A King Like No Other

Introduction

Well, we have a special guest speaker this morning. As you know, we had our teen weekend this weekend and had a great turnout for our teens and Samaria teens. And our speaker for that and for this morning is Brother Phil Robertson. So we’re glad to have Phil with us. Phil is a longtime friend. We’ve known Phil for 30 plus years. We went to school together. We were in proximity in South Alabama together and have just known each other and been friends for so many years, and we’re so thankful to have him. Phil currently preaches for the Glen Springs Road Congregation in Gainesville. He’s been there about 12 years in that capacity. Before that, some of you may recognize his face. He was with Channel 9 here in Orlando.

We did the Space Coast. And so if you watched the shuttle launch, you saw Phil’s face on the television. And so if you’re wondering where have I seen him before, that may be it. Phil has just recently taken a position at Florida College and will be moving this summer or fall to the Tampa area. And I know he’s looking forward to that new role, that new capacity. And we’re looking forward to be able to hear. The most important thing about Phil is his love for God, his love and his passion for God’s people, and his love and passion for God’s word. And so it’s my pleasure to introduce to you, my friend Phil.

Ken was actually generous. It should be on down a little lower, really. Good morning. Great to see you. I I tell you, I I just couldn’t help but just be amazed when I get out of my car. All of a sudden I start seeing these faces, and I’m like, am I in Orlando or am I in Alabama? What’s going on here? This is a destination place, right? And uh, and so let me just say, real quick, all the kids who are here this morning, you’re on vacation, your parents brought you to church. Love on your parents today. You have good parents. Those are some great parents there. And and and what a godly example it is. And y’all get to see it all the time, families who come and visit, but they come to be with God’s people even while they’re on vacation.

That is truly a blessing. But back to the reunion. I think half of Killen, Alabama is running around here, and that has a special place in my heart. I had the opportunity to preach a meeting up there eight years ago. I mean, it seems like forever, but also it seems like yesterday. And what a wonderful, wonderful family in Christ. And another thing that made it so special is that’s where Frank and Joyce Jamerson were for many years, who have a special place in my heart, and good night. Here’s Randy and Jarrell here this morning as well. And Brendan, they’re here this morning. And and Jarrell was actually my wife’s roommate in college after they left Florida college. They went to Auburn. So I know that anything dumb I say today is gonna get back to my wife long before I can even get in the car this morning.

So I gotta be careful. And then I’ve known Ken and Deger for a long time. And then this family in Christ. When I was worshiping and working over in the Space Coast for Channel 9, I was also preaching for a congregation, and Bob Harkriiter had his television show here. Uh, and he would send contacts to me to follow up with, and we ended up having the opportunity to teach a lady the gospel who Bob had actually touched through the television program. So y’all were funding that and a part of that. And so we developed a relationship, and so it’s just been grand through the years. And so thank you so very, very much for this opportunity. And in a way, it’s it’s like you belong here.

And so that is very comfortable. So thank you. And thank you to this church family for having the desire to have a team weekend. And to invest in our kids and to invest in their hearts and their spiritual well-being. That says a lot about you, and that is so, so important. I’m a huge believer in team get togethers like this. I’m a huge believer in camp, and we got camp coming up in a few weeks. And if you would like to have your child involved with camp, you just let me know. It is a spiritual feast. The song that we just sang a few moments ago, for You Have Promised, was written by Glenda Shales. She actually came to a camp one year and she shared a lot of the inspiration behind her music, and it was a powerful week.

And so it is wonderful. It is wonderful to see churches who see the need to invest in our teens. And so thank you so very much for that and allowing me to be a part of it. All right, I hope you have the Heavenly Library with you. I want you to take down the Gospel of John, and if you would please go to John chapter 18. John chapter 18, a scripture reading that we had just a few moments ago, and I appreciate our brother sharing that with us. Was a quote that came from Jesus as he was headed to the cross. And here’s what he said to his disciples. He said, In this world, you will have what? Trouble. But take heart. I’ve overcome the world.

Has there ever been a greater understatement than that? In this world, you will have trouble. I know we’re just kind of coming out of it, and I don’t want to mention the COVID word. That was a rough two years. And still is rough. And let’s just be honest. Can we be a little honest about ourselves, especially my generation? And this was our first big challenge in life. The first big, if you will, great challenge that affected everyone. We didn’t handle that too well, did we? We struggled. And in a way, we’re still struggling. And in a way, if we’re really kind of honest with ourselves, many of us are still struggling even spiritually. It’s affected us. Were we not expecting trouble in this world? Were we not expecting challenges?

But then you go to this statement by Jesus.

But take heart, I’ve overcome the world. That’s a powerful statement. And I want that to be on your mind this morning as we go through this text in John chapter 18. But I want you to be mindful of the Lord’s hope, of the Lord’s victory, of the Lord’s confidence, and of the Lord’s peace. And it’s my peace. If you actually look in the preceding verse, I have peace, and it is my peace that I’m giving to you. In this world, you will have trouble, but you take heart. I’ve overcome the world.

Why was he like that? And what impact should that have on my life? Well, before we get in the text, I want to share with you a story real quick. When I was, when I was really getting into preaching and really trying to learn, I was trying to learn from everybody I could, and I was certainly listening and learning from men like Bob Harkrider and Dee Bowman, Ed here, all these wonderful names. But there was another person who also just captivated me for his common sense and his ability to make scripture come alive. And his name was Marty Pickup. And Marty Pickup was actually a professor at the college for many years. He preached for the Val Rico congregation, and he was just one of these guys that I always looked up to, and I learned to study from him.

I learned to read his things. And I had the unbelievable opportunity about 12 years ago to actually go to Val Rico and I was to preach a meeting there, and Marty’s in the audience. There is nothing more intimidating than to have big name preachers or people you really look up to in the audience and it makes you nervous. I’m sure glad I don’t feel like that today. Hey, a problem today, but it wasn’t. Alright. And Marty came to me, you know, after the Sunday, he was so friendly and kind. He said, Hey, would you want to get lunch this week? And I’m like, Yes. I’m trying not to be a you know a groupie. Yes, oh, wherever you want to go. And it’s like, yes, Marty, I’d love to go with you.

And so he came by, picked me up, and we’re on our way. We’re riding in his car, and we’re going to Chili’s and just having the most pleasant conversation, and I’m all excited. I’m like, I’m with Marty. I’m on the I’m with Marty. This is so cool. You know, don’t look stupid. You’re with Marty, you know. So he’s we’re talking, have a pleasant conversation. Then all of a sudden he goes. So, what do you think of all this political stuff going on? It was an election year. And I was like, Well, you know, it’s crazy. We got talking, you know, so then we kind of started all about the politics and everything going on, and it was, you know, the most important election ever in the history of the world, right?

And that the way every conversation goes, it’s the most important. Oh, if this one doesn’t go right, oh, we’re all doomed, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then Marty goes, this, and I’ll never forget it. In fact, I can take you to the road with that. We were writing down exactly when it happened. He goes, Phil, have you ever considered that maybe a republic isn’t the best form of government? What? Dude, we’re Americans. I mean, I was in the Boy Scouts growing up. I mean, haven’t you studied your American history and this, that, and the other? And I’m just like, oh my word, who am I riding in the car with? Is this guy a communist? What’s going on here? Oh, if I’m a certain, but I didn’t say all that, it just all went through my mind.

I went, Marty, please explain. And Marty goes, well, think about it. Think about it for a moment. Is a republic, is our form of government actually the best form of government? What if something else was better? And again, my mind’s going crazy. I’m like, oh my word, he’s a communist. He’s a socialist. Where is he going with this? Oh my word, maybe I’m just, and my mind just racing. Who am I? In fact, I was ready to stick my head out the window, hoping to catch a utility pole just to knock myself out of my misery there at that moment. I had him such idolized. But I again held it in and said, Marty, please explain. And he goes, What if you had a king? A king?

Dude, have you not studied your American history? You want King George back? Where are we going with this? He goes, What if we had a king who was like no other king? And what if this king had all the interest of the people at heart? He wasn’t thinking about himself. He wasn’t in it for himself, that every intent of his heart, every intent of his thinking, every intent of his actions would be for the betterment of the people. He couldn’t be swayed by the crowd. He couldn’t turn it into some political desire, but yet he truly had the people’s interest at heart. Wouldn’t that be the best form of government? In John chapter 18, in John chapter 18, we actually find here two kings on display.

1. My Kingdom Is Not of This World

One king is kind of a puppet king, he’s more or less a governor, but he represents the king who really rules the world in this day and age. And his name was Pilate, and he’s representing Caesar, but then there’s another man, another man there with him. And here’s how the conversation goes. So Pilate, this is verse 33 of John 18, so Pilate entered his headquarters again, and he called Jesus and he said to him, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered, Do you say this on your own accord? Or did others say this to you about me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation, your own chief priest 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 of this world. Now I don’t know if you realize it or not, but there’s a very important historical context here. Pilate is the regional governor of the land, but he really only has authority given to him by Rome. And his only main responsibility was just to keep peace in the land. And so, because there had been so many others of these rebellious Jews who were claiming to be leaders and were leading insurrections. Pilate was always having to come back down to Jerusalem, come back down into this area of Palestine, and he had to squash a rebellion, he’d have to tidy it all up and move on just to keep everything peaceful so Rome would be happy, collect all the taxes you can, and just be the representative for Rome and the land.

So all of a sudden there’s this huge passive overtaking place. There’s thousands upon thousands upon thousands of Jews in the area, and there’s this guy that they’re all talking about who’s claiming to be a king. He’s claiming to be in control. Pilate goes, I better get down there because I’m gonna have to squash it again. And all of a sudden now he’s face to face with this guy because they turned him in to Pilate. Now, and Pilate’s going, that’s a little odd. Most of the time they all get excited about the guy leading the insurrection. I’ve got to come in. But they’re turning him over to me, and you can see the puzzle on Pilate’s face.

And so hence the question, are you a king? I’m not getting it. And notice what Jesus says. This is so important. Because I know you’ve heard this your whole life, but do we get it? Jesus says, Oh, yeah, I’m a king. But my kingdom is not of this world. What did he mean by that? Well, there’s a part of us that would say, well, he’s he clearly came down from heaven. He’s he’s not really an earthly guy, he’s a heavenly guy, and he’s a heavenly king, and so this is just simply having him down. Well, no, not exactly. That’s true. But what Jesus is saying is the nature of my kingdom is totally different from all other kingdoms. You see, my kingdom is not established by force.

In that the way most of the world works when we talk about a kingdom. And let’s just be honest. Even in a republic, there’s still force. Would you not agree? There’s force to pay taxes, there’s force to abide the laws, there’s force that goes with this. And generally, we’re we’re not we’re not upset about that as long as we like it’s doing what we want to do. But Jesus goes, That’s not the way my kingdom’s set up. In fact, if my kingdom was like other kingdoms, Pilate, we would have been fighting. Isn’t it interesting how Christianity has misunderstood that over the years? Think back to the Crusades. What was the whole deal? We’re going to reclaim the holy land and we’re going to kill people to get it.

But think about the way Christians react today to things. To get our way, we’re going to do it by force. We’re going to do it by rallying for our cause.

When Jesus wrote into Jerusalem, did he ride in like a king? Did he? Well, not really. I mean, he didn’t exactly ride in on a Tesla, right? He didn’t ride in on some big magnificent animal with dignitary clothing and big huge entourage before him and after him, like most kings did. He wrote in on what? What did he write in on? Remember? A donkey. Let’s just kind of put that in kind of today’s terms. That’d be like driving a Ford Pinto, right? You’re not into that, right? It showed humility, did it not? Well, what were his garments? King’s garments? No, he’s dressed like a like any common citizen. He dressed like the people. And when he got there, did he go banging on Pilate’s door? Hey, new king in town, get out.

Did he rally the people would say, all right, political parties, political parties? Everybody get in here. Jesus, Jesus, we want Jesus. Everybody now. Jesus. No, he didn’t do that either, did he? He goes to the temple, looks around, and then leaves the city and goes out to pray. Isn’t that interesting? In fact, if you go to John chapter 6, remember in John chapter 6 when he fed the thousands upon thousands there that day, and the people were all excited. And by the way, if you ever go to a potluck and Jesus is cooking, anybody know what Jesus is going to make? Fish and chips. It’s there every time, right there. You got fish and loaves. It happened every time. The Lord knew how to cook fish.

I’m not kidding. It’s in the Bible. But he had a great feast that day, and they ate it. And what did they want to do after they ate all that food? They wanted to make him what? A king. A king. That’s another way to win people over, isn’t it? Just give them a lot of things. Give them all that they want. Boy, they’re going to love you then. You give them, give them, give them. But Jesus said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, time out, time out. That’s not what my kingdom’s all about. And he took off. My kingdom is not of this world. The point that Jesus is actually making, and we got to hear this, is he doesn’t try to win people through worldly influences. He doesn’t try to win people through force.

2. His Followers Are Like No Other

Now if you’re Pilate, let’s go back to this conversation. You’re there, Pilate’s going. What? You’re a king, but you have no crown. No. You’re a king, but you have no robe. Nope. You’re a king, but you have no palace. Nope. You’re a king, but you have no power, and I can say well, not exactly. Not exactly. Notice how the conversation goes here now, beginning now in verse 37. Then Pilate said to him, So you’re a king? You can almost hear this, Pilate. He’s kind of grabbing himself, going, You’re a king? I’m telling you what, if you’re a king, you’re not a really good one. I’m gonna tell you that if I had to break it to you. So you’re a king. And notice what Jesus said.

You say that I am a king. And for this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I’ve come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. I want you to see that not only is his kingdom like no other, it is a totally unique kingdom that has in no way an earthly influence to it, but his followers are like no other. Why? Because his kingship is like no other. You’re gonna find, and this is what Jesus is saying to Pilate. I don’t have to force anyone to follow me. They’re gonna want to follow me, they’re gonna choose to follow me, they’re gonna humble themselves to me.

Anybody remember Jesus’ very first sermon? What was his very first sermon? He actually got it from John the Baptist. Like most of us who start preaching, we get somebody else’s sermon. But he had given it to John the Baptist to preach, and he preached it himself. Remember what it was? Repent. Repent, why? Because the kingdom of God is at hand. And what did people do? Well, they repented. You mean you didn’t have to force them? No. You didn’t have to make them? No. Because what Jesus’ kingdom does is it goes to the heart. He never strong arms anyone. This to me is one of the most fascinating things about our Lord and his ability to win souls. I’ve got to confess to you. Can I just be honest?

I would have done it different. Can you imagine having his power and being able to control things? Wouldn’t you just once? Wouldn’t you just once, when you came into a place and everybody’s antagonistic towards you or everybody’s reviling you or saying something evil about you? Wouldn’t you just once give them a little Jedi, levitate them up and maybe throw them over the wall? And then look at everybody else. Anyone else? Can I continue my sermon now? Can you imagine? Oh, I’m locked in now. He never did that. Why didn’t he ever use his force that way? In fact, I think you could make a strong argument. He was extra careful not to give benefits to himself or even others. Yes, he would heal Peter’s mother in law.

You can debate whether that was a favor for Peter or not. But he healed everyone else, and he was very selective, wasn’t he? Because he was trying to get to the heart. I want you to obey me because of what I’m saying to you. I want you to listen to me for what I’m teaching you. And you think of the parable of the sowers. What is he trying to get to us? He’s trying to implant his word in our hearts so much so that we would even give up the cares of the world. How are we doing on that one? He’s so deep into our heart, we would give up the cares of the world because we have a desire to bear fruit from him. And although he may not look like the ordinary king, and while in Pilate’s eyes, Pilate may be scratching his head, going, I don’t see your power at all.

3. Jesus Has Power

Jesus has power. Hold your place here. Go to Matthew chapter 28. This fits in perfectly with what Ken was saying with respect to the Lord’s Supper. It’s not just about a death and a burial, it’s about a resurrection. And here’s what Jesus said after the resurrection. Don’t forget this. Matthew chapter 28, verses 18 and following. All authority has been given to me on heaven and on earth. Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I’ve commanded you. And behold, I’m with you always, even to the end of the age. Please don’t miss the point. Although his kingship is totally different, although he doesn’t force anyone, although he doesn’t seek rallies or political gain, he’s still a king.

Because his kingdom is not going to be limited by borders on a mat. It has no borders.

It extends to all races. It’s not going to be limited by a tribe or a nation. It goes to them all. In fact, it’s not even going to be limited by time. Every king who’s ever reigned, every president who’s ever ruled has had a limit. But not this one. He transcends borders, transcends races, he transcends time. And his kingdom will live in the hearts of those who listen to him. Go back to the text and notice what he says to Pilate, because this is not something that Pilate ever had, especially in Palestine. Nobody just followed Pilate because they wanted to.

4. Behold the Man

For Jesus’ sake. But I’m glad it doesn’t. For my sake. And after he had said this, Pilate went back outside to the Jews and he told them, I find no guilt in him. I don’t know what y’all are all worried about. He ain’t a threat to Rome. He ain’t a threat to me. And I’m not sure why you guys are so upset either. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you on the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? Really? And they cried out again, no, not this man. We want Barabbas. We’d rather have Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. Look at another gospel. He’s described as a murderer. Is there some irony here?

Anybody catch him? Some thick irony. Chapter 19. So Pilate. Pilate still didn’t want to release, I mean, still doesn’t want to kill him. So here’s what Pilate does. And then Pilate took Jesus and he flogged him. I need to stop right there for a moment. Anyone here have a daily Bible reading? You got a daily Bible reading? Those are great, aren’t they?

Can I share with you one thing that we got to keep in mind when we read our Bible? We need to internalize it. John just says they flogged him. That takes me what? Two seconds to read it? And Pilate took him and flogged him. But the flogging was at least a 30 minute to an hour long ordeal. Where somebody is taken and stripped of their clothing and stretched out on a post so that they dangle. And then a big burly soldier with long leather whips, possibly glass or bones tied in there, will take those whips and sling it with all his might on the back of that individual. And they yank it back. I read flogging. Do I internalize flogging? Pilate doesn’t stop there. It says they would twist a crown of thorns together.

This is the soldiers. And they’d put it on his head and they’d arrayed him in a purple robe. And then they came up and what do they say to him? What do they say to him? Hell, what? King of the Jews. Not my king. This ain’t Jewish king. He ain’t my king. And then they struck him with their hands. Anybody here ever been hit in the face? I have.

No more hitting in the face. You got to see this. Jesus is literally bleeding from head to toe. His face is swollen and marred from all the punches. He’s wearing a mockery of a robe. An instrument of torture as his crown. And so Pilate goes out again and he says, See, I’m bringing him out to you so that you may know I find no guilt in him. So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate said to him, to them, Behold the man. Anybody understand what Pilate’s doing here? Anybody get it? He said, This guy’s no threat to you. In fact, Pilate’s saying, I don’t think he’s even a threat to me. Because if he was any kind of threat, if he had any kind of power, could I do this to him?

Look at him. And when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, crucify him, crucify him. And Pilate said to him, Take him yourselves, you crucify him. I find no guilt in him. And then the Jews answered him, We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die. Because he’s made himself the Son of God. And when Pilate heard this statement, he’s even more afraid. And he entered his headquarters again and he said to Jesus, Where are you from? But Jesus gave him no answer. And Pilate said to him, You’re not gonna speak to me? You’re not gonna speak to me. We’ve been having this conversation the whole time. Now you’re not gonna talk. And Jesus answered him after Pilate said, Don’t you know I have the authority to release you?

5. A King With the Interest of the People at Heart

Don’t you know I have all the authority over you? Don’t you know I have the authority to crucify you? Please see the next line. And Jesus answered, you would have no authority over me unless it had been given to you from above. Who would want that as a king? That’s what Pilate doesn’t get. Who would want that kind of king who’s not just going to give you food? Have you ever wondered? Have you ever really thought about it? Why in the world were the chief priests and the scribes and everybody so mad at Jesus? Why were they so mad at him that they wanted to kill him? Was it really about because he claimed to be the Son of God? Yeah, possibly. There was some blasphemy there, but think of it like this, and think of it like we think.

What if? What if there was somebody living today who claimed to be from God? And with simply the touch of a hand spit from their mouth, allowing their garment to be touched, could heal anyone? Anyone. And what if somebody claiming to be from God could with simply a prayer feed anyone as many as they wanted? I mean, think about it. Think about the army you could have if you had somebody on your team who could feed the army the whole time and heal everybody. You talk about respawn, it’s like a video game. He could bring them right back, and you would never, never, never lose any of your men. You would never lose any of your citizens. But Jesus, having all that power, wouldn’t give it like that.

Would you not be a little ticked off? Seriously. Look at how we act when we don’t get things or we don’t get possessions. But Jesus says, My kingdom’s not like that. I’m not here to woo you with the physical. I’m here to free you from it. I’m not here to give you what is the temptation of the enemy.

I’m giving you so much more. Because in this world you will have what? Trouble. But take heart, I’ve overcome the world. And so do you remember Marty’s point? What if? What if you had a king that really had the interest of the people at heart? We know what the gospels tell us from the words of Jesus. For Jesus said, even like this, the king, the king, with all authority over heaven and on earth, the king says, for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life is a ransom for many. Isaiah says it like this when he prophesies of our King. Surely he took up our pain. He bore our suffering. He was pierced for our transgressions.

He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on him. And by his wounds we are healed.

We think that the enemy has conquered him. We think that he has lost, not even close. It was his most powerful moment. For at that moment he became the king. Who with every ounce of his being, every ounce of his thinking, every ounce of his actions, would have the best interest of the people at heart. You don’t need food. You need manna from heaven. You don’t need just mere physical healing. You need spiritual healing. You don’t need just life here. No, you need life forevermore. And I give it to you. Because I’m a king like no other. What’s sad is if you go on in this story. There’s some irony here. I mean, it’s rich. Pilate says, I want to release him again. And notice what the people say to him, what they all say to him in verse 12.

If you release this man, you’re not Caesar’s friend. For anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar. Are you kidding me? Anybody catch what’s happening here? So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus down. He sat down on the judgment seat at the place called the stone pavement in Aramaic, Galbatha, and now it was the day of preparation. The Passover was about the sixth hour, and he said to the Jews, Behold your king. They said, No, not our king. Shall I crucify your king? Crucify away. Notice.

Conclusion

Seriously. Who’s your king? Who gets all your heart? Who gets all your desires? Who is the king who really has your best interest at heart? That’s the king you need to give your life to. Because he gave his life for you. Marty blew me away that day. What are you talking about?

But after a little while, it hit me. Yeah. The best form of government is a monarchy if you got a king like that.

And isn’t it wonderful? You and I have a king like that. That’s our king. This morning, you may not be one who’s given your heart to Jesus. I hope this has made you think.

Who’s your king? And do you realize who really is your king? Whether you admit it or not, but he’s not going to force you. He’s not going to make you.

Like he has all men, with his arms wide open. Saying, I love you. This morning, if you’ve never given your life to Jesus, can I invite you to do so? Don’t leave here without the blessings of your king. Because in this world you will have trouble. But take heart. Our king has overcome the world. If we can help you in any way in your walk with the Lord, why don’t you come while we stand and while we sing this song?