Knowing the SECRETS of the kingdom of God

The Privilege of a disciple

“Knowing the Secrets of the Kingdom of God”

Introduction

- If you will look closely to all Christians who claim they believed and follow Jesus, you will see and
feel that most of them don't have the confidence and the boldness to be vocal or share their faith and
who Jesus is to others.
- Pakiramdam ng marami minority ang Christianity, or it is another religion that people can choose from
thousands of religion and groups.
- Mas nakakalungkot pa is most Christians never really understand what is their faith all about, they
never experienced the power and the benefits of our faith and beliefs.
- Kaya nakakalungkot maraming christians treat God, the bible and the church as a religion they need to
maintain until their death or the coming of Jesus.

- Today and this month we are going to discover or hopefully everyone will discover the Secrets of the
Kingdom of God.
- Very few really understand that Christianity is not a religion or a church where you can join and
become part and hopefully remain in the church until Jesus comes back.

- We need to understand first this truth...

The Main Message of Christianity is about the Kingdom of God

Matthew 4:17 NIV

[17] From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 4:23 NIV

[23] Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the
kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Acts 1:3 NIV

[3] After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was
alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Acts 28:23 NIV

[23] They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where
he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and
tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

- Since from the beginning of Jesus ministry here on earth up to the last days he stayed on earth he spoke
and preach mostly about the Kingdom of God.
- Even Paul despite of all of the books and teachings he taught Luke the author of the book of Acts
summarizes Paul's main message - The Kingdom of God and who Jesus is.
- So if there is a important thing we need to understand is the message of the Kingdom of God.
- let start by reading...
Matthew 13:1-3,10-11 NIV
[1] That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. [2] Such large crowds gathered
around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. [3] Then he told
them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed...

[10] The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" [11] He
replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

- Now imagine the crowd that was listening to Jesus. Jesus needed a boat and preach on the boat while
the people is in the shore because there is a huge crowd gathered to listen to his teachings.
- and take note in what way he taught them...
Matthew 13:3 NIV
[3] Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

- Jesus taught them many things using “Parables” and that is why the disciples ask him...
Matthew 13:10 NIV
[10] The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

- The disciples themselves were confuse on why Jesus is using parables to teach the people about the
Kingdom of God.
- Fist we need to know what is parable.
A parable is a story or allegory
meant to compare to show a principle or truth

- Parables is a style of teaching during the Roman times or by the philosophers or orator.
- Jesus as a Rabi he use this style of teaching for a definite reason. Look on Jesus’. Answer to the
disciples question why he uses parables...

Matthew 13:11 NIV

[11] He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven
has been given to you, but not to them.

- So Jesus use parable not the way the teachers and masters use parables where their intention is to make
a comparison of what they are teaching with the stories normally people would see and do and make it
easier to understand.
- Jesus uses parables with a different intention and that is...
To hide the truth to those whose heart and mind are not ready to know it!
- For us to understand this we need to understand two important things...
1st : There are knowledge of the Secrets of kingdom of heaven

- Jesus said the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, meaning maraming palang secrets
ang kingdom of Heaven.
- We need to understand that the word secrets actually means...
Secrets in greek is mustērion, which we get the word mystery, and it means lock up, or keep silenced. It
also means it was there but it is not obvious or needs an effort to see it.

- It does not mean to hide so that they cannot find it, but it was there, but it is not obvious.
- There are so many things on earth that we call Laws of nature, but we only understand them when
someone discover it and understand it.
- It is like the Law of gravity we cannot see I and fully understand it but it was there whether you see it
or not it was there. The only problem is you cannot see it, you do not understand it, you cannot control
it but it still happens.
- There also the law of thermodynamics, law of Momentum and many more.
- Those laws are already there but it was hidden because we don't know it and understand it.
- But when men discover those laws we obtain knowledge of those laws and actually used it for our
needs and even explore and invent things from that discovery.

- The same thing with the kingdom of God. We don't know much about the kingdom of heaven that is
why most us never experience the power and full blessings of the kingdom of heaven.
- Napakarami pa natin dapat malaman about Jesus main message, the message about the kingdom of
heaven.
- So it is not enough na naborn again ka or nasave ka na, okay na yon. NO! You are now in the kingdom
of God when you got born again,

John 3:3,5 NIV

[3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born
again. " [5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit.

Matthew 13:38 NIV

[38] The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons
of the evil one,

- You are not only citizen of the kingdom but sons of the kingdom.
- The question is do you fully understand this kingdom that we are now in?
- Do you understand how it works? Do you know the rules an regulations in this kingdom?
- Do you know the keys of the kingdom? Keys that unlocks doors that supposed to be for us?
- Imagine that you are transferred to the United Kingdom from the republic of the philippines, but still
you had the mindset of the Philippine set up of government, laws, rules, policies and benefits.
- You never discovered and understand the laws, rules, policies and benefits that the United Kingdom
offers to all of its citizen.
- So it is very important for us a sons and citizen of this kingdom of heaven to have the knowledge of the
secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Unless you discover it you will never experience it.

- next important thing is...

2nd : These knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven is only given to the disciples not to
the crowd

Matthew 13:11 NIV

[11] He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not
to them.

- Remember that there is a huge crowd listening to Jesus preaching and teaching. These knowledge was
only given to the disciples, but not to them (the crowd).
- the big question is WHY? Jesus gave us his reasons why he hides the this knowledge.
Matthew 13:12-15 NIV
[12] Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what
he has will be taken from him.
[13] This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do
not hear or understand.
[14] In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you
will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
[15] For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed
their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'

- So What Jesus is saying, I will give you the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven and I
will use parables so that those who can only hear and see could understand it and unlock the keys of
the kingdom, but for those how heart is calloused and deaf could not understand it.
- Let us used this example...
- What do you see in this picture? If you can only see the old man face then you are limited on what your
eyes can see.
- It is not actually an old mans face, but a picture of a man on a horse near a river and a woman wrapped
with yellow garment.
- The parables is like this picture, the true disciples of Jesus are the only one who can really have, see
and understand the secrets of the kingdom of heaven and not the crowd.
- Why not the crowd? Simply because they are blinded and their heart is calloused.
- Even if Jesus is telling the parable and it seems obvious they will not still understand it.

- These truth is still happening today. The message of the kingdom of heaven is still being preached
today and like the parables it was preach to us and yet lots of people and crowd in the church could not
understand it.
- Why not?
- The following are the reasons why only the disciples could understand and have the secrets of the
kingdom of heaven.

1. True disciples live by faith and not by sight.

2. True disciples are willing to obey and commit not just listen.
3. True disciples are willing to sacrifice the world only to gain the kingdom

- To simplify everything we discuss, Basically what Jesus is saying is...

I will give the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven and enjoy all of its power and benefits if you are a true
disciple but if not you may hear it but you will never hear and see it.

Challenge

- The kingdom of Heaven is the main message of Christianity because this is the place where God put us
into and he wants us to walk and live on this kingdom.
- Enjoying everything in this kingdom and experiencing its power, grace, and blessings but unless you
are a true disciples of Jesus you will never discover it, hear it, understand it, and experience it.
- How can I become a true disciples of Jesus? Humble yourself to God, repent from your sins, surrender
everything to him acknowledging that being in the kingdom of Topic 2: Discovering the KINGDOM
OF HEAVEN

Introduction

- Last week pinag usapan natin about the Knowledge of the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. That this
knowledge was only given to the disciples not to the crowd.
- So let us read again that verse...

Matthew 13:11 NIV

[11] He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to
them.

- Today we will start to discover that knowledge or the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven.
- Again I just want to wan you all...
Only those whose heart and mind are just like the disciples who can see and understand this knowledge
of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.

- So if you are a true disciple listen carefully and understand this message.

- (Pastors read the whole chapter 4 on your won and be familiar with the story)

- I want to introduce to you a very powerful King and let us study his story of how he discover the
Secret of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Daniel 4:28-30 NIV

[28] All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. [29] Twelve months later, as the king was walking on
the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the
royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

- We need to know how powerful King Nebuchadnezzar is and how great is his kingdom to be able to
understand what is the main message of this story.
- Actually Daniel himself and even God acknowledge his greatness by giving him a dream. Let us read
that part where Daniel describe his kingdom.

Daniel 4:22 NIV

[22] you, O king, are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it
reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.

- The Neo-Babylonian Empire became the most powerful state in the world after defeating the Assyrians
at Nineveh in 612 B.C. by King Nebuchadnezzar.
- Babylon today is the modern day Iraq and during the Neo Babylonian Empire it conquers powerful
kingdoms during his military campaign.
- Babylon was described even by God through the vision given to him as the golden age of all Kingdoms
(Vision of a Statue of Kingdoms)

- Now let us look closely who King Nebuchadnezzar...

A. King Nebuchadnezzar became the King of kings of all kingdoms
Daniel 2:37-38 NIV
[37] You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might
and glory; [38] in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air.
Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.

B. He is a very powerful King

Daniel 2:37-38 NIV

[37] You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might
and glory; [38] in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air.
Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
C. He is contented and Prosperous

Daniel 4:4 NIV

[4] I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.

D. He has his own gods

Daniel 4:8 NIV

[8] Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the
name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

- Imagine having a life like King Nebuchadnezzar, a life that everyone would dream.
- He had power, fame, and not only wealth but actually owns kingdoms and nations.
- He seems to be in control and in power, he actually thinks that all of these things happens because of
his on strength and power,

Daniel 4:29-30 NIV

[29] Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] he
said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the
glory of my majesty?"

- Come to think of it, most of us had the same mindset like King Nebuchadnezzar.
a. That God is own your side and yet you decide and choose what you want.
b. By your own strength and wisdom you can achieved whatever you want.
c. That everything you had is a result of your hard work
d. That you are in control and you rule your own life and everything you had.
e. That you hold your own future and fate.
f. That everything is for your own enjoyment and pleasure
g. You are proud because of your achievements and accomplishment

- Not until God warns him with a dream...( Read Daniel 4:10-18)
- Since he did not know the meaning of the dream He called daniel to interpret it...(Read Daniel 4:19-26)

- After Daniel interpret the dream, Daniel warn him and advice him what to do...
Daniel 4:27 NIV
[27] Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and
your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue. "

- Here, it revealed what kind of a king Is king Nebuchadnezzar, He sins against God of heaven, He is a
wicked king, and very oppressive to the people.
- Daniel who is close to the king actually rebukes him and tell him to repent.
- That is actually telling to King Nebuchadnezzar that there is a God who is above Him and his kingdom
who can take away everything he had.
- Ang nakakaamzed dito sa kwento ni Nebuchadnezzar, sa kanya mismo lagi binibigay yong dream. God
is directly giving that dream to Him not to Daniel or his friends. Problem lang hindi niya maintindihan.
Tapos papatawag niya si Daniel para mainterpret ito?
- So, if God wanted to show what will happen in the future kay Nebuchadnezzar bakit hindi na lang
plainly sabihin or ipkaita sa kanya?
- Her it applies again that the secrets of the Knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven was given to God's
people not to those whose heart will not follow and obey God.
- This is also to identify that there is a man who believes and follow God, that His God is the sovereign
ruler of and king of all kings.
- But still after the advice of Daniel for him to repent and acknowledge that Heaven rules and that God is
the sovereign God he did not repent.

Daniel 4:30 NIV

[30] he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and
for the glory of my majesty?"

- After 12 months since from the day he received the dream and interpretation, he forgot all about it.
Siguro sabi niya well, 12 months na nakalipas wala pa naman nangyayari so maybe hindi talaga totoo
yon.
- Once again he enjoyed looking on what HE had built, what HE accomplished, thinking what a
Powerful and glorious “AM I”.
- Never acknowledging that it is all about God who gave it all to him. So what happen?
Daniel 4:31-33 NIV
[31] The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven,

"This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
[32] You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like
cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the
kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

[33] Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from
people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like
the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
- This is what happens to those who do not acknowledge that there is a kingdom above all kingdoms and
that there is a King above all kings.
- That you think you are in control, you are in power, that you are the lord of your life, that you
accomplished and achieved everything because of your own strength and power. If you think like this,
God calls this...

Insanity

- This is God's way of humbling Nebuchadnezzar, because it is insanity to believed its all about you!
- God can remove everything from you in an instant if he want to, specially if you think you are in
control.
- And the only way for You to be restored is to acknowledge that heaven rules...

- What happen to Nebuchadnezzar when he was restored by God?

A. He realized that there is a Kingdom in heaven that rules and above all kingdoms and dominions
Daniel 4:34 NIV
[34] At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was
restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is
an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

B. That there is a God who is sovereign

Daniel 4:35 NIV

[35] All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of
heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you
done?"
C. That God of Heaven is just and righteous
Daniel 4:37 NIV
[37] Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does
is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Challenge

- Nebuchadnezzar according to this story that he reached a level of success, power and fame that no one ever
reached.
- Isipin mo pati ang chosen nation ni God slave and under ng power niya?
- Panno niya nga naman na iisipin na mas makapngyarihan ang Diyos ng Israel kaysa sa kanya?
- He was really convinced that HE RULES!
- God taught him a very important truth that we should all understand and accept.
- In Daniel 4:26 God tells him what God wants Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge

Daniel 4:26 NIV

[26] The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored
to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.

That the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN RULES

- Don't ever think that this story only applies to Nebuchadnezzar or to the kings of all the earth only. The
truth is everyone of us wants to be a king of our own life and world.
- We want to rule our own life, we want to be in control!
- Yong iba, kahit anak na ng Diyos we think that we are still a failure and imposible ng umangat at
maging successful.
- If God is sovereign and Heaven rules then in God there is nothing impossible.
- If heavens rule and God is the king, then if God wants you to be successful he can do it!
- If you think you can play with God, or live without God and you want to be in control think again,
remember Heaven Rules and God is sovereign!
- Remember this verse...
Colossians 1:16 NIV
[16] For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

- God created everything, every power, rulers and authorities came from him, everything was created by
him and FOR HIM!
- Unless you will live for God and for him, to follow and obey his words, to follow his ways and to live
and serve God, you are in rebellion against the God and the kingdom of heaven!
- If you can understand this truth that Heaven Rules and that God is sovereign you will only have one
attitude toward God, the attitude of reverence and submission!
- Would you like o submit your life and everything you had to the Kingdom of Heaven an to God who is
sovereign? Let us pray