Christ Our Supreme King

The King We Need: Christ's Rule in Our Lives

Bible Passage: John 18:33–37, Re 1:4–8, Zechariah 12:10

Summary: This theme explores the dual nature of Christ as both King and Judge, highlighting how His kingship brings hope to believers while also serving as a warning to those who reject Him.

Application: Understanding Christ as our Supreme King calls us to recognize His authority in our lives, encouraging us to submit to His will and find hope in His reign. This sermon challenges us to evaluate whether we see Christ merely as a judge or as the loving King who desires a relationship with us.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that Christ's kingship is active and transformative, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him while recognizing that rejecting His authority has serious consequences.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ is the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies found in Zechariah, revealing Himself as the King who suffers for His people and later reigns in glory, demonstrating His authority over all creation.

Big Idea: Embracing Christ as our Supreme King leads to genuine hope and transformation, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging His authority and the implications of rejecting it.

Recommended Study: The theological implications of Christ's kingship. Explore the relationship between the sovereignty of God and human free will, especially in the context of judgment. Examining different Greek terms in Revelation related to kingship may also enrich your understanding and application.

1. Pilate's Perception Problem

John 18:33–35

Jesus's exchange with Pilate reveals Christ's kingship that transcends earthly political power.

The Jewish leaders wanted Pilate to pronounce judgment on Jesus, and he asked what crime Jesus had committed.

But, the Jewish leaders did not answer him, they just wanted Pilate to carry out the punishment.

Pilate tried to give Jesus over the Pharisees but they refused, they wanted him killed but they didn’t want to get their hands dirty.

Jesus had prophesied that he would die on a cross which only the Romans employed.

Pilate did not know who Jesus was or why he was being brought for judgment, unless he was told the lie that Jesus claimed to be “The King of the Jews.”

Jesus had spoken of his kingdom many times in the course of his ministry.

Here he speaks again of his kingdom and claims it is not of this world, and spoke about his disciples not being a threat to him or the Jewish leaders.

To Pilate, this may have be a relief, he would not have to worry about this Jesus and his kingdom.

one may find hope and encouragement to submit willingly to His transformative rule in their lives.

2. Proclaiming a True Kingdom

John 18:36–37

Jesus’s clarification that His kingdom is not from this world, showing Him as the king of truth.

Jesus conveyed to Pilate his understanding of his kingdom as NOT being of this world.

What does it mean that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world?

To be of this world means derived from the world of physical things, humanity and human thoughts and activity.

When we think of kingdoms we think of the domain and governance of physical things and humans.

We may think of our own nation’s government and all that encompasses, these human things derived from human thinking.

But, Jesus’ understands his kingdom in a far different way than Pilate understands kingdom.

In Jesus’ kingdom ultimate authority and power are centered in the spiritual, more specifically, with God who is Spirit.

Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth about him and his kingdom.

Christ is a king with authority not beholden to worldly systems like the Empire of Rome dominating kingdoms around them by military and economic might.

No worldly government would be able to dominate such a kingdom.

Jesus Christ remained unchallenged and uncondemned by such a system.

But in a shady deal, his own people made a trade for a murder.

Even then, Jesus did not stay dead, for death is of this world, and Jesus rose as the king of truth, of an even greater kingdom.

Understanding and accepting this truth can transform life’s challenges, providing strength and a new perspective that worldly rulers cannot offer.

3. Reassuring Regal Revelations

Revelation 1:4–6

John’s greeting to the seven churches in Revelation asserts Jesus Christ's kingship over all earthly rulers.

Grace and Peace are used in common greeting among God’s people.

This is the expectation of God’s people when we come together, communicate, and interact.

Jesus’ kingdom is a place where we find grace and peace.

Jesus freed us from the deceptive power of the kingdoms of this world by giving up his own life, even when those kingdoms were not successful in condemning him.

Christ’s kingdom is not of this dying world but of the eternal kingdom of God. This is why we come together, to give our thanks and praise to our eternal king.

As his people, we live out our identity as citizens of this royal kingdom of priests, serving and loving others as a reflection of His leadership.

4. Revelation of Righteous Return

Revelation 1:7–8

This depicts Christ's return as the moment when every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.

For some, this depiction might be received as judgment, almost a threat because Christ brings both consequences of belief or rejection of him and his kingdom.

For most of us gathered here, believing in Jesus Christ our king, this depiction brings us joy reminding us of the final victory of Christ over the evil forces of this world.

5. Zechariah's Zealous Foretelling

Zechariah 12:10

Zechariah foretold the piercing of Christ and the outpouring of grace upon humanity. His kingship is sacrificial, willingly suffering for His people.

Let me encourage you to embrace the transformative power of Christ’s sacrificial love that leads us to genuine, continual repentance and authentic transformation by the work of his Spirit.