Embracing Christ: Our King, Priest, and Conqueror

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by addressing the congregation with a warm welcome and drew attention to the cards placed on the seats, which contained important information about our church's 100-year anniversary celebration. I highlighted the significance of the dates August 16th through the 18th, urging the congregation to mark their calendars for a weekend filled with events that would honor God's work in our community. I encouraged everyone to invite others who have been part of our church's history to join in the celebration and to visit our dedicated website for updates and to watch videos that reflect our church's values.

I then transitioned to the post-Easter theme, questioning what comes after the celebration of Easter. I humorously reflected on the fleeting nature of pastel colors and the oddity of Easter bunny costumes, before emphasizing the importance of returning to God's Word. I invited the congregation to open Psalm 110, which I described as the perfect Psalm for the period following Easter due to its prophetic nature and its frequent citation in the New Testament.

Delving into the text, I explained the puzzling verse, "The Lord says to my Lord," by differentiating between the Hebrew words "Yahweh" and "Adonai," clarifying that David was referring to God speaking to his master, which we understand as a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. I highlighted the significance of Jesus being both a king and a priest, a concept foreign to Jewish tradition but fulfilled in Christ, who is of the order of Melchizedek, not Levi.

I further explored the roles of Jesus as our king, priest, and conqueror. I emphasized that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Lord and King, to whom we must surrender control of our lives. As our priest, Jesus is the mediator we run to in times of need, and as our conqueror, He is the one we trust to bring justice and right all wrongs.

I concluded the sermon by inviting the congregation to respond to Jesus' lordship through confession, communion, and baptism, and to share their personal stories of transformation. I also mentioned our monthly gatherings at the Bush Tabernacle, where we seek revival in our community, and I closed with a prayer entrusting each person to Jesus as our king, priest, and conqueror.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Lordship of Christ is not merely a title but a reality that demands our surrender. As David, a powerful king, acknowledged a greater Lord, we too must recognize Jesus as the ultimate authority in our lives. This surrender is not a loss but a gain, as we come under the gracious rule of the one who loves us deeply. ([50:53])

2. Jesus' role as our priest is foundational to our faith. He is the mediator who stands in the gap, offering us direct access to God. This truth is not just for a select few but extends to all humanity, reflecting God's inclusive plan for salvation. Our response should be one of gratitude and reliance on Jesus for our spiritual needs. ([52:55])

3. The image of Jesus as conqueror challenges our perceptions of Him. While we often focus on His mercy and forgiveness, we must also trust in His ultimate victory over injustice and evil. This trust allows us to work for justice and mercy while resting in the assurance that God will set all things right. ([58:35])

4. Our faith is rooted in the historical and prophetic truth of Scripture. Psalm 110's depiction of Jesus as king, priest, and conqueror was written long before His earthly ministry, yet it perfectly aligns with the New Testament's revelation of His identity. This continuity strengthens our confidence in the Bible's reliability and in Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. ([44:58])

5. The resurrection of Jesus is not an isolated event but the cornerstone of our ongoing faith journey. As we move beyond Easter, we are called to live in the reality of the risen Christ, allowing His life, teachings, and victory over death to shape our daily lives and our hope for the future. ([37:23])

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Psalm 110
- Matthew 22:41-46
- Hebrews 5:8-10

### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 110:1, what does David mean when he writes, "The Lord says to my Lord"? How does the sermon explain the use of "Yahweh" and "Adonai"? ([40:16])
2. According to the sermon, why is Psalm 110 considered the perfect Psalm for the period following Easter? ([36:32])
3. How does Jesus use Psalm 110 to challenge the Pharisees' understanding of the Messiah in Matthew 22:41-46? ([41:44])
4. What is the significance of Jesus being a priest "according to the order of Melchizedek" as mentioned in Hebrews 5:8-10? ([52:55])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to recognize Jesus as both King and Lord in our lives, as emphasized in the sermon? How does this recognition impact our daily living? ([50:53])
2. The sermon describes Jesus as our priest who offers us direct access to God. How does this role of Jesus influence our prayer life and spiritual practices? ([52:55])
3. The image of Jesus as a conqueror is highlighted in the sermon. How does this understanding of Jesus shape our perspective on justice and dealing with evil in the world? ([57:49])
4. How does the continuity between the Old Testament prophecy in Psalm 110 and its fulfillment in the New Testament strengthen our confidence in the reliability of Scripture? ([44:58])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you struggle to surrender control to Jesus as your King and Lord? What steps can you take this week to submit those areas to His authority? ([50:53])
2. Jesus is described as our mediator and priest. How can you deepen your reliance on Him in times of need? Are there specific prayers or practices you can incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen this relationship? ([52:55])
3. The sermon challenges us to trust Jesus as our conqueror who will bring ultimate justice. How can you actively work for justice and mercy in your community while trusting in Jesus' ultimate victory? ([58:35])
4. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. How can you live out the reality of the risen Christ in your daily interactions and decisions? Are there specific actions you can take to reflect His teachings and victory over death? ([37:23])
5. The sermon invites us to share our personal stories of transformation. How has Jesus' lordship, priesthood, or role as conqueror impacted your life? Are you willing to share this testimony with others, and if so, how will you do it? ([34:02])
6. Considering the historical and prophetic truth of Scripture, how can you strengthen your study and understanding of the Bible? Are there specific resources or study groups you can join to deepen your knowledge? ([44:58])
7. The sermon mentions monthly gatherings at the Bush Tabernacle seeking revival. How can you participate in or support efforts for spiritual revival in your community? What specific actions can you take to contribute to this movement? ([33:27])

Devotional

Day 1: Surrender to Christ's Sovereignty
In recognizing Jesus as the ultimate authority, one must come to terms with the concept of surrender. This is not a passive resignation but an active entrustment of one's life into the hands of the one who reigns with love and grace. As David, a king in his own right, acknowledged a Lord greater than himself, individuals are called to do the same. This act of surrender involves laying down personal ambitions, fears, and plans at the feet of Jesus, allowing His will to prevail. It is in this surrender that true freedom and the fullness of God's love are found, as one lives under the benevolent rule of Christ the King. [50:53]

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." - 1 Chronicles 29:11

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Embracing Jesus as Our Mediator
The role of Jesus as our priest is not a peripheral doctrine but the bedrock of Christian faith. He stands as the mediator, bridging the gap between humanity and the divine. This profound truth is not exclusive but inclusive, extending God's salvation to all corners of the earth. Gratitude and reliance on Jesus for spiritual sustenance should be the natural response to this revelation. As a priest, Jesus intercedes on behalf of humanity, offering compassion, understanding, and a direct line to the Father. This role is a constant reminder of the intimate relationship believers are invited to enjoy with God, free from barriers and full of grace. [52:55]

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." - 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace Jesus as your mediator in prayer and daily life, and what might change in your approach to God if you do?

Day 3: Trusting in Jesus the Conqueror
The image of Jesus as conqueror reshapes the common perception of Him, adding a layer of divine justice to His character. While His mercy and forgiveness are well celebrated, His role as the ultimate victor over evil and injustice is equally significant. This trust in Jesus' victory allows believers to actively engage in works of justice and mercy, with the assurance that God will ultimately restore all things. It is a call to be courageous in the face of wrongdoing, knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and will bring about a just resolution in His time. [58:35]

"Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land." - Isaiah 32:1-2

Reflection: In what ways can you participate in Jesus' work of justice in your community, trusting that He will ultimately conquer all injustice?

Day 4: Scripture's Prophetic Certainty
The historical and prophetic accuracy of Scripture, as seen in Psalm 110's depiction of Jesus, bolsters the believer's confidence in the Bible's reliability. The continuity of Jesus' identity as king, priest, and conqueror from the Old Testament to the New Testament affirms the prophetic nature of Scripture and its fulfillment in Christ. This understanding deepens the faith of believers, as they see the consistency and truth of God's Word throughout history, pointing to Jesus as the promised Messiah. [44:58]

"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'" - Psalm 110:4

Reflection: How does recognizing the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus in Scripture affect your trust in the Bible and its teachings for your life?

Day 5: Living in the Resurrection's Reality
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, shaping not only the Easter season but every aspect of a believer's life. This pivotal event calls for a life lived in the reality of the risen Christ, where His teachings, victory over death, and transformative power are the guiding forces. The resurrection is not to be viewed as a distant historical event but as the active hope and foundation for daily living, inspiring hope, purpose, and a future-oriented faith. [37:23]

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." - Colossians 3:1

Reflection: How can the reality of the resurrection influence your decisions and actions today, and what practical steps can you take to embody this truth in your daily life?

Quotes

1. "Consider the humility of an extremely powerful earthly king like David, preemptively surrendering to a future king, Jesus, whom he had not yet seen or met himself. And that's the call. Because just declaring Jesus as a king isn't enough. He must be my Lord and my King." [50:53](Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

2. "Not only is the Lord King, but he is also a priest. We don't think much of this. As most of us here are not Jewish, Jesus as a priest is a common thought for us. That makes sense for us even. But not for a Jew. No Jewish person had ever been both a king and a priest." [52:02](Download clip | | )

3. "Jesus was God's plan to be our priest all the way back to Psalm 110. All the way back to Genesis 14, even before that. This was God's plan. Just as we consider the question of is he your king, I'd ask you, is he your priest? Is he the one that you go to in prayer?" [55:35]( | | )

4. "Jesus wouldn't just be a king and a priest. Jesus is the conqueror. He is the conqueror. This is something that the cute eggs and pastel colors of Easter don't totally capture. Because we serve a Lord who's victorious over all. He's the conqueror over all." [58:35]( | | )

5. "Is he your king, the one who is in control, the one that you worship, the one that you surrender to? Is he your king and your Lord? Is he your priest? Is he the one you run to, listen to, give to, seek counsel from? Is he your priest?" [01:00:17](Download clip | | )

6. "The only way to understand Psalm 110 is to fully look at it through the lens of all Scripture. What we've normally done as we've walked through this Psalm series is we've really zoomed in on the original intent and meaning of each Psalm." [44:58]( | | )

7. "The vision in Psalm 110 is of a mighty scepter and people surrendering to his power. It's connected to this Lord who would be the Messiah. Someone who would truly rule over all and have power like no Disney movie could capture." [49:42]( | | )

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