The Keys to the Kingdom

During a recent trip, my daughter lost my keys. Luckily, we had my wife’s set, so it didn’t ruin the entire day, but it was still annoying. They disappeared between climbing out of the truck and walking through an outdoor mall. She retraced every step, checked every store, and asked every worker, but the keys were nowhere to be found. Here’s the thing: keys matter. They give you access to what’s already yours. Without them, you’re locked out. You might have full rights to something, but no way in. You’re stuck. Or worse, you waste time and energy trying to force your way in.

Jesus said something powerful to His disciples:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”
— Matthew 16:19

That’s not just a spiritual soundbite. That’s a game changer. But for many believers, it ends up in what I call the “mystery box”, one of those things we nod at but don’t understand or live into. So, we admire the idea of the Kingdom, but rarely experience its reality.

I don’t believe Jesus ever intended for the Kingdom to be a mystery. And he didn’t give us the keys to hang them on the wall. He meant for us to use them every day.
 
Accessing the Kingdom Today

The Kingdom isn’t just a future hope; it’s a present invitation. It’s where Jesus reigns now. His presence changes lives, marriages, families, and communities. Without access, we’re left with a religion that lacks intimacy, fruit, and power. We settle for activity that lacks impact. We replace belief with obedience. We fill our calendars but miss the Kingdom. But here’s the good news: Jesus didn’t just preach the Kingdom...He gave us the keys.

So, what are they?

The Keys Are Simple: Hear. Obey. Share.

If we want to live the life Jesus offers, not just someday in heaven but today on earth, then we need to reclaim these three simple yet powerful keys:

Hear – The first key is learning to listen. Not just reading Scripture for information but listening for transformation. Every morning, we open the Gospels and ask, “Jesus, what are You saying to me today?” Hearing His voice is how we begin to walk in the Kingdom.

Obey — Jesus made it clear: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…” (Matt. 7:24). Obedience is how we step through the door. Without obedience, we remain outside, knowing the truth but never living it.

Share – The final key is sharing what Jesus does and says in us. We open the door for others through simple conversations, acts of kindness, or intentional relationships. This is how the Kingdom multiplies. This is the way of movement.
 
Why It Matters

A disciple who doesn’t learn to hear, obey, and share will eventually settle for something less. They may be sincere but stuck, busy doing church things, but missing Kingdom life. They may know all the right answers but never walk in the authority, presence, and power of King Jesus.

That’s why daily surrender is foundational. It’s not just a good habit, it’s the gateway to the Kingdom. We call it the Lordship rhythm: hear His voice, obey what He says, and share it with others. This rhythm is the keystone habit of every disciple-maker. Everything else in the Gospel Disciple Life flows from here.

The Kingdom comes one life at a time.

When we hear, we gain access.
When we obey, we enter in.
When we share, we become Kingdom gatekeepers, opening the way for others.

And here’s the beauty: You don’t need to be a pastor, a theologian, or a spiritual expert. You just need to be a surrendered disciple. When we equip everyday people to hear, obey, and share, we place the keys in their hands.

Let’s stop misplacing the keys in the mystery box.
Let’s pick them up. Use them. And give them away.
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The Kingdom is waiting.