11 Jun Building Kingdom #10

Baptized Heavens Rule Overview

In this powerful installment of the Building Kingdom series, Pastor William explores what it means to be baptized into heaven’s rule as citizens of God’s kingdom. Drawing from the foundational scripture of Philippians 1:27-28, he teaches how believers must conduct themselves as members of Christ’s body, following kingdom order rather than self-will. The message emphasizes how Jesus builds His church through unified believers who operate under divine authority, just as Roman colonies functioned under imperial rule. Pastor William shares the personal testimony of how God called him to plant the church, revealing how divine timing and obedience work together in kingdom building. He addresses the critical need for believers to resist infiltration by enemies of the cross who promote self-absorption over sacrificial service. The sermon powerfully illustrates that Christianity is not a religion but a kingdom where every member has duties and responsibilities. Through practical examples and scriptural foundation, believers learn to pattern their lives after apostolic example, standing fast in one spirit and one mind for the gospel.

Baptized Heavens Rule Outline

• 0:00 – Introduction: Baptized into Heaven’s Rule: Opening call for Christians to be baptized into kingdom authority and governance.
• 3:15 – Jesus Builds His Church at Caesarea Philippi: Foundation scripture showing how Christ establishes His church through revelation.
• 6:30 – Personal Testimony of Church Planting Call: Pastor William shares how God called him to plant the church in 1985-1986.
• 12:45 – Philippians 1:27-28 – Foundation Scripture: Establishing the church on the principle of worthy conduct and unified standing.
• 18:20 – Roman Colony Model of Kingdom Building: Understanding how Roman settlements illustrate kingdom citizenship and order.
• 24:10 – Conduct as Citizens of Heaven: Greek word study revealing the political nature of kingdom citizenship.
• 28:50 – Enemies of the Cross: Identifying and resisting those who oppose kingdom order through self-will.

Scripture References

Philippians 1:27-30, Acts 16:12, Philippians 3:17-20, 1 Corinthians 14, Ephesians 4

Key Takeaways

• True Christians must be baptized into heaven’s rule, submitting to divine authority rather than operating in self-will.
• The church is built on the foundation of Christ as Son of God, with gates of hell unable to prevail against His construction.
• Kingdom citizenship requires conducting ourselves worthy of the gospel, standing fast in unity of spirit and mind.
• Roman colony model teaches us that the more we align with kingdom values, the more divine aid and blessing we receive.
• Enemies of the cross are not necessarily enemies of Jesus, but those who resist the death-to-self that kingdom living requires.
• Christianity is a kingdom with specific order and duties, not a religion where we live worldly and simply appease conscience.
• Every believer has citizenship responsibilities and must perform their duties as worthy members of Christ’s body.

Baptized Heavens Rule Notes

Pastor William opens this transformative message by establishing that every born-again believer needs baptism into heaven’s rule – a concept that goes beyond water baptism to encompass complete submission to divine governance. He sets the stage by returning to Caesarea Philippi, the Roman colony where Jesus declared He would build His church on the revelation of His divine sonship, promising that hell’s gates would never prevail against His construction.The personal testimony Pastor William shares reveals God’s sovereign timing and calling. In 1985, despite a full ministry schedule and newly built home, he committed to weekly ministry in the area after seeing three people saved on his first visit. When God spoke about pastoring there, Pastor William wisely asked the Lord to speak directly to his wife Pam rather than relay the message himself. This demonstrates both humility and understanding of how God confirms His will through multiple witnesses.The foundational scripture of Philippians 1:27-28 becomes the bedrock upon which the church stands. Paul’s instruction to ‘let your conduct be worthy of the gospel’ uses language deeply rooted in Roman political structure. The Greek word translated ‘conduct’ literally means ‘live as a citizen of a political body.’ This reveals that kingdom living is inherently political – not in partisan terms, but in the sense of ordered governance under divine authority.The Roman colony model provides a powerful illustration of kingdom principles. Just as Roman soldiers were planted in conquered territories to maintain order and disciple new citizens, believers are positioned in earthly locations to establish heaven’s rule. The more these citizens aligned with Roman values and customs, the more imperial benefits they received. Similarly, the more believers align with kingdom principles, the greater divine aid, healing, promotion and blessing they experience.Pastor William addresses a critical threat to kingdom building: enemies of the cross. These are not necessarily opponents of Jesus Himself, but those who resist the cross’s central message of death to self-will. Like Peter when Paul had to rebuke him, these individuals may love God but refuse to submit to kingdom order. Their self-absorption and resistance to authority weakens churches, families and any organization they infiltrate.The message emphasizes that Christianity operates as a kingdom, not a religion. In religious systems, priests perform duties while adherents live worldly lives and occasionally appease their conscience. In God’s kingdom, every joint supplies, every citizen has responsibilities, and all members contribute to the unified purpose. This requires the same commitment Moses demanded when building the tabernacle or Noah required when constructing the ark – specific obedience to divine instruction without personal modification.Paul’s tears over those whose conduct showed them as enemies of the cross reveals the heartbreak of spiritual leadership watching believers choose destruction through self-will. The ‘secret place of the Most High’ Paul references represents the covering and protection available to those who submit to kingdom order, dwelling safely under divine authority rather than exposing themselves to worldly corruption through rebellion.

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