The Kingdom of God
Speaker: Pastor Darin Browne
John 18:33-38
Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year of Kingdom growth. Yes, we are seeing a few friends, move to another part of the Kingdom, but I believe this is going to open up something quite remarkable in this part of the Kingdom next year. We were praying with Pastor Ashley Goode, Senior pastor of Sanctuary Church, and he prophesied, “Darin, your miracle is still to come.”
FORMER AND LATTER RAINS
Joel 2:23
Rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.
In Israel, there were two main periods of rain, both essential to the harvest. The early rain (October to December) was for planting. If it failed, you got no crops. The passage said early rain was for our vindication, and that’s what this year has been. It’s been the early rain, vindicating our leadership by providing miracles and buildings. But the real miracle is still to come!
Next the latter rains (March to April), and these are the ones that change an ordinary crop into a bountiful harvest. That’s our 2026. The latter rain is not about establishing a crop, it brings abundant harvest, and that’s where we are right now. We don’t need vindication, God’s done that, we need a bountiful harvest, and that is what we are praying for, looking for and believing for in 2026.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus standing before Pilate gives us a glimpse of what His Kingdom is and is not.
WHAT JESUS’ KINGDOM IS NOT
It is “not of this world.” It did not originate in this world, and its purpose is not to take over the world’s system.
John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Jesus did not come to establish a political party or aim for world control. Jesus states that if He had come to establish a political kingdom on earth, then “my servants would fight.” In His kingdom, we do not resort to war or revolution to promote His purposes. Jesus said…
Matthew 26:52
For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Kingdom people have no need to align themselves with specific political parties, social pressure groups or any secular organisations to establish God’s kingdom and purposes on earth. We don’t use worldly weapons, but rather we use spiritual weapons.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE
This does not mean, however, that Christians should avoid participating in government or social action. We are still responsible to uphold God’s demand for justice, peace and truth. By our gracious words and blameless lifestyles, Christians can challenge governments and societies regarding their moral responsibilities to God and to their nation.
I am sometimes accused of being too political. I am not political. However, I cannot sit idly by without speaking out against the evils of Islam and the massacre at Bondi, and our leaders’ lame responses. I cannot avoid conversation about woke ideology, because the Kingdom demands that we proclaim truth in love. I am not seeking politics in this church, but when politics infiltrates theology, I have the right, the obligation, to speak out. When they tell us to change our theology to suit their politics, we must rise and speak truth!
So, if the Kingdom is not a political creature, what is the Kingdom of God?
WHAT JESUS’ KINGDOM IS
The Kingdom of God that Jesus speaks of involves His power, authority, purposes and spiritual activity in the lives of all who receive him and obey his Word.
John 18:37
Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Romans 14:17-19
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
The kingdom of God is a matter of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” These are all inner spiritual qualities that affect outward attitudes and actions. Christ’s kingdom is in an active battle against the spiritual forces of Satan, using spiritual weapons.
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The role of the church is to serve Jesus Christ, our King, not to be a ruler over this present world. The church’s strength is not in worldly power but proclaiming and obeying the Word of God, thereby shaping people’s hearts, minds and opinions.
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
WHAT JESUS’ KINGDOM WILL BE
One day, Christ’s kingdom will involve His rule and reign in the new heaven and earth. This will occur after He returns to earth in triumph to judge the nations, destroy the antichrist and reign on earth.
Psalms 96:13
before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
We are citizens of Australia, but more importantly…
WE ARE CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
You and I are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and we owe our highest allegiance to our King, above our country, our denomination or church. We need to understand that the Kingdom of God is His church, wherever and whenever they meet. An Aussie is still an Aussie, whether they live in Sydney, Brisbane, Nambour or Birdsville. A citizen of the Kingdom is one whether they meet here, or Sanctuary Church, or Flame-Tree or in a house church.
Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
AMBASSADORS OF THE KINGDOM
We are more than just citizens; we are ambassadors of the Kingdom. We represent our king.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you receive eternal life, and are not a slave any more to sin, because you are a child of God…Royalty! But along with blessings, Royalty also comes with several responsibilities. We become His representatives, His ambassadors. Sounds very official, and some of us can be less than diplomatic at times, but what does us being an ambassador mean?
1: AN AMBASSADOR REPRESENTS THE KING
An ambassador represents the King and His Kingdom. Which means that when people look at you, you are representing God’s Kingdom to them. Think about it. If you meet someone from a foreign land, your view of that country is heavily influenced by that person.
I cringe at times when I meet Aussie aboard, because if that was all you saw of Australians you would think we are all loud, boozy, sweary, obnoxious ockers!
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Overseas people will judge Australia by you. In society, people will judge the Kingdom of God by you, the ambassadors of the King. That’s why Peter wrote…
1 Peter 2:11 (ESV)
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles (aliens and strangers) to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
2: AN AMBASSADOR HAS AUTHORITY OF THE KING
If the ambassador grants a visa, or makes a comment, it is with the King’s authority.
Matthew 28:18-19
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
That word authority is Greek EXOUSIA, meaning to have mastery over, to have universal power over something. So, as ambassadors, what do we have power over?
Jesus said, if you abide in Him, we will have the same authority as He had. Does He have authority over sickness, or over evil, or over nature? Yes, but if we do not abide in Him, if we disobey His will, we do not have such authority. Once you establish His will, you can stand in His authority.
John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Abide is MENO in Greek, which means to dwell, remain, stay with. An ambassador must abide (stay) in the will of his King, not misuse the King’s authority for his own ends.
3: AN AMBASSADOR IS IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE KING
An ambassador does not operate in isolation; he is in constant communication with his home country. Ambassadors don’t act on their own ideas or opinions; they consult their King before any decision is made. If you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit within you, and so you can have constant communication.
John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
He speaks, but we don’t always listen. We need to speak for God, but also to God and obey our King!
4: AN AMBASSADOR OBEYS THE WILL OF THE KING
An ambassador doesn’t just fire off and do his own thing; he asks and then makes sure he obeys the will of his master.
We think that going to church, being religious and praying brings God joy. It doesn’t. Plenty of people are religious. Other religions pray. What blesses the Lord is obedience. All the religion in the world without obedience doesn’t impress God at all. We see this with King Saul.
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
An ambassador’s obedience is more important than his own personal agenda.
John 14:15 (ESV)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
5: AN AMBASSADOR CARRIES THE CULTURE OF THE KINGDOM
This point is so relevant to today’s Christian. An ambassador carries the culture of his home nation. He does not try to conform his culture to the local culture.
I recently had an audience with the President of Vanuatu. As his guests, we ate Vanuatu food, saw Vanuatu paintings, had Vanuatu music. If you visit the Vanuatuan embassy in Australia, you get the same. Their embassy is a sovereign piece of Vanuatu right here in Australia.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
God’s Kingdom has a culture, and it has morals and laws to uphold that culture. We cannot conform to the host culture. I’m sick of hearing about Christians and especially leaders who insist on compromising our culture, watering it down, to not offend people. No ambassador worth his salt would compromise his own culture just to fit in with the host nation. Ambassadors champion their Kingdom’s culture, and it’s about time we did the same!
6: AN AMBASSADOR IS ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF THE KING
Ambassadors don’t just waste their time in frivolous activity. They align themselves with Kingdom principles, get about the business of the King, and make sure His interests, not their own, are pursued.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
If we are ambassadors, we must make the best use of our time for the Kingdom. What are you doing for the King in your life? Are you aligned with His principles? Are you investing time into His Word to understand His will more effectively, are you praying, are you coming to church, sharing the gospel, caring for each other? Or are you just trying to have a good life, a fun life, doing whatever pleases you, even if to damages the Kingdom?
7: AN AMBASSADOR IS READY FOR RECALL AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE
An ambassador must be ready for recall at a moment’s notice.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Ambassador must serve well, serve faithfully, serve without compromise, but be ready to head home immediately when called. And Jesus is calling us home very soon.
YOU ARE CALLED TO BE AN AMBASSADOR IN 2026
In 2026 I’m asking you to step into the role of ambassador. This coming year is going to be the greatest opportunity we have ever had to serve and advance God’s Kingdom. We can all be part of it. Every one of us can minister to someone else, leading them to Christ this year and discipling them, to advance God’s Kingdom. This year we are not building a coffee shop, folks, we are building the Kingdom of God.
Please come back to Ignite over the next few weeks, because I am going to reveal how we are going to grow the Kingdom of God in this city and region. If you want to have significance in your life, we can all be a part of what I believe will be the greatest move of God in our nation’s history.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Ambassadors stay together in unity, pull together and serve together, and today I am asking you to do this with us.