Jesus is the King

(John 18:36)

Introduction:

A. " Oh! how I wish that the Lord would come in my lifetime!"

" Why," asked the chaplain, " does your Majesty feel this very earnest desire?

The Queen replied with quivering lips, and her whole countenance lighted up by deep emotion-" I should so love to lay my crown at His feet." -Queen Victoria

B. It is amazing to see the impact that Christ has had on our world where the kings and queens of this world acknowledge him as Lord and King, but he has always been the King. (Daniel 4:30-33)

C. However, Pilate did not recognize that at Jesus’ trial, and Jesus informed him of his kingship. (John 18:33-38)

D. We too need to remember that while Jesus is our savior and our friend he is also the King.

Body:

I. A King must have authority.

A. God has all authority.

1. Authority is defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. (Oxford dictionary)

2. Since God created the universe, he has all the power and the only right to make decisions, give orders, and enforce our obedience. (Genesis 1:1)

B. God has given Jesus all authority.

1. Jesus said repeatedly throughout his ministry that God had given him all authority to judge. (John 5:25-27)

2. However, after his crucifixion the Father gave all authority to Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20)

C. With all authority Jesus will be the one we answer to.

1. With Jesus as our King we are obligated to do what he has commanded. (Colossians 3:17)

2. With Jesus as King we must options either we obey his commands, or we face punishment. (1 John 2:3-4)

II. A King must have subjects.

A. Every person on earth is in subjection to Christ Jesus.

1. Each of us will face the judgement one day. (Hebrews 9:27)

2. We will each be judged based on the things we did in this life, and we will have lived as good servants or bad servants. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

B. We should therefore seek to please the Lord and King of all.

1. How are we supposed to be pleasing to God?

2. It is by having faith and keeping his commandments. (John 14:1; John 15:10)

C. That includes going into spiritual warfare for him.

1. We having to be willing to give up everything in this life to follow him. (Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:34-39)

2. That includes our life of sin. (Romans 6:1-4; 1 Peter 2:11)

3. Then we must be willing to take up arms against our own desires and the world which denies that Jesus is the King. (2 Corinthians 10:1-6)

III. A King must have a kingdom.

A. Jesus already had a kingdom in heaven.

1. He was with God in the beginning in heaven. (John 1:1-3, 14)

2. Heaven is where his throne is and where the Father’s house is. (John 14:1-3)

3. The goal of every Christian is to obtain that eternal life and to one day see that kingdom of heaven. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

B. Jesus would die to establish his kingdom on earth which is the church.

1. Jesus promised that there would be some who would not dies until they saw the kingdom of God coming with power and he told Peter that he would be given the keys to the kingdom. (Mark 9:1; Matthew 16:15-19)

2. On the day of Pentecost, Peter, used those keys to open the kingdom to all who would believe and follow Christ. (Acts 2:37-39)

C. The only way to be a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom is to be added by God.

1. We cannot join a church and be saved but we can only be added to the kingdom of God if we become obedient to him in baptism. (Acts 2:41, 47)

2. We cannot join a church because there is nothing, we can do to earn our salvation. (Ephesians 2:8)

3. However, through obedience to his commands and his will we can be found in his grace a justified. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Conclusion:

A. Have you submitted yourself to the King of kings and Lord of lords?

B. If not, then why?

C. Jesus is returning and will judge the world as King and ruler over it.