Kingdom of God vs Kingdom of Heaven - Teaching by Pastor Andrew Sluder

Summary

The speaker in this script delves into the concept of 'mysteries' in the New Testament, particularly focusing on the difference between the 'Kingdom of God' and the 'Kingdom of Heaven.' He emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is spiritual, while the Kingdom of Heaven is physical, and discusses how the physical kingdom was offered to the Jews but rejected, leading to a spiritual focus for Christians. The speaker warns against the dangers of misunderstanding these concepts, which can lead to heresy and false doctrines, and stresses the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth.

Takeaways

• 📖 The speaker discusses 'Mysteries' in the New Testament, emphasizing that they are truths not yet revealed, and distinguishes between the 'Mystery of God' and 'Mystery of the Kingdom of God'.
• 🔍 The speaker explains that the term 'mystery' refers to a truth that has been kept hidden but will be revealed in due time, and that mysteries are associated with the church, not with Israel.
• ⛪ The speaker criticizes the focus on prophecy over mystery in modern preaching, arguing that prophecy pertains to Israel while mystery pertains to the church, and that many misunderstand the fulfillment of prophecy in contemporary times.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker stresses the importance of preachers being faithful stewards of the mysteries of God, suggesting that a focus on these mysteries can protect against heresy.
• 🌟 The speaker highlights the 'Mystery of Godliness', which is the belief that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, and criticizes the trend of people straying from this doctrine.
• 🙏 The speaker emphasizes that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, while the kingdom of heaven is a physical one, and that these should not be confused.
• 🕊 The speaker explains that the kingdom of heaven was offered to the Jews but was rejected, leading to the withdrawal of this physical kingdom and the transition to a spiritual focus for the kingdom of God.
• 🗣 The speaker warns against the idea of 'Kingdom Builders' who attempt to establish a physical kingdom of God on earth, arguing that this is contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
• 👥 The speaker refutes the notion that America is or ever was a Christian nation, pointing out that many of the founding fathers were deists and that the Constitution does not mention the Lord.
• 🛑 The speaker cautions against the belief in a coming utopian age of righteousness through revival or political means, stating that such ideas are not supported by scripture and lead to disappointment.
• 🏆 The speaker clarifies that the inheritance in the kingdom of God is not about salvation but about rewards for service, which will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ and enjoyed in the millennial kingdom.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the sermon discussed in the transcript?

The main theme of the sermon is the exploration of the New Testament Mysteries, with a focus on the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, and the implications of these concepts for Christian understanding and practice.

According to the speaker, how many New Testament Mysteries are there?

The speaker mentions that there are roughly 15 to 17 New Testament Mysteries, depending on who you ask, and acknowledges that some of these might be combined or be referring to the same thing.

What is the definition of a 'mystery' in the context of the New Testament?

In the context of the New Testament, a 'mystery' is defined as a truth that has not yet been revealed.

What does the speaker believe is the difference between dealing with Israel and the church in terms of prophecy and mystery?

The speaker believes that when dealing with Israel, it's about prophecy, whereas when dealing with the church, it's about mystery. Mystery belongs to the church, and prophecy belongs to Israel.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of understanding and teaching the mysteries of God?

The speaker emphasizes this because understanding and teaching the mysteries of God can help keep preachers and believers safe from heresy and maintain the purity of their faith.

What is the 'mystery of godliness' as mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:16?

The 'mystery of godliness' refers to the belief that God was manifest in the flesh, which is the doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ, asserting that Jesus is God.

What does the speaker mean by 'rightly dividing the book' in the context of the Bible?

To 'rightly divide the book' means to interpret the Bible correctly, understanding the different contexts and intended audiences of various parts of the scripture, and not to misinterpret or misapply its teachings.

Why does the speaker criticize the idea of 'Kingdom Builders'?

The speaker criticizes 'Kingdom Builders' because they believe that trying to establish a physical Kingdom of God on Earth is a misguided effort that historically has led to violence and bloodshed, rather than focusing on the spiritual kingdom within believers.

What is the difference between the 'Kingdom of God' and the 'Kingdom of Heaven' according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, the 'Kingdom of God' is a spiritual kingdom, while the 'Kingdom of Heaven' is a physical kingdom. However, during Jesus' ministry, the offer of the Kingdom of Heaven (physical) was withdrawn due to rejection, and the Kingdom of God became a spiritual concept.

What does the speaker say about the rewards for serving God?

The speaker explains that rewards for serving God are not received in heaven but at the Judgment Seat of Christ, which is followed by the Millennial Kingdom. These rewards are part of one's inheritance in the Millennial Kingdom, not in heaven.

How does the speaker interpret 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 in relation to inheriting the Kingdom of God?

The speaker interprets these verses as dealing with the inheritance in the Millennial Kingdom based on one's service to God, rather than as a determinant of salvation or a state of being lost or saved.