Pilgrim Uniting Church, Adelaide SA SUN 21-NOV-2021 - 9.30 AM Sermon Rev Dr Greg Elsdon Reign of Christ – What is Truth? – When Jesus was arrested and dragged before the political and religious leaders, charged with claiming to be a king in opposition to Rome, Pilate, the representative of Roman authority, found himself in an awkward situation. The charges brought against the prisoner didn't make sense. Who was this Jesus? Jesus was indeed a king, but a king of a very different kind, ruling over a very different kind of kingdom. Empires of the day were big and powerful, and it was believed that God destroyed God's enemies in order to create a world of peace and justice for those who acknowledged God's sovereignty. Peace was imposed by the use of power and authority. But it doesn't belong to the reign that Jesus embodies. In Jesus, the reign of God is revealed as peaceful, merciful, compassionate and just. Evil will be confronted, but from a place of love of enemies; it will not be through violence and destruction, but through sacrificial serving. It is the loving way of Christ, shown in his willingness to suffer the consequences of his chosen way of life. It is a vision of the amazing reign of Christ. John 18: 33-38b Playing Time   –   11:41