Stop Trying To Build His Kingdom Here On Earth by Brother Duke Hansen

        We are going to read in a couple of places for the scripture text. Our first stop is going to be in John chapter 18, verses 19-21 and then move to verse 33-36. To set the scene for you, Jesus has been arrested and is now before Pilate as well as his accusers. We all know this trial will lead to Jesus crucifixion and inevitable resurrection.

        19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

        20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret I said nothing.

        21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

        33 Then Pilate entered into the judgement hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou King of the Jews?

        34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

        35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

        36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

        The world has always had a church established. Jesus himself stated so in verse 20. If you look at verse 33 Jesus is standing before Pilate. Let's look again at verse 36. My Kingdom is not of this world. As Christians on the path walking with Jesus, our battles and struggles daily are with the world. Often times our time, our money, and our efforts are misplaced on a fools errand. If you are actively still trying to establish God's kingdom on this world, you are not righteous. You are deceived in your own self righteousness. It does not matter who you listen to or vote for or what cause you donate to. You could put "Godly" leaders from local office all the way to the White House and you cannot change what has been spoken by Jesus himself. He's not coming back here to live forever! 

        See, often times Christians want to only see themselves as children of God, seemingly exempt from the worlds doom. You have to understand that you are either a sheep or a goat. (Matthew 25: 31-46) You are not the Good Shepard. Numbers in who you led to the Lord or baptized, good deeds done in your name don't mean anything to his name! You are going to deal with a world spirit every day. Be on guard!   Let me give you a verse to remember when you get up in the morning and start your day.  Turn to Romans chapter 8, verses 31 to 39.

        31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

        32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

        33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

        34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

        35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

        36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

        37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

        38 For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

        39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

        If you are sitting here thinking you're saved but not sure and really serving the world yet trying to keep in the back of your mind that, "well, if things really get bad and I think Jesus is coming again I will get myself right and on the path" you are going to serve the world in that time as well. Another thing, when you always take the mindset of being right all the time, regardless if the scripture corrects you, and still you hold fast to I'm right, you are being high minded and that has never been in the details Jesus told us to be while serving him here.

        Romans 8:35 asks the question, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Got high minded believers out there looking in all the wrong places. Well, who shall separate us? The answer is you. Yourself. Continue to tell yourself daily that you are a sheep! You can also decide at some point you are not a sheep. That stance seems to be really popular on social media. Out there in the world you need ears to hear, eyes to see for yourself, and the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truths. 

        I want to tell you that there is something that works for the Christian. It is the word of God. If you don't manage your time where you are not talking to God, if you are not seeking his face, or opening a Bible to know him better but you still have the delusion of sending up requests for health and wealth because you think you are owed it?Because "I'm a child of God!" like some spoiled brat would exclaim? You might as well try and reach the president to give an executive order placing you on easy street. Quit trying to push blame on others for poor decisions. Quit with the excuses or the misquoted bible verse and own up to the decisions you have made in life and then go and sin no more!