Redeemer Church Mauritius
The Kingdom from Another World - Phil Kendon
Jesus was born a king – but not a religious or political leader. His kingdom is completely different to the kingdoms of this world. When he stood on trial before Pilate, Jesus declared that his kingdom was from another place. His kingdom was based on truth. Kingdoms of this world want us to conform and will even use violence to achieve their objectives. Jesus wants truth and lays down his life to achieve his objectives. There could be no greater difference than the difference between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God.
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church Mauritius
Mauritius
Sunday 9:30 AM
1. The kingdoms of this world focus on the outward appearance
Matthew 23:25–28 (NIV)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
- The shame of losing face is worse than the failure itself.
Matthew 23:25–28 (NIV)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
- The shame of losing face is worse than the failure itself.
2. The kingdoms of this world use force to achieve their objectives
- Manipulation, intimidation, and force are the tools of these kingdoms.
- Manipulation, intimidation, and force are the tools of these kingdoms.
3. The kingdom of Jesus focuses on the heart
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
- In the kingdom of Jesus we must be honest with ourselves, others, and God.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
- In the kingdom of Jesus we must be honest with ourselves, others, and God.
4. The kingdom of Jesus achieves its objectives through sacrifice
John 12:23–33 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. … “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” …Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
- A seed only produces fruit when it dies – so with us in the kingdom of Jesus.
John 12:23–33 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. … “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” …Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
- A seed only produces fruit when it dies – so with us in the kingdom of Jesus.
Remember:
"My kingdom is not of this world" – Jesus
"My kingdom is not of this world" – Jesus
