PART III — YOU BELONG TO A KINGDOM THAT IS NOT OF THIS WORLD

Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate.

Pilate asked:

“Are You the King of the Jews?”

Eventually Jesus gave this extraordinary answer:

John 18:36
“My kingdom is not of this world.”

That statement changes everything about Christian living.

Jesus has a Kingdom.

Jesus is King.

And everyone truly belonging to Christ has been transferred into His Kingdom.

1. Salvation Is a Change of Kingdom

Paul writes:

Colossians 1:13
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

Notice the movement.

From darkness.

Into Christ’s Kingdom.

Christianity is not merely becoming a nicer citizen of this world.

It is receiving an entirely new allegiance.

Paul says:

Philippians 3:20
“For our citizenship is in heaven…”

A believer therefore lives on earth while belonging to heaven.

We work here.

We raise families here.

We serve communities here.

We obey lawful authorities here.

But our ultimate allegiance belongs elsewhere.

Jesus Christ is our King.

2. Citizens Must Learn Their Kingdom

Imagine becoming a citizen of another nation but refusing to learn anything about that country.

You don’t know its laws.

You don’t understand its government.

You don’t understand its history.

You don’t understand your responsibilities.

You don’t even know who rules it.

Would that make sense?

Yet many Christians say:

“I belong to Jesus.”

But they rarely read His Word.

They rarely pray.

They know entertainment better than Scripture.

They know celebrities better than apostles.

They understand sports statistics better than biblical doctrine.

They know the culture of the world better than the Kingdom of God.

Something is wrong.

If heaven is our citizenship, then we ought to be learning the culture of heaven.

3. The Holy Spirit Teaches Us the Kingdom

Jesus told His disciples:

John 16:13
“when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…”

You cannot properly understand Kingdom life apart from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture.

The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ.

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin.

The Holy Spirit transforms our character.

The Holy Spirit strengthens the inner man.

The Holy Spirit empowers us for witness.

Therefore the Christian life is impossible through human determination alone.

We need the Holy Spirit.

4. The Spirit Always Glorifies Christ

Jesus gives us an important test:

John 16:14
“He will glorify Me…”

The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus.

Therefore Spirit-filled ministry should ultimately cause people to see Christ more clearly.

Not:

“What an amazing preacher!”

But:

“What an amazing Savior!”

Not:

“What an amazing worship team!”

But:

“What a glorious Christ!”

Not:

“Look at that man’s appearance.”

But:

“Behold the Lamb of God!”

The Holy Spirit does not compete with Jesus for attention.

The Holy Spirit directs attention toward Jesus.

Therefore, when ministry increasingly magnifies personalities rather than Christ, we have reason for serious self-examination.

5. We Are Ambassadors of Another Kingdom

Paul says:

2 Corinthians 5:20
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ…”

An ambassador lives in one country while representing another.

That describes the believer.

You live here.

But you represent there.

Your speech represents the King.

Your behavior represents the King.

Your relationships represent the King.

Your clothing represents the King.

Your social media represents the King.

Your workplace behavior represents the King.

Your use of money represents the King.

Your entertainment choices represent the King.

Your ministry represents the King.

Your entire life says something about the Kingdom you claim to represent.

That is why Paul says:

Colossians 3:17
“whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

6. We Must Return to Holiness

The church does not need more entertainment.

The church needs Christ.

We don’t primarily need better performers.

We need Spirit-filled servants.

We don’t need Christianity made more attractive to the flesh.

We need the beauty of holiness.

Scripture says:

Psalm 96:9
“Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!”

Holiness is beautiful because holiness reflects God.

Peter writes:

1 Peter 1:15–16
“as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

Notice:

“all your conduct.”

Not merely Sunday.

Not merely while preaching.

Not merely while singing.

All your conduct.

7. One Day We Will See the King

Return to Revelation 1.

John sees Christ.

His eyes are like fire.

His feet are like fine brass.

His voice is like many waters.

His countenance shines like the sun.

John falls before Him.

Church, this is the Christ whom we worship.

This is the Christ whom we preach.

This is the Christ whom we represent.

And this is the Christ whom we will see.

Therefore:

Why live for a world that is passing away?

Why seek applause that will disappear?

Why build an identity around a body that grows older every day?

Why spend our lives pursuing things we cannot carry into eternity?

Paul tells us:

Colossians 3:1–2
“seek those things which are above, where Christ is… Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Our King is there.

Our citizenship is there.

Our inheritance is there.

Our future is there.

And one day our King is coming again.

WHICH KINGDOM HAS YOUR HEART?

The great question is not:

Do you attend church?

The question is:

Who possesses your heart?

You can stand behind a pulpit and still love the world.

You can sing worship songs and still love human praise.

You can hold an office in the church and still neglect the inner man.

But Jesus said:

“My kingdom is not of this world.”

If Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, then His disciples cannot allow this world’s values to define them.

We live here.

But we belong to Him.

We possess bodies.

But our bodies belong to Him.

We possess time.

But our time belongs to Him.

We possess talents.

But our talents belong to Him.

We possess money.

But our possessions belong to Him.

We possess voices.

But our voices must glorify Him.

Church, stop living merely for what can be seen.

Feed the inner man.

Walk in the Spirit.

Study the Word.

Seek Christ.

Pursue holiness.

Crucify the flesh.

Remember your citizenship.

Represent your King.

And when the world asks,

“Who is your King?”

may our lives declare:

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for delivering us from the kingdom of darkness and bringing us into the Kingdom of Your beloved Son. Lord Jesus, forgive us for becoming too comfortable with this world. Teach us to remember that our citizenship is in heaven. Holy Spirit, strengthen our inner man, illuminate the Word, convict us of sin and transform us into the likeness of Christ. Remove our desire for human applause and make our lives point completely toward Jesus. May our churches be known not for entertainment, personalities or outward display, but for truth, holiness, love, prayer and the presence of God. Prepare us for the day when we will see our glorious King face to face.

Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!