The King and His People

Last week, we laid out some foundational principles concerning the kingdom of God. We learned that the Bible's central teaching is the kingdom of God.

We noticed the thread of the kingdom in both the Old and New Testaments.

As we understand God’s unshakable kingdom, we must continue to ask ourselves these questions seriously.

Am I a part of God’s kingdom?

Am I a kingdom person?

To have a kingdom, you need a king, a realm, and a people.

The King of the kingdom is Jesus.

The realm of the kingdom is the whole world.

The kingdom's people are those whom God has redeemed for his purpose.

This morning, I want to show you that God’s purpose for his kingdom people is consistent throughout the Bible.

In doing so, I want to talk to you this morning about the King and His people.

Exodus 19:1–6 ESV

On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Verses four through six highlight three principles for doing great things for the kingdom. Our first observation is the reality of Redemption.

The Reality of Redemption

History is God’s plan of redemption, present throughout the Bible. We see the reality of this plan in verse four.

Exodus 19:4 ESV

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

The Lord is referring to Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This goes back to when God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. God performed many miracles to bring about redemption.

What was God’s reason for redeeming the Israelites? His faithfulness to his promises and covenant is one reason. There’s an encouraging detail in verse four upon closer examination.

Notice verse Exodus 19:4 “‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

The encouraging word is “myself.”

Surrendering your life to the Lord results in redemption and a transfer to God’s kingdom. The King redeems his people to establish a dynamic relationship with them.

Most Sunday morning, churchgoers lack a kingdom vision because of a lack of kingdom relationship. Not knowing the King results in a lack of kingdom vision. Kingdom people are aware of their redemption and know the King.

I love reading people’s stories of coming to Christ. The testimony of John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace, is fascinating. John’s mother’s dying wish was for him to become a minister. His life choice took him down another path.

John Newton was skeptical about Christianity. While working on a slave ship, he read Christian literature. He viewed Christian literature as a fairy tale. However, what John referred to as an “involuntary voice” uttered, “Christianity is true.” The crew fixed a leak, but John told the captain if the repair didn’t hold, may the Lord have mercy. The surprise came to John when he realized he had never imagined himself in a position where he would need the Lord’s mercy. Once again, John credited the “involuntary voice” for that thought. On March 21, 1748, John cried out to Jesus and encountered God’s amazing grace, redemption, and a transformative experience. In the end, he became a minister in the kingdom.

It is possible that people are hearing a voice right now that tells them they don’t know Jesus. The Spirit of God urges you to become a kingdom person by fully embracing redemption through Jesus Christ.

A transformation will happen when there is true redemption. The grace of God will transform your heart and mind when you experience true redemption. Once you experience redemption, your life’s agenda will align with the King’s agenda. The second principle highlighted in these verses shows the expectation of obedience.

The Expectation of Obedience

God’s redemption carries with it certain expectations.

Exodus 19:5 ESV

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

God isn’t implying that their redemption relies on their obedience. The redemption has already taken place. Their responsibility as redeemed individuals was to obey.

I like how the NIV transales verse five: “5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.”

“Anything less than total obedience is disobedience.”

Partial obedience is total disobedience.

Delayed obedience is present-tense disobedience.

To be effective in God’s kingdom, we must obediently show our love for the one who redeemed us. Redeemed people serve the king effectively. Obeying reflects God’s character and mission. Obeying reveals the kingdom’s reality to the world.

God declares obedient kingdom people become His representatives to the world. Embracing God’s name, mission, and word makes us His special treasure.

The Lord’s Special Treasure

Exodus 19:5 ESV

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Some of your translations may say “unique possession” or “peculiar treasure.”

The Hebrew word for “peculiar” means “movable possession.”

Typically, people had only a few possessions. These included land, property, and valuable items like jewelry, gold, silver, and precious stones. People preferred jewelry because they could sew it into clothing for easy transportation. When God redeems and people obey, they become his possessions.

Here are some examples of people from the Bible who were God’s possession. Joseph is one of them. God placed him in Pharaoh’s house for his family’s future provision. What about Ester? God made her Queen to save the Jews. God moved Philip to lead an Ethiopian man to Christ in the book of Acts. God guides and empowers his people to fulfill his purposes.

Here are some examples of people from the Bible who were God’s possession.

Joseph is one of them. God placed him in Pharaoh’s house for his family’s future provision.

What about Ester? God made her Queen to save the Jews.

God moved Philip to lead an Ethiopian man to Christ in the book of Acts.

God guides and empowers his people to fulfill his purposes.

This truth has implications for every kingdom person. Kingdom people don’t just gather on Sundays for the huddle; they’re dispersed throughout the week.

You are in a doctor’s waiting room for a reason. God can use you in the doctor’s office for kingdom activity. God has redeemed young people for kingdom activity. God has a purpose for putting you in grocery store lines. Being movable doesn’t mean going on a mission field abroad, although it might be what God wants you to do. Being movable means representing the kingdom of God to the world.

Notice also we are a kingdom of priests.

A Kingdom of Priests

Exodus 19:6 ESV

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

This is actually the first mention of the kingdom in the Bible. It was implied before, but now it is explicit. The Lord’s statement predates the development of the priesthood.

God desired Israel to be a kingdom of priests, and he desired and continues to desire the same for his people under the New Covenant.

Every member is a priest.

We bridge the gap between sinners and a holy God. Paul calls us ambassadors for Christ in 2 Corinthians 5.

We, the redeemed, become reconciled.

The apostle Peter states our God’s desire for us in 1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

It gives the impression of being from Exodus. Throughout history, God’s purpose for his kingdom people remains constant: to embody his name, embrace his mission, and obey his word.

The third principle is the realization of potential.

The Realization of Potential

Exodus 19:5 ESV

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Notice the last phrase of verse five: “for all the earth is mine.”

Israel’s redemption was to spread God’s word to all nations. God wants all nations to know him through his redeemed people. It was true for Israel and remains true for the church. Kingdom people must spread the word about the Lord to the world.

Lord, may we embody your character in our lives and be trustworthy ambassadors of your mission to spread the good news of the kingdom worldwide.

This morning, are you hearing the voice about your kingdom position? Will you obey? Will you accept Christ this morning? God’s voice calls kingdom members to obey completely. Perhaps the Lord is prompting you to engage in kingdom activity at work, school, or neighborhood. Will you obey?