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THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND HIS
CHURCH
Text: John 18:36
Introduction:
In our study tonight, we turn our attention to the kingdom of Christ
and its relationship to the church. Many in the religious world are
confused about when the kingdom came, what kind of kingdom it is,
and whether the church was part of God’s eternal plan. The
Scriptures provide clear answers to these questions.
The Nature of Christ’s
Kingdom
Jesus never intended to establish a physical or political kingdom.
In John 6:15, after feeding the five thousand, the people wanted to
take Him by force and make Him king. But He withdrew. If His plan
had been to rule on an earthly throne, this would have been the
perfect moment. Yet, He refused. Later, before Pilate, Jesus said
plainly, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). His rule is
spiritual, not territorial. His throne is in heaven, not in
Jerusalem. His dominion is over hearts, not armies. The kingdom of
Christ is a spiritual kingdom composed of those who obey the gospel
and follow Him as Lord.
The Establishment of the
Kingdom
Was the kingdom established in the first century? Scripture answers
clearly—yes. Daniel 7:13–14 foretold the Son of Man coming to the
Ancient of Days and receiving dominion, glory, and a kingdom that
would never be destroyed. Revelation 1:5–9 affirms that by the close
of the first century, Christ was already ruling over the kings of
the earth, and John identified himself as a companion “in the
kingdom.” Mark 9:1 confirms that some standing in Jesus’ presence
would see the kingdom come with power before they died. That
happened in the first century, not at some future date.
Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 ties
every prophecy together. David was dead and buried (Acts 2:29).
Jesus, raised from the dead, was exalted to the right hand of God
and given His throne (Acts 2:30–33). The kingdom began after the
resurrection, when Jesus ascended to the Father and received the
promised kingdom authority. He reigns now and will continue until
the end, when He delivers the kingdom back to God (1 Corinthians
15:24–26).
The Church and the Kingdom
Was the church an afterthought? The Scriptures say no. The church
was in God’s eternal plan. In 2 Samuel 7, Nathan prophesied that
David’s descendant would establish both a kingdom and a house. Paul
later identifies that house as “the church of the living God” (1
Timothy 3:15). Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18–19, “I will build my
church… and I will give you the keys of the kingdom.” The church and
the kingdom are different terms describing the same body of redeemed
believers. On the day of Pentecost, Peter used those keys to open
the doors of the kingdom when he preached the gospel of Christ (Acts
2). From that moment, the saved were added to the church—the kingdom
on earth.
Entrance into the Kingdom
Nicodemus struggled to understand this kingdom, thinking it was
physical. Jesus explained that entry is by spiritual birth, not
physical descent. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he
cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). To be born again, one
must believe that Jesus is the risen Christ (John 8:24), repent of
sin (Acts 2:38), confess faith in Christ (Romans 10:9–10), and be
baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16). In that moment,
God adds the believer to His church—the kingdom of Christ.
The Eternal Nature of the
Kingdom
Daniel 2:44 says God’s kingdom “shall never be destroyed.” Unlike
earthly empires that rise and fall, Christ’s kingdom endures
forever. David’s throne was established “forever” through Jesus
(Psalm 89:34–37; Luke 1:30–33). Today Christ reigns from heaven over
a kingdom that is spiritual, universal, and eternal. His citizens
live in submission to His word and await the day when the kingdom is
delivered back to the Father at the end of time.
The Kingdom of Christ and
His Church Sermon Outline:
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I. The Nature of the
Kingdom (John 6:15; John 18:36)
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II. The Establishment
of the Kingdom (Daniel 7:13–14; Acts 2:29–33)
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III. The Church and
the Kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Matthew 16:18–19; 1 Timothy 3:15)
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The house of God is the
church, which is the kingdom.
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The church was not an
afterthought but God’s eternal plan.
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IV. Entrance into the
Kingdom (John 3:3–5; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10)
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One must be born of
water and Spirit.
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Faith, repentance,
confession, and baptism bring entrance.
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V. The Eternal Reign
of Christ (Daniel 2:44; 1 Corinthians 15:24–26; Luke 1:33)
Call to Action:
Jesus reigns today as King of kings and Lord of lords. The question
is whether you have entered His kingdom. The door is still open to
all who believe, repent, confess, and are baptized for the
forgiveness of sins. If you have never submitted to Christ’s rule,
do so now. If you have wandered from His kingdom, return through
repentance and prayer. The Lord is reigning—be sure you are among
His faithful subjects.
Key Takeaways:
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Christ’s kingdom is
spiritual, not physical (John 18:36).
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The kingdom was established
after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:30–33).
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The church and the kingdom
are the same divine institution (Matthew 16:18–19).
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Entrance is by the new
birth—water and Spirit (John 3:5).
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The kingdom of Christ will
stand forever (Daniel 2:44).
Scripture Reference List:
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John 6:15; John 18:36
– Jesus rejected an earthly kingdom and affirmed a heavenly one.
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Daniel 7:13–14;
Revelation 1:5–9 – The Father gave the kingdom to the
Son, who reigns eternally.
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Acts 2:29–33; 1
Corinthians 15:24–26 – The kingdom established after
the resurrection; Christ rules until the end.
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2 Samuel 7:12–16; 1
Timothy 3:15; Matthew 16:18–19 – God’s promise to David
fulfilled in Christ and His church.
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John 3:3–5; Acts 2:38;
Romans 10:9–10 – Requirements for entering the kingdom.
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Daniel 2:44; Psalm
89:34–37; Luke 1:30–33 – The kingdom will never be
destroyed.
Prepared
by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
