When Will God’s Kingdom Come? l Luke 17:20-37 l Chapel Hill Church Gig Harbor
There’s a famous tale from my college rugby team, and although I’ve told it before, I still think it’s hilarious! But in order to understand it, you need to be aware that most people who live outside the UK have no idea whether or not England, Wales and Scotland are different countries. Understandably so. It’s complicated. But here’s the bottom line: In international law, they are all viewed as one sovereign state—The United Kingdom—and not separate states. Got it? Well, here’s the most important piece for this story: when you travel between England and Wales and Scotland, you don’t need any form of ID. However, not everyone knows this. Especially a couple of Australian rugby players who were playing for my college team.
For one game, the team headed from England to Wales to play Cardiff University. Just as they were nearing the Toll Bridge between England and Wales some of the English members of the team, decided to play a little prank. They turned to their Australian teammates and said: “You guys did remember to bring your passports, right?” Suddenly, the Aussies panicked… “You didn’t tell us we needed our passports!” The Englishmen said, “Of course you do! We’re going to Wales—it’s another country! Well… there’s only one thing for it.” They got the driver to pull over the bus just shy of the toll booths, which of course looked like immigration control booths, told the Aussies to get out, and they opened up the underneath of the bus where all the bags were and told them to get in. The slammed the cargo door shut, got back on the bus, and drove off laughing!
Good morning. Welcome to Chapel Hill. My name’s Ellis and I’m a pastor here. And if you didn’t know, I come from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As you probably know, a Kingdom is a place where a King rules and reigns. The United Kingdom comprises four different nations, united together under one king. No matter where you go in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, King Charles III rules and reigns—it is his Kingdom.