Jesus: The Perfect King and Source of Peace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the book of 1 Chronicles, exploring its significance and how it fits into the broader narrative of the Bible. Chronicles, originally one scroll, provides a comprehensive history of Israel from creation to the exile and the return under Cyrus. This book is part of the Ketuvim, the writings, and offers a unique perspective compared to the prophetic books like Samuel and Kings. Chronicles emphasizes the roles of prophet, priest, and king, which were crucial in the Old Testament as they were the anointed ones through whom God worked His purposes.
We focused on the role of the king, exploring how kings were meant to lead the people towards God, embodying His laws and principles. The king was to be a model, providing clarity, organizing complex tasks, and offering protection. However, human kings often fell short due to their own sinfulness, as seen in the life of David. Despite his many achievements, David's personal failings and family dysfunction highlighted the limitations of human leadership.
The sermon then transitioned to how Jesus fulfills the role of the king perfectly. Unlike human kings, Jesus is the ultimate anointed one who brings true peace—shalom. He models humility and service, provides clear direction through His teachings, coordinates the community of believers, and offers ultimate protection by conquering sin and death. Jesus' kingship is not about earthly power but about establishing a kingdom where all people can live in right relationship with God and each other.
We concluded by reflecting on the practice of passing the peace, a tradition that symbolizes the reconciliation and unity we have in Christ. This practice reminds us of the peace Jesus brings, encouraging us to seek reconciliation and embody the peace of Christ in our relationships.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Role of the King in Israel: The king was meant to lead the people towards God, embodying His laws and principles. This role included being a model for the people, providing clarity, organizing complex tasks, and offering protection. However, human kings often fell short due to their own sinfulness, highlighting the need for a perfect king. [49:54]
2. Jesus as the Perfect King: Jesus fulfills the role of the king perfectly. He models humility and service, provides clear direction through His teachings, coordinates the community of believers, and offers ultimate protection by conquering sin and death. His kingship is about establishing a kingdom where all people can live in right relationship with God and each other. [58:26]
3. The Concept of Shalom: Biblical peace, or shalom, is more than the absence of conflict. It is about being in right relationship with God, which leads to right relationships with others, within ourselves, and with creation. This holistic peace is what Jesus brings as the ultimate anointed one. [39:15]
4. The Limitations of Human Leadership: The story of David illustrates the limitations of human leadership. Despite his many achievements, David's personal failings and family dysfunction highlighted the need for a perfect king. This points us to Jesus, who is the perfect leader we long for. [57:06]
5. The Practice of Passing the Peace: The tradition of passing the peace symbolizes the reconciliation and unity we have in Christ. It encourages us to seek reconciliation and embody the peace of Christ in our relationships, reminding us of the peace Jesus brings. [01:01:32]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [34:07] - Introduction to 1 Chronicles
3. [34:53] - The Structure of Hebrew Scriptures
4. [35:43] - Chronicles in the Ketuvim
5. [36:32] - The Story of Israel in Chronicles
6. [37:12] - Roles of Prophet, Priest, and King
7. [38:03] - Anointed Ones in the Old Testament
8. [39:15] - The Concept of Shalom
9. [40:00] - Israel's History and Exile
10. [41:04] - The Chronicler's Hope
11. [41:47] - The Role of the King
12. [42:19] - Parable of Jane and Jim
13. [44:46] - Sin and Chaos
14. [46:20] - Israel's Request for a King
15. [48:34] - God's Instructions for Kings
16. [49:54] - The King's Purpose
17. [51:32] - God as the Ultimate King
18. [53:01] - The King's Four Purposes
19. [57:06] - The Limitations of Human Kings
20. [58:26] - Jesus as the Perfect King
21. [01:01:32] - Passing the Peace
22. [01:02:55] - Conclusion and Invitation to Pass the Peace
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12: "Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."
2. Deuteronomy 17:14-20: "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, 'Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,' be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, 'You are not to go back that way again.' He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the four main purposes of a king in Israel as described in the sermon? [51:32]
2. How does 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 describe God's kingship over Israel and the world?
3. According to Deuteronomy 17:14-20, what were the specific instructions given to the king of Israel to ensure he led the people towards God?
4. What does the term "shalom" mean in the context of the Old Testament, and how is it more than just the absence of conflict? [39:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the role of the king in Israel reflect the need for a leader who embodies God's laws and principles? [49:54]
2. In what ways did David's life illustrate both the successes and failures of human kingship? [57:06]
3. How does Jesus fulfill the role of the perfect king, and what are the implications of His kingship for believers today? [58:26]
4. What does the practice of passing the peace symbolize, and how does it relate to the reconciliation and unity we have in Christ? [01:01:32]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a lack of clarity or direction in your life. How did it affect your relationships and responsibilities? How can you seek God's guidance to bring clarity in your current situation? [54:22]
2. David's personal failings and family dysfunction highlighted the limitations of human leadership. How can you apply the lessons from David's life to your own leadership roles, whether in your family, workplace, or community? [57:06]
3. Jesus models humility and service as the perfect king. What specific actions can you take this week to embody humility and service in your interactions with others? [58:26]
4. The concept of shalom involves being in right relationship with God, others, ourselves, and creation. Identify one area in your life where you need to seek shalom. What steps can you take to pursue peace in that area? [39:15]
5. The practice of passing the peace encourages reconciliation and unity. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to seek reconciliation? How can you take the first step towards making peace with them this week? [01:01:32]
6. How can you incorporate the teachings of Jesus into your daily life to provide clear direction and purpose for yourself and those around you? [58:26]
7. Reflect on the role of the king as an organizer of complex tasks. How can you improve your organizational skills to better serve your community and fulfill your responsibilities? [55:43]
Devotional
Day 1: The Role of the King in Israel
The role of the king in Israel was to lead the people towards God, embodying His laws and principles. This role included being a model for the people, providing clarity, organizing complex tasks, and offering protection. However, human kings often fell short due to their own sinfulness, highlighting the need for a perfect king. The story of David, despite his many achievements, illustrates these limitations. His personal failings and family dysfunction underscored the inherent flaws in human leadership and pointed to the necessity of a divine solution.
In the Old Testament, kings were anointed to serve as God's representatives on earth, tasked with guiding the nation in righteousness. Yet, their human nature often led to moral and spiritual failures. This recurring theme in Israel's history serves as a reminder of the imperfection of human leadership and the ultimate need for a perfect, divine king who can truly lead the people in accordance with God's will. [49:54]
1 Samuel 8:6-7 (ESV): "But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.' And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.'"
Reflection: Think about a leader in your life who has disappointed you. How can you shift your focus from human leadership to seeking guidance and direction from God?
Day 2: Jesus as the Perfect King
Jesus fulfills the role of the king perfectly. Unlike human kings, Jesus models humility and service, provides clear direction through His teachings, coordinates the community of believers, and offers ultimate protection by conquering sin and death. His kingship is not about earthly power but about establishing a kingdom where all people can live in right relationship with God and each other. Jesus' leadership is characterized by love, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of His followers.
Jesus' kingship brings a new understanding of what it means to lead. He does not seek to dominate or control but to serve and uplift. His teachings provide a clear path for living a life that honors God and fosters community. By conquering sin and death, Jesus offers a protection that no earthly king can provide, ensuring eternal peace and security for His followers. [58:26]
John 18:36 (ESV): "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.'"
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to follow Jesus' example of humility and service. What steps can you take today to align more closely with His teachings?
Day 3: The Concept of Shalom
Biblical peace, or shalom, is more than the absence of conflict. It is about being in right relationship with God, which leads to right relationships with others, within ourselves, and with creation. This holistic peace is what Jesus brings as the ultimate anointed one. Shalom encompasses completeness, wholeness, and well-being, reflecting God's original design for creation. It is a state where justice, harmony, and flourishing are present in every aspect of life.
Jesus' mission was to restore shalom by reconciling humanity to God and to one another. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He made it possible for us to experience true peace. This peace transforms our relationships, our inner lives, and our interactions with the world around us. As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of shalom, working towards reconciliation and wholeness in all areas of life. [39:15]
Isaiah 32:17-18 (ESV): "And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places."
Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life that lacks peace. How can you take a step towards reconciliation and embodying the peace of Christ in that relationship today?
Day 4: The Limitations of Human Leadership
The story of David illustrates the limitations of human leadership. Despite his many achievements, David's personal failings and family dysfunction highlighted the need for a perfect king. This points us to Jesus, who is the perfect leader we long for. David's life serves as a powerful reminder that even the most capable and anointed leaders are still human and prone to failure. His story underscores the importance of looking beyond human leaders to the ultimate leadership of Christ.
David's reign was marked by both great successes and significant failures. His moral lapses and the resulting consequences for his family and nation reveal the inherent flaws in human leadership. These shortcomings highlight the need for a leader who is not subject to the same weaknesses and failings. Jesus, as the perfect king, fulfills this need, offering a model of leadership that is both righteous and compassionate. [57:06]
Psalm 146:3-4 (ESV): "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."
Reflection: Consider a time when you placed too much trust in a human leader. How can you shift your trust to Jesus, the perfect leader, in your current circumstances?
Day 5: The Practice of Passing the Peace
The tradition of passing the peace symbolizes the reconciliation and unity we have in Christ. It encourages us to seek reconciliation and embody the peace of Christ in our relationships, reminding us of the peace Jesus brings. This practice is a tangible expression of the shalom that Jesus offers, fostering a sense of community and mutual care among believers. It serves as a reminder of our calling to be peacemakers in a world often marked by division and conflict.
Passing the peace is more than a ritual; it is a declaration of our commitment to live out the peace of Christ in our daily interactions. It challenges us to actively pursue reconciliation and to embody the love and grace that Jesus demonstrated. By participating in this practice, we affirm our identity as members of the body of Christ, united in our mission to bring His peace to the world. [01:01:32]
Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Reflection: Think of someone with whom you have a strained relationship. How can you take a step towards reconciliation and passing the peace of Christ to them today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Originally, people were created in the image of God to kind of be God's co-rulers. To be God's rulers here in the earth. But they turned to sin instead. And that image was broken. And so, then God calls people. Abraham. Moses. David. Others through the story. To actually work his purposes out through them." [38:03] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Messiah would have been the Hebrew word. Or Christ would be the Greek word. Right? So, actually like the idea of the anointed one. Or the Messiah simply means the anointed one. And it's essentially this hope that God will raise up another anointed one. Somebody with the spirit of God on them. In order to bring the peace of God in our world." [38:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This Old Testament concept of peace is much bigger than that. It's this idea of being in right relationship with God. Which leads to us being in right relationship with each other. Within ourselves and even with the earth itself. Right? So a lot of the pictures of peace in the Old Testament. It's not just describing the end of war. It's actually talking about the lion lying down with the lamb. About the absence of violence. And about actually all being well. Things being set right." [39:15] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus is the anointed one of God who shows us how to be truly human. Who actually is the perfect human, removed from the sin and violence of the world. And so he shows us the way. He models humility and service. He wields his power with love. Jesus gives us a clear mission and purpose. He proclaims the kingdom of heaven and he says it's come. It's among you. It's your choice as to whether you join in." [58:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus ultimately wins the victory over sin and death. Jesus brings the protection that we long for because he wins the victory over sin and death. Not so we no longer have to worry about being killed. The world we live in, that's still a real fear. But so that we know that even if we die, there's life on the other side." [01:00:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The king was meant to be kind of this model, and we long for a model. I don't know about you, but I know in my teen years, you know, I started to look at my parents less and less as models, because I was a teenager, and I searched for models. Who, and I would kind of practice putting on, am I going to be like this person? Am I going to be like this person? Yet in your 20s, you start to realize, well, maybe my parents were a better model than I realized." [53:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The king also provided clarity. They set a clear direction. We find, again, we don't have time to read through all of it. If you want to explore it further this week, I would encourage you to do that, but this passage in Chronicles is really the transfer of power from David to Solomon, and David lays out this clear agenda, not just for Solomon, but for all the people to follow. David was able to bring clarity of mission, clarity, of purpose for the people." [53:01] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The problem is what we find as we read through the story is that the king is on the playing field, right? The king is always in the game as well. They're a human being. They have sin. The ultimate battle we know is actually not just between the nation of Israel and whoever they happen to be fighting at the time. The ultimate battle is actually between good and evil, between God and Satan, and the king was caught in that battle as well." [57:06] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so the people are still left longing for peace. They're longing for this anointed one. How is God going to bring peace among us? How is God going to make it so that we actually know how to live? So that we have clarity on our purpose. So that we can coordinate together to serve the world, not just to take from the world. So we can experience true protection and peace, right? Protection is simply peace. No more fighting. No more violence." [58:26] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is building a different kind of temple, not one that's located in a nation. Not one that's focused on a specific area of land. A temple that's for all people, all tribes, tongues, and nations to all gather together under one united King, Jesus, worshiping God, serving God, and living in true and ultimate peace." [01:00:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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