Embracing Jesus as Our Sovereign King

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the Lord's Prayer, we delve into the profound meaning behind the phrase "Thy kingdom come." This part of the prayer is often recited without much thought, yet it holds a deep significance that calls us to recognize Jesus Christ not just as our Savior, but as our King. Many of us have grown up reciting the Lord's Prayer, and over time, its words can lose their weight and meaning. However, when we truly understand what it means to pray for God's kingdom to come, we begin to see the transformative power of acknowledging Jesus as King in our lives.

The title "Christ" is not merely a name but a declaration of Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah, and ultimately, the King. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is consistently referred to as King, a title that signifies authority, reverence, and a call to allegiance. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus beyond the roles of friend, healer, or teacher, and to embrace Him as the sovereign ruler of our lives.

In a world where the concept of monarchy is foreign to many, recognizing Jesus as King requires a shift in perspective. It means submitting our own kingdoms—our desires, plans, and control—to His divine rule. This submission is not about losing freedom but about finding true purpose and peace under His reign. The early Christians understood this, proclaiming Jesus as King even when it was countercultural and dangerous. Their message was not about theological debates but about the reality of a new kingdom that Jesus inaugurated, a kingdom that is both present and yet to come.

As we pray "Thy kingdom come," we are invited to live with the awareness that we are subjects of a divine kingdom, called to reflect the values and character of our King. This prayer becomes a declaration of our allegiance and a commitment to live out the principles of God's kingdom here on earth.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding Jesus as King: Recognizing Jesus as King goes beyond seeing Him as a friend or savior. It involves acknowledging His authority and submitting to His rule in our lives, which brings true peace and purpose. [07:54]

- The Significance of "Christ": The title "Christ" signifies Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah, and King. This understanding challenges us to see Him as the sovereign ruler, not just a historical figure or moral teacher. [05:19]

- Living Under God's Kingdom: Praying "Thy kingdom come" is a call to live under God's rule, aligning our lives with His will and purpose. It requires us to surrender our own kingdoms and embrace His divine authority. [20:20]

- The Early Church's Proclamation: The early Christians boldly proclaimed Jesus as King, a message that was revolutionary and transformative. Their faith was not based on theological arguments but on the reality of a new kingdom inaugurated by Jesus. [23:25]

- A Call to Reread the Gospels: To fully grasp the kingship of Jesus, we are encouraged to reread the Gospels, paying attention to how Jesus is consistently portrayed as King. This understanding deepens our faith and commitment to His kingdom. [29:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to "Thy Kingdom Come"
- [01:28] - The Familiarity of the Lord's Prayer
- [02:29] - Who is Jesus?
- [03:00] - Reading Matthew 6:9-15
- [04:27] - Understanding "Your Kingdom Come"
- [05:19] - The Title of Christ
- [06:25] - Translation and Meaning of Christ
- [07:35] - Jesus as King
- [09:15] - Reverence for Kingship
- [11:07] - The Birth of a King
- [12:31] - Jesus' Ministry and Kingship
- [13:54] - The Kingdom Message
- [16:29] - The Challenge of Recognizing Jesus as King
- [19:44] - Seeking First the Kingdom
- [22:38] - The Kingdom in Our Hearts
- [24:54] - Living as Subjects of the King
- [28:38] - Submitting to God's Kingdom
- [30:21] - Conclusion and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Thy Kingdom Come

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:9-15
2. Luke 1:30-35
3. John 19:12-15

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 6:9-15, what specific requests are made in the Lord's Prayer, and how do they reflect the priorities of a believer's life?
2. According to Luke 1:30-35, what titles and roles are attributed to Jesus even before His birth, and how do they relate to His kingship?
3. In John 19:12-15, how do the interactions between Pilate and the Jewish leaders highlight the tension surrounding Jesus' claim to kingship? [15:27]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of the title "Christ" and its implications for understanding Jesus' role as King? [05:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to truly recognize Jesus as King in one's life, beyond acknowledging Him as a friend or savior? How might this understanding change a person's daily actions and decisions? [07:54]
2. How does the concept of living under God's kingdom challenge modern societal values and personal ambitions? What might be some practical examples of this tension? [20:20]
3. The early Christians proclaimed Jesus as King despite cultural and political risks. What might this boldness look like in today's context, and why is it significant? [23:25]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to reread the Gospels with a focus on Jesus' kingship, and what impact might this have on one's faith and understanding of the kingdom? [29:32]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current understanding of Jesus as King. How does this perspective influence your daily life and decisions? Are there areas where you struggle to submit to His authority? [07:54]
2. Consider the phrase "Thy kingdom come" in your prayers. How can you make this a genuine declaration of allegiance rather than a routine recitation? What changes might this require in your life? [25:30]
3. In what ways do you find yourself building your own "kingdom" rather than seeking God's kingdom first? Identify one specific area where you can surrender control to God this week. [27:22]
4. The early church's proclamation of Jesus as King was revolutionary. How can you embody this boldness in your community or workplace? What steps can you take to share the message of God's kingdom? [23:25]
5. How can you incorporate the values and character of God's kingdom into your interactions with others? Identify one relationship where you can intentionally reflect these values this week. [22:38]
6. The sermon suggests rereading the Gospels to deepen understanding of Jesus' kingship. What specific plan can you create to engage with the Gospels in this way, and how might it transform your faith? [29:32]
7. Reflect on the idea of living as subjects of a divine kingdom. What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's will and purpose? [24:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus as Sovereign King
Understanding Jesus as King involves recognizing His authority and submitting to His rule in our lives. This submission is not about losing freedom but about finding true peace and purpose under His reign. In a world where the concept of monarchy is foreign to many, acknowledging Jesus as King requires a shift in perspective. It means submitting our own kingdoms—our desires, plans, and control—to His divine rule. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus beyond the roles of friend, healer, or teacher, and to embrace Him as the sovereign ruler of our lives. [07:54]

Psalm 24:7-10 (ESV): "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!"

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: The Anointed Messiah
The title "Christ" signifies Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah, and King. This understanding challenges us to see Him as the sovereign ruler, not just a historical figure or moral teacher. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is consistently referred to as King, a title that signifies authority, reverence, and a call to allegiance. Recognizing Jesus as King goes beyond seeing Him as a friend or savior. It involves acknowledging His authority and submitting to His rule in our lives, which brings true peace and purpose. [05:19]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the anointed King change the way you view His teachings and commands? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with His authority?


Day 3: Living Under Divine Rule
Praying "Thy kingdom come" is a call to live under God's rule, aligning our lives with His will and purpose. It requires us to surrender our own kingdoms and embrace His divine authority. This submission is not about losing freedom but about finding true purpose and peace under His reign. As we pray "Thy kingdom come," we are invited to live with the awareness that we are subjects of a divine kingdom, called to reflect the values and character of our King. [20:20]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What personal desires or plans do you need to surrender to God's kingdom today? How can you actively reflect the values of His kingdom in your daily interactions?


Day 4: The Bold Proclamation of the Early Church
The early Christians boldly proclaimed Jesus as King, a message that was revolutionary and transformative. Their faith was not based on theological arguments but on the reality of a new kingdom inaugurated by Jesus. This proclamation was countercultural and dangerous, yet it was rooted in the transformative power of acknowledging Jesus as King. As we pray "Thy kingdom come," we are invited to live with the awareness that we are subjects of a divine kingdom, called to reflect the values and character of our King. [23:25]

Acts 17:6-7 (ESV): "And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.'"

Reflection: How can you boldly proclaim Jesus as King in your own life, even when it may be countercultural or challenging? What practical steps can you take to share the reality of His kingdom with others?


Day 5: Rediscovering the Kingship of Jesus
To fully grasp the kingship of Jesus, we are encouraged to reread the Gospels, paying attention to how Jesus is consistently portrayed as King. This understanding deepens our faith and commitment to His kingdom. The title "Christ" is not merely a name but a declaration of Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah, and ultimately, the King. This understanding challenges us to see Him as the sovereign ruler, not just a historical figure or moral teacher. [29:32]

Matthew 21:4-5 (ESV): "This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"

Reflection: As you reread the Gospels, what new insights do you gain about Jesus' kingship? How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him and your commitment to His kingdom?

Quotes


We read the passage and I want going to focus on today the third part of our six-part series your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. When I started preparing for this series a long time ago I knew that this would be a snack because you think oh yeah your kingdom come your will be done. [00:03:50]

When we look at the language in the New Testament we must see that every time we say the word Jesus Christ who now became a name but back then was a title right we think Christ is Jesus last name so chances are James Christ would be relevant right Jesus Christ James Christ they come from the Christ family that's not the case. [00:04:52]

In the ancient times when they acknowledged who Jesus Christ was they always said Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus or Christ our Lord so this was a title that meant the anointed one or anointed with oil so Christ in Greek when they first started writing the New Testament was Christos uh which in Hebrew was the Messiah. [00:05:22]

The word Christ appears over 530 times in the New Testament and when the word came became Christmas became the the the t uh the title became a name it kind of diluted what was happening or what how our interpretation of what Christ who Christ really is if you think I'm making this up. [00:09:31]

Throughout Jesus' entire ministry and we see the parables the kingdom of heaven is like the kingdom of heaven is like Jesus continuously constantly talked about what a kingdom so the message that he's trying to say listen something big happened something big is happening and something big is about to happen even more. [00:13:34]

Many times we fail to see Christ for who he really is and we focus just on one facet one part of him knowing that he is so much more still with Pilate and the interaction with Jesus and I like this because he could so throughout his entire ministry Pilate didn't try John 19:12 Pilate tried to set Jesus free. [00:14:58]

Imagine thinking that Jesus Christ is only my friend my buddy the guy that I go to when I have problems he is all of that but above all he is king my challenge to you this week is actually we'll get to that point later but my challenge is that when we read the Gospels and I hope you're saying. [00:16:25]

Reread the gospels Matthew Mark Luke and John and see that every time they're talking about Jesus Christ Christ Jesus Christ our Lord they're saying Jesus is king Jesus is king he is my king and they go on because John first first part of John he says this when he found Andrew and Peter and all the disciples. [00:16:59]

Christianity when it first started first century second third century it wasn't because they had the right theology it wasn't because they all were PhDs in the they didn't even have a Bible for 300 years but they went around proclaiming "Hey we serve this king guy called Jesus." Others thought that he was just a rabbi. [00:23:00]

The gospel writers when they put this message together their main goal was to say Jesus Christ is king a new kingdom has been created has been established the application that I would like for you to have and usually I say I want you to do this for this week i want you to do this not only this week but from now on. [00:24:54]

Live now knowing that Jesus Christ is king and we are his subjects because when we say that when we do that when we act that way when we do the Lord's prayer it's not going to be just oh yeah your kingdom come your will be done no no no no no take a breather your kingdom come your will be done. [00:25:20]

When we submit this is something that we can say Lord we want to acknowledge you as Lord and Savior and King yes you're our friend yes you're our father yes you are healer yes you are comforter yes you are all of that but above all you are our king i encourage you to read the Gospels again. [00:28:38]

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Transcript
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