Kingdoms In Conflict

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This sermon uses John 18:36 as the basis for showing that Christ's Kingdom is at odds with the kingdoms of this world. This message was given in observance of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, in anticipation of the national presidential election in the U.S. and in respect for Veterans Day.

Written Excerpts:

John 18:36 (NKJV) Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Introduction:

There are three reasons I have chosen this topic for our consideration today:

1. Day of prayer for persecuted church.

2. Presidential election this week.

3. Veteran’s Day this week.

All three of these topics represent conflict in one form or another.

I want to spend some time speaking about these conflicts in light of what the Bible says about the kingdom of God.

I.    Christians Persecuted for faith in Jesus.

One of the “arenas” where we see “Kingdoms in Conflict” includes those Christian believers who suffer for their faith.

Jesus predicted that his followers would suffer persecution. It is the classic struggle between the followers of Satan/powers of darkness and the followers of Jesus/soldiers of truth and righteousness.

Acts 14:22 (NKJV) ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

For those of us who have always lived in a country that enjoys freedom of religion, it’s hard to grasp the kind of lives that our Christian family members in other parts of the world have to live. We have been accustomed to living in a nation that was very heavily influenced by Christian beliefs and principles and had a myriad of Christians involved not only in its founding, but also involved in its governance through the years. As our society moves farther and farther away from biblical values, we tend to panic and get depressed and worry about what’s going to happen.

Our faithful brothers and sisters in other lands have shown us the way. Their lives have never been easy. Their faith is vibrant and steadfast; nothing wishy-washy about them.

(Read article(s) in Voice Of the Martyrs magazine.)

II.  Politics and upcoming election.

Another arena where we see “kingdoms in conflict” is the realm of politics. As I stated a few moments ago, we have grown up in a country that is heavily influenced by Christian people and biblical values in our culture. As we endured the current political season of campaigning, many of us have become alarmed about the future. Most people seem to be concerned regardless of who wins the election.

I have pretty much reached the conclusion that there is only two options for the future of this nation. Either we will see another great spiritual awakening as God’s people get more serious than ever about living authentic faith. Or, we will see our nation experience the kind of tyranny and persecution that other nations have gone through.

Why do I believe this? Mainly because I think that these are the only two options for getting the church awake again and busy doing what Christ commanded us to do, rather than simply seeking our own worldly comfort and ease.

As we pray for the election and as we get out and exercise our privilege to vote, let us remember that the kingdom of God will not be brought in by who’s in the White House or who’s in Congress, or who’s in the Supreme Court. The kingdom of God will be brought about by Jesus Christ and His work through His people doing Kingdom business regardless who is in power in Washington!

John 18:36 (NKJV) Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

The purely worldly or human efforts to reform the nation will not produce the effects that a genuine revival will produce.

We need Jesus more than we need Hillary Clinton.

We need Jesus more than we need Donald Trump.

We need Jesus more than anyone or anything. And until we Christians truly grasp that truth, I believe God will use any means necessary to wake us up and get us to understand it.

III. Veterans and military conflict.

The third arena which represents “kingdoms in conflict” is national military.

Jesus predicted that when we get closer and closer to the end of the age, “kingdom will rise against kingdom…”

There are times when it is legitimate for nations to engage in military conflicts to defeat evil aggression and defend the nation’s citizens against such aggression. Several years ago I preached a sermon on Memorial Day Sunday that was titled “Why I Am Not a Pacifist.” I believe it is biblical for national defense and for leaders to provide for the security of its citizens. I also believe with all my heart that there have been plenty of times that God has miraculously intervened in wars to give victory to those who were fighting against evil, tyranny and horrible atrocities.

Even in times of war, we must always understand the spiritual truth that Paul told the Ephesians and I quoted earlier:

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I, for one, am truly grateful for the sacrifice of millions of men and women who have defended this nation against evil aggressors, and have liberated scores of other nations from evil aggressors.

America has truly been a remarkable country in the fact that when we have liberated any nation from its violent and evil aggressors, we do not force that nation to become an added part of our country. We are not a nation engaged in the job of “empire building.”

Yet, we must all understand that when justice requires the actions of the military to defeat evil forces who intend to destroy us, even when we win the war, the kingdom of God has not necessarily been ushered in. Wars can save a nation from being conquered by enemies, but they cannot change the hearts and moral climate of that nation. That can only be done by the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion:

There is a tremendous amount of material in the Bible regarding the Kingdom of God. I’ve been thinking about possibly doing a series of messages on it sometime in the future.

Let us always remember that... “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

That not only refers specifically to my hope of eternal salvation, but I think it also refers to my hope of any kind of national return to biblical values and Christian norms that we long to see again.

Let us not forget that Jesus’ kingdom is ultimately going to win and He will finally crush all forces of evil as He returns to earth and establishes a permanent reign of righteousness!

Peter McKenzie, the famous Methodist preacher, was being shown over Madame Tussaud's Waxworks in London. Coming to one object, his guide said, 'This is the chair in which Voltaire sat and wrote his atheistic blasphemies.'

`Is that the chair?' asked Peter; and then, without seeking permission, he stepped over the cord, sat down on the chair, and sang as only a real believer could:

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Doth its successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Which would you rather have—McKenzie's faith or Voltaire's atheism?—Selected

Which kingdom are you fighting for?

Which kingdom has your full allegiance?

Let us close the service today by singing:

Who Is on the Lord’s Side?