Last Sunday, I spoke about how Jesus casting out a bunch of demons named Legion was a stance against imperialism.[1] Imperialism is when a powerful nation extends its control over others—often through military force, economic pressure, or cultural dominance—to build an empire. In Jesus’ day, that power was Rome. Today, it shows up in different forms, but it’s still about control, exploitation, and domination.

Today, Jesus continues that message by sending out his disciples—seventy of them, sent in pairs. They go ahead of him to every town and place he intends to visit. They are armed with two things. First, instructions: say “Peace,” be a good guest, and heal. Second, a message: “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

That’s it. No purse, no bag, no sandals. Don’t even greet people on the road.

This is anti-imperialism, and I hope to convince you of that by the end of the sermon. Let’s begin.

There’s a specific word for what Jesus is asking his disciples to do: evangelism. It means sharing your faith with the intent to convert someone else.

Now, if you’re like me, you may have some issues with this term. I don’t really enjoy evangelism—not doing it, and definitely not being on the receiving end of it. It brings to mind people in outdated suits knocking on my door, or folks on street corners holding angry signs and yelling at strangers. Since there’s a guy with big stupid signs in our Square, let’s start there.

I recently saw a video of a woman confronting one of these sign-holders.[2] His sign said, “WARNING! Repent Now Before It’s Too Late,” and listed all kinds of “sins” crossed out in red. He was evangelizing for the religion of the “don’ts”—don’t go here, don’t do that, don’t drink this, don’t be that.

She asked him, “How many people have you led to the Lord?” He dodged the question and responded, “Jesus talks about hell more than anything. Why aren’t you sharing his indignation?”

For the record, Jesus doesn’t talk about hell more than anything. He talks about the Kingdom of God more than anything. We heard it today in Luke’s Gospel.

The woman replied, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.” That’s John 3:16. “That’s why Jesus came—love. I believe in the love of God. That’s the most important thing.”

The man denied it. Claimed Jesus never mentions love. (Spoiler: he does—at least 50 times.) As she is about to debate this, someone in the background yelled, “He’s just a troll!” She gives a knowing look to the camera.

A troll posts deliberately offensive or provocative messages to get a rise out of people. And that’s what this is. Holding a sign threatening hell isn’t Christlike. It might be Christian, but it isn’t Jesus. It’s trolling. It’s imperialism. Control for control’s sake. No good news. No compassion. No healing. No peace.

Maybe that’s how Judas thought. That Jesus would rise up as a military leader, overthrow Rome, assume the throne of David. That they’d be in charge. That they’d have the power.

But instead of a legion—5,000–6,000 troops—Jesus sends seventy. In pairs. Like lambs among wolves. With no weapons. Not even a coin purse. And the first thing they’re told to say is: “Peace to this house.”

They’re equipped with what Jesus talks about the most: the Kingdom of God. Not rebukes. Not condemnation. Just, “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.”

And if they’re not welcomed? The message stays the same. Wipe the dust from your feet and say, “Yet know this: the Kingdom of God has come near.”

We’re to stay on message—whether in joy or rejection, whether it’s received or ignored. The Kingdom of God has come near.

In the Gospel of Luke, the Kingdom of God is the heart of Jesus’ message. It’s not a distant heaven or a political regime, but a present reality breaking into the world through Jesus himself. It begins now—in healing, in forgiveness, in welcome—and it disrupts everything. The Kingdom lifts up the lowly and challenges the proud; it turns the world upside down. It gives us new and surprising relationships outside that go beyond family and tribe.

It is within us and among us. It is something we enter through repentance, generosity, humility, and faith. And yet it is not complete. The fullness of the Kingdom is still coming—a future hope where justice is complete, the hungry are filled, and God’s reign is fully realized on earth as it is in heaven.

We cannot shout or bomb our way to completing the kingdom. The peace of Christ does not come through violence, domination, or intimidation. It’s far more vulnerable than that. It comes through sharing a meal, offering healing, and saying “Peace.” Doing the work of relationship.

That is—if we take Jesus at his word, over some guy holding a sign on the street corner.

That kind of sign-holder faith wants to put Jesus on a throne. They think they’re putting God back in charge. We see this mindset in Christian nationalism, in Christian terrorism—bombing or killing in Jesus’ name. We see it in attempts to legislate one narrow version of faith. We see it when Christians funnel public money into private religious schools and call it righteousness.

But listen—Jesus is never called “great” in the Gospel of Luke. You know who is called great? Herod. Herod the Great. I was reminded of this by the Rev. Joseph Yoo, who points out that the only person to carry that title is the one backed by empire, sitting on a throne, surrounded by monuments and armed guards. Herod silenced dissent and killed anyone who threatened his power.

Jesus, on the other hand, was born to a teenage girl in a borrowed room. He was visited by lowly, unclean shepherds—people who never made the guest list at the banquets of the powerful. No army. No title. No throne. Just presence. Just love. [3]

Herod used fear to control. Jesus uses love to liberate and include. And here’s the kicker: only one of them is still turning the world upside down. Only one of them we still talk about, in places like this, on days like today.

As Pastor Yoo stated, “If your idea of faith needs political power, guns, bombs, and military parades to feel holy, then you’re not following Jesus.” You’re just calling Herod by the wrong name.

But you’re here because you found something different. Maybe you were raised in this faith, or maybe you visited and found peace here. Maybe it wasn’t the imperialistic version of Christianity that hooked you, but something truer. Something like Jesus. From the pulpit and sitting beside you in worship.

Your best evangelism is your life. Your relationships. Your willingness to be vulnerable and offer peace. A hunger for justice, a welcome for the stranger, a longing for all people to live in safety and dignity. You’re already evangelizing when you live like the kingdom is near.

Sure, going door-to-door is biblical. But so is breaking bread. So is holding space. So is listening. I didn’t find my faith from a stranger at the door. I found it at a table. I found it in the voice of someone offering peace. I received that peace, and it’s still with me. I’ve been trying to give it away ever since.

I don’t carry a sign. But we do have a podcast and a livestream. We do have a sanctuary. We have open doors. And we have a table that says, “Come and see.”

We have a talent bank in our welcome area. Please use it if you haven’t already. Hang out together. Call one another. Here’s your reminder that if you want a visit, let me know in whatever way possible. Although wishing and praying… I don’t get those. Calls, texts, emails; I do get.

So here’s your message, plain and simple:
The kingdom of God has come near.

That means we have no king but Christ.
No throne but the cross.
No weapon but love.

So go ahead. Be a little foolish. Be vulnerable. Be peaceful.
Bless the house. Heal the hurt. Speak the truth.
Because the kingdom of God isn’t coming with fire and fury.
It’s coming with bread and wine.
It’s coming with laughter and tears.
It’s coming with you.
You are the good news.
You are the peace-bearer.
You are the proof that Herod is gone and Jesus is still alive.

Say it with your life—stay on message:
The kingdom of God has come near.
And may grace and peace be yours. Amen.

Works Cited

[1] https://www.uccmedina.org/sermons/casting-out-demons/

[2] Trinity Joy Queen, Instagram Reel, June 2025, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH6rm1KS02x/

[3] Rev. Joseph Yoo, Facebook Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2411695479208374