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.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Understanding New Testament Mysteries

The speaker introduces the concept of New Testament mysteries, emphasizing their importance in understanding the Bible. Mysteries are truths not yet revealed, and the speaker mentions there are about 15 to 17 of them. The focus is on 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, where believers are considered ministers and stewards of God's mysteries. The speaker discusses the difference between dealing with Israel and the church, stating that Israel is about prophecy while the church is about mystery. The speaker also highlights the importance of being faithful stewards of these mysteries.

05:01

🤔 The Role of Stewards in Preaching Mysteries

Continuing the discussion on mysteries, the speaker stresses the duty of preachers to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. The speaker warns against the dangers of heresy and suggests that a proper understanding and preaching of the mysteries can protect against it. The speaker uses 1 Timothy 3:16 to emphasize the mystery of godliness, which declares that Jesus Christ was manifest in the flesh. The preacher calls for a return to focusing on the deity of Jesus Christ in the face of growing heresy.

10:02

🔍 Distinguishing Between the Kingdom of God and Heaven

The speaker delves into the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven, explaining that the kingdom of God is spiritual while the kingdom of heaven is physical. The speaker uses biblical references to illustrate the point, including Jesus' ministry and the rejection of the kingdom by the Jews. The speaker warns against the confusion that can arise from not understanding the distinction between the two kingdoms and the potential for false doctrine that can result.

15:04

🗣️ The Rejection of the Kingdom and the Transition to Mystery

Building on the previous discussion, the speaker describes how the physical kingdom of heaven was offered to the Jews but was rejected, leading to a transition to a spiritual kingdom of God. The speaker references Matthew 11:12 and Luke 17:20-21 to explain that the kingdom of God is within believers and is not something that can be observed or taken by force. The speaker criticizes modern 'kingdom builders' for misunderstanding the concept of the kingdom and warns against the dangers of trying to establish a physical kingdom.

20:04

🏛️ The Misguided Notions of Kingdom Building

The speaker criticizes the idea of kingdom building, arguing that it is based on a misunderstanding of the Bible's teachings on the kingdom of God. The speaker refutes the notion that America can be 'saved' through mass salvation and righteous laws, calling it a 'pipe dream.' The speaker emphasizes that the kingdom of God is spiritual and that the hope of Christians should be in the return of Jesus Christ, not in the establishment of a physical kingdom on earth.

25:04

🌟 The Revelation of the Mystery of God

The speaker discusses the mystery of God as it will be revealed in the end times, specifically during the tribulation period and the establishment of the millennial kingdom. The speaker references Revelation 10 to explain that the mystery of God will be finished when the kingdom is set up on earth. The speaker also touches on the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven, and how they will become one and the same in the future kingdom.

30:05

🏆 The Inheritance in the Kingdom of God

The speaker explains the difference between salvation and inheritance within the kingdom of God. Using 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Colossians 3:24, the speaker clarifies that certain sins can prevent a believer from inheriting rewards in the millennial kingdom, which is separate from salvation. The speaker emphasizes that the inheritance is based on service to the Lord and that rewards are given at the judgment seat of Christ, not in heaven.

35:07

🙏 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts

The speaker concludes the discussion with a prayer, expressing gratitude for the time spent together and asking for God's continued blessing. The speaker reiterates the importance of understanding the distinctions between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven and the implications for believers' inheritance and service to God.

Keywords

💡New Testament Mysteries

The term 'New Testament Mysteries' refers to truths or revelations that were not fully understood or revealed in the Old Testament but are disclosed in the New Testament. In the video, the speaker discusses these mysteries, suggesting there are around 15 to 17 of them, and emphasizes their importance for understanding the Christian faith. The mysteries are truths that have been revealed through Christ and the Apostles' teachings.

💡Ministers of Christ

Ministers of Christ are individuals who serve as representatives or stewards of Christ's teachings. The video script cites 1 Corinthians 4:1, where it is said that people should regard ministers as 'the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.' This implies that ministers have a responsibility to manage and convey the divine truths of the New Testament to others.

💡Stewardship

Stewardship, in the context of the video, is the responsibility of managing and using something, particularly the mysteries of God, in a way that is faithful and trustworthy. The speaker mentions that it is required of stewards to be found faithful, indicating that those who teach or lead in the church should do so with integrity and a genuine commitment to the truths they are entrusted with.

💡Body of Christ

The 'Body of Christ' is a metaphor used in the New Testament to describe the collective group of believers in Christ, forming a spiritual unity. The video mentions that the Apostle Paul revealed the mystery of the Body of Christ in his letters, particularly in Ephesians chapter 3, signifying a spiritual truth about the church that was not fully understood before.

💡Prophecy vs. Mystery

The video distinguishes between 'prophecy' and 'mystery' in the context of Israel and the church. Prophecy is associated with Israel and refers to foretelling future events, while mystery is linked to the church and refers to spiritual truths that have been revealed. The speaker argues that understanding this distinction is crucial for proper biblical interpretation.

💡Kingdom of God

The 'Kingdom of God' is a central theme in the New Testament, representing the reign of God in the hearts of believers and the world. The video discusses the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing that the kingdom of God is spiritual and within believers, as opposed to a physical kingdom.

💡Kingdom of Heaven

The 'Kingdom of Heaven' is a term used in the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew, to denote God's rule or reign on earth. The video explains that the kingdom of heaven was offered to the Jews as a physical kingdom but was rejected, leading to a shift in focus to the spiritual kingdom of God.

💡Mystery of the Kingdom of God

The 'Mystery of the Kingdom of God' is a concept in the New Testament that refers to the spiritual truths about God's kingdom that were revealed through Jesus Christ. In the video, the speaker discusses this mystery in the context of Mark 4:11, explaining that understanding this mystery helps believers to discern between physical and spiritual aspects of God's rule.

💡Rightly Dividing

The term 'rightly dividing' comes from the practice of interpreting the Bible accurately and contextually. In the video, the speaker stresses the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth, especially when distinguishing between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven, to avoid misunderstandings and false doctrines.

💡Judgment Seat of Christ

The 'Judgment Seat of Christ' is a future event where believers will be judged for their works and rewarded accordingly. The video explains that rewards are not received in heaven immediately but at the Judgment Seat of Christ, which occurs before the millennial kingdom. This judgment is related to the believer's service and faithfulness during their earthly life.

💡Inheritance

In the context of the video, 'inheritance' refers to the rewards and blessings that believers will receive in the millennial kingdom based on their service and faithfulness to God. The speaker clarifies that certain sins mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6 do not determine salvation but can affect one's inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Highlights

Study of New Testament Mysteries begins with 1 Corinthians 4, emphasizing the role of ministers as stewards of God's mysteries.

Mysteries of God are truths not yet revealed, with the Body of Christ being an example of a mystery in effect before its revelation.

Difference between the Church and Israel: Church deals with mysteries, Israel with prophecy.

Importance of distinguishing between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven, with the former being spiritual and the latter physical.

Jesus offered the kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven as a package deal during his ministry, but it was rejected by the Jews.

The physical kingdom offer was withdrawn, and the kingdom of God became a spiritual mystery after the rejection by the Jews.

The kingdom of God is within believers, not a physical place to be observed or taken by force.

The kingdom of God is not about physical sustenance but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Critique of 'Kingdom Builders' who attempt to establish a physical kingdom on Earth, often leading to violence and bloodshed.

The misconception that America is a Christian nation and the importance of understanding the founding principles.

The difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven will be resolved in the millennial kingdom when they become one and the same.

The mystery of God will be fulfilled at the end of the tribulation period, as described in Revelation 10.

The importance of rightly dividing the word of God to avoid falling into heresy and false doctrine.

The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, which is related to service and rewards in the millennial kingdom, not salvation.

Rewards for service to the Lord are received at the Judgment Seat of Christ, not in heaven, and pertain to the millennial kingdom.

The inheritance in the kingdom of God is based on service, which is why believers should strive to live righteously.

Transcripts

take your Bibles and we're going to be a

little bit everywhere this afternoon but

we're going to study the New Testament

Mysteries go let's start out though in

First Corinthians chapter 4 look at 1

Corinthians chapter number

four now you've heard me bark about the

Mysteries and all this kind of stuff a

time or two before and look there at 1

Corinthians chapter number four 1

Corinthians chapter number four and

verse number one so there are roughly

and you know depending on who you ask I

know Dr Ruckman has had seven and all

seven that he had are correct um I do

have a few more than him um somewhere

and you could combine some of the ones I

have you could probably combine them and

they might be talking about the same

thing but uh for all intents and

purposes somewhere right around 15 to 17

New Testament Mysteries and I know you

got different guys that got different

numbers and all that kind of stuff

regardless of how many though uh notice

what 1 Corinthians 4 verse number one

says let a man so account of us as of

the Ministers of Christ and and stewards

of the mysteries of god notice verse

number two moreover it is required and

stewards that man be found faithful so

notice we find here that there are

mysteries of God now a mystery if you

want to know what a mystery is a mystery

is a truth that has not yet been

revealed now a mystery can be an effect

before it's revealed for example the

body of Christ happened uh the body of

Christ Christ was formed at the death of

Christ people got put into the body of

Christ at Pentecost but C but the

Apostle Paul did not reveal that mystery

until somewhere around in Galatians

chapter 3 okay or excuse me Ephesians

chapter 3 it's the mystery of the body

so understand a mystery can be in effect

a mystery is just simply a truth that

has not yet been revealed all right this

is why I always say that when we're

dealing with the church and Israel there

is a difference between between Israel

and the church when you're dealing with

Israel it's prophecy when you're dealing

with the church it's mystery mystery

belongs to the church I know people

disagree with this and I know this

doesn't make for popular preaching

because every Everybody what's

everybody's favorite

book Revelation everybody's favorite

book is revelation everybody wants to

talk about Revelation I know I know some

pastors man they have taught through

Revelation probably 15 times in the in

the Years they've been I mean it's just

every every other year they're doing a

revelation series and they want to

dissect this and everybody loves to talk

about prophecy and I'm not against

prophecy I'm not against talking about

prophecy but the problem becomes is that

every time you know the Bible talks

about how that in Israel during the

millennial Kingdom that the Wilderness

would be turned into the deserts would

be turned into fruitful places and and

Roses was spring up and every time a

flower blooms in the Middle East there

all these prophecy guys want talk about

how this is scripture being fulfilled

you know 1948 Israel becomes a nation

that was scripture being fulfilled

really cuz I thought when Israel becomes

a nation I thought when the scriptures

fulfilled they get every square inch of

the land that they are supposed to get

and they're at peace from their enemies

is that happening now did that happen in

1948 no so understand that's why I am a

I am a Old Line sta dispensationalist

that I do not believe that prophecy is

being fulfilled F today I think we can

see the setting up of Prophecy but I

don't think prophecy is being fulfilled

today prophecy belongs to Israel mystery

belongs to the church now I want you to

notice take your Bibles and go to Mark 4

verse number 11 look at Mark chapter

number 4 verse number 11 now having

understood that there are Mysteries

remember the Apostle Paul says that we

are as the Ministers of God we're to be

stewards of the m of God probably the

first person I ever talk heard talk

about the mysteries of God was my wife's

pastor rainy's Pastor as well uh Lee

Davis that's probably the first person I

ever heard I was I took year of his

Bible College and I was I remember I was

sitting up there in that uh upper part

of the gym in the bible college and he

was talking about the Mysteries I'd

never heard 19 years old might I might

even been 18 I can't remember I'd never

heard of the mysteries of God I had no

idea what the mysteries of God were and

then you read this verse that it's

required in stewards to be found

faithful and to be faithful stewards of

the Mysteries I I don't even know what

the Mysteries

are and then I got that pamphlet by Dr

utman the seven New Testament Mysteries

and I began to dive into that I never

heard it and by the way I had probably

five or six preachers growing up I had

HL Wilson and uh he was the first one I

can remember and then several others I

won't mention names I'm not trying to be

ugly about anybody but I had several

preachers after that and I never

remember hearing one thing about the

mysteries of God I never remember

hearing it growing up but it's required

of stewards to be found faithful

preachers are to be faithful stewards of

the mysteries of God and you're going to

see as we hit on each one of these

Mysteries coming up in these coming

Sundays you're going to realize why it's

so important in order for us to be

preaching and teaching the Mysteries

because if you're properly preaching and

teaching the mysteries of God then

you're going to get yourself you're

going to keep yourself safe from a lot

of heresy for example one of the

Mysteries we're not talking about it

today but I just give you a little

foraste what I'm talking about one of

the Mysteries is and without controversy

1 Timothy 3:16 great is the mystery of

godliness God was manifest In the Flesh

how many of you believe that Jesus

Christ was God how many of you believe

that Jesus Christ is God by the way if

you don't believe that then you can

leave now in Jesus name

amen we don't want you here if you're

not going if you don't believe Jesus Is

God now I I don't think we have a

problem with everybody here believes in

Jesus as God but you know how many

people are getting away from the

doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ it

is absolutely sickening how many people

are beginning to go astray on the

doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ

maybe if preachers spent more time

preaching and teaching the mysteries of

God one of them being the Myster of

godliness God was manifest In the Flesh

the word was made flesh and dwelt Among

Us Jesus maybe if they spent more time

preaching and teaching on the deity of

Jesus Christ instead of how much they

should be giving to missions then maybe

we wouldn't have so much heresy going

on rampant heresy going through our

churches and yet we want to have a whole

month called stewardship month where we

teach our people every year how to give

money you need a whole month every

single year to teach people how to give

money anyway I better stop cuz we we got

to get to the message right not notice

with me in Mark chapter 4 man I don't

know what my wife's been putting in

putting in my my food here lately but

it's making me mean I don't know what's

that's right I have been cooking hadn't

I let's address that no I'm kidding I'm

teasing I like cooking I just don't like

cleaning it up say somebody say Amen

right there all look at Mark chapter 4

verse number

11 and he said unto them unto you it is

given to know the mystery

of the kingdom of

God first mystery we're going to talk

about today is the mystery of the

kingdom of God it is the mystery and B

and and and and basically knowing the

difference between the kingdom of God

and the kingdom of heaven now I know

I've talked about this before some but I

don't know if we've ever well I say ever

I don't know if in the past year or so

if we've really dived uh Dove down deep

and really hit on this but one of the

Mysteries is the mystery of the kingdom

of God let's pray quickly father we love

you thank you Lord for letting us be in

church this afternoon God I pray you

help me as I try to preach I pray you

give me the words to say and Lord I pray

that you help me rightly divide and

teach the book we love you now in Jesus

name amen all right the mystery of the

kingdom of God now here's what's

interesting there are two terminologies

in the Bible there's the kingdom of God

and the kingdom of heaven now I know the

old saying I know bless God I know

they're different because they're

spelled different you know Dr R me say

that a lot but I know they're different

because and there is some truth to that

but understand that when you're talking

about the the difference between the

kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven

you have to be careful listen this book

you've heard me say this before this

book is written in such a way it is

designed in such a way that if you are

looking for something to justify your

sin or if you're looking for something

to justify your false Doctrine this book

is written in such a way God will let

you find it this book has a deceptive

aspect about it if you approach it in

the wrong own kind of way well I believe

baptism is necessary for salvation all

right you know what God will let you do

God will let you find acts

238 well I believe you I believe we

ought to take up serpents all right God

will let you find that at Mark 16 well I

believe I believe that uh uh uh that a

woman can preach and teach all right

well God will let you find that with

Deborah and all those prophetesses and

all that kind of stuff God will let you

find a justification for your false

Doctrine somewhere in the Bible he'll

let you find it God will let God will

let you bre well I believe a man can

lose his salvation he'll let you go

right to Hebrews chapter 6 right God

will let you believe that stuff and

he'll give you a verse if you're if

you're approaching him in the wrong way

about it now I want you to notice this

here we find the difference between the

kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven

here's here's the here's the first thing

number one if you're keeping notes the

kingdom of God is a spiritual Kingdom

the Kingdom of Heaven is a physical

Kingdom birds fly in the heavens they do

not fly in God all right kingdom of God

spiritual Kingdom of Heaven is physical

now here's the problem though when Jesus

is presenting his Earthly Ministry

because remember G we talked about a

little bit this morning take your Bibles

let's go to Matthew chapter 4 look at

Matthew chapter

4 look at Matthew chapter 4 and verse

number 23 look at Matthew

4:23 no notice what Jesus sends his

disciples out preaching we talked about

a little bit this morning but notice

Matthew 4:23 and Jesus went about all

Galilee teaching in their synagogue

synagogues and preaching the gospel of

the what

kingdom take your Bibles go to Matthew

chapter 10 look at Matthew chapter

10 look at Matthew chapter 10 and verse

number five look at Matthew chapter 10

and verse number

five Matthew 10:5 says the these 12

Jesus sent forth and commanded them

saying go not into the way of the

Gentiles and into any city of the

Samaritans enter you not but go rather

to the lost sheep of the House of Israel

and as you go preach saying the Kingdom

of Heaven is at hand now notice what

this Gospel of the kingdom is well you

know Jesus and the disciples were

preaching the same thing we're preaching

today really well let's read about it

verse number nine excuse me verse number

eight he'll the sick cleanse the lepers

raise the Dead cast out Devils freely

have received freely give provide

neither gold nor silver nor brass in

your purses nor script for your journey

neither two coats neither shoes nor yet

stays for the Workman is worthy of his

meat does anybody know anybody that

follows the gospel of the Kingdom as

found in Verses number 8 through 10 you

know any missionaries that go to Foreign

Fields and don't take any money with

them oh quite the contrary with a lot of

modern missionaries I've been on Foreign

Fields with these American missionaries

they living better than most Americans

are I I don't want to get into all that

you need you need $88,000 a month to go

to the

Philippines where you can literally rent

a five five bedroom house for 700 bucks

and you need eight grand you know anyway

anyway I better stop notice here the

gospel of the kingdom is different than

the gospel we're teaching and preaching

today so now notice here the kingdom of

Heaven at versus the kingdom of God when

Jesus is in his Earthly Ministry when he

is preaching he is offering the Kingdom

right the kingdom was offered to the

Jews a legitimate offer the Kingdom of

Heaven being a physical Kingdom the

kingdom of God being a spiritual Kingdom

but here's the issue here's where people

break their spiritual necks during the

ministry of Jesus he is offering the

kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven

as one in the same he's offering it as a

package

deal you want the physical kingdom of

God a physical Kingdom of Heaven and the

spiritual kingdom of God they're both

going to be on the earth here is the

offer now notice Jesus offers the

kingdom to the Jews it's a package deal

it's the kingdom of God and the kingdom

of heaven one and the same but you know

the story what happened the Jews

rejected the kingdom of God right and

the kingdom of Heaven they cried out

when Jesus is standing before them after

he's been beaten to a bloody pulp and

and and and and uh pilot says what shall

I do with your king and they said

crucify him crucify him and he says

shall I crucify your king and what did

they say the famous reply we have no

King but Caesar we have no King but

Caesar notice this is not the first time

that the Jews have rejected the kingdom

remember all the way back in 1 Samuel

chapter number nine what was Israel

basically they were a

theocracy I know the modern day

terminology of theocracy is like a is

like a country run by the state church

but a pure theocracy is a state run

directly by God that's what the Jews had

they had a

theocracy but notice what did they want

like all the other nations give us a

what a king they wanted an earth Earthly

Kingdom with an Earthly King by the way

the gospel of the kingdom was being

preached all the way back in the days of

Moses you say how do you know that

preacher because Hebrews chapter 4 talks

about the gospel being preached to those

that were wandering the Jews wandering

in the wilderness well that's not the

death barral and Resurrection you know

what it was it was hey you guys I'm

going to take you to a land you're going

to conquer your enemies you're going to

conquer the land and I'm going to set up

a kingdom on Earth there in the land but

what did the Jews do they complained and

murmured and want to go wanted to go

back to Egypt I in fact I just read the

text the other day they said we we

desired that we we're craving the fish

and the this is this is honestly what

they said they said we're craving the

fish and the onions and the garlic and

the Cucumbers back in Egypt now I'll be

honest I like all four of those things

but I'm not sure that I'd be willing to

forsake the Lord cuz I was craving a

cucumber real

bad I don't know what Mana tasted like

but I'm sure it had to be better than

chomping on raw garlic I don't know

that's what they craved but the gospel

the Bible says the gospel in Hebrews

chapter 4 was preached to those Jews in

the wilderness it was not the death

burial and Resurrection like we talked

about this morning it was the Gospel of

the Kingdom the good news gospel just

means good news and so the gospel was

offer excuse me the kingdom was offered

to the Jews 1 Samuel 9 though they

rejected God as their King and we want

an Earthly King then Jesus comes

offering the kingdom Get Your Heart

Right John the Baptist was preaching the

gospel of the

kingdom and they rejected so here's what

happened the Kingdom of Heaven the

physical Kingdom by the way the Kingdom

of Heaven is a physical Kingdom take

your Bibles look at Matthew chap 11 just

turn you if you got uh if you got your

Bible it's probably just one or two

pages flipped look at Matthew chapter

number 11 and look there at verse number

11 Matthew 11:11 look at what it says it

says verily I say unto you among them

that are born of women there hath not

risen a greater than John the Baptist

notwithstanding he that is least in the

Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he and

from the days of John verse 12 the B

John the Baptist until now the kingdom

of what heaven suffereth violence and

the violent what

take it by force know what it says

that's a physical Kingdom that's able to

be taken by force that's a physical

Kingdom so this physical offer of the

Kingdom being on Earth was withdrawn the

Jews rejected so that Kingdom of Heaven

offer was

withdrawn remember when Jesus is the

disciples come and say Lord teach us to

pray and what does Jesus do Jesus what

everybody calls The Lord's Prayer that's

not really the Lord's Prayer that's the

deciples

prayer the real Lord's Prayer is found

in John chapter number 17 when he's

praying in the garden but notice now I'm

not against the Lord's Prayer I think

the Lord's Prayer I in fact i' I've

preached messages on prayer before where

I use the Lord's Prayer as an

interesting outline of how you should

pray but you got to be careful about

praying The Lord's Prayer and taking it

all to Heart Our Father which art in

heaven Hallowed be thy name great

perfect

no thy kingdom come thy will be done on

Earth as it is in heaven well you better

be careful about that why because we're

not praying for the kingdom to come I'm

not looking for the kingdom I'm looking

for Jesus to come in the clouds see the

physical offer of the kingdom was

withdrawn and the kingdom of God went

into mystery form by the way look at

Luke chapter number 17 look at Luke

17 look at Luke

17 this is where this is where you got

to rightly divide the book now the the

terminology the Kingdom of Heaven is

only found in the Book of Matthew and I

think that's interesting who's the Book

of Matthew written to Jews The Book of

Matthew is written to present Jesus as

what king Matthew presents him as king

Mark presents him as a servant Luke

presents him as a man and John presents

him as

God so Matthew is written to Jes je

presenting Jesus as a king and it's the

only book that mentions the terminology

the kingdom of heaven I'm it's pure

coincidence I'm sure now look at Luke

chapter number 17 look at verse 20 Luke

17:20 and when he was demanded of the

Pharisees when the kingdom of God should

come he answered them and said the

kingdom of God cometh not with

what observation do you see where you

better rightly divide uh hold on a

second the Kingdom of Heaven suffer

violence and the violent take it by

force physical Kingdom uh let me ask you

a question if somebody were to come in

here with a bunch of guns and machetes

and were to invade this place and take

this church over by force don't you

think we could maybe observe that I'm

being factious but stay with me

something that can be taken by force

that's

observable but now Jesus is saying to

the Pharisees the kingdom of God God

does not come by observation no notice

what it says in verse 21 uh 21 neither

shall they say low here or low there

he's so notice nobody's going to say the

kingdom of God is here the kingdom of

God is there notice for behold the

kingdom of God is

what within

you that's an interesting statement

Jesus said the kingdom of God is within

you take your Bibles and look at uh

Romans chapter 14 look at Romans chapter

14

the Apostle Paul talks about the kingdom

of God remember Kingdom of Heaven

physical kingdom of God what spiritual

kingdom of God doesn't come by

observation kingdom of God is within you

notice what it

says Romans every Christian I believe

ought to memorize Romans 14:17 I believe

every rightly dividing Christian ought

to memorize at least know the reference

so you can look it up on the SP on the

spur of the moment Romans 14:17

for the kingdom of God is Not meat and

drink so notice here it's not meat and

drink it's not what physical it's not

physical kingdom of God is Not meat or

drink but joy or excuse me but

righteousness and peace and joy in the

Holy Ghost spiritual the kingdom of God

is Not physical it's

spiritual now here's where people break

their neck they can't rightly divide the

fact that the Kingdom of Heaven the

physical Kingdom that offer was

withdrawn and now we're just in a

spiritual Kingdom so now what you have

is you have a bunch of what we call

Kingdom

Builders I'm going to be honest with you

I now listen I believe in the kingdom of

God the kingdom of God is a spiritual

Kingdom that if you're saved you're part

of right remember over there in

Colossians chapter number one he takes

you out of darkness and translates you

into the kingdom of his dear son so I

believe and when people when people say

when people say this kind of stuff Lord

we pray for this offering we pray that

you'd use it to the furtherance of thy

kingdom I can say that and know what I'm

talking about the problem I have with

them saying is I know they're I know

they don't know what they're talking

about all these Neo evangelicals well

he's he's really doing the kingdom work

okay I know what the kingdom is if I got

up here and said boy we're really really

building the kingdom this week now youd

probably look at me like I had three

eyeballs you're saying oh gosh what has

brother slutter gotten into you know

some kind of heresy but these guys don't

know what they're talking about he's

doing the kingdom work he's doing the

king we're building up the kingdom they

don't know what in the world they're

talking

about you ever heard Dr R what he said

or Dr Rion Dr Ruckman there we go Dr

Ruckman not Dr Ran I mean Dr Ran may

have said it too but uh Dr Rutman used

to always say Kingdom Builders or what

huh Kingdom Builders are bloody Killers

man oh yeah then he may do something

like this or something Kingdom Builders

are bloody Killers because I'm not

trying you know what the Catholic church

has been trying to do for the past 2,000

years just about they've been trying to

bring in the Kingdom on Earth and guess

what they've done they've done nothing

but shed blood trying to do it allthough

you know the all the Crusades how many

was it four Crusades that there was I

think it was four Crusades every one of

them a complete disaster and failure

because they were trying to take back

Jerusalem from the Muslims and trying to

establish the Kingdom of Heaven fact

there was a movie a couple years ago

about the Crusades had uh uh uh Orlando

Bloom in and all that kind of good movie

kind of long it was good movie called

The King it was called the Kingdom of

Heaven it's about the Crusaders the pope

said that if you go and if you die while

fighting in the Crusades that guarantees

you a spot in heaven that's what the

pope

said oh sucker's going going to really

have to pay for it on the day of

judgment ain't they but that was a lot

they were they're building the Kingdom

of Heaven they're building the Kingdom

of

Heaven you better be careful about

people that are trying to build the

kingdom you get involved in heresy thy

kingdom come thy will we're trying to

usher in the Kingdom right

now we we want the kingdom here now

really and here's what happens now

you've heard me talk about this probably

een te times we're going to talk about

it een te more because this is the kind

of stuff that permeates in our churches

and not careful we'll get sucked into

the false Doctrine real quick it only

takes a generation to lose truth and

good I know churches that started out as

good B believing churches and then the

very next Generation the next Pastor

took it over and now they're not even

close to resemblance to what they used

to be so here's the truth you're ready

here's the truth uh well what we need to

do is we need to preach the gospel to

people say this I hear this all the time

well if you want to save America you got

to get America saved I hear those

fundamentalists say that all the time

there's this big push couple years ago

we need a 100 churches to start 10 bus

routes and we can we can see America get

saved and if we want to if we want to

see America gets saved then we get we

get America saved and then they start

voting in Godly politicians and then

these Godly politicians put in these

righteous laws and we usher in this age

of righteous and we see Revival in

America it's a pipe

dream it's a pipe

dream we going to usher in the Kingdom

om really and even if that's not what

these guys are saying they're they're

they may not give they may not give lip

service to no no no we don't believe in

ushering in the Kingdom but in practice

of their theology that's exactly what

they're

teaching oh we can just have this age of

righteousness this and you know what you

know what we can do we can replace the

word

postmillennialism with the mystical

illusion of Revival

you just listen take what all the post

millennialist believe and then just

replace it with the word Revival and

every ifb preacher in America would sign

off on

it amen amen

amen well we're going to bring in this

time when we close down all the liquor

stores and we close down all the uh all

the all the dirty all the dirty shops

and we close down all the all the you

know whatever blah blah blah blah blah

and and that's what real Revival looks

like well that's just what

postmillennialism teaches what

postmillennialism teaches is that we're

going to see so many people saved and so

many people saved and and there's this

age of righteousness coming we're just

going to build up build up and then all

of a sudden at the peak of this thing

Jesus Christ is going to come

back that's not what the Bible

teaches evil men and seducers shall wax

worse and worse deceiving and being

deceived well brother Sloter that not

very popular I mean how do you expect to

give people a message of Hope preaching

like that I never said I had a message

of Hope when it comes to the kingdom

your hope is the gospel and your hope is

the Blessed hope that Jesus Christ is

going to come and get us out of here

before it gets too

bad amen it's the hope that Jesus Christ

comes back and the Rapture gets us out

of here before things really start to

fall apart I don't have some kind of

pipe dream that Revival's coming and

everything things going to we're all

we're all just going to vote in these

Godly politicians and we're going to

live in some kind of Christian Utopia

Listen by the way can I just say this

America never was a Christian

Utopia well this nation was found on

biblical principles really find me find

God one time in the

Constitution let me just get off on this

real quick and I'll get all I I'll hit

on it and get off of it I listen I'm a

constitutionalist I believe in America

I'm a red-blooded American and all that

but I am not so stupid as to think that

the second greatest document ever

written besides the Bible is the

American US

Constitution doesn't even mention the

lord well but the Declaration of

Independence mentions the Creator how

vague is that if a man gets up and all

he talks about is the creator the

Creator the Creator I'm not convinced

that man's a Christian I just convinced

he believes in a Creator Muslims believe

in a

Creator well this country is found on

biblical principles list listen folks

500 years ago everybody had Christian

principles if they wasn't a

pagan I mean 100 years ago lost people

had more character than a lot of Saved

people today are we gauging a Christian

are we gauging the christianization of a

Nation by how much character and morals

they

have if they don't even believe the

Bible most your founding fathers were

deists I mean Benjamin Franklin known

deest Thomas

Jefferson wrote his own Bible

eliminating all the Miracles because he

didn't believe that Jesus was God and

didn't believe he had any Divinity

didn't believe he could perform

Miracles I'm just preaching I'm just

preaching truth man you can look all

this up well America's a Christian

Nation we've never been a Christian

Nation difference between the kingdom of

God and Kingdom of

Heaven when Jesus Christ comes back

after the tribulation period we come

back with them he will establish the

Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of God

when he comes back and rules and Reigns

for a thousand

years the mystery of God according to

Revelation 10 the mystery of God will be

fulfilled look with me at Revelation 10

real

quick L the Revelation chapter number

10 and look there at verse number seven

all right but in the days of the voice

of the seventh angel when he shall begin

to sound the mystery of God and we'll

talk about the mystery of God some I

think there are several aspects of the

mystery of God the mystery of God should

be finished as he hath declared to his

servants the prophets and the voice

which I heard from Heaven spake unto me

again and and said go and take the

little book which is in open in thy hand

which the Angels uh the hand of the

Angel which standeth upon the sea and

upon the Earth so forth and so we won't

read the rest of it but this is the end

this is the end of the tribulation

period going into the millennial

Kingdom the mystery of God's finished

when the millennial kingdom is set up on

Earth the mystery of God and the Mystery

excuse me the kingdom of God and the

kingdom of heaven will once again be one

and the

same offered and established as the same

thing now you say preacher this is

really good this is going to keep me

from some heresy it's clarifying some

things now I don't always preach things

as going to help you have a better

Monday how's this going to help me in my

marriage probably won't help your

marriage in the slightest but but here

is something about this that might help

you in your marriage might help you in

your Christian

walk take go with me really quick I'm

almost done look with me at 1

Corinthians chapter

6 look with me in 1 Corinthians chapter

number

six and this kind of goes hand in hand

with what we talked about this morning

about the gospel and about you got to be

careful about judging a man's salvation

based upon the way he lives because

there's some lost people or ex me

there's some Sav people that live like

lost people and just because they live

like that doesn't mean they're lost

might just mean they're

backsliding but look with me if you will

at 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse number

nine know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not what inherit the kingdom of

God kingdom of God's what

spiritual be not deceived neither

fornicators nor idolators nor adulterers

nor eminate nor abusers of themselves

with mankind nor thieves nor Covetous

nor drunkards nor revilers nor

extortioners shall inherit the kingdom

of God here's the here's what I was

taught growing up that if you

continually and is always continually

because a man can get drunk one time but

that doesn't mean he's lost you know all

these guys that you know their their

their wives step out on them they

themselves step out on their wives well

you know I committed adultery that one

time but I don't live in a I I'm not

doing it continually so it was always

well you know it's okay if you commit

one of these sins like one time in your

life but if you continually commit one

of these sins or if you're committing

multiple at the same time it's a sign

that you're not really saved because it

says that those kind of people won't

inherit the kingdom of God here's what

everybody in their brother does well see

it says there they won't inherit the

kingdom of God that means they're not

going to

Heaven hold on a

second at face value maybe you could

think that that's what the verse is

talking about well they're not going to

heaven if they commit those sins there's

a lot by the way a lot of preachers that

preach

that but now you have to cross reference

to Colossians look at Colossians I'm I'm

almost done we we're going to look at

Colossians 3 and we'll get out of here

look at Colossians 3 with

me Colossians chapter 3 and verse number

23 some of y'all are going to really

know this verse but the next verse is

going to be too familiar but the next

verse is what's so important Colossians

3:23 you probably are taught this in

Sunday school or as a kid Christian

School whatever Colossians 3:23 and

whatsoever ye do what do it heartily as

un the Lord and not unto men nobody ever

quotes verse 24 why should you do that

well look at verse 24 knowing that of

the Lord you shall receive the what the

reward of the

inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ

there is an inheritance that you have in

heaven First Peter chapter 1 that is

reserved for you in heaven undefiled and

fadeth not away there's some things that

you get simply because you're a child of

God but there is another

inheritance that you get by serving the

lord let me ask you a question do you

get your rewards in heaven for serving

God be careful about answering that do

you get your rewards in heaven for

serving

God where do you get your rewards

at huh judg seat ofr judgment seat of

Christ when is the Judgment seat of

Christ what what is what the Judgment

seat of Christ happens right before what

right before the Millennium do you know

when you receive the rewards of your

inheritance it's the it's in the

millennial Kingdom that's when you get

your rewards it's not when you get to

heaven people that we you know we often

say this you know oh he died he received

his reward now no he didn't don't

receive it till the jce of Christ and

you enjoy the the rewards of that in the

millennial kingdom

here but if you don't serve the Lord you

don't get any

rewards therefore you don't

inherit the kingdom of God because your

inheritance in the kingdom of God is

based upon your service so this has

nothing to do with salvation this has

everything to do with what you'll be

getting in the millennial Kingdom by

service so all those sins found in 1

Corinthians 69 and 10 has nothing to do

with a man being saved or lost is

dealing with inheriting the kingdom of

God it deals with are those sins going

to be the sins that keep you from

getting an inheritance in the millennial

Kingdom that make sense to everybody but

that's why you got to understand the

difference between the kingdom of God

and the kingdom of heaven all right

let's pray we'll get out of here father

we love you thank you Lord for letting

us be in church this afternoon I pray

you bless our time here together we love

you now in Jesus name amen all right you

are Smith I love you