Trump, Tariffs and Treason John 12:12-16
- people often think Palm Sunday is the moment when Jesus first revealed His kingdom to the world. He’s been preaching about the Kingdom since day one. It’s always been kingdom
- The word “love” 13–15 times in the Synoptic about 20 times in John’s Gospel.
- Compare that to 50+ faith, or 30+ to obedience/discipleship.100+ mentions of the Kingdom of God. An honest student of the word would say KINGDOM of God was JC PRIMARY message
- The Kingdom of God is the central message of our Savior. Not love. Love is in the Kingdom
- “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” That’s how He launched His ministry in Galilee—not with a sword, but with a call to surrender. Not love– Repent!
- From Sermon on Mount to the streets, JC wasn’t silent. Mustard seed, hidden treasure, Yeast
- Over and over to his disciples- Kingdom Kingdom Kingdom-
- And to His disciples—who were waiting for a military uprising—He said, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation. The Kingdom is within you.” Later in the week He said to pilate– My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight… but now My kingdom is not from here.
- So by the time Palm Sunday happened—by the time the palm branches hit the ground and the crowds shouted “Hosanna!”—Jesus had already made it clear:
- He wasn’t coming to conquer Rome. He was coming to conquer sin. Heart change not Political
- He wasn’t riding in to meet our political expectations.He was riding in to meet our eternal need.
- The problem wasn’t that He didn’t explain the Kingdom.
- The problem was that they didn’t want His kind of kingdom.- They wanted POWER and Safety
- And the question this Palm Sunday is—do we? Or are we committing kingdom treason
- A crowd can shout “Hosanna” but still long for a political solution over a spiritual Savior.
- TREASON is The act of turning against the rightful rule of God by placing ultimate allegiance in someone or something else. Its belonging to a kingdom and serving the opposite one.
- Biblically speaking, treason isn’t just rebellion—it’s relational betrayal. It’s when someone who should be loyal chooses another king, kingdom, or cause. When we bow to the world’s leaders and political systems as the source of our Leadership, joy and Kingdom.
- I’ve titled the message- Trump Tariffs and Treason because I think far too many people are overly concerned with what Trump is doing and the tariffs that are happening. Right now message! We don’t want to commit spiritual treason! Jesus is our King! HIS KINGDOM
- 1: We commit Treason in Our Longing
In this story, we see Jesus entering into Jerusalem. It’s a fulfillment of Zech 9:9 READ - Israel had been waiting for a reigning king for a very long time. Tired of being under rome
- Israel began as a fledgling tribal people under God’s direct rule, delivered from Egypt and governed through judges and prophets. Over time, they demanded a king to be like other nations (1 Samuel 8), becoming a political force under Saul, David, and Solomon. But through idolatry, division, and disobedience, the kingdom split (Israel and Judah), then fell to Assyrian and Babylonian exile. Though some returned, foreign rule (Persians, Greeks, then Romans) dominated. By Jesus’ time, Israel lived under Roman oppression, and the people, still longing for a king, hoped for a Messiah to restore national glory—yet misunderstood the spiritual nature of the Kingdom He brought. What they WANTED clouded the ability to RECEIVE JESUS
- Here’s an important distinction: A “Country” is political. A “Nation” is covenantal.
- A country is a geopolitical entity defined by: Borders Laws Govts Armies Elections or monarchs
- A nation, in biblical terms, is a people defined by: Identity Covenant Culture Calling Shared worship and allegiance to God- We are a NATION within a COUNTRY
- So when God says Exodus 19:6 – “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
- It’s a very distinct ideology- we are to live for HIM and TO HIM within HIS reign and rule
- This all changed in 1 Samuel 8:5–7 – Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations… they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
- Israel wasn’t longing for God’s leadership—they were longing for worldly security. They wanted to look like everyone else, to keep up politically, militarily, economically. Their longing was the beginning of betrayal. Prosperity, Protection, Power, To RULE instead of BE RULED
- The prophets spoke Isaiah 43:15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
- Zech 14:9 the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be—“The Lord is one,”
- They were trying to get people to stop thinking politically and start thinking spiritually!
- Political, military, economic power doesn’t save a soul or repair relationship with God
- Leviticus 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.
- Jeremiah 30:22 You shall be My people, and I will be your God.
- But no! The uncomfortable realities of the oppression of the Israelites caused them to commit treason on the Lord! Build us a kingdom Jesus! Hosanna! Save us from Rome! Give us POWER
- We can’t stand the gas prices, the tariffs, the interest rates! Save us! Hosanna to papa Trump!
- It’s the same heart that people have today- Begging and defending Trump as the Savior!
- Its “He’s destroying everything we’ve built” to “He’ll create everything we need”
- Both are unbiblical and treasonous to the Kingdom of our God and Savior who’s kingdom is not of this world- The SAME sentiment on Palm Sunday- Be what WE WANT not what WE NEED
- When I was deployed, I had a mission—given by my commander.
- I wasn’t sent to get involved in foreign politics or fix their systems.
- What if I said, “Let’s change the mission and fix their country instead”?
- That’s not loyalty—that’s betrayal. I have a commander- I’m not supposed to deviate from
- Israel did the same. They didn’t want God’s mission—they wanted their version of a king.
- “Hosanna” wasn’t a cry of surrender—it was a political demand. GIVE US A KING
- Treason begins when we stop trusting God’s kingdom and start longing for another kingdom
- James 4:4 – Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?
- When we crave the world’s systems more than God’s reign, we aren’t just weak—we’re unfaithful. Quit hoping in Trump. Quit worrying about Tariffs. This is not our KINGDOM
- 2: we commit Treason in Our Praise
The same mouths that praised Jesus on Sunday screamed for His death on Friday. - They wanted a political deliverer, not a spiritual Savior. Shallow praise is not loyalty—it’s performance. And when expectations aren’t met, betrayal follows. (same now-leave church)
- They screamed- John 12:13 – Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
- But later in the week Luke 23:21 – But they cried out, saying, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!
- Isa29:13 These people draw near with their mouths but have removed their hearts far from Me.
- Not only is our longing treasonous, our praise becomes treasonous when we sing empty praise
- What Good is it to sing songs of worship and praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords when we don’t really desire for him to rule and reign in our hearts, just to save us from this world
- Are you singing “I crown you Lord of All” or are you singing “Keep prices low so I can indulge”
- I fantasize about leaving the PNW. It’s the transgenderism, the sexual immorality, it’s the high prices, the high taxes. It’s the feeling that I’m not really welcomed here. A pariah.
- But do I sing for God to deliver me from here? Or for him to rule and reign in my heart?
- “I’ll praise you anywhere”. But will you? Or only when he will deliver you from politics
- We have been given such a gift. We don’t have to go look for the lost- they are right here.
- Do we praise Jesus only when He fits our agenda? do we worship Him regardless of outcome?
- Psalm 47:6–7 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth;
- Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
- When you praise God, praise him for his salvation from your sins, the spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms. That you’re a holy nation a distinct people. Call forth his praises!
- Imagine your child comes up to you singing, “You’re the best mom… the best dad… I love you!”
- But you notice—they only sing it when they want something. Gifts, treats, fun
- The moment you say “no” or don’t meet their expectations, the song stops.
- That’s not love—it’s manipulation. I’ll only love you when you do what I want you to do
- we sing “You’re worthy of it all”, but only when God’s blessing us. When He doesn’t fix what we want fixed, our praise fades. That’s not worship—it’s transactional.
- That’s not praise—it’s pouting with a melody. God sees through it—just like any parent would.
- I’ve always found it curious how churches bring in kids on palm Sunday to wave palm branches and lay down coats. Trying to show praise and adoration of the savior
- But that’s not the story of palm Sunday. It’s a story of misguided and manipulative praise
- Why would we have our children reenact this? What are we teaching them?
- What good is “hosanna hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” if its not directly from a heart condition that desires to honor God with our full heart and devotion?
- Matthew 15:7–8 – Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
- True praise is not reactive—it’s rooted. Its not wavering based on circumstances.
- True praise says, “You’re worthy,” when I’m healed or hurting. When I have and when I don’t.
- True praise doesn’t come from circumstances—it comes from conviction. He is worthy.
- Psalm 34:1 – I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- Ask yourself: Would your praise survive disappointment? Would your song still rise if Jesus didn’t change your situation—but only changed your heart? If He walked right past your political crisis and went straight to your soul, would you still say Hosanna? Or would you say “Crucify Him”—because He didn’t meet your expectations? Interest down, prices up- still?
- What if the tariffs destroy everything and you lose everything. If trump is on your donkey, you’ll get your just reward, but maybe Jesus is supposed to be on there and not a political figure.
- 3: Treason in Our Allegiance
I’ve made this message punchy. It’s supposed to be that way. I had people leave my church when I called trump a thrice divorced narcissistic pornographer when he was running - I’m not going to spiritualize a political figure as the source or deliverance for my life
- Why is it when we send missionaries overseas it’s not to run for political office?
- It’s because we know, and preach but do not live when it really matters-
- John 18:36 – My kingdom is not of this world.- Its not Trump or Tariffs. NOT OF THIS WORLD
Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules. He doesn’t run for office. He reigns on a cross. When we place more hope in ballots, presidents, and platforms than in the King of Heaven, it’s not strategy—it’s treason. He didn’t come to take sides. He came to take over. - Philippians 3:20 – Our citizenship is in heaven.Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve two masters…
- My job is to kick over, burn and destroy ever idol in your heart. If you’re mad today- reveals
- You can be politically involved, but you must be spiritually loyal. Kingdom allegiance means earthly politics never hold your hope. (I put this trump pic bc that’s how some people are)
- The sadness of Palm Sunday was a people who had deeper allegiance to their own political motivations than they had to the king of kings. Might as well be Trump on a donkey.
- We are not of this world. We cannot commit treason against our savior. Not a political KING
- Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
- Have you committed treason? Not with your mouth—but with your heart? Have you crowned a candidate while ignoring the cross? Do you care more about tariffs and trump than Jesus?
- Today is the day to declare again: Jesus is not just your Savior—He is your King. Not politician
- No more split allegiance. No more stolen crowns. No more spiritual treason. No wrong hope
Practical Ways to Guard Your Heart Against Spiritual Treason
- Stay Loyal in the Word Read the Bible not just for information—but for transformation. Align your thoughts with Kingdom truth, not cultural noise. Politics and eras change.
Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. - Worship with Surrender, Not Expectation Don’t just sing about the King—live submitted to Him. Praise God even when He doesn’t change your situation. Standard of Praise.
Hebrews 13:15 – Continually offer the sacrifice of praise. - Pray for His Will, Not Just Your Relief Stop using prayer to change your circumstances—start using it to change your heart. “God help me to live for you in every circumstance”
Matthew 6:10 – Your kingdom come. Your will be done. - Repent Quickly and Frequently Treason begins with small compromises. Keep short accounts with God. Daily- Lord, I am committed to you. I live for you. You have my allegiance.
Psalm 139:23–24 – Search me, O God… see if there is any wicked way in me. - Discern Your Longing Ask yourself: Do I long more for comfort, control, or cultural peace—or for Christ Himself? Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
- Live as a Citizen of Heaven Remember: You are not home yet. Don’t get too comfortable in a world you’re just passing through. Philippians 3:20 – Our citizenship is in heaven.
- Surround Yourself with Kingdom People
Stay in community with people who love Jesus more than the world. Loyalty is strengthened in fellowship. Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with wise men will be wise.
For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE
Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE
