What Kind of King? (Ashtabula)

Christ the King Sunday - November 23, 2025

I. THE GATHERING

Welcome & Announcements (Liturgist)

(The Liturgist welcomes the congregation and shares the announcements.)

Pastor's Greeting & Acolyte Invitation

Good morning. On this final Sunday of the Christian Year, we gather to anchor ourselves in a truth that does not change. Nations rise and fall, seasons come and go, but the reign of Christ endures forever. Before we turn the page to Advent next week, we pause to center ourselves on the ultimate truth of our faith: that Jesus is Lord of all. Please rise as you are able, and let us welcome the light of Christ into our midst.

Prelude

(A time of centering music and the lighting of the candles)

Call to Worship (Liturgist)

(The Liturgist invites the congregation to stand or remain seated as is customary for the Call to Worship.)

Liturgist: We come this day to worship Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the sovereign head of all creation.

People: He is the image of the invisible God, the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells.

Liturgist: From the foundation of the world, through all things visible and invisible, the Son reigns.

People: And yet, the truth of his kingdom is revealed not in earthly pomp, but upon a cross.

Liturgist: We declare his kingship, which is established by sacrificial love, reconciling all things on earth and in heaven through the peace of his blood.

All: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light, and who has transferred us into the Kingdom of his beloved Son!

Opening Hymn

"Crown Him with Many Crowns" (UMH 327)

Opening Prayer (Liturgist)

Liturgist: Let us pray... O Triune God, Architect of the Cosmos, we stand in awe of the profound mystery of Christ's reign. We praise you for the Lord of Creation, through whom all matter and majesty were brought into being, and by whom all things are sustained. On this day, when we celebrate the Reign of Christ, remind us that the center of his authority is the cross. Grant us the wisdom to understand that true power is found in humility, forgiveness is the ultimate justice, and salvation is freely offered, even to the thief on the cross. Reconcile us to yourself and to one another, that we may reflect the boundless peace of your kingdom in our lives, our church, and our city. Through Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen King. Amen.

Blessing of the Operation Christmas Child Boxes

Before we turn to the Word, I want to draw your attention to the gifts of love prepared by this congregation. These are not merely shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. Through the ministry of Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse, these boxes are missionary vessels.

They will travel from Ashtabula to children in some of the most difficult-to-reach places on earth—areas affected by war, poverty, and famine. For many of these children, this box will be the first gift they have ever received. But more importantly, every box serves as an introduction to the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. Along with these gifts, every child hears the Gospel message in their own language.

We have a long tradition in the church of the "laying on of hands" to set things apart for God's holy work. Since we cannot all gather around these boxes physically, I invite you to simply stretch out your hands toward these boxes from where you are seated. Let your outstretched hands be a sign of your blessing and your prayers going with these gifts. Let us pray:

God of all creation, we bring before you these simple gifts, packed with love and hope. We pray that as these boxes travel from our community here in Ashtabula to children around the world, they may be tangible proof of your universal reign—a kingdom established not through power, but through self-giving love. Bless the hands that packed them, bless the feet that carry them, and bless the children who receive them, that they may know the joy and peace of Christ our King. Amen.

II. THE WORD AND MESSAGE

Scripture Reading 1 (Liturgist)

Colossians 1:11–20 NIV

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Hymn of Response

"Christ is the World's Light" (UMH 188)

Scripture Reading 2 (Liturgist)

Luke 23:33–43 NIV

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Sermon: "The Throne of Thorns"

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

This is a solemn and powerful day in the Christian calendar. It is the last Sunday of the Christian Year—the final, defining note before the quiet hope of Advent begins next week. Today, we celebrate the grand and glorious title that encompasses all of our faith: Christ the King.

The Paradox of Kingship

The idea of a king is instinctively linked to power, wealth, security, and visible control. For most of human history, kingship has been about securing boundaries, managing resources, and projecting authority—the ultimate source of worldly order. When we hear "King," we expect a gilded throne, a heavy, unassailable crown, and a display of strength that ensures submission.

But our celebration of Christ the King is unlike any other coronation. It is not an exercise in worldly power. It is, instead, an immersion in one of the most essential, and utterly jarring, paradoxes of our faith.

Today, our scriptures give us two vastly different, yet perfectly connected, pictures of our King. These two images, held in tension, tell us everything we need to know about the amazing, paradoxical power of God’s grace—grace that is sufficient for the whole cosmos, and yet intimate enough for the single, desperate soul.

We must hold these two truths together: the Cosmic King of Colossians and the Crucified King of Luke.

1. The King of the Cosmos: The Glue That Holds Life Together (Colossians 1:11–20)

Our first picture comes from the letter to the Colossians, and the language here is immense, cosmic, and breathtaking. It is perhaps the highest Christology—the loftiest description of Jesus' divine status—in all of scripture.

The author begins with a prayer for the church, asking that they be "strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy." And immediately, the writer launches into the reason why this endurance is possible: Christ's preeminence.

Listen again to the scope of this King:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created... He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15–17)

This isn't just the king of a region or a nation; this is the King of the Cosmos. He is the foundation and the center of everything.

The phrase that grabs the mind is, "in him all things hold together."

Think of this concept like the infrastructure that supports our lives. Think of the complex systems that allow our lights to turn on, our water to run clean, or our roads to remain passable. If one critical piece of that infrastructure fails—a main power grid, a key bridge, or even the molecular tension of the foundation beneath us—everything collapses.

Colossians tells us that Christ is the very structural integrity of the universe. He is the divine glue, the organizing principle, the central axis around which reality spins. The atoms in your hand, the stars in the deepest reaches of space, the flow of history itself—all of it was created through him and is held together in him. He is the Firstborn—not meaning created first, but having preeminence and authority over all creation.

This is a profound, life-altering comfort, especially in a world that often feels like it’s coming apart at the seams.

We live in a time of great disruption and change. Perhaps you are navigating the uncertainties of personal life, facing a health struggle, enduring the grief of loss, or simply watching our communities change year by year. It is natural to feel chaos, worry, and a lack of control.

When the pieces of your life, or the state of the world, feel broken, fractured, or disorganized, Colossians stands as an unshakeable promise: Christ is in charge, and Christ is steady. No matter what falls apart around you, the one who created everything is actively holding your life and all things together. This truth gives us the strength and the patience (v. 11) for the long haul. His reign is universal, extending far beyond the walls of our church buildings.

And here we find the first trace of Wesleyan theology. The fact that any human being can even begin to recognize or respond to this Cosmic King is a gift of Prevenient Grace. Even as we were lost in the chaos, Christ, the Sustainer, was already present, already holding the possibility of our response open. We only begin to seek Him because He already holds us.

2. The Throne of Thorns: The Power of Forgiving Love (Luke 23:33–43)

But if Christ is the King of the Cosmos, where do we find his throne? Our second picture, from Luke’s Gospel, answers that question in the most radical and humbling way imaginable.

We pivot from the majesty of the eternal heavens to the brutality of a hill called Golgotha, "The Skull." The King is not on a throne; he is nailed to a Roman cross. His crown is not gold, but thorns. His royal title—“This is the King of the Jews”—is a sign of mockery. The very setting shouts defeat, humiliation, and powerlessness.

The world challenges him repeatedly to prove his power. The leaders scoff, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers, too, ridicule him: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" Finally, one of the criminals hanging beside him echoes the taunts: "Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

The world demands a King of brute strength. But Jesus remains silent to their demands. His authority is not proven by coming down, but by staying there. His kingdom is founded on a different kind of power—the power of sacrificial, self-giving love.

This truth is best understood by the last person he speaks to before his death: a dying criminal hanging next to him. This thief represents the very lowest of society—condemned, broken, utterly lacking in merit or hope. He is running out of time. He has nothing to offer, no good works to claim.

Yet, he does one thing right. He looks at Jesus, not at the sign above his head, but into the eyes of the suffering man, and he recognizes something divine. He silences his partner, affirming their own guilt: "We are getting what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

And then, this desperate sinner offers the simplest, humblest prayer—the prayer of the truly repentant heart: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

It’s not a long theological treatise. It’s a desperate plea for mercy based on the sheer goodness of the One beside him.

And what does the King say? Does he require a probationary period? Does he ask for repentance rituals? No.

He says the most radical word in all of scripture: “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Today. Not tomorrow. Not after you clean up your act. Today.

The very first citizen welcomed into the eternal Kingdom, the first to experience the promise, is a repentant, dying sinner. This is the radical nature of Christ's reign: it is a kingdom of forgiveness, wide open to whosoever asks for mercy.

Here, we see Justifying Grace—the immediate, unearned forgiveness of our sins—in its purest, most dramatic form. It is the assurance that our salvation is dependent entirely upon Christ’s act, not upon our ability to perfectly obey.

3. Application: Living as Citizens of the New Kingdom

The great Wesleyan tradition calls us to move beyond Justifying Grace into a life of Sanctification, or Christian perfection—a process of being made holy. But how do we live out this process as citizens of a paradoxical kingdom? We live by the rules of the cross, not the rules of the world.

Colossians tells us we have been "transferred... into the kingdom of his beloved Son." A transfer of citizenship is a radical shift in allegiance and values. We leave behind the idea that we have to earn our status, and we enter a kingdom where the foundation is forgiveness and reconciliation.

What does it mean to be a citizen of the Kingdom of the Crucified King in our current life?

A. A Kingdom of Endurance and Hope

The Apostle Paul writes that we are empowered "for all endurance and patience with joy" (Colossians 1:11). This is a crucial word for both our older members and our city families facing the pressures of modern life.

In the Kingdom of the Cross, endurance is not grim stoicism; it is knowing that the very force that sustains the cosmos is sustaining you. When we face the challenges of aging, illness, or community decline, we do not despair, because we know that the "divine glue" holds. This confidence frees us from the tyranny of control and allows us to serve with joy, even when the results are uncertain.

B. A Kingdom of Reconciled Relationships (Social Holiness)

Wesley understood that grace could not be simply a private affair. It must be demonstrated in our relationships—what he called Social Holiness.

The ultimate goal of Christ's cross is stated clearly: "God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross" (v. 20).

To live as a citizen of this kingdom is to commit ourselves to being agents of reconciliation—the same mission that defined our King's reign. This means we must prioritize forgiveness and compassion in all arenas of our lives. It starts in our homes, where we often find the most complex and intimate conflicts. It extends into our church, where disagreements over method or tradition can threaten to divide what Christ has held together. We must consciously choose to prioritize the peace of Christ over personal preference or historical bias. And it moves out into our community. We must recognize that the "thrones or dominions or rulers or powers" (v.16) are not just ancient spirits, but modern systems—the structures of injustice, division, and apathy that we encounter every day. Our act of sending mission boxes today is a simple, tangible expression of this social holiness—sending Christ's love to reconcile the world one gift at a time.

C. A Kingdom of Universal Invitation

If the cross is Christ's throne, then the kingdom is open to everyone, especially those the world dismisses.

We are reminded by the thief that the Kingdom is open to the least deserving. The moment we start judging who is "in" and who is "out," we have stepped off the path of the Crucified King and back onto the path of worldly rulers.

The Kingdom of God is wide open to the person who feels they have sinned too much, to the person who feels they have waited too long, and to the person who feels they are too small or too insignificant. The King's message to the desperate thief is his message to you: "Today you will be with me in Paradise."

Conclusion

On this Christ the King Sunday, we have looked at the two great truths of our Lord.

First, we stand in awe of the Cosmic King, the Lord of all creation who holds the stars in place and the atoms together. When life seems chaotic, we cling to this truth for strength and endurance.

Second, we kneel before the Crucified King, the Lord who chose a throne of thorns to demonstrate that his power is the power of forgiveness, and his rule is the rule of grace. When we need salvation, we look to this truth for hope.

To celebrate Christ the King is not about praising a distant monarch; it's about acknowledging that the Lord of the Cosmos reigns from the Throne of Thorns, offering grace to the most humble, and calling us to live out that grace in every interaction.

It means the greatest, most powerful truth in the universe is found in the simple, loving, forgiving power of Jesus. May we be strong in that power, reconciled by that grace, and live in that light, today and every day. Amen.

III. RESPONSE, INTERCESSION, AND OFFERING

Anthem "Canon of Thanks" (Choir)

Offering, Doxology & Dedication

The Kingdom of God is built on the generosity of the King who gave his life for us. In response to that great gift, let us offer our tithes and offerings for the work of the church and the glory of God.

Offertory

Doxology (UMH 95)(Congregation stands)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication:

Generous God, you hold the universe in your hands, yet you entrust the care of this world to us. Receive these gifts as a sign of our loyalty to your Kingdom. May they be used to bring hope to the hopeless, peace to the restless, and the light of Christ to our city. In the name of the King who serves. Amen.

Transition to Pastoral Prayer: Please be seated. As we prepare to bring our prayers before God, let us first pause in silence. In this quiet space, let us acknowledge the King who knows the secrets of our hearts, and invite His Spirit to intercede for us where words fail.

(Allow for a time of Silence)

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

(Use UMH 895 - Ecumenical Text)

Almighty and Everlasting God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We come to you today acknowledging that your kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. Where the world values power, you value service. Where the world values vengeance, you offer forgiveness.

We pray today for our world and our nation. In a time of division and anxiety, we ask that you would be the glue that holds us together. Guide our leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Soften hearts that have grown hard, and open eyes that have been blinded by prejudice or fear. May this nation reflect the values of your Kingdom—caring for the vulnerable, welcoming the stranger, and seeking the common good.

We pray specifically for our city of Ashtabula. You know the struggles of this community—the economic challenges, the addiction, the loneliness, and the need. But you also know the strength and resilience of its people. We ask that your Holy Spirit would move through our streets. Be with those who are cold, those who are hungry, and those who have lost hope. Use this church, First UMC, to be a beacon of your light in the harbor of this city.

We lift up this congregation, your body in this place. We pray for those who are sick in body or spirit, asking for your healing touch. We pray for those who are grieving, asking for your comfort. We pray for those who are lonely, asking for your presence. (Optional: Insert specific names or situations if appropriate)

Bind us together in love, that we may be a people who not only proclaim Christ as King with our lips, but who serve Him with our lives.

We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together, saying:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Transition to Closing Hymn And now, as we prepare to leave this sanctuary, let us stand together and sing of the God who defends, maintains, and guides us. Let us sing our closing hymn, "We Gather Together."

IV. SENDING FORTH

Closing Hymn

"We Gather Together" (UMH 131)

Benediction

Go forth into the world as ambassadors of the King. May the strength of the Creator hold you. May the peace of the Crucified One reconcile you. And may the power of the Holy Spirit empower you to serve with humility and love. Go in peace. Amen.

Postlude