Celebrating Christ's Kingship and Our Transformative Journey

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our church community, particularly the 77 baptisms in 2024, which far exceeded the benchmark of 26 baptisms that define a breakout church. This accomplishment is a testament to the vibrant and transformative work happening within our congregation. As we look forward to 2025, we are filled with anticipation for personal milestones and collective growth. Personally, I am excited about building a new home, completing my doctorate, and welcoming my first grandchild. These personal joys are mirrored by our church's commitment to excellence in every aspect of ministry, from preaching to service, as we strive to honor our risen King with our best efforts.

Reflecting on my journey, I shared a pivotal moment from my early ministry days when I was unexpectedly thrust into preaching. This experience taught me the importance of relying on God and the power of the gospel. Today, I am reminded of the central message that Jesus is our King, a truth that has guided my life and ministry. We explored Zechariah 9:9, which calls us to rejoice because our King brings salvation. This joy is expressed through praise, as outlined in Psalm 150, where we are encouraged to use all we have to glorify God.

We also delved into the nature of Jesus' kingship, as described in John 18:36-37. Unlike earthly rulers, Jesus' kingdom is spiritual, transcending geographical boundaries and residing in the hearts of those who follow Him. This spiritual kingdom invites us to choose whom we will serve, echoing the choices faced by Adam and Eve and the Israelites. Ultimately, Jesus' victory is assured, as Revelation 17:14 declares Him the Lord of lords and King of kings. Our allegiance to Him is marked by being called, chosen, and faithful, with faithfulness understood as loyalty.

I shared my personal testimony of transformation from atheism to faith, emphasizing the importance of declaring Jesus as King. This decision removes the veil that blinds us, allowing us to experience God's glory and freedom. As we concluded with communion, we remembered the sacrifice of Jesus, whose body and blood were given for us. This sacred act reminds us of His love and the new covenant we share. Let us continue to pursue excellence in our walk with Christ, celebrating His kingship in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Pursuit of Excellence: Striving for excellence in every area of ministry is a reflection of our commitment to serve a risen King who is worthy of our best efforts. This pursuit is not about perfection but about honoring God with our dedication and service. [21:34]

2. Joyful Praise: Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 150 remind us to rejoice and praise God with all we have. Our praise is a response to the salvation brought by our King, and it should permeate every aspect of our lives, from the sanctuary to the streets. [38:42]

3. Spiritual Kingship: Jesus' kingdom is not of this world but is established in the hearts of those who follow Him. This spiritual rule transcends earthly power and invites us to choose whom we will serve, aligning our lives with His eternal kingdom. [44:05]

4. Faithfulness as Loyalty: Being faithful to Jesus means being loyal to Him as our King. This loyalty is demonstrated through our actions and commitment, reflecting a life centered around His lordship. [54:08]

5. Transformation through Christ: Declaring Jesus as King removes the veil that blinds us, allowing us to experience His glory and freedom. This transformation is a personal journey that invites us into a deeper relationship with God, marked by His love and grace. [59:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:34] - Pursuit of Excellence
- [23:32] - Invitation to Commitment
- [31:52] - Unexpected Ministry Beginnings
- [34:55] - Zechariah's Prophecy
- [38:42] - Joyful Praise in Psalm 150
- [41:05] - Humble Kingship of Jesus
- [42:10] - Scandalous Humility
- [43:00] - Jesus' Kingdom Explained
- [44:05] - Spiritual Kingship
- [46:30] - Choices of Allegiance
- [47:47] - Historical Context of Kingship
- [48:46] - Who is Your King?
- [49:58] - Final Victory in Revelation
- [50:57] - Invitation to the Banquet
- [52:41] - Called, Chosen, and Faithful
- [54:08] - Faithfulness as Loyalty
- [55:46] - Personal Testimony
- [57:13] - Transformation through Christ
- [59:51] - Removing the Veil
- [01:00:42] - Communion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Zechariah 9:9
- John 18:36-37
- Revelation 17:14

---

Observation Questions:

1. What significant achievement did the church community celebrate, and how does it compare to the benchmark for a breakout church? [21:34]

2. In Zechariah 9:9, what are the people called to do in response to the coming of their King, and why is this significant? [34:55]

3. How does Jesus describe His kingdom in John 18:36-37, and what distinguishes it from earthly kingdoms? [43:00]

4. According to Revelation 17:14, what titles are given to those who are with Jesus, and what do these titles signify? [49:58]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the pursuit of excellence in ministry reflect our commitment to serving a risen King, and what might this look like in practical terms? [21:34]

2. What does it mean to rejoice and praise God with all we have, as encouraged in Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 150, and how can this be integrated into daily life? [38:42]

3. In what ways does Jesus' spiritual kingship challenge our understanding of power and authority, and how does this influence our choices of allegiance? [44:05]

4. How does the concept of faithfulness as loyalty, as described in the sermon, redefine our relationship with Jesus as our King? [54:08]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a personal area where you can strive for excellence as a way to honor God. What specific steps can you take this week to improve in that area? [21:34]

2. Consider how you express joyful praise in your life. Is there a particular setting or situation where you find it challenging to praise God? How can you overcome this? [38:42]

3. Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. How does this understanding affect your daily decisions and priorities? Are there areas where you need to realign your life with His spiritual rule? [44:05]

4. Loyalty to Jesus is demonstrated through our actions. Identify one action you can take this week to show your loyalty to Him. How will you hold yourself accountable? [54:08]

5. Reflect on your personal testimony of transformation through Christ. How can sharing your story with others encourage them in their faith journey? [57:13]

6. During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can this remembrance influence your daily walk with Christ and your interactions with others? [01:00:42]

7. Who or what is the king of your life? Take a moment to honestly assess your priorities. What changes might you need to make to ensure Jesus is truly your King? [48:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Striving for Excellence in Service
In our journey of faith, striving for excellence is not about achieving perfection but about dedicating our best efforts to honor God. This pursuit reflects our commitment to serve a risen King who is worthy of our utmost dedication. Excellence in ministry encompasses every aspect, from preaching to service, and is a testament to our desire to glorify God in all we do. As we aim for excellence, we are reminded that our efforts are an expression of our love and reverence for God, who has called us to serve Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. [21:34]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your ministry or personal life can you commit to improving this week as an act of worship and dedication to God?


Day 2: Joyful Praise as a Response to Salvation
Joyful praise is a natural response to the salvation brought by our King. Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 150 remind us to rejoice and praise God with all we have, allowing this joy to permeate every aspect of our lives. Our praise is not confined to the sanctuary but extends to the streets, reflecting the transformative power of God's salvation in our lives. As we engage in joyful praise, we are reminded of the profound impact of God's grace and the call to share this joy with others, inviting them to experience the same salvation. [38:42]

"Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate joyful praise into your daily routine, both in private and in public, as a testimony of God's salvation in your life?


Day 3: Embracing the Spiritual Kingship of Jesus
Jesus' kingdom is not of this world but is established in the hearts of those who follow Him. This spiritual kingship transcends earthly power and invites us to choose whom we will serve, aligning our lives with His eternal kingdom. Unlike earthly rulers, Jesus' reign is marked by humility and love, calling us to a deeper relationship with Him. As we embrace His spiritual kingship, we are challenged to live lives that reflect His values and priorities, demonstrating our allegiance to His eternal rule. [44:05]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your allegiance to Jesus' spiritual kingdom in your daily decisions and interactions with others?


Day 4: Loyalty as a Mark of Faithfulness
Being faithful to Jesus means being loyal to Him as our King. This loyalty is demonstrated through our actions and commitment, reflecting a life centered around His lordship. Faithfulness is not just about belief but about living out that belief in tangible ways, showing our dedication to His teachings and commands. As we strive to be faithful, we are reminded that our loyalty to Jesus is a testament to our love for Him and our desire to honor His sacrifice and lordship in our lives. [54:08]

"Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate greater loyalty to Jesus. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faithfulness in this area?


Day 5: Transformation through Declaring Jesus as King
Declaring Jesus as King removes the veil that blinds us, allowing us to experience His glory and freedom. This transformation is a personal journey that invites us into a deeper relationship with God, marked by His love and grace. As we declare His kingship, we are invited to let go of the things that hold us back and embrace the freedom that comes from living under His rule. This transformation is not just a one-time event but a continual process of growth and renewal in our walk with Christ. [59:51]

"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." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to declare Jesus as King more fully? How can you invite His transformative power into this area today?

Quotes

"There's some great things going on here at Livebook. And I was thinking about this. 2025 is going to be such a great year. I mean, just me personally, and I'll share some personal stuff with you. My wife and I are in the process of building. We're building a new home that we're going to build for ourselves, kind of our maybe forever home. We'll see. She likes to move every five years when it's time for a real deep clean. So we'll see what happens." [00:20:57] (19 seconds)


"You know, but I wanted to let you know something. I hope I don't get in trouble for this. I don't think I will. But our staff has been talking as a group and then privately, just like one -on -one conversations. And then we all come together. And it's like the Lord has put this thing, this drive inside of all of us here at Live Oak. And what we want to do is to really this year strive for excellence. And what I mean by that is to do the very best that we can do in every area of ministry. Because ultimately, we're going to be doing the best that we can do in every area of ministry. And ultimately, we're working unto the Lord. We're working for Jesus." [00:21:39] (33 seconds)


"It doesn't mean we're going to be perfect. We're going to make some mistakes. But what we want to do is we want to pursue excellence in every area of ministry. I mean from the preaching on Sunday mornings to cleaning the bathroom throughout the week. We want to pursue excellence. Because we believe in all of our hearts, we believe that we serve a risen king. And that he is worthy of our very best efforts." [00:22:11] (21 seconds)


"So today, what I want to do is I want to invite you to come to the church. And I want to invite you during this time. And this is usually the time we're talking about the offering. But I want to invite you right now to maybe make a commitment, some of you in your hearts, to join us here as a church in a pursuit of excellence. I mean from the way that we give, from the way that we pray, from the way that we study, from the way that we serve, to the way that we worship. Every single part. And if you support that, if you're on board with that, you can continue to pray for us. The letters of encouragement, the emails, the text messages. But you can also support us. You can support that financially. You can do that by giving online. The box is in the back just outside the doors. You can come by the church office throughout the week. You can use the church app. Whatever the Lord is leading you to do. Let's pray. Lord, we just come to you again and we thank you for allowing us to be in your sanctuary." [00:22:56] (50 seconds)


"And so here I am, student pastor, worship leader of this church, really new in the ministry and we're all just sitting there. In absolute silence, like what in the world just happened and what are we supposed to do? It's like minutes, nobody's saying a word. And all of a sudden, this sweet older lady leans up, looks right at me and says, well, I guess you're up. Shortest notice ever, trial by fire, guys. I was in my first semester of seminary. I had never really preached a sermon up to that point. It was all like student ministry and worship leader stuff. Man, I had no idea what I was doing. And so what I did is I got up and I told a really bad joke that no one laughed at, which embarrassed me even more at the moment. It was like lots of pressure, like sweats coming out of every part of you. It was in that moment I prayed and then a peace came over and we just started talking about the gospel and we started talking about Jesus." [00:32:35] (68 seconds)


"Now, Zechariah was written by Zechariah, the prophet and the priest. And it was written, most people dated around 538 BC. And this is, this is really, really cool because Zechariah was one of the documents, one of the scrolls that was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls in cave number four. That means that what we're reading today is what the people were reading before the time of Christ and in the first century. We know that. Let me explain this real quick because sometimes I fear that we mention things like the Dead Sea Scrolls and people don't always know what we're talking about. I think most of you do, but maybe there's a few who don't. That's okay. Not everybody does. And so I just want to make sure, you understand what we're talking about here. What happened, there was a group of people called the Essenes. And these people, they left out of the major surrounding cities, specifically around the religious areas of worship. And they went out and they formed their own community around a place called Qumran, near what's called the Dead Sea. And the reason they left is because they viewed the leadership at the temple, they viewed that as corrupt." [00:35:35] (66 seconds)


"Because he says the king is coming, and he's bringing with him salvation. Salvation. They were going to be saved because the king is on the way. So how do the people rejoice? Well, here in Zechariah 9, verse 9, they're told to shout. I know in church a lot of times, we're all like, hey, let's use our inside voices. Let's not get real loud. But we're called to shout. Read with me. This is an amazing psalm. Turn in your Bibles with me to Psalm 150. I want you to see this. Psalm 150. It's the very last psalm. I alluded to this psalm last week just very, very briefly. I want to share this with you." [00:38:42] (39 seconds)


"And the reason I want to share this with you, if you ever get to the point where you ask yourself, well, how am I really supposed to praise God? You don't have to ask that question. It's already spelled out for us in the scriptures. Okay? In Psalm 150, the last psalm, let's read it here. It says, praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary. That's where we are right now. Praise him in his mighty expanse everywhere. Praise him for his mighty deeds. Praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the trumpet sound. Praise him with harp and lyre. Lyre is like a small string instrument, kind of U -shaped. It's kind of weird. Praise him with timbrel. It's like a small hand drum or a tambourine. Praise him with dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." [00:39:21] (55 seconds)


"His kingdom is based on the hearts and the lives of every single person who would come to him and submit their lives to him. Paul said it this way when he wrote to the church at Colossae. In Colossians chapter one, verse 13, Paul said, for he, God, rescued us from the domain of darkness and listen to the catch to this, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son. In the context of what he's saying, Paul is saying that if you're in Christ, that our citizenship has been transferred from this earth to the kingdom of heaven. We were citizens of the world. And if you're in Jesus, you're no longer a citizen of the world. Your citizenship is in Jesus's kingdom. And Jesus is your king. Notice what he's saying here in verse 37 of chapter 18 in John. He says, for this purpose I was born. Jesus came to give you and I a choice of which kingdom you would serve, which kingdom you would be in. But this wasn't the first time this happened." [00:46:05] (65 seconds)


"Fast forward, 1 Samuel chapter eight, the people come and they're like, you know what, we've been led by God. God has rescued us from the wilderness. He rescued us from slavery. He's given us a land that we can live in. God has been so good. But can we have a king? And it's like, no, God's your king. Yeah, that's all fine and good. But can we have like a person king? See, they were never meant to have an earthly king, but they demanded one. And so the scriptures reveal that God gave them Saul. And Saul was a horrible king. And then they get David, who was okay, he had some issues. He was an okay king, but had some issues. And that was their existence for hundreds of years. The Jewish people would have a king who was good for a couple years and then went crazy. They would have bad kings who would just persecute them. They would go into slavery, into exile, be brought back, have a king over and over and over again. All because their mission misery because they rejected the one true king." [00:47:10] (60 seconds)


"Your life will revolve around that one true king if you are loyal to that king. I know last night I took some time by myself, I'd finished writing the message, I went off by myself and I began to pray about some things. And then even this morning on the ride here, I was like, I don't, man, I'm just not 100 % sure. And then as I walked to my office, I was like, okay, it's okay, you should do that. So last night as I was praying, I wanted to share this with you guys, and then today got the okay to do that just through prayer. Some of you know my story already, where I come from, so I won't go through all the details, but I'll tell you this. I didn't grow up in a Christian environment. Like, you would hear about God and you would hear people talk about church, but there was no church attendance. There were no Bibles or anything like that where I grew up. And I'd actually began to reject God completely." [00:55:29] (56 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 06, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?