Bishop Noel Jones - Wednesday Bible Class - September 23, 2026

Main message: The sermon contrasts earthly autocracy with the kingdom of God, arguing that God's rule is absolute but just and non-arbitrary, and calling believers to servant leadership, sacrificial discipleship, and a universal, non-nationalistic loyalty rooted in Christ. Christians are judged now and ultimately, must model discipleship (deny self, pick up the cross) and serve others rather than seek power or exclusive national allegiance.

Key points:

• Autocracy (power concentrated in one ruler) conflicts with kingdom values; God’s rule is absolute yet never whimsical—He is eternal, all-knowing, and bound to justice.
• Judgment is certain: believers experience present judgments/convictions (through Christ’s intercession) and there is future judgment for the unsaved (great white throne).
• True leadership is servanthood (Mark 10:45); serving and giving build life and community, while seeking power or taking spoils harms the body.
• Christian nationalism is rejected: biblical commands to “seek the peace” of a host land (Jeremiah context) do not justify ultimate loyalty to one nation; the church is drawn from all nations (Revelation 7:9) and believers are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
• Discipleship requires discipline, modeling for children and others, denying self, and persistence in serving even without recognition; organizational church roles exist but salvation and mission are universal.

Scriptures mentioned: Psalm 89:14, Hebrews 13:8, Hebrews 9:27, Mark 10:45, Revelation 7:9, Galatians 3:28, Jeremiah 29:7, Obadiah