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Sermon #5395

The King and His Kingdom

A Sermon on John 18:36-37

Originally preached Dec. 9, 1956

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Scripture

John 18:36-37 ESV KJV
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” …

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Sermon Description

It was Jesus who said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” This simple but profound statement lies at the heart of Christianity and true faith. Jesus is saying that He is not a mere political revolutionary or social activist fighting for a better society, but He is something entirely new. Many of those living in Israel, including His own disciples, had a hard time understanding this. They still expected Jesus to overthrow the Roman rule and restore the nation of Israel. In this sermon on John 18:36–37 titled “The King and His Kingdom,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the great truth that Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world to die for sinners. Jesus came to make all things new by His life, death, and resurrection. Many in the church have a distorted view of Jesus’s kingdom: they see it only as a source of political and social change in the world. But Jesus and His message offer so much more to the world than simply improved circumstances. It is the promise of eternal life and peace with God through the blood of Christ. To be in the kingdom of God is to be a child of God, free from all sin and guilt.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Jesus's kingdom is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom that exists in the hearts and minds of believers.
  2. Jesus's contemporaries and many today are confused about the nature of Jesus's kingdom because it does not match their preconceived notions. They do not truly listen to and understand Jesus's teachings.
  3. Jesus's kingdom is not a visible, external kingdom like earthly kingdoms. It does not come with observation.
  4. Jesus's kingdom is not characterized by pomp and show like earthly kingdoms. Jesus came to serve, not be served.
  5. Jesus's kingdom has no great officials or hierarchy like earthly kingdoms.
  6. If Jesus's kingdom were of this world, his servants would fight to defend him. But his kingdom is not of this world.
  7. Jesus's kingdom is not concerned with the things that concern earthly kingdoms like political power or military might. Jesus did not speak about politics or contemporary events.
  8. While the Old Testament prophets spoke about political and social issues, they were speaking to Israel as God's people. Jesus and the New Testament speak primarily about spiritual truths.
  9. The truth that Jesus came to bear witness to is that all are estranged from God because of sin and that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God.
  10. Jesus convicts people of their sin, not just outward sins but the sin in their hearts. This is why many reject his message.
  11. Even if there were no more wars, the real problems of humanity would remain like sin, suffering, and death. Ending war is not the greatest good.
  12. Jesus will one day return to establish his visible kingdom on earth, conquering sin and evil and ushering in a new heaven and new earth.
  13. Many today reject Christianity because they wrongly believe its purpose is to end war and establish worldly peace. They do not understand the true nature of Jesus's kingdom.
  14. To be part of Jesus's kingdom, one must believe the truth about one's sin and need for salvation in Jesus. One must surrender to Jesus as king.

The Book of John

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.