Bring One More Pete Kersker - May 30, 2025 Jesus taught his disciples (students) to humble themselves, turn back to God (repent), and be baptized (immersed in water) trusting that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, Anointed King) who will bring us into the kingdom of heaven. He taught them to bear good fruit that is in keeping with repentance by staying connected to him. This is how they could enter, and enjoy the blessings of, the kingdom of heaven. "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied. He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old" (Matthew 13:51-52 NIV). Jesus didn't stop there. He taught his disciples (students) to teach these things to others. He told them to teach the Scriptures along with the "new treasures": Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of heaven. This is the way that their disciples (students) actually become students of Jesus. This pattern continues still today. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:10-14 NIV). Jesus warned them that there would be a day when people would betray and hate one another. False prophets and teachers would deceive people and lead them away from the kingdom. That "day" began during their lifetime (Acts 7:56-58, 8:1) and also continues to this day. Jesus also told them that the good news of the gospel would be preached throughout the world while all this was happening. "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19 NIV). Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). This is the key to entering into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus provided, showed, and explained the way into the kingdom of heaven (see the first paragraph above). Then, he told them to use these "keys" to help others enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). These "keys" are also available to us today. Jesus gave them to us so we can enter, and let others into, the kingdom of heaven where we will have peace with God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9 NIV). Have you used the "keys" Jesus provided to enter the kingdom of heaven? Have you used those "keys" to let others in? Are you a peacemaker?