Introduction: After Jesus' arrest and kangeroo court trial in front of the High Priest, He was taken to Pilate, the Roman ruler of Jerusalem. Why? Because the Jewish court did not have the authority to put Jesus to death. They wanted Him dead, so they had to go to Pilate. Here in this confrontation between Jesus and Pilate, some of the principles of the Kingdom stand out clearly:

I. Principle Number One: The heart of Christianity is not in rituals or regulations, but in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (John 18:28).

A. The Pharisees were experts in straining out gnats and swallowing camels. They fretted over entering a Roman court, but were willing to kill the Prince of Peace and Love.

B. How is it with your spiritual life? Are you getting legalistic, or are you walking with Jesus?

II. Principle Number Two: People of the Kingdom have good motives (John 18:30-31).

A. The Pharisees supposedly were seeking justice. They had a trial. They went to Pilate for "justice" for Jesus. But they didn't really want justice. They wanted power to kill Jesus.

B. What motivates us? Are we looking for justice, truth, kindness, mercy and love in the world? Are are we seeking power, prestige and wealth?

III. Principle Number Three: Christ's Kingdom is the Kingdom of Love and Peace (John 18:33-34).

A. When Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews, Jesus immediately gave Pilate the benefit of the doubt, and sought the good of Pilate's soul.

B. That's God's attitude toward us: Always forgiving, always hoping, always long-suffering. Exactly as we read about the love of God in I Co. 13:4-8a.

C. How are we doing in our walk of love? Are we reaching out even to our enemies, as Jesus did to Pilate? Are we always hoping for the best?

IV. Principle Number Four: Jesus' Kingdom is not yet of this world (John 18:36).

A. Of course God is Sovereign. Of course Jesus has all authority. But He is not exercising it fully in the world now as He someday will.

B. The fullness of the Kingdom will happen literally when Jesus comes to earth again, as He said He would (Acts 1:10-11 and Habakkuk 2:14: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

C. In the meantime, let's do our best to exemplify the Kingdom in our personal lives, in the church, and in our community. When people look at Wayside they should say, "Oh. That's what Christ's Kingdom is all about. I think I want to be a part of it!"

Conclusion: Remember these four principles of the Kingdom: 1) Christianity is a relationship, not rules and regulations. 2) We need to live by Kingdom motives, not worldly motives. 3)God's Kingdom is full of love and peace; and 4)The fullness of the Kingdom is yet to come, but we ought to try to put it in practice right away. May God help us to do so! Amen.