Sermon Title: Kingdoms of Men vs. the Kingdom of God: What Are We Building?
Introduction
Today, we’re diving into a familiar yet often uncomfortable theme: empires.
But this won’t stay surface level. We’re going deeper.
Let me ask you: How do you define empire?
(Invite responses.)
According to Merriam-Webster, an empire is:
- A major political unit with large territory or many peoples under a single sovereign authority, often with an emperor.
- Or a vast enterprise or system under central control.
When you hear the word empire, what comes to mind?
Rome? China? Babylon? Alexander the Great?
All are great examples. But they have something in common. They are systems built around power, control, and dominance.
Now here’s the bigger question:
What does the Bible say about kings, empires, and human authority?
Israel’s Request for a King – 1 Samuel 8:4–9
“Give us a king to govern us, like the other nations.”
At this point, Israel had no king.
They were led by elders and prophets, guided by God Himself.
This made them different from the nations around them.
But now they wanted to fit in.
They asked Samuel for a king, and it broke his heart. But God said something revealing.
“They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me as their king.”
God knew what would come.
He told Samuel to warn the people what kings would do:
- Your sons will be sent to war.
- Your daughters will become cooks and servants.
- Your fields, vineyards, and resources will be taken.
- Your labor will serve the king.
- You’ll cry out under the weight of this decision, but you will have chosen it.
They were warned. But they refused to listen.
And everything God said would happen, did.
Human Kingdoms vs. God’s Kingdom
This shows us something powerful:
God did not design His people to operate like the empires of the world.
Jesus said in John 18:36,
“My kingdom is not of this world.”
The Kingdom of God turns everything upside down.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit.
- Love your enemies.
- The last will be first.
This is not how empire works.
Empires conquer through violence.
Jesus conquers through love.
Empires build thrones.
Jesus stoops to wash feet.
The Bible Doesn’t Glorify Empire
The great empires of Scripture—Babylon, Egypt, Rome—are never models to follow.
They are symbols of pride, oppression, and spiritual corruption.
Empires demand loyalty that belongs to God alone.
So here’s the real question:
Is the Church today reflecting the Kingdom of God or the systems of empire?
Do we show the humility of Jesus?
Or the hunger for control?
Have we picked up the towel, or grabbed for a throne?
When the Church Looks Like Empire
History gives us some painful examples:
- Constantine’s politicization of Christianity
- The Crusades and religious conquest
- Colonization and cultural erasure
Even today, we see churches focused on growth, branding, and political power.
So we must ask ourselves:
Are we still following Jesus the Servant?
Or are we building something in our own image?
When the Church imitates empire, it loses its prophetic voice.
The Fruit of the Spirit Reveals the Kingdom
In Galatians 5:22–26, Paul describes the fruit of God’s Spirit:
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
This is what God’s Kingdom looks like.
Not greed. Not ego. Not manipulation.
If we join a church, a movement, or even a relationship, we should ask:
Does this reflect the character of God’s Kingdom?
Are we making disciples, or simply managing members?
Are we building altars, or building fortresses?
Do we live the message of the cross, or only wear it?
Empire demands power.
The Kingdom calls for surrender.
Empire dominates.
The Kingdom redeems.
A Call to Repentance and Renewal
As we move into prayer and worship, I invite us to reflect:
- Have we put power before people?
- Have we aligned with injustice instead of standing against it?
- Have we used God’s name to build walls instead of bridges?
Let us repent. Not in shame, but in hope.
Let us return to God’s vision for His people.
A Kingdom marked by love.
A community centered on justice.
A people shaped by Christ.
Amen?
Pastor Alex