're a powerhouse and you're loaded up and all you have just because you got Jesus doesn't mean everything's gonna fall into your lap Okay, so let's go to 1st Corinthians chapter 15 verse 46 However, the spiritual is not first but the natural and afterwards the Spirit Remember what Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit of Spirit All of us was born through the flesh to begin with right?

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Think about it a minute your mother's water broke and then you came out So there was a cleansing that took place even before you were born physically And there's a cleansing that takes place in me and you when we're born spiritually. What does that mean? We're born of God We're born from heaven born from above. We're not born into a religion We're born into eternal life and that our eternal life. There's no beginning and no end eternal life eternal loss forever Look at somebody say I'm gonna live forever man And I'm gonna look much better than a look right now, I mean, let me have you know when Jesus come out of the tomb Mary didn't recognize Because he looked different when he came out than he did when he went in But the Bible said when he came out she thought he was the gardener But he he knew exactly she knew exactly who he was when he called her name He's calling your name and he's trying to show you things way past. He doesn't hungerness in people of God for truth They're tired of religion. They're tired of tired of performance. They're tired of working trying to get good. God made us perfect Amen, he didn't mess up. He didn't make a mistake He knew who you were before the foundation world Bible said he chose you in Christ before the foundation world He made you accepted in the beloved before the foundation world. Your name was written in the last book of life before the foundation world Listen to me. The lamb was slain before the foundation of the world now, I'm going to show you some powerful stuff today So let's go to 47 The first man of the earth was made of dust How many of you know that he took Adam and he breathed into him and man became a living what? It became a living being a human being a living being in other words a speaking spirit in the actual Hebrew The first man was made of the earth made of dust and the second man is Lord from heaven So we see the first man was made of dust. How many of you know, Jesus didn't come from the dust and Neither did me and you Oh, I'm gonna mess your religion up Let's go to 48 as was the man of dust also are those who are the are made of dust and as is the heavenly man Also are those who are heavenly now? How many of you know that Jesus this Latin the last Adam was a heavenly being he was born through the seed of a woman Right, and he was born into the earth, but Adam was created He took a clump of dirt breathe into it and he became a living speaking spirit, right?

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He breathed into Adam now, what's this Adam was called the Son of God now, what's this? Jesus could not be the Son of God until after the resurrection so the reason that Adam the first Adam was lost is because he was tested and he failed and the second and the last Adam had to be Tested and passed the test and overcome all that Adam lost to become the Son of God Now think about it just a minute so We got to get our understanding and our wisdom here. Let's go to 49. And as we have bore the image, now image means sonship in the actual Greek here. It means sonship. As we have bore the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly man. How many of you know that we got a physical body just like Jesus did? He come to earth, took on a physical body, dwelt among men full of truth and grace. Me and you came to earth, took on flesh, dwelt among men full of truth and grace. There's no difference in us and Jesus on the earth, guys. So we've took on the image, the sonship, of the heavenly man. Now you got to understand Jesus came to earth as a son of man. He died and resurrected according to Romans 1 and 4 as a son of God. He was son of God after the resurrection. Jesus died as a son of man, which you and I were, and now we were born again into the Son of God like he was. So this great exchange that took place on the cross, he became our sins and we became his life. Are you with me? The first Adam was tested and failed, and the last Adam had to be tested and pass the test to be called the Son of God. And the word image means sonship. So we see here now that we've taken on that man. Now let's go to John chapter 3 verse 31. Now stay with me. He who comes from above heaven is far above all others. He who comes from earth belongs to the earth and talks the language of earth. His words are from an earthly standpoint.

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He who comes from heaven is far above all others, far superior to all others in prominence and in excellence. Now who is that? Us. You and I are superior and above because of the finished work of Christ. If we could, if the church could understand that we're not trying to get by, we're more than conquerors, we're greater as he that's in us than he that's in the world. We're more than overcomers. We're literally sons of God right here on this earth. Now if we understand how the kingdom of God operates, you and I have stepped into eternal life by being recreated or born again, right? John said he that is born again will be called what? Will be Christ. If you believe he's the Christ, then you've been born again. Right? We've been born again from above, not from the earthly realm. We were born through the seed of our dad and then we took all flesh and we dwelt among men and then we were born again into the spirit realm, right? Now we're supernatural beings, right? Y'all with me? Okay, let's go to Genesis chapter 2 verse 7. And the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground. Now who's this talking about? Adam. And he breathed into his nostrils in the breath of life and the man became a living being. Now I want to stop right there because I want to show you this in the text. Now go into 1st Corinthians chapter 15 verse 45. Now remember that living being. So it was written the first Adam became a living what? See the parallel of the Old Testament picking up in the New Testament. Genesis chapter 2 verse 6 is picked up in 1st Corinthians 15 verse 45. The last Adam became a what? Life-giving spirit. Life-giving spirit. The first Adam was a living being. Me and you are able to give life. Adam couldn't give life. You and I can give life. That's why they got tore up with Jesus when they tore the roof off the man's house and Jesus' house and they lived the man down in.

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And he said your sins are forgiven. And they said this man's blaspheming. What does he think he is? He can forgive sins. Then he got, Jesus goes on to say the son of man can forgive sins. What do you want me to do? Heal him or forgive him? They're both the same. Which one you want me to do? Now think about it a minute. He said the son of man can forgive sins. What happens when we turn into sons of God after the resurrection? So we see now everything's changed because we've stepped into another dimension after the resurrection. Are you with me? Go to Romans 8 and 29. For those whom he foreknew of whom he was aware and loved beforehand, he also destined from the beginning for ordaining them to be molded into the image of his son and share inwardly his likeness that he might become the first born among many brothers. So we see here that God's intention is all the time for me and you to step into sonship of his son. All the time, that was his plan. He preordained, he predestined me and you to walk into that image of sonship. That was his plan all the time for us to be sons. Under the old covenant nobody was a son. They didn't know him as a father. That's why Malachi said he's going to come back and restore the father to the son relationship in Malachi chapter 4. Now think about it a minute. Everybody thinks that he's going to come back and he's going to restore the father and son in a physical relationship. That's not what he was talking about. What he was talking about was restoring back a relationship that Adam has lost because Adam was called the son of God in the beginning. So he was going to restore back everything that Adam had and even more. That's why God created everything. on six days and on the end of the sixth day he created man and put him in the garden that he had created. He didn't want man to do anything but just receive the blessings that God had given him and live in a fruited and fruitful and

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prosperous place. God had a great plan for man. God would not even create the earth without you. God spoke to me one day I'll never forget I just hadn't been saved long and I was walking and the Holy Spirit spoke to me and he said Pete there's something missing in me without you. Guys think about it a minute there's something missing in God without you. Now that's hard for our little minute minds to comprehend but the sovereignty of God is not understood in the dimension of man and what God is trying to reveal to me in you is that the sovereignty of God was the creation we were created because of God's sovereignty. He knew that him and man couldn't have a relationship as long as they were inside of each other so what he said I'm gonna do is I'm gonna send you to earth take on flesh and the Bible says that we have free more ages but the Bible never says that. Now we've heard it preached a lot but show me where it says that. Before the foundation of the world he knew you. What did he tell Jeremiah? He said before the foundation of the world I knew you as a prophet to the nations. He knew you before you ever got here. Listen I'm gonna go a little step further you ready for this? You knew what was gonna happen when you got here and you still chose to come. See you didn't just start existing May the 18th of 1962 you already existed somewhere in the past and you were words spoken in time that traveled through time and intercepted and showed up for such a time as this. The Bible said when the fulfillment of time had come Jesus appeared on the scene. You and I appeared on the scene when the fulfillment of time had come for us to show up. See God didn't, he ain't left you deserted you out somewhere he's made a divine purpose for you. You are some kind of something. You try to be bad but you can't because God put a light in you and it draws you back to the light right? We all grew up bad. Think about that a minute. God can transform your life into exactly what he destined you to be. It isn't about your works it ain't about your performance it's about what he did on the cross the finished work that made you some kind of something. Now go with me to 2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18. Now watch this. But we all with unveiled face beholding as an Amir the glory of the Lord are being transformed

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into the same image. What image? Sonship from glory to glory just by the Spirit of the Lord. What did Jesus say? He said it's your benefit that I leave because I'm going to send you back the Holy Spirit that's going to seal you, that's going to live inside of you, that's going to teach you all things and bring all your things up in remembrance that I've said unto you. And then if you go two scriptures down he said because you've been with me from the beginning. My Lord. See you were not an accident. I don't care how you were conceived you were not an accident you were planned. You might have been born out of wedlock it doesn't matter you were still planned for such a time as this. Listen my mother and daddy had no idea what they was doing. My mother was 15 when I was born kind of like Mary. Really my mother was 15 my dad was 19. Think about it a minute they had no idea what they were doing. They were broke busted disgusted and now they're pregnant with something. Think about it a minute. And then I just found out just a few months ago I was an accident. Man I wasn't even planning. I thought at least I was planned by them. God had to rise above their plans because he had a plan. And so for 13 years I stuttered I couldn't talk plain. Think about it a minute. God has a plan and you go through those things in your life for such a time as this. God had all the time a plan. He's got a plan for you. Stop feeling discouraged and defeated say you know what it's the end of my life I'm getting older. Man you're just starting to live. Every day is a blessing. Every day is a blessing. Every day is a blessing. You need to enjoy life. See what God's promised you and walk in it. Now I want to take you to a scripture that I believe has been taught wrong. Let's go to John chapter 3 1 through 7. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews. Verse 2 this man came to Jesus by night and he said to him Rabbi that's why all the Jews said Rabbi or teacher same thing. We know that you're a teacher come from God because no one can do these signs or evidences that you do unless God is with him. Now we don't understand what you're doing but we know you got to be sent from God because you're doing all kinds of great things. Look at verse 3. Jesus answered and said to him most assuredly I say to you you need to remember that. You need to go through the New Testament every time you see red where Jesus said I say to you you need to read that. Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Now I want to stop right there because

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everybody's taking this out of context and says that if you're born again then you can understand the kingdom of God. That's not what he said. He said that unless you're born again, you cannot understand the kingdom of God. Now just because you're born again doesn't mean you understand the kingdom of God. Even though the kingdom of God is yours, you still don't understand it. So he's not saying it's automatically free for you to understand the kingdom of God. That's not true. And most people don't understand the kingdom of God. The word see is understand. Now watch verse 4. Nicodemus said to him, how can a man be born when he is old, can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Verse 5. And Jesus said, most assuredly I say to you, there's another I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Now think about it a minute. Here he's telling them and everybody says, well when you're born again you enter the kingdom of God. That's not what he says. He says that without being born of water and the spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. It's not automatic. It doesn't mean you're not going to heaven. It doesn't mean you haven't stepped into eternal life. It just doesn't mean you don't understand the kingdom of God and if you don't understand the kingdom of God, how in the world can you enter in it? And so Jesus come after the death and burial and resurrection and he taught the kingdom. Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Now every one of you have access to the kingdom, but does that mean you won't operate the kingdom? Most people don't. They're so interested in just getting to heaven. They don't even understand what's in the dimension of the eternal life. Most people think eternal life starts when they die and cease to exist on earth. And that's absolutely incorrect. He said, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Now I'm going to make a statement that's going to be pretty strong for some of you to swallow. Okay, ready? You can't go to hell by doing wrong. It's not based on your performance. Under the New Testament, it's what you believe. It's not what you do. Now I want you to understand, God doesn't have a problem if I walk away today and never speak again. He's not going to be mad at me and send me to condemnation and destroy me. Everybody tells us that. But God's a loving, compassionate God. He's a merciful, loving God. He died for me. He died for you. Now, I would probably be miserable if I stepped into that kingdom dimension, because here's the thing. Now I'm going to show you something. I'm going to go ahead and read. Let me read verse 6. That which

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is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Verse 7. Do not marvel that I say to you, you must be born again. Now I want to read John 3 and the Amplified Classic. Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again anew from above, he cannot ever see, know, be acquainted with, and experience the kingdom of God. People are not walking in the kingdom of God, because the kingdom of God is made up of authority and power and ruling. People are not walking in authority and power and ruling. The Bible said that me and you are going to reign on earth in Christ Jesus. Revelation 1 and 6 said he's made us kings and priests, and we'll reign on earth. Revelation 5 and 10 says we'll rule and reign on earth, not when we get to heaven. What are you going to need to reign in heaven for? We've been sold a bag of goods, and we've run after it. And we've been told if we'll do good, then God will do good. But the Bible said in Timothy, God's faithful when you're not. How much does he love us? He loves us so much. I love you guys, but I'm not going to give my grandchildren for you. I'm not even going to give my daughter and son for you. Think about it a minute. He loved me so much he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believed in him should not perish. In other words, he said, guys, I've come that you won't have death. I've come to give you life. Guys, I'm going to make a statement now. Listen to me very carefully. It's not about heaven and hell. It's about death and life. And you are walking in life and not death. John 10 and 10, the thief come to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that you might have life and have life more abundantly till it overflows. Third John, my beloved brethren, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers. The Bible says in Proverbs 23, seven, whatsoever a man thinketh in his heart, that's exactly what that man is. See, the church has wrong thinking. We're trying to get somewhere. We are there already. Think about it just a minute. Go meet John 3 and 5 through 7 in the Amplified Classic. And Jesus answers, surely, I say to you, most solemnly, I say to you, most only I tell you. Unless a man is born of water and even the Spirit, he cannot ever enter the Kingdom of God. Verse 6, what is born is from the flesh, is flesh, you know the physical is physical, and what is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Verse 7, marvel not, do not be surprised, astonished at me telling you, you must be born again from what? Above. See that's what gives us the opportunity to enter into the Kingdom. That gives us the

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opportunity to enter in and to understand the Kingdom, but that has nothing to do with going to Heaven. That's talking about ruling and reigning on this earth and having authority. God's nothing will harm you. You and I should be walking a bit, but we don't understand the Kingdom, we're just interested in going to Heaven. Think about it. Everybody's trying to get everybody saved. Jesus said, come and follow me, but he didn't say what we've been told in the church. He didn't say, okay, come and follow me and do what I did. He said, come follow me to the death, the burial, the resurrection, and to the ascension. And then Ephesians 2 and 6, he said, me and you are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He'll set us up above all principalities and powers, and nothing by any means shall harm us. Guys, come on. What he done for us is magnificent, but we don't walk into it because we're just satisfied. I'm going to Heaven, thank Jesus. Hallelujah. And you're miserable as the world is, and everybody's walking around looking, well, thank you God, and I really don't want it. There ought to be something different about you and me. We ought to get around people, and they see something different in us. I tell you, there's some joy on that boy. He's going through some stuff, but greater is he that's in him than he is in the world. There ought to be a smile on our face. There ought to be joy in our life. We ought to be, they ought to be looking for us instead of us looking for them. We're trying to win them. They ought to be running to us. Think about it a minute. You can't tell the church from the world, and I'm not talking about dress code. Some of the most anointed people in the world don't dress like church folks. Amen. See, you may not like Jelly Roll, but he was up there on the Grammys the other day, and I'm up here, and millions of people were watching, and he said, I hear you, Jesus. And then for about a few minutes he preached, but if you looked at him with all his tattoos and all his mess, he ain't welcome in most churches. That's why he don't go. Are we operating in the authority of the kingdom, or are we just trying to get to heaven? Now, I'm not wanting to stop you from your joy of getting to heaven. Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go today. Isn't that amazing? Nobody don't want to go today. And we've told people so long, live right, do right, look right, dress right, act right, act like this. If you act like this and you dress like this, you can be with us. It doesn't say that I see the kingdom or I'll enter the kingdom. When you're born again from above, you can see and understand the kingdom, but it's not

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automatic. Go to Colossians chapter 3, 1 and 2 in the Amplified Classic. If then you have been raised with Christ to a new life, thus sharing the resurrection from the dead, aim at, seek the rich eternal treasures that are above which Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Now, look at verse 2, and set your mind and keep your mindset on what is above, the higher things, not on the things of this world. Now, I'm going to make a comment. Ninety percent of our thoughts is based on this stuff. We get tore up about this stuff. That's irrelevant. But the Bible said, set your mind on things above. Now, I know we've got to make a living. I know we've got to live. I know we've got to function. We've got to be husbands. We've got to be wives. We've got to be daddies. We've got to be granddaddies. We've got to be all this. I understand all that. But Paul made a statement that I can't get off my mind. Paul said, I fought the good fight. I finished my course and there's a crown laid up for me. What was he saying? I just want to step off into eternity. I'm not concerned about just getting to heaven. I want you to take this Bible on your spare time and prove me wrong. And if you set out to prove me wrong, you'll set out the correct corrections in your life. Because here's the thing, nobody in the Old Testament ever went to heaven. Jesus never told anybody in this book how to get to heaven. But man, how many of you heard it growing up? Born again is the first step to seeing and entering the kingdom. Most Christians only see heaven. They don't see the kingdom. The kingdom must be on earth. Now go to Luke 3 and 38. I want to show you something. Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. So how many of you know he called Adam a son of God? Now that was before the resurrection. Unless there's no time in the resurrection. The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world and he resurrected before the foundation of the world. Because in God there's no time. We only have time. Think about it a minute. He said he's the Son of God. Now the Son of God failed in the test. And so Jesus come as a Son of Man, which Adam was after he failed the test, and died as a Son of Man and resurrected as a Son of God according to Romans 1 and 4. Now you and I have been declared the Son of God because 2 Corinthians 5.21 said him who you know sin became sin that you might become the righteousness of God. See he took your sin. What did John say? Behold the Lamb of God that's going to take away the sin of the world. Now think about it just a minute.

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Under the old covenant they would bring the lamb to the priest. He would search the lamb not the person. If the lamb was good, the people were good. Jesus was the lamb that came in five days early and they searched him out and he was good. And because he was good, look at somebody and say I'm good. So he don't know what sin you're talking about. He's delivered you from your sins. He's delivered you from your destruction. That doesn't mean we're not going to have hardship. That doesn't mean we're not going to go through some stuff. I can tell you as you go through it, he'll give you peace right in the middle of it and everything will be alright. And you'll know that you know that you're not a failure. You're a total success. He said if you'll, Joshua 1 and 8, if you'll meditate upon this word day and night, you will make your way successful and you will have good success. You'll do it. God's done everything he's going to do. Now think about it a minute. He called him the Son of God. Now go into Matthew 6 and 10. This is Jesus speaking. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So Jesus came down from heaven to earth and brought heaven down with him. And now the kingdom of God is on the inside of us because God don't hide things from us. He hides things for us. Your strength is not in what you can learn. Your strength is in who you are. See people in the world are not struggling with who they are. They're struggling with where they're at, who they are. I just want you to get your mind off of heaven and set your mind on what you're here to operate and focus on in the kingdom and operating that kingdom on the earth. We don't understand kingdom, kingship because we live in a society that's democracy. Let me tell you something. We're ambassadors, citizenship of heaven. Ambassadors go to another country. They do not have an opinion. They represent the country they come from and everybody honors them in that country. But they come representing that country in another nation. You and I have been sent here as ambassadors of Christ to represent heaven on earth. My goodness, we ought to be a lot happier than we are. Thank you for joining us today at Power in the Word. All of us here at Harvest Fellowship Church want you to know that God is not mad with you, but he loves you so very much and he has a plan for your life. Please feel free to contact us here at Harvest Fellowship Church at our website, HarvestFellowshipChurch.net. So until next week, please remember, there's power in the word.

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