Category: Ministry

Jesus answered – “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were – My followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My Kingdom is not of this world.”

Pilate said – “So You are a King ?”

Jesus responded – “You say I am a king. Actually – I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

In Part 7 of my continuing sermon leading-up to Resurrection Sunday I continue from the Gospel of John – Chapter 18. Today I’m preaching on just those 2 verses – 36 and 37.

The Roman Governor – Pontius Pilate – asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews. He asked Jesus this in order to determine if He was a threat to the Roman empire. Jesus answered that His Kingdom is not of this world. While He was a “King” – He was certainly not a King of an earthly Kingdom. He was no threat to Rome or any other existing or emerging empire. His Kingdom was spiritual. He was a ruler through the devotion and obedience of those who follow Him. He was born and came into this world to testify the truth – God’s Truth.

Christ said “Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God.” (John 8:47a)

In John’s first letter he states that he and the apostles belong to God, and those who know God listen to them and agree with their teachings. If they do not belong to God – then they do not listen to them. That is how they know if someone has the Holy Spirit living within – or the spirit of the antichrist. You either have one – or the other.

Last Sunday I preached a unique sermon to my church family. It was a sermon that was entirely unrehearsed and unscripted. It was based on about 30 social media memes. I presented each meme on our screens, and then I spoke on them. That’s it. I had no idea what I was going to say until I actually said it. Dangerous ? Perhaps. Honest ? Definitely. It’s a different way for me to branch out to be a more effective Preacher of God’s Word. It was the second such sermon that I’ve preached over the past 14 months. This meme was not part of it, but it seems to fit right in with my message today:

I’ll continue this journey through John Chapter 18 – next Sunday Scripture.

Missed the first 6 parts of this sermon ? Check them out – PART 1 / PART 2 / PART 3 / PART 4 / PART 5 / PART 6

All rights reserved (c) 2021 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then He was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate – the governor – went out to them and asked – “What is your charge against this Man ?”

“We wouldn’t have handed Him over to you if He weren’t a criminal !” – they retorted.

“Then take Him away, and judge Him by your own law” – Pilate told them.

“Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone” – the Jewish leaders replied. (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way He would die.)

In Part 6 of my continuing sermon leading-up to Resurrection Sunday I continue from the Gospel of John – Chapter 18. In Verses 28 to 32 John writes about Jesus’ trial before the Roman Governor – Pontius Pilate. He was ruthless as a ruler – especially against the Jews – committing many atrocities against them. But in this particular case he wanted the Jewish leaders to handle Jesus Himself. He didn’t really want to have anything to do with this case against Jesus. But they wanted Jesus executed, and only Pilate could do that under Roman law. Pilate was nevertheless hesitant to take any action against Jesus.

As an aside the Apostle John wrote his Gospel as an Elder during the late-First Century – some 50 to 60 years after these events of Christ’s final days on earth. He mostly wrote on the Roman trial leading-up to His crucifixion. During the time of his writing the Jewish nation had been scattered by Rome, and Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans.

John 18:33-35:

Then Pilate went back into his headquarters, and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are You the King of the Jews ?” – he asked Him.

Jesus replied – “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about Me ?”

“Am I a Jew ?” – Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought You to me for trial. Why ? What have you done ?”

Pilate began calmly questioning Jesus inside. He was looking out for the safety and security of the Roman Empire that was under his control, and he wanted to know if Jesus was a threat to it. Jesus would soon clarify His position as a King, but first He wanted to know what Pilate really meant when he asked Him if He was “King of the Jews”. Jesus would soon answer with a very specific response.

I’ll continue this journey through John Chapter 18 – next Sunday Scripture.

Missed the first 5 parts of this sermon ? Check them out – PART 1 / PART 2 / PART 3 / PART 4 / PART 5

All rights reserved (c) 2021 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries