Sermon Central
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Kingdom Of Truth Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 1, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His kingdom is not of this world. He is not a political or a geographical king. But a King forever in the hearts of his followers. Become a citizen of that kingdom.
Theme: John 18:36-38
Text: Kingdom of Truth
The Lord is good; His love endures forever. This month we would learn the Word of God under the theme: I am the truth, keeping in mind the general theme of the year, I am the way the Truth and the Life.
Once again, we face a pandemic situation. The world is struggling to find out the way out. The believers in Christ continue to trust in the Lord and interpret the days from biblical and gospel perspectives. These are the beginnings of the birth bangs of pain, yet the end will not come until the gospel is preached to all creation.
Today, let us meditate on the topic: the Kingdom of Truth, based on John 18:36-38.
Three things I would like to share with you this morning based on this theme and text:
1. Kingdoms of the World
2. Jesus the King of Kings
3. Characteristics of the Citizens of the Kingdom of Truth
1. Kingdoms of the World
A kingdom refers to an admeasured area of land inclusive of the forest, wilderness, and territories with water bodies, and it has people groups and languages. Kingdom defined as "a country or state or territory, ruled by a king or queen." It refers to the geographical area. Political kingdoms dominate other kingdoms in the created world.
The royal powers and states are established, furnished by earthly force, ordinances, physical energies, material wealth, and imperial armies. ‘The kingdoms of the world are defended by arms, they maintain armies and engage in wars’ (Barnes).
In the Linnean taxonomic system, organisms are grouped based on fundamental similarities and common ancestry. One widely used taxonomic system designates five kingdoms (by many countries) and six kingdoms (by the USA and Canada). The kingdoms are called animals, plants, fungi, protists, and prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) (Ref: Taxonomic System).
The one horrific kingdom which is terrifying and overpowering all the kingdoms on the earth is the Virus Kingdom. It does not have a separate geographical area but a threat to the entire human race and some species.
Within the Human Kingdom, there are several kingdoms and territories. As of date, there are 195 recognized countries according to the UN. However, there are small states and territories numbered to 243, which does not include in the UN list. There are about 6909 languages in the world apart from numerous dialects. There are 21 formal religions in the world. The main two categories of religions, such as Abrahamic traditions and Indian Traditions. Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Bahaism, etc., Indian traditions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc.,
How these kingdoms came into existence on the earth? Bible explains the formation, classification of the Kingdoms and nations on the earth. We find them in Genesis (Genesis 10:1-32). Then the plan of redemption found in Genesis as planned by God even before the foundation of the world (Genesis 12:1-3, Ephesians 1:4).
God called Abraham, blessed him, and promised him that he would bless all peoples on earth through him (Genesis 12:3). Consequently, Jesus was born and came into the world to redeem all nations at the fulfilled time of God (Galatians 3:8, 14; 4:4). The kingdom of Truth prevails against all these earthly kingdoms and territories. Therefore, unquestionably Jesus is the King of Kings.
2. Jesus the King of Kings
Jewish and Roman leaders accused Jesus that he was trying to make Himself as a king and setting up a kingdom in opposition to Caesar. Jesus replied to Pilate, saying, My kingdom is not of this world. My kingdom is from another world. Jesus accepted the verdict of the Pilate that He was a King.
He also expressed to Pilate that he was a born King and came into the world. When we read John 18:36 carefully, Jesus has used the word MY four times. Twice he used the word My Kingdom, then once My servants and my arrest.
According to James Nisbet Pulpit Commentary, Jesus did not disclaim the idea of His purpose to set up a kingdom. But He affirmed that His kingdom was of such a nature that Caesar had no reason to fear competition or rivalry for earthly dominion from Him because His Kingdom was ‘not of this world.’
According to Ellicott, Jesus told Pilate that ‘He was not a political King but a moral king’. According to Matthew Henry, ‘The nature of Christ’s Kingdom is not worldly. But a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; richly spiritual, and glory within. The weapons are a spiritual force to maintain and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but that of sin and Satan. Its object and design are not worldly.
Barnes says that Christ has dominion over his citizen's hearts, subdues their evil passions and corrupt desires, and brings their soul to the love of peace and unity. According to Gill, everything that is carnal, sensual, and worldly must be removed from our conceptions of Christ's kingdom of Truth (ref: biblehub.com).
