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Radio Show Transcript, © 2001, Persuade TheWorld Ministries, Gordon James Klingenschmitt, Servant. Copyingand distribution (without editing) is highly encouraged.
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<Manymore transcripts and free MP3 radio shows CLICK HERE>
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Opening introduction by MarkMcWilliams…
Welcome and thank you for joining this radiobroadcast of Persuade The World Ministries. You’reabout to hear our radio production of the book written and taughtby Gordon James Klingenschmitt, entitled “License To Sin,The Number One Reason America Is Losing Its MoralFoundation.” If you call us in the next hour,we’ll mail you a free cassette tape of today’sbroadcast, which you can copy and give to your friends. Justcall our toll-free phone number: 866-Obey-God. That’stoll free, 1-866-O-B-E-Y-G-O-D. Gordon JamesKlingenschmitt is a graduate of the United States Air ForceAcademy, and a seminary graduate of
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Thanks Mark. I want to title this segment of our teaching,“The Rulership of God.” When Jesus walked theearth, he taught with one particular purpose in mind. Allof his teachings, miracles, and actions were dedicated tobringing forth perhaps only one message to anyone who wouldsubmit to it. And what’s that one message? The
Jesus said, “Imust preach about God’s kingdom...this is why I wassent.”
To begin, we must define the term “kingdom.” There’sa big difference between a kingdom and any other form ofgovernment. For example, in a democracy, the masses ofpeople are in charge. The people discuss issues, gather inpolitical parties, try to persuade other people to agree withthem, elect leaders, and support or reject those leaders everyfew years. Whatever the people want, ultimately endsup written into the law.
But in a kingdom,there’s only one who reigns supreme: the King. ThisKing holds all the authority that exists in that system. TheKing makes all the decisions, he appoints all the governmentofficials and military leaders, he writes the laws any way hechooses, and he commands the people’s respect and obedience. Whatever the King wants done is done without question. Whateverpleases the King becomes reality in the lives of other people. A kingdom, therefore, is simply a place where a King rules.
The Kingdom of God, then, is that place where God rules. Hiswill is done perfectly there, without exception. Hissubjects come under God’s rulership, and they submit toGod’s wishes. They do everything that pleases him, andnothing that displeases him. Whatever God wants to happen,it happens in His kingdom.
But God’skingdom is not geographical. It is moral and spiritual. That’s why Jesus described it, saying “nor willpeople say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’because the kingdom of God is within you.”
Now God’s will isn’t always done here on earth. Peopledon’t always do what God wants. This is obvious bothin scripture and in today’s newspapers. Goddoesn’t rule in the hearts of most people. Why? Becausethey’ve chosen foolishly, to submit to only to themselves asgod, instead of wisely worshipping their Creator and receivingHis blessings. But there is hope. God has given us ameans, a method, a doorway for entering into His kingdom. It’scalled (are you ready for this?) repentance, or forsaking of sin,or whole-hearted submission to his rulership. Don’tdespise the word repent; it’s Biblical, and it’s themethod God himself created for us to enter his kingdom! Jesussaid, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
And so everywhere Jesus went, he brought a sample of God’srulership. Jesus did this by example, with his personalsubmission to God’s rule, but he also did it with his wordsand miracles. How did Jesus teach us to pray? “Letyour kingdom come, let your will be done, here on earth in thesame way that it is already being done in heaven.”
In another place in the Bible, we see Jesus casting a demon outof a boy, and he explains it like this: “If I driveout demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has cometo you.”
Now for you listening to me on the radio, let me ask you aquestion. When Jesus went to the cross, what did that dofor you? Did he forgive your sins so you couldcontinue to enjoy them without fear of punishment? Did heset you free from God’s rules, so that you wouldn’thave to submit to God, and you could still go to heaven? Orlet me ask it this way: In a battle, does a King forgiveenemy soldiers while they continue to wage war against Him? Or does he demand they surrender, throw down their weapons, andjoin His side? Have you somehow managed to sneak in theback door of God’s kingdom, without first submitting toGod’s rule, without bowing your knee before His throne? Christ will never be your Savior unless He’s first yourLord. And he’ll never be your Lord until you repentdeeply of all of your known sins, and submit your heartcompletely to His authority. Don’t leave any stoneunturned. Don’t deceive yourself, because God knowsyour heart and He’s not being fooled.
Would you pray this prayer with me? Goahead and say these words along with me… “Fatherin Heaven, I confess that I haven’t submitted to You andmade You my King. I have never entered Your kingdom. ButI now repent, and change my heart toward complete submission andloyal service to You, and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Ivoluntarily cease all rebellion to Your rule, and I invite You torule my heart and soul from this day forward In thename of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”
Now would you justraise your hand if you prayed with me. Did you mean whatyou just prayed? If you prayed that prayer and meant it,raise your right hand up in the air. God sees your heart. Now if you just prayed with me, I want you to write to me and geta copy of this book that you are hearing presented right now. Here’s Mark again, with that information.
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Middle segment by Mark McWilliams…
Thanks Gordon. He’ll be back in just a moment. But first, do you knowsomebody who needs to hear today’s message? If youcall our toll-free number in the next hour, 866-Obey-God,we’ll mail you a free cassette tape of today’sbroadcast, which you can copy and give to your friends. Allour tapes are copyable and free, but please remember we need yourdonations to stay on the air and to give away these free tapes. So please pray and obey, then send us your best possibledonation, after you receive your free cassette. (Gordon: Hey time out! If it’s your first time calling us, nodonation is required! Just call us!) Our toll freenumber is 866-Obey-God, that’s 1-866-O-B-E-Y-G-O-D. And please specify you’re requesting today’s program. Do you believe America needs to hear these messages? If so,then we need you to sponsor us, by joining the Persuader’sClub with a monthly pledge of just $15. If you join thePersuader’s Club, we’ll also send you an autographedcopy of Gordon’s book that you’ve been hearing. Justvisit our web-site at persuaders-club.com. Or call us inthe next hour at 866-Obey-God. Right now, let’s returnto Gordon James Klingenschmitt.
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Thanks again,Mark I want to title this segment, “A License To Sin,”which is the same as the title of the book that you’rehearing me teach from based on Jude, verse 4:
“Forcertain men whose condemnation was written about long ago havesecretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, whochange the grace of our God into a license for immoralityand deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”
Now in early church history, when Jude was writing to the newChristian Church, there were a lot of heresies and falseteachers. There still are today, but that’s why Godwrote the Bible, to preserve the truth, which today we call“orthodoxy.”
One particular first century sect of false teachers and hereticswere named “the Antinomians.” Their nameantinomian was derived from the Greek words “Anti”(against), and “Nomos” (law). They wereliterally, “against law” teachers of lawlessness, whobelieved the following:
Number 1, Jesus Christ came to abolish the laws of God, settingChristians free to do as they please without consequence. (ButJesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish theLaw or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish thembut to fulfill them.”
Number 2. Antinomians believe since Jesus provided mercy byatoning for our sins on the cross, man can be saved withoutobedience to any of God’s laws. (But when Jesus wasasked, in Luke chapter 10, “What must I do to inheriteternal life?” he required obedience to the spirit ofGod’s law, the law of love. “Love the Lordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul and with allyour strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor asyourself, Jesus said, Do this, and you will live”or gain eternal life Look that up in Luke chapter 10,and we’ll talk in depth about that in a future broadcast
But anyway, the Antinomians believe (and this is point number 3 )that since Jesus brought the age of grace, Christians are free,not only from the laws of Moses, but from the laws of God. (Butthe Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinthians 9, “thoughI myself am not under the law [of Moses]… I am notfree from God’s law but am under Christ’slaw…”
Point number 4. Since a man is justified by faith apartfrom observing the law [of Moses],
Number 5. Antinomians believe that since we’re undergrace, we can sin aggressively, embrace selfishness, and still goto heaven. Do you see their heretical logic here? Butwe know it’s a lie, because Paul said in Romans, “Shallwe sin because we are not under law but under grace? By nomeans!”
6. Antinomians believe the more we sin as Christians, themore merciful God appears, and the more glory he receives. (ButPaul said, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace mayincrease? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it anylonger?”
So in summary, the Antinomian false teachers were those whopointed to God’s mercy (the Cross of Christ), and used it asan excuse to live in continual sin. They rejoiced andcelebrated Christ’s victory on the cross, because it notonly set them free from the laws of Moses, it set them free fromany need to submit to God! “I’m so thankful forwhat Jesus did for me at the cross,” they would say,“now I don’t have to love God or neighbor, I don’thave to let God rule my heart, and I can still go toheaven!” Do you see their argument?
But I’ll tell you this, the Antinomian message is only athinly disguised message from Satan himself—persuading manto reject God’s authority. In the early church, theselies led many astray into sin and even into hell. But thewriters of the New Testament, Jude, Paul, James, John, rebukedthese Antinomian false teachers as heretics, and defeated theirideas by writing the Bible. The early Church fought toothand nail against Antinomian teaching, but She prevailed.
Unfortunately today in America, these Antinomian false teachershave quietly resurfaced and they’ve gained a lot of power inour churches, without being detected, or rebuked, or exposed asliars. Many of today’s most popular sermons arelaced with subtle antinomian lies. And spiritually,I’m afraid that Christian orthodoxy in America lies in greatdanger. Listen, everybody, if we don’t protectorthodox truth in American churches, America is going to diespiritually.
Many assume our nation’s problems are caused by politicians,or the courts, or the education system, or Hollywood. But Ithink it started in our pulpits.
So how does the Antinomian heresy sound today? Before Iexplain that, let’s again consider the words written bySaint Jude: “For certain men, whose condemnationwas written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our Godinto a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christour only Sovereign and Lord.”
Now ponder that for a second. Stop and pray for revelation. Father in heaven, how could somebody take your grace, and changeit into a license for immorality?
I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet. It hasseveral licenses in it. Here, for example, is my driverslicense. I got this license on my 17th birthday,when I passed my drivers test. It has my picture, and myaddress, and it gives me a power that I didn’t have beforethey gave it to me. What’s that? Obviously,I’m now allowed by law to drive a car. Before I gotthis license, I could have been arrested and punished for drivinga car. But now that I have this license, I can drive all Iwant. And if any authority ever demands proof that I’mallowed to drive, I can just flash my little license card, andthey can’t punish me.
Also in my wallet, I have a type of license that says“Public Library” on it. It was absolutely freefor the asking—didn’t cost me a thing! And nowthat I have a library card, I have permission to do something Icouldn’t do before: check out books. Before Igot this license, I could have been arrested and thrown in jailfor stealing, if I’d tried to walk out with their books. But now, this little license card lets me check out all the booksI want without penalty.
I have one more license here in my wallet, and it may surpriseyou, but I hope it gets the point across. It’s alittle red card, and I received this card years ago, on the day I“accepted Jesus as my Savior.” Across the top itsays in big, black letters, “LICENSE TO SIN.” Thiscard is very useful, and has helped me ease my consciencehundreds of times.
My license to sin is red, because the blood of Jesus is myatonement, and he paid for all of my sins when he died on thecross—even if I don’t forsake them, even if Idon’t repent of my sins, even if I continue to enjoy mysins. After all, God is merciful, isn’t he? Andthere’s no expiration date, so it’s valid for eternity,because Jesus paid for my past, present, and future sins, evenwhile I continue to enjoy them. And anytime I feel likesinning, I just flash this card up to heaven, and (it works everytime!) God just turns his head and ignores my sin. Hedoesn’t see me sinning, he’s only looking at what Jesusdid for me on the cross. It’s great! Nopunishment, no fines, no jail term, and certainly no hellfire.
Perhaps my favorite way to use this “License to Sin” iswhen I’m reading my Bible, and I come across a command ofscripture that makes me uncomfortable. This license givesme the power to pick and choose which scriptures I feel likesubmitting to, and which ones I can freely ignore, just becausethey’re inconvenient. After all, Christ is myrighteousness, so I don’t have to be righteous.
I even heard a Christian song on the radio the other day, tellingme how “God always looks at me through rose coloredglasses.” Have you heard that song? I guessGod’s rose-colored glasses just filter out any appearance ofunrepentant sin in my heart—so that God’s eyes are notthe slightest bit offended.
And I recentlyheard a sermon on TV about God’s mercy, telling me“when God looks at you, all he sees is a little ‘JesusMask’ over your face!” and he ignores my rebellion andforgives me anyway—even while I continue to enjoy my sins.
And whenever I readthat bumper sticker that says: “Christians aren’tperfect, just forgiven”—I thank God that I don’thave to be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father isperfect,
Now, do you see it? The grace of God has been changed into a license for immorality. That’s the heresy Jude is warning us about.
With sincerity now,I hope my facetious, tongue-in-cheek logic starts to convict youtoward immediate repentance. Right now God is purifying hischurch from all these Antinomian lies, but here’s the truthto replace those lies: God does not forgive those sins whichwe continue to enjoy. Let me say that again, Goddoes not forgive those sins which we continue to enjoy.
There’s no such “grace” forsins you knowingly and willfully embrace. If you continueto embrace your known sins, you’re in rebellion against God. If you remain a rebel when you die, you’ll be treated like arebel when God judges your soul, no matter how many licenses youcarry in your wallet. There’s no such thing as a goodexcuse to keep sinning. No red-filtered lens can deceiveGod into pretending your rebellion doesn’t exist. Unlessyou repent deeply and submit your heart to God’s rule, youronly future is in the eternal flames of hell.
Now yes, Jesus diedon the cross for you, but if you don’t forsake your knownsins and embrace Christ as Lord, not just Savior but Lord, thenwhat he did on the cross doesn’t apply to you. Hebrews10:26 says this, If we deliberately keep on sinning after wehave received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice oratonement for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation ofjudgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Now as you consider that, let me draw your attention to the OneTrue Hope, our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. He can save you and separate you from your deadly sins. Heis able to keep you from falling and to present you before hisglorious presence without fault and with great joy.
Again, Christwants to save you from your deadly sins without cost, but it willcost you your deadly sins. Will you let go of them? Will you allow Him to separate you from your sins, as far asthe east is from the west, so far has he removed ourtransgressions from us?
Even if you’ve been a “Christian” your entirelife, perhaps right now is the first time you realize you needJesus to be your Savior and Sanctifier from sin. Run fromany Antinomian false teaching, into the arms of Jesus who cansave you from your deadly sins. It says in Matthew thatthey gave “him the name Jesus, because he will save hispeople from their sins.”
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Closing trailer by Mark McWilliams…
Thanks Gordon,and thanks everybody for listening. Do you know somebody whoneeds to hear today’s message? If you call ourtoll-free number in the next hour, 866-Obey-God, we’ll mailyou a free cassette tape of today’s broadcast, which you cancopy and give to your friends. All our tapes are copyable andfree, but please remember that we need your donations to stay onthe air and to give away these free tapes. So please prayand obey God about how much these teachings are worth to you, andreturn to us your best possible gift after you receive your freecassette. (Gordon: Hey time out! If it’syour first time contacting us, no donation is required! Justcall us!) Our toll free number is 866-Obey-God, that’s 1-866-O-B-E-Y-G-O-D, and please specify you’rerequesting today’s program. Now do you believe Americaneeds to hear these messages? If so, we’respecifically asking you to join the Persuader’s Club,and to sponsor this radio broadcast with a monthly pledge of just$15. If you join the Persuader’s Club as a monthlypartner, we’ll send you an autographed copy of the bookyou’ve been hearing, written and taught by Gordon JamesKlingenschmitt, entitled, “License To Sin, The Number OneReason America Is Losing Its Moral Foundation.” Justvisit our web-site at persuaders-club.com. That’spersuaders-club.com. It’s the monthly donations of ourPersuader’s Club partners who keep this program on the air. Now if you have comments or questions about today’sbroadcast, you can email us at “persuadetheworld@yahoo.com,”Or you can write to us. Or you can always call us tollfree, at 866-Obey-God. And if you remember, please tell usthe call sign of the radio station you’re listening to. May God bless you, and thank you for supporting Persuade TheWorld Ministries. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord,we persuade men.
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<Manymore transcripts and free MP3 radio shows CLICK HERE>