Sermon Tone Analysis

Christian’s belong to the Kingdom of God.

So, how do we reconcile living under the rule of man.

Logically, if we don’t belong to this world and Jesus is our only King, why do we even obey traffic laws?

What authority does the civil government have over the Christian?

Why are we not all insurrectionists?

Intro

Intro

June is Gay Pride month.

A people who are lost and in need of something bigger than their sexual orientation.

Christianity is wrestling with this at various degrees within the church

The office of deacon in the UMC now includes a transgender individual who was ordained not by their name, but by the letter “M.”

“Pour out your Holy Spirit upon M,” the bishop said.

“Send them now to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to announce the reign of God and to equip the church for ministry.”

- Washington Post

Our government has set out to make the LGBT agenda a high priority

There is no doubt that by stealing a Christian symbol in which God has established as a sign, the rainbow, there is a lack of knowledge of God’s truth and the meaning of such a symbol and a desire to hijack what is rightfully God’s - His authority.

But, how do we as Christians reconcile what we see in the world and its governments.

What do we do?

How do we respond?

Drama

Jesus goes before pilate

King Herod was appointed by the Romans as “The King of the Jews” 37-4 BC

After King Herod and Herod Archeleous who was deposed by the Romans and there was no “King of the Jews”

The Jews fell under Roman rule - and for the early part of this they allowed the Jews to keep much of their culture and customs

Pilate -

Pilate was the Roman Authority figure of the Geographical area

Pilate was a prefect

We know from an inscription found in 1961 says “Pontious Pilate, Prefect of Judea”

New Testament uses the term Governor which is closest to Prefect rather than a later roman structure of procurator

Military man who ruled a geographical area of less importance

Judea was an annex of Syria

A procurator which it would be called later was a civil authority

Pilate was a military in charge with keeping civil law and order

It would be done by might and control

Ruled from 26-36 AD

The Interrogation

King Herod was appointed by the Romans as “The King of the Jews” from

The Jews handed Jesus over to be seen as an insurrectionist

Insurrectionists is one who is opposed vocally and who demonstrates it by breaking that law

They usually had a following and revolted against the current rule and authority

Rebellion

Jews wanted Jesus to be seen as one who was leading a movement against the Roman Government.

John 18

Today we might call this person anti-establishment

Not sure if they were using Jesus as a scape Goat to hope that they would kill Him and leave the Jews to keep their customs and practices

or that He would actually lead the revolt that the Pharisees and Sadducees would actual start another 30 years later.

King Herod was appointed by the Romans as “The King of the Jews”

Ultimately they were seeking his death at the hands of the Roman Empire

John 18

And, it was ultimately to fulfill Scripture:

Pilate then asks Jesus:

Jesus Response

Jesus acknowledges Roman Rule as the established and God ordained authority

As usual he responds to a question with a question - to reverse the interrogation tactics

But, in this statement he recognizes that Pilate has the ability under his own authority to declare Jesus as the King of the Jews

Jesus also acknowledges God’s rule over all things

He speaks of His rule over a greater Kingdom - Not of this World

He places it above the civil and Roman Government

He shows that it is different than the government God has allowed at this moment

His servants don’t revolt or push back physically

Jesus also acknowledges His role in the Kingdom of God

John 18:

By not denying he affirms the statement

It is the purpose for his coming into the world

To Bear witness to the truth

To call a people set apart who listen to this truth

Jesus is a King who has teh authority to come into this world and call his people to himself and into a saving relationship

The Works of Christ show His authority and the purpose of God’s kingdom

Doctrine

Now Pilate is left asking a question that leads us to believe he is not one who hears the truth and Christ and understands it - i.e.

He did not have ears to hear

The Question:

John

Problem: The rebellious world full of sinful men who deny the authority of God will always be confused in their understanding of reality.

Post modern world where truth and reality are being challenged.

What doctrines does this passage teach?

The Kingdom of God

Belongs to Jesus - “My Kingdom”

Shows Jesus’ authority over the Kingdom

Same as ‘my servants’

More than association, Jesus was claiming ownership

Is for the Elect

Chapter XXV.

Of the Church Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter XXV, 2

The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel, (not confined to one nation, as before under the law,) consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their children; and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ; the house and family of God,e out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.

The WCF Larger Catechism uses the term kingdom for the countries f England, Scotland and Ireland

The Kingdom of God is now and not yet

The now is what we see before us and the governments of this world as established and ordained by God

The Kingdom of God - is partially before us

Jesus was caliming to be King, but not of teh Kingdom they thought.

He is the King of God’s Kingdom which is the ultimate authority

Jesus’ Kingdom is from above

Therefore: We are saved by the blood of Jesus and have been redeemed into the Kingdom which is greater than any civil authority and governement that this earth has

It is actually a kingdom providentially established by the God and it falls under His Kingdom

In other words this is His World - This world was established and created by HIM and not the other way around.

Truth

Postmodern society that does not believe in a truth

All truth is relative

Pilate - “What is truth?”

Jesus tells us there is truth