Pentecost +26b November 25, 2012
John
18:33-37 -- Christ the King
Over the last month and a half
we have looked at the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews calls us to live a life that is TESTIFIED : HOLY
Hebrews reminds us we can daily have a SHARP : CONFIDENCE
Hebrews reiterates our ability to have a GREATER : CONSCIENCE
Hebrews confirms us our SACRIFICED : SALVATION
Hebrews wants us to have an ENCOURAGED : FAITH
This morning - we're not in
Hebrews.
This morning we're looking at
John 18:33-37
Today is Christ the King
Sunday.
Today is also the last Sunday
of the Church calendar.
Next week starts Advent --
awaiting the dawn
preparing for the coming of Christ.
Yet today, historically in the
church we look at Christ the King.
Historically we pause and
reflect upon what it means for Christ to be King
Next week we HOPE for the
coming Messiah.
But today we engage the King.
John 18:33-37 NLT
Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus
to be brought to him.
“Are you the king of the
Jews?”
he asked him.
Jesus replied, “Is this your own
question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and
their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an
earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being
handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king.
Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who
love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
King of the Hill
When I was a child I played
King of the Hill every year at summer camp
King of the Hill - we played
on a large rock.
big enough to stand on,
we could have 6 kids standing still upon it.
But the goal was to be the only kid standing upon it.
One would rise to the top - declare themselves KING
And the others would rush to push the king off his pedistal and
claim the thrown.
It was a game of pushing, climbing, taking shots.
Interesting thing about
playing King of the Hill:
Once on Top -- you don't want to fall down.
Once on Top -- Its easy to stay on top...
It is hard to get to be on top
and be King of the Hill
But once there - It's easy to stay on top.
King of the Hill has many
practical expressions.
The "rat race"
The "political race"
Everyone wants to be on Top -
and those on Top will do anything to stay there.
Those on Top will do anything - push, kick, plant their feet...
Political Statement
Pilate didn't care about Jesus
religious claims.
The ruling authority didn't
care whether Jesus was a good teacher.
The political power house was
religiously tolerant
- just as long as everyone claimed Caesar as LORD.
- just as long as everyone fell within their political place.
I began to think of this idea
of Jesus as King
A King will do anything to
ensure he's secure.
A King will do anything to
retain their thrown.
A Kingdom will do anything to
maintain power.
So this very statement: Are
you a King
Is really said out of fear.
The
last two Presidential campaigns highlighted a new artistic style:
I even saw some which seemed
to have been done out of fear.
But I wonder, what thoughts or
emotions does the same political statement raise within you?
Does Jesus as King sound
weird?
Does Jesus as Lord?
How about Jesus as Chief?
Or Jesus as President?
What are your thoughts upon
seeing this political image?
When I showed this picture to
a few - they raised their eyebrow at "dictator"
Can Jesus really be a
dictator?
is there a definition of "dictator" which is in the
positive?
What does it mean for Jesus to
be KING?
Does it mean the same thing
for him to be President?
Doest it mean the same thing
to be LORD, Chief, Dictator?
Pilate didn't care about his
"religious" aspirations.
The Roman Empire simply needed
to squelch any political aspirations.
And they thought they were
doing that.
Upside Down Kingdom
For years I've enjoyed this
title: "UPSIDE DOWN KINGDOM"
Jesus' kingdom is so contrary
to our system and beliefs it's upside down.
It's backwards
It doesn't make sense.
In all reality - the Kingdom
of God isn't upside down!
WE ARE!
We are upside down.
We are backwards.
Our world which we so
violently cling to - is the confused, different, dangerous kingdom.
Our society with all of its
different governments and kingdoms
Does everything it can to maintain power.
But we know Christ the King.
Our King does not flaunt his
wealth
Our king does not oppress the
poor.
Our King is not arrogant,
power hungry,
Our KING, Christ the King --
is the Humble King:
He is the God of the broken
The friend of the weak
He washes the feet of the weary
Embraces the ones in need
And I want to be like You Jesus
To have this heart in me
You are the God of the humble
You are the humble King
You are the God of the humble
You are the humble King
Who is this King?
Of the coming King Daniel has
this to say (in chapter 7:13-14)
“In my vision at night I
looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,coming with the clouds of
heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was
given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every
language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not
pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Christ the King was given
authority.
Christ was given glory
Christ was given sovereign
power
Christ's dominion is
everlasting
Christ's kingdom will not pass
away
His kingdom will never be
destroyed.
Who is this king?
The late S.M. Lockridge says
it beautifully in "That's My King"
The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews.
He’s the King of Israel.
He’s the King of Righteousness.
He’s the King of the Ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of Glory.
He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords.
That’s my King.
I wonder, do you know Him?
My King is a sovereign King.
No means of measure can define His limitless love.
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of
this world.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s Saviour.
He’s the centerpiece of civilization.
He’s unparalleled.
He’s unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.
I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captive.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent.
And He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him?
He’s the key to knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him? Well…
His life is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
And His yoke is easy.
And His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes…
He’s indescribable!
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hand.
You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him.
Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they
found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
Yeah! That’s my King, that’s my King.
Amen!
Is this your king?
Is Christ your KING?
This morning:
Is Jesus your King?
Is Jesus your Chief?
Have you allowed Jesus to be your Lord?
Is Jesus your President or your Dictator?
The questions is simply this:
Have you given all authority over to HIM?
Christ wants to rule your
life.
not in some scary dictatorship
But in a relationship where you can know true life.
The question this morning
simply is:
Have you given him power and
authority?
Do you proclaim him as CHRIST THE KING?
This morning I invite you, as
Colossians 2:6-7 says:
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you
must continue to follow him. Let your
roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith
will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with
thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6, 7 NLT)
This morning:
I invite you to accept Christ
Jesus as your Lord.
Let your roots grow down into
him.
Let your lives be built on
him.
Allow him to rule over your
life.
Permit the one - who's kingdom
is not of this world
to step into power - and transform everything!
Benediction:
As you go, receive this
benediction:
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you
must continue to follow him. Let your
roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith
will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with
thankfulness.
As you go; be bold in
your political associations - of Christ as King
Go and Love!