The Reign of Christ: A King Like No Other

Reading of the Word

Ephesians 1:15–23 NASB 2020

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Prayer of Illumination

O Sovereign God, You reign with justice, mercy, and love, and in Christ, You have revealed the fullness of Your kingdom. As we open Your Word today, illumine our hearts and minds by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help us see Christ more clearly, submit to His authority more fully, and follow Him more faithfully. May the truth of Your Word transform us, that we may reflect Your kingdom’s light in this world. In the name of Christ, our King, we pray. Amen.

Introduction

Picture a parade with a grand float carrying a local celebrity. Everyone cheers, but it’s a fleeting moment. In contrast, when we celebrate Christ the King, it’s not a one-day event or mere entertainment. It’s a lifestyle! Our King is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His kingdom is one of joy and hope. Let’s keep the celebration alive in our hearts!

Today is Christ the King Sunday, a significant day in the Liturgical Calendar that invites us to focus on the kingship of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many modern churches have neglected this tradition, treating it as just another Sunday rather than a moment to pause and reflect.

In a rush to move forward into the week, we often miss the opportunity to contemplate the deep meaning of this observance. Christ the King Sunday, always observed on the last Sunday before Advent, reminds us that Christ is our eternal King, and it prepares us for the Advent season that begins next week. Advent is a time of waiting, not just for Christ's birth at Christmas, but also for His return as King. By honoring this day, we can gain a deeper understanding of the coming Advent celebrations and the significance of Christ’s reign over all creation.

The church year has taken us full circle into the life of Christ.

His leaving his kingship aside in heaven

His birth

His ministry

His death & resurrection

His ascension & current reign as King

1. Faith's Foundation in Christ

Ephesians 1:15-17

Paul first recognizes the great love they have for the saints.

This love has spurred on great faith in Christ.

Just as Christ loved us, we share that same love with one another in His Name. God is the source of the love that we are partakers in. Jesus’ reign is dominated by love. We must love one another before we can love others.

Faith and love united is what creates saints that live sold out for Jesus and the mission at hand.

Paul prays for them:

But first he gives thanks for them. A church full of love and faith is something to celebrate and thank God for.

To have wisdom and revelation of who Christ is.

Because in praying this, he wants God to provide the mind of Christ to the followers at Ephesus.

“Wisdom is the capacity to see things from God’s viewpoint.” -Charles Stanley

He wants them to have this mind so that they can forget the past and reach for knowing Christ more so that they could share him more.

Proverbs 2:6 NASB 2020

For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

The informed heart will allow them to know the power that is given to them through their faith in Christ.

They already have faith in Jesus but now he wants them to see the power God has to redeem and restore others.

He wants us to recognize first the power that works in us.

a great, divine, supernatural power that cannot be measured or controlled.

Do we many times not see anything happen and underestimate the power and potential of God’s power?

Sometimes underestimating God is as dangerous as rebelling against him. Our sin may not be a matter of doing overt wrong but of being hesitant to pursue righteousness and to trust fully in the Lord.

Darrell L. Bock

The power that works in us is the same power that worked in Christ and rose him from the dead. Because it rose him from the dead, it can raise us to new life in him!

2. Hope and Inheritance Revealed

Ephesians 1:18-19

Three spiritual blessings for the believer:

Hope for the future

Christ is the living and only true hope the world has.

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

The inheritance waiting for us

It is one that we will enjoy forever and never perish.

The great power of God himself at work on our behalf

He is fighting for us.

Deuteronomy 3:22 NASB 2020

Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the One fighting for you.’

These blessings are only possible because Christ is the King.

He opens our eyes to his purposes for our lives & the church.

He gives us confidence to rely in his mighty power.

We first must learn to rely less on ourselves and more on God.

Imagine a group of kids playing king of the hill. They climb up, aiming to be the king, but it’s an unstable throne, and they fall off! Our lives can be like that too, constantly trying to establish our own kingdoms. But when Christ is our King, we don't have to worry about slipping. Instead, we find stability and joy in His reign. Let's celebrate that we have the only King who never falls!

Victory through Exaltation

Ephesians 1:20-21

The ultimate demonstration of God’s authority as the King.

The resurrection of Christ

Jesus conquered death.

Christ reigns at the right hand of the Father

His power is above:

All rule and authority

In crushing death by death, nothing will be ever able to separate us from the love of God.

His rule and authority has no end.

Once, a friend dressed up as a king for Halloween, complete with a crown and cape. Everyone laughed, but what struck me was how serious he played the part. When we acknowledge Christ as King of our lives, we don’t need a costume! His authority isn’t pretend; it’s real, and His love transforms us every day, giving us the truest royal identity.

When we acknowledge His authority, it can bring peace amid chaos and direction in times of uncertainty.

b. Power and dominion

Jesus didn’t come to have dominion over an earthly Kingdom.

His power could not have been shown at his fullest if he would have done this. He didn’t come to just restore Israel. He came to redeem the world!

He came not only to have power and dominion over everything, but to restore all things to newness of life.

His power was used to empower those who believed in him by faith.

This power removes all fear. It overcomes sin in our lives. It gives us the power to live lives of holiness.

c. Every name that is named

I want us to think about this for a minute.

From being born in humility, rejected at the inn, and having nowhere to lay His head, Christ now sits glorified at the right hand of Almighty God.

From enduring the crown of thorns pressed into His brow to now wearing the crown of glory and majesty.

From being mocked on the cross and laid in the tomb to reigning on the throne of glory as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

From being despised and unrecognizable as a man to reigning above the kings of the earth who once claimed He had no power over them.

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB 2020

For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

d. We are called in this text to live in the victory of Christ’s triumph.

We have a share in this victory because we are His children.

Live in the victory Christ has won! Faith is the triumph that overcomes the world!

King's Headship Over Church

Ephesians 1:22-23

Everything is under the authority of Christ.

The Universe

He is the Lord of all Creation and has redeemed humanity through his finished work at Calvary.

One day, He will restore all of creation to its intended perfection, free from sin, death, and pain. God will dwell with us in the midst of this renewed creation.

He is the Head of the Church.

The head cares and empowers the body of believers to recognize their role as a critical part of Christ’s mission on earth.

The head asks the body to move, to act, to do what it commands.

The church is the body.

The body cannot function without the Head.

Christ has equipped the body to do the work. Now we must get out there and do it.

To Sum It Up: Christ truly is the King of Kings, ruling over every aspect of life. His authority can bring peace amid chaos and direction in times of uncertainty.

Conclusion

Today, we give thanks for Christ our King—the all-powerful King who reigns by love and chose to be crucified to rescue us and the world. He died so that we might live, not for ourselves, but for Him.

We have been spared the cross we deserve, and now we are called to live each day for the King who died to save us, until that blessed day when His glorious kingdom is fully revealed. But to do this, we must allow Christ to sit on the throne of our hearts. Will you let Him? Or is He being pushed aside by sin? Let Him reign in your heart, and strive to serve Him with joy and thankfulness each day.

Prayer After Message

Almighty God, We have been reminded today that Christ is King— not only over creation but over our very lives. Help us to live in joyful submission to His rule, trusting His guidance and sharing His love with the world. Grant us courage to be His hands and feet, bringing hope to the hopeless and light to the darkness. As we leave this place, may we do so as loyal servants of our King, ready to live out His kingdom in our words and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Benediction

May the God who reigns in glory fill your hearts with joy, the Christ who rules in majesty guide your steps in love, and the Spirit who empowers in truth lead you forth in peace. Go now, to love and serve the Lord, for Christ is King today and forever. Amen.