The Kingdom Has Competition

The Kingdom Has Competition

Psalm 113

Colossians 1: 13, 14

May 3, 2026

We have been thinking together about what it means when we say that the Kingdom of God has broken decisively into history with the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is here – but not yet fully realized. As we said last week, in many ways, the coming of the Kingdom of God is much like the sunrise. Light is chasing away darkness. Cold and fear are being overwhelmed by hope and new possibilities. The sun and the new day have arrived, just not in full glory.

The Kingdom of God is here, and not yet fully here. We as the church bear witness to this new way of being, this new way of living, this new way of being God’s people. Many churches come up with pithy little phrases, slogans, and mission statements that try to point to this life in the Kingdom of God.

Sometimes church mission statements are intentionally meant to be funny. A couple I read this week were, "Where the Coffee is Strong, the Sermons are Short, and the Spirit is Moving." I couldn’t help but think and smile about Mal Black – a great lover of donut holes - when I read the church mission statement: "Bringing the Good News….. and Occasionally Donuts."

Our particular mission statement is clear: “To develop joyful and devoted followers of Jesus Christ who freely share God’s life-transforming love with the world.” That is not just a statement on paper. Friends, it is a declaration of who we seek to be. It is a statement about which kingdom holds our real allegiance. Because make no mistake, there are competing kingdoms all around us.

Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God constantly - not as a distant place, but as a present reality breaking into our lives. And yet, if we are honest, we live in tension. We say we belong to God’s Kingdom, but we are constantly pulled by other kingdoms that compete for our attention, our loyalty, our resources, and ultimately our hearts. Today, I want us to look honestly at those competitors. Not to condemn, but to awaken. Not to shame, but to refocus.

One of the greatest competitors to the Kingdom of God in our community is the kingdom of comfort. 

We live in a place of extraordinary blessing. Many in our congregation and community have worked hard, built successful careers, and now enjoy a season of stability. This is not a bad thing; Scripture never condemns blessing, but it does warn us about comfort becoming our master.

The kingdom of comfort whispers, “Stay where it’s easy.” “Protect what you’ve built.” “Avoid anything that might disrupt your peace.” But the Kingdom of God says something very different: “Take up your cross and follow me.” “Lose your life to find it.” “Step into discomfort for the sake of love.”

Comfort is subtle. It doesn’t ask you to reject God outright. It simply asks you to delay obedience. To soften conviction. To choose convenience over calling. 

In a community like ours - filled with thoughtful, generous, and accomplished individuals - the temptation is not rebellion. The temptation is more subtle. It is a refinement without sacrifice. It is a faith that fits neatly into our lifestyle rather than transforming it. Friends, Jesus never invited us into a comfortable kingdom. Jesus invited us into a living, active, sacrificial one.

Another competitor is the kingdom of achievement.

Many of us have spent decades building careers, leading organizations, mentoring others, and achieving excellence. This reflects the gifts God has given you. But achievement becomes a rival kingdom when it defines your worth. 

The kingdom of achievement says, “You are what you accomplish.” “Your value is tied to your productivity.” “Your identity is your resume.” “You are your GPA.” But the Kingdom of God says: “You are my beloved.” “Your worth is not earned—it is given.” “Your identity is found in Christ, not in accomplishment.” 

For many in our stage of life, the challenge is not striving - it is releasing. It is learning that our legacy is not what we built, but who we became in Christ and who we helped grow in Him. The Kingdom of God redefines success. It is not measured in titles, portfolios, or recognition. It is measured in faithfulness, generosity, humility, and love.

We also face the kingdom of independence. 

Our culture prizes self-sufficiency. Many of us have lived lives marked by responsibility, discipline, and independence. But this strength can become a spiritual weakness if it leads us to depend less on God.

The kingdom of independence says, “I can handle this.” “I don’t need help.” “I am in control.” But the Kingdom of God says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” “My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Dependence on God is not immaturity - it is maturity. It is recognizing that even after decades of wisdom and experience, we are still children before our eternal God.

Friends, here is the deeper challenge. Independence not only distances us from God, it also distances us from one another. It keeps us from vulnerability. From authentic community. From the kind of relationships where we are known, loved, and supported. But the Kingdom of God is at its core - relational. It is a family, not a collection of individuals.

Another powerful competitor is the kingdom of consumption.

We live in a culture that constantly invites us to acquire experiences, possessions, travel, beauty, comfort, and convenience. None of these things are inherently wrong. In fact, many are gifts. But consumption becomes a rival kingdom when life revolves around it.

The kingdom of consumption says, “More will satisfy you.” “You deserve this.” “Your life is about enjoyment.” But the Kingdom of God says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” “Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Many in our community are extraordinarily generous. That is a beautiful reflection of God’s heart. But generosity is not just about giving occasionally; it is about a reorientation of life.

The question is not: Do we give? The deeper question is: What kingdom shapes how we use everything we have? The Kingdom of God calls us to stewardship, not ownership. To purpose, not just pleasure.

Finally, there is a quieter but, perhaps, the most dangerous of all the kingdom competitors - the kingdom of cultural Christianity. 

This is the idea that faith is something we inherit, maintain, and participate in without allowing it to transform us deeply. We dabble enough, we give - just enough, we maintain a membership that allows us to say that we have proof that we are Christians.

Cultural Christians say, “I’ve always believed.” “I go to church.” “I support good causes.”

But the Kingdom of God says, “You must be born again.” “Follow me.” “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Cultural Christianity can look very similar on the outside to authentic faith. But the difference is found in the heart. Is Jesus truly Lord, or simply part of our lives? Is Christianity simply a veneer to demonstrate our cultural respectability or does it shape us and direct us? Are we being shaped by God or simply associating with God?

The Kingdom of God is not about affiliation. It is about transformation.

So here is the question we must wrestle with. Which kingdom has our ultimate allegiance? Not just in theory - but in practice. When you make decisions, when you allocate your time, when you use your resources, when you respond to discomfort - which kingdom wins? The truth is, we don’t drift into the Kingdom of God. We choose it. Daily. Intentionally. Sometimes sacrificially. Always….. faithfully.

Now here is the good news. Dear Ones, this is not meant to be a sermon about guilt. We all struggle with these competing allegiances. It is, however, a call to alignment. Because the Kingdom of God is not a burden - it is the life that we were created for. It is where purpose replaces emptiness. Where generosity replaces anxiety. Where connections replace isolation. Where meaning replaces achievement.

You are uniquely positioned to live this out. You have wisdom. You have influence. You have resources. You have time – if your priorities are aligned correctly. When those things are aligned with the Kingdom of God, the impact is extraordinary.

Imagine a church where comfort is surrendered for mission. Where achievement is redirected toward mentoring and discipleship. Where independence gives way to deep, authentic community. Where consumption is transformed into radical generosity. Where faith is not cultural—but deeply, personally alive. 

THAT is a church that changes lives. THAT is a church that reflects the Kingdom of God. THAT is a church with more than just another religious slogan printed for everyone to see. 

So today, I invite you to do something simple—but profound. Ask yourself:

•Where has comfort taken priority over calling? 

•Where has achievement shaped your identity more than Christ? 

•Where has independence replaced dependence on God? 

•Where has consumption shaped your decisions? 

•Where has faith become routine instead of transformative? 

And then bring those things before God. Not with fear - but with trust.

Because the King of this Kingdom is not distant or demanding. Our God is loving, patient, and full of grace. Our God does not force allegiance - He invites it. When we respond, even imperfectly, God will meet us with power, purpose, and peace.

Brothers and sisters, there will always be competing kingdoms, but only one leads to life. Only one transforms hearts. Only one brings lasting joy. Only one is eternal. So let us choose - again and again - the Kingdom of God, not just with our words, but with our lives. Amen.