Two Opposing kingdoms: The kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world are in opposition to each other. They always will be. We are not to look to the kingdom of this world as the source of our preaching. Ours is a kingdom not of this world, but it is the Kingdom of heaven.

A believers we need to re-evaluate our priorities. True fulfillment and peace come from aligning oneself with God's kingdom rather than becoming entangled in worldly affairs.

2 Timothy 2:4 NIV

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

Acts 4:18–20 ESV

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:21–22 ESV

And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Acts 4:23–24 ESV

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,

Acts 4:25–26 ESV

who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

Acts 4:27–30 ESV

for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Acts 4:31 ESV

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Christians are called to consciously choose to live in light of God's kingdom, rejecting the distractions and corruptions of this worldly kingdom, reminding ourselves that our true citizenship is with Christ.

The kingdoms of this world will eventually fail us and come to nothing. Why place your whole focus on that which is going to fail anyway?

1. Treasures That Transcend Time

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where is your heart? is your heart being consumed by the affairs of this world? What you are spending your time and thoughts on is what you are valuing the most.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

James 1:20 ESV

for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

2. From Darkness to Light

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

3. Allegiance to the True King

John 18:36 ESV

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' own declaration that His kingdom is not of this world, shows us that true allegiance lies beyond earthly power and politics.

Do you know any Christian man who goes into politics who is the better for it? If I find such a man, I will have him stuffed if I can, for I have never seen such a specimen yet. I will not say, “Do not attend to politics,” but I do say, “Do not let them stain you.”Charles Spurgeon

There is no question of a compromise between the claims of God and the claims of culture, or politics, or anything else. C. S. Lewis

We should not come to church to hear the pastor’s opinions about politics, psychology, economics, or even religion. We should come to hear a word from the Lord through the pastor. God’s Word edifies and unifies; human opinions confuse and divide. John F. MacArthur