Robes of Royalty

Introduction

Welcome

Introduction to Series:

We are in a series called: ‘Jesus is greater.’ We are exploring the second half of Romans 5 starting from verse 12 to 21 where Paul, the apostle contrasts Adam and Christ.

In this series, the goal is to help us see that Christ is better. Christ will always be the better option.

Title:

Robes of Royalty

Prayer:

In Jesus name, Amen!

Body

Story:

Harvard, in the department of Public Health, wrote an article in July of 2022 entitled “Spirituality linked with better health outcomes.” In their study they identified the highest quality of evidence that spirituality among people who are seriously ill have better health outcomes. Let’s read an excerpt from the article:

“They noted that for healthy people, spiritual community participation–as exemplified by religious service attendance – is associated with healthier lives, including greater longevity, less depression and suicide, and less substance use.” 

Explanation:

Why do I share this with you? Because Jesus has been saying this long before Harvard discovered and wrote about it.

Illustration:

John 17:2–3 NLT

For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

Application:

When we are connected to Jesus, God himself, intimately, he is the source of eternal life.

When we hear ‘eternal life’, some of us are confused and don’t know what it is exactly and some interpret it to mean that Jesus isn’t saying

Eternal life is more than just existing or having breath in our lungs.

The word ‘life’ comes from the greek word ‘zoe’ and it means the state of being alive; especially healthiness, happiness, joy, energy, vitality, or liveliness.

In other words, It’s the life that God gives endlessly for everyone that believes in him. It’s not just when we arrive in heaven but eternal life can be found here and now with Jesus.

Bible

Context:

Over the past two weeks, we have studied the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:12-21, exploring how Jesus is greater by contrasting Him, Jesus, with Adam.

The first week we learned that what Jesus gave is better than what Adam did. All of us have a choice to make: To live in what Adam did or to live in what Jesus gave.

The second week we learned that the results of Adam’s sin was not just death, but punishment. But the results of grace and forgiveness that Jesus gave is to be accepted and loved by God. This is important because to know the difference between the two will help us live in freedom. Free from the lie of the enemy because we know the truth of God’s word.

In today’s message, much like Jesus’ words about eternal life in John 17:2-3, the Apostle Paul declares that we are to reign in life through Jesus Christ.

Main Bible Passage:

Romans 5:17 ESV

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Transitional Sentence:

In this passage today, we going to learn 3 powerful principles about reigning in life.

Points

First Principle: Access

Explanation:

The word ‘reign’ was usually used during the period of the monarch; kings and queens. It’s a word we don’t often use because of the day and age we live in but some words you may be familiar with could be: king, rule or influence. To reign means to be a king or ruler, exercising authority over a kingdom.

When we think about reigning or kingship in the bible, the question we should ask ourselves is: Who is reigning or king?

There are two answers to that question: God as King and us — royal in Christ.

Illustration:

Illustration 1: God as King:

Exodus 15:18 “The Lord will reign forever and ever.” (ESV)

Psalm 47:8 “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” (ESV)

Ezekiel 20:33 ““As I live, declares the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you.” (ESV)

Luke 1:33 “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (ESV)

Revelation 11:15 “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (ESV)

Illustration 2: Believers as royalty:

Ephesians 2:6 “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

1 Timothy 6:15 “For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (ESV)

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (ESV)

Revelation 5:10 “And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” (ESV)

Application:

So it’s without a doubt that the bible speaks of God as King and us as royal; kings and queens because of Christ. That truth alone will help us to think of ourselves differently — it will change the way we walk and talk. It’s part of our identity and places value on our lives.

But here is what I want to get at: A king has access to anything in his/her kingdom.

Colossians 1:13 NLT

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Romans 5:2 ESV

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:17 ESV

reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

The word life is the same word ‘zoe’ — the state of being alive; especially healthiness, happiness, joy, energy, vitality, or liveliness.

In other word, we have access to the joy, happiness, vitality or liveliness of God himself through Jesus Christ.

This is the first principle to reigning in life: We have access to eternal life.

Second Principle: Authority

Explanation:

A king has authority over all things; including the power of sin and death.

Illustration:

Genesis 1:26 NLT

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

Genesis 1:28 NLT

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

New Living Translation Chapter 5

17b But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in

Application:

Jesus Christ conquered over sin and death by his cross and resurrection therefore we have authority over the power of sin and death.

Third Principle: Accountable

Explanation:

A king doesn’t just have access, authority, but is also accountable. In other words, they have a responsibility. The third principle on reigning in life.

Illustration:

Genesis 41:41–44 NLT

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck (Luke 15:22). Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”

Application:

Just as the King of Egypt gave Joseph responsibility to manage what he gave him — which was the entire kingdom — our responsibility as reigning/royal christians is to manage what God has given us in His kingdom.

Manage our relationship with the king

Cultivate our identity in God

Manage our behaviour

Steward the gifts He’s given us

Take care of our relationships

And etc.

Conclusion

So what:

We will never live and experience the fullness of eternal life until we know our royal identity in Christ. Christ died so we can have full life — eternal life in the kingdom of God (Luke 15).

ME: Honest about being blinded or weighed down by my problems that I forgot who God is, who I am in him, and what I have …

YOU: …

WE: …

Now What:

Read the Word of God.

Call to Action:

Pray for a revelation of the access we have as royalty.

Call for power over sin and death

Call to manage what God has given us better

Prayer:

In Jesus name, Amen!