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

In John

From Gethsemane to the Cross, Jesus was tempted to use his power to silence his doubters and to reveal who he was. He had to restrain Peter from using force and reminded him that he could call “more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53). In this context, Jesus’s words to Pilate are significant, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers would fight…but as it is, my kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). Again and again throughout his ministry Jesus talked about his Kingdom. What is God’s kingdom? Is it primarily a future event or a kingdom that is still to come? What does it look like and how can we distinguish it from the counterfeit kingdom?

download powerpoint slides