King of Kings

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Intro and Tension

In a series | Going through God’s Big Story | first week - Genesis, 2nd week - Passover, Last week - Jesus Birth - Brings us to this week.

I want to know, we just had Christmas, and did anyone get a weird gift? You know, have you ever been to a secret gifting place, and you picked one and it was just weird.

Tania got a Tissue box | Insoles | Someone told me: 6 month out of date Peanut butter | Same gift 4 years in a row, earing holder, no earings.

Today, I want to talk about the 3 gifts, and concentrate on one that Jesus got given by the Wise Men.

Matthew 2:10–11 ESV

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Message: The gift you NEED this Christmas

**Pray**

These Wise Men | Magi Priests from Persia | Not pharisees | There were more than 3 - Which may ruin some Carols and they gave their time, obedience and treasures to Jesus.

What did they give?

Frankincense | Murrh | Gold

Frankincence = Was to show that he is our Great High Priest > Sitting at the right hand of the father > Curtain ripped, holy of holies where torn top to bottom.

Myrrh: Balming liquid for the dead | represented that he was the lamb of God | that he was the Sheep, that would eventually be led to slaughter | That he died for me and you

The ONE I want to talk about = GOLD.

Scarcity and value of Gold | Gift for kings | Today I want to talk about, Jesus as King.

Now Jesus was not A king, Jesus is THE KING, and he is THE KING, like no other.

1 Timothy 6:15 ESV

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Strongest way you can say it | Passion | He is talking about something important - Jesus sits on the throne, He is King over all creation | Alpha & Omega - and he wants to be King…of your heart + He wants a relationship with you.

I want to talk about 3 relationships people had with Jesus. 2,000 yeears ago - it’s amazing that people have the same response now and maybe, you can search your heart and see which one resonates with you.

King Herod | Hates Jesus | Wanted to kill Jesus | Was so scared about his power being taken, he would rather kill the King than any chance of Submitting | I don’t need Jesus - Some people - Opposing Jesus as King. They had NO relationship.

Jewish Priests - Pharisees | Dismissed Jesus as King | Bizaare, as they quoted scriputre that prophesied there would be a ruler from Bethlehem | “Do you do want to come to church and feel the presence of God” - meh, not today | “You want to be a part of the Mission of sharing the gospel “ - Meh

Then there was another, which I Want to talk about - Peter.

The story of Peter is one of a humble man called Simon > Trasnformed to Peter, a Church leader who would bring 3,000 to Christ in His first Sermon | He had a relationship with Jesus that we should look, to model.

Matthew 4:18–22 ESV

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

1st thing we learn: Simon was Called to Follow Jesus | Important: Jesus is the one doing the calling, he is the Master, we, are the disciple | What makes a good disciple?

Follow Me = Someone who is following Christ

and I will make you = Being transformed BY Christ

Fishers of men = And committed to the mission of Christ.

Being Transformed - It’s a constant transformation;

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Pride says: I’ve got there

Humility says: Not even close

Point 1: A close relationship with Jesus means you submit to Him and seek change.

What’s the result of this type of relationship?

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Then what happens with Peter

Matthew 16:13–20 ESV

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

This is it, Peter has it! He understands!! Maybe you’re here - You have been following Jesus, but you haven’t fully submitted | Don’t know his FULL power | Maybe you need to be told that you are the CHURCH | The GATES of HELL will not Prevail!

Next breath! Jesus tells Peter of his death and resurrection;

and what happens?

Matthew 16:22–23 ESV

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Peters arrogance gets in the way | Him chasing his own glory | Him Chasing what He thought JESUS was going to do | We know this is more about what Peter thought Jesus would do FOR HIM rather than anything else |

Jesus is saying: What ever YOU think I am here to do FOR YOU, forget about it.

Point 2: Jesus is asking you to follow His purpose and ditch YOUR plans.

When was the last time you asked:

- Am I meant to be doing what I am doing?

Mould me, grow me, challenge me, transform me

This also reveals something about Peters Character | He stayed - Peter, Stayed | Loved Jesus so much | accepted rebuke, accepted change.

oh-o

Honeymooon story of it not going to plan

The enemy would see this relationship | And he would like, to attack it;

In fact,

Luke 22:31–34 ESV

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

If you want a close relationship with Jesus, there is an Enemy that doesn’t want you to have it.

Look what Jesus says: WHEN you have turned again - not IF - but WHEN.

Point 3: If you feel far from Jesus, He is not the one that moved.

Maybe far from Jesus? | Far from the KINGS power | If you find yourself struggling, the good news is that where there is JESUS and there is a death, there is a resurreciton.

Peter was wrecked, the word says he ‘wept’ - This is the deepest sorrow that you can feel - He would have been covered in Shame, fuilt - drawn away from Jesus - Went back to old habits, became a fisherman - This mirrors our First Love - First Love, Hot the Lord, Hungry for Change, Humble - some might be here, far from Jesus.

Jesus forgave Peter, and Peter recommittied his life to Jesus.

This is what Jesus does - He resurrects | Remember Peter on the Water | eyes off, Jesus pulled down and lifted him up.

Conclusion

Where is your relationship? How much of your HEART does JESUS have?

Most of us have learnt what social distancing is - 1.5 Metres away, stay over there, isolate - Are you social distancing from Jesus? We keep him at arms length, until we need him, then we fall to our knees | Pattern repeats.

The Good News is God has MORE FOR YOU | HE WANTS TO SEE YOU THRIVE | HE WANTS TO SEE YOU FLOURISH | FROM PETER the FISHERMAN to PETER THE PREACHER.

Who is Jesus? Scripture says that he is:

HE IS THE LION AND THE LAMB, HE WIL RETURN AND EVERY KNEE WILL BOW

HE IS THE KING OF KIGNS AND THE LORD OF LORDS AND HE WANTS TO BE LORD OF YOUR HEART.