Embracing Jesus' Kingship: A Call to Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we took a moment to honor and bless Paul Dykhouse and his family as they transition into a new season after 12 years of faithful service in our church community. Their dedication and servant hearts have been a blessing to us all, and we send them forth with our love and prayers, knowing that God has great plans for them.
As we conclude our series, "The Christmas Gift," we reflect on the gifts brought by the Magi to Jesus, focusing today on the gift of gold, which symbolizes Jesus' kingship. Throughout history, gold has been a gift fit for a king, and it prophetically points to Jesus as the King of kings. This message challenges us to consider our response to Jesus' kingship. Like the Magi, we are called to bow down and worship Him, recognizing His authority and lordship over every aspect of our lives.
The story of Jesus' birth and life is filled with unexpected and unusual expressions of God's love. Jesus, the King of glory, was born in humble circumstances, lived among the marginalized, and ultimately gave His life for us. His kingship is unlike any other, marked by humility, sacrifice, and love. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the different responses to Jesus' kingship: opposition, dismissal, or worship. Today, we are invited to examine our own hearts and choose to worship and surrender to Jesus as our King.
As we enter a new year, let us commit to living a life that reflects the extraordinary love and grace of our King. May we prioritize His presence, seek His guidance, and allow Him to reign in every area of our lives. Let us be a community that embodies the vision of making, growing, and equipping followers of Jesus to fulfill their God-given purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. Honoring Faithful Service: The Dykhouse family's 12 years of service exemplify the heart of servanthood and faithfulness. Their dedication reminds us of the importance of serving our community with love and commitment, knowing that God has a purpose for each season of our lives. [47:43]
2. The Kingship of Jesus: The gift of gold brought by the Magi symbolizes Jesus' kingship. Unlike earthly kings, Jesus' reign is marked by humility, sacrifice, and love. Recognizing His authority challenges us to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him, acknowledging Him as the King of kings. [01:11:49]
3. Unexpected Expressions of Love: Jesus' life and ministry were filled with unexpected acts of love and grace. From His humble birth to His sacrificial death, Jesus demonstrated a love that defies human expectations. This challenges us to embrace the unexpected ways God may work in our lives. [01:17:22]
4. Responses to Jesus' Kingship: Throughout history, people have responded to Jesus' kingship in various ways: opposition, dismissal, or worship. Today, we are invited to examine our own hearts and choose to worship and surrender to Jesus as our King, allowing Him to reign in every area of our lives. [01:21:31]
5. Living a Christ-Centered Life: As we enter a new year, we are called to live a life that reflects the extraordinary love and grace of our King. This involves prioritizing His presence, seeking His guidance, and allowing Him to reign in every area of our lives, embodying the vision of making, growing, and equipping followers of Jesus. [01:35:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [47:43] - Honoring Paul Dykhouse
- [57:23] - Connection and Prayer Requests
- [01:03:12] - Annual Christmas Gift Offering
- [01:06:06] - The Christmas Gift Series Conclusion
- [01:10:20] - The Significance of Gold
- [01:11:49] - Jesus as King
- [01:14:19] - The Supreme Authority of Jesus
- [01:16:00] - Unexpected Expressions of God's Love
- [01:17:22] - The Humble Birth of Jesus
- [01:18:31] - Jesus' Unconventional Ministry
- [01:19:53] - The Sacrificial Death of Jesus
- [01:21:31] - Responses to Jesus' Kingship
- [01:28:00] - Personal Reflection and Testimony
- [01:35:01] - Living a Christ-Centered Life
- [01:43:49] - Invitation to Surrender and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 2:10-11 - "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
2. 1 Timothy 6:15 - "which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords."
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Observation Questions:
1. What significance does the gift of gold have in the context of Jesus' birth, according to the sermon? [01:10:20]
2. How did the Magi respond to Jesus' kingship, and what does their response teach us about worship? [01:25:32]
3. What were the different responses to Jesus' kingship mentioned in the sermon, and how do they reflect people's attitudes today? [01:21:31]
4. How does the sermon describe the unexpected nature of Jesus' life and ministry? [01:17:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the gift of gold symbolize Jesus' kingship, and how does this symbolism challenge our understanding of authority and leadership? [01:11:49]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the contrast between earthly kingship and Jesus' kingship? What implications does this have for how we view power and humility? [01:14:19]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of recognizing and responding to Jesus' authority in our lives? How might this look in practical terms? [01:26:49]
4. How does the sermon encourage us to reflect on our own responses to Jesus' kingship, and what might be the consequences of opposition or dismissal? [01:23:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the Dykhouse family's 12 years of service. How can their example inspire you to serve your community with love and commitment? [47:43]
2. Consider the different responses to Jesus' kingship mentioned in the sermon. Which response do you most identify with, and how can you move towards a posture of worship and surrender? [01:21:31]
3. The sermon challenges us to prioritize Jesus' presence in our lives. What specific steps can you take to seek His guidance and allow Him to reign in every area of your life? [01:35:01]
4. How can you embrace the unexpected ways God may work in your life, as illustrated by the unexpected expressions of love in Jesus' life and ministry? [01:17:22]
5. As we enter a new year, what changes can you make to live a life that reflects the extraordinary love and grace of our King? Consider setting specific goals for spiritual growth and community involvement. [01:48:40]
6. How can you ensure that your participation in church and community is not just a duty or obligation, but a genuine expression of worship and love for God and others? [01:34:01]
7. Identify one area of your life where you have been dismissive of Jesus' kingship. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Him and allow His authority to guide you? [01:26:49]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: The Heart of Servanthood
The Dykhouse family's 12 years of service to the church community exemplify the essence of servanthood and faithfulness. Their dedication serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of serving others with love and commitment. In every season of life, God has a purpose for us, and through serving, we align ourselves with His divine plan. As we honor their contribution, we are encouraged to reflect on our own roles within our communities and how we can serve with a heart full of love and dedication. [47:43]
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you serve this week, and how can you do so with a heart of love and commitment?
Day 2: Recognizing Jesus' Kingship
The gift of gold brought by the Magi symbolizes Jesus' kingship, a reign marked by humility, sacrifice, and love. Unlike earthly kings, Jesus' authority challenges us to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him, acknowledging Him as the King of kings. This recognition calls us to bow down and worship, allowing His lordship to guide our decisions and actions. As we reflect on this, we are invited to examine our response to His kingship and how it influences our daily lives. [01:11:49]
"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:18, ESV)
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 3: Embracing the Unexpected
Jesus' life and ministry were filled with unexpected acts of love and grace, from His humble birth to His sacrificial death. These acts defy human expectations and challenge us to embrace the unexpected ways God may work in our lives. As we reflect on these expressions of love, we are encouraged to remain open to the surprising and unconventional ways God may choose to reveal His love and purpose in our lives. [01:17:22]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where God worked in an unexpected way. How can you remain open to His surprising plans in the future?
Day 4: Choosing Worship Over Opposition
Throughout history, people have responded to Jesus' kingship in various ways: opposition, dismissal, or worship. Today, we are invited to examine our own hearts and choose to worship and surrender to Jesus as our King, allowing Him to reign in every area of our lives. This choice requires intentionality and a willingness to let go of our own desires in favor of His divine will. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to consider how we can actively choose worship over opposition in our daily lives. [01:21:31]
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize worship in your life, even amidst challenges or distractions?
Day 5: Living a Christ-Centered Life
As we enter a new year, we are called to live a life that reflects the extraordinary love and grace of our King. This involves prioritizing His presence, seeking His guidance, and allowing Him to reign in every area of our lives. By embodying the vision of making, growing, and equipping followers of Jesus, we fulfill our God-given purpose and become a light to those around us. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to commit to a Christ-centered life that honors His love and grace. [01:35:01]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can prioritize Christ's presence in your daily routine this week? How can this practice help you live a more Christ-centered life?
Quotes
And so, you know, we just want to send them off, we just want to really want to send them off, right? So pastors, elders, senior leaders that are here for this service, if y 'all would come up, that would be great. And we just want to pray blessing over them, right? That's what you do with family. [00:47:43] (17 seconds)
So throughout history, because of its rarity and because of its value, gold has always been considered a gift for a king, a gift fit for a king, right? And that's why even, you know, we think about kings and things we've seen in movies and everything else. What do kings like to do? They like to surround themselves by gold. [01:10:50] (21 seconds)
So we're talking about Jesus. A king like no other, guys understanding that Jesus was not just another human being born of a woman into the earth, and He is Lord of lords and King of kings. He is King Jesus. Paul had a disciple named Timothy. He writes this letter to Timothy. [01:14:19] (20 seconds)
That there's no way to place more emphasis than saying the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords is the strongest possible way that it could have been communicated. So he was communicating in this that Jesus is the supreme authority over all the kingdoms of the world and the entire universe is in the hands of King Jesus. [01:15:42] (21 seconds)
Nobody ever imagined the king of the Jews would ride into Jerusalem on a stinky donkey and that the people who would welcome him and cheer him in would be outcasts. It would be those who were overlooked, those who might have even been considered immoral. No one ever expected this king would stand trial for his sins. [01:18:47] (21 seconds)
What's interesting to me is that when you look at this story from the very first century, there are three very distinct responses to the idea that Jesus is king. We see him all the way to the moment of his birth and really, those three distinct responses to the idea that Jesus is king, we're still responding in the same like manner today as humanity. [01:21:31] (22 seconds)
And here you've got the Magi who are saying, it's not about me. It's not about my throne. It's not about my way. It's not about my desires. With everything in me, they're saying, we bow our lives down. We assume a surrendered posture before. Before King Jesus. They were telling that little baby, you are my King. [01:26:24] (20 seconds)
And you're not riding on your parents' coattails, your grandma or whoever it is. And Jesus becomes Lord of your life, right? It's not just my family. No, now it's me. And so I knew all about God, but I came to a place of recognizing just because I know all about God doesn't mean that I know him. [01:29:27] (25 seconds)
How many of you know that Jesus came for people like that? And here's what I had to come to realize. I am those people and you are those people. And that's who Jesus came for. So he loved me right where I was at. And he forgave me. Not because I was that good. Because he was that good. [01:32:34] (23 seconds)
How many of you know He's not a distant, angry, uninvolved judge that's waiting on us to mess up? I was chatting with somebody this week, and that was their view of God. But that's not Him. He's not the big guy in the sky. He's not the man upstairs. He's not the, as the celebrities are wearing this T -shirt that says, Jesus is my homeboy. [01:35:01] (28 seconds)
He is your shelter in time of trouble. He's your light when the world is dark. He's the prince of peace, the lamb of God, the alpha, the omega. He is the resurrection and the life. He is our king. He is goodness indescribable. His power is incomprehensible. His grace is irresistible. At his name, darkness trembles. [01:37:55] (20 seconds)
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