Redefining Power: The Kingdom of God Through Love
Summary
In my sermon, I explored the spiritual forces of evil and the power of Jesus Christ. I emphasized that Jesus could have easily overpowered Rome, but instead, he chose to do something greater - he defeated death. This was achieved by allowing himself to be killed, thereby redefining what it means to have power. Power, as demonstrated by Jesus, is not about destruction but about creation and bringing life where there isn't. He took upon himself the ugliest parts of humanity and through his death and resurrection, gave us a new humanity, free from death and sin. I encouraged the congregation to hold on to the hope of the gospel, even when it seems like Jesus is not on the throne. The Kingdom of God, I explained, does not come through wars and tyranny, but through love for God and one another. I concluded by reminding everyone that Jesus, God's anointed king, is near, knows us, and is for us.
In the second part of my sermon, I prayed for peace in Israel and Palestine, acknowledging the war and destruction happening there. I reminded the congregation that peace does not come from legislation or more weapons, but from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. I then read Psalm 2, emphasizing that Jesus is God's anointed king. I explained that Jesus came to bring God's rule and reign in all of creation, and that his submission to death on the cross showed us what true power is. I concluded by discussing the Psalms as divinely inspired Hebrew poems that have served as the song book and prayer book for the people of God for over 3,000 years.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus redefined power not as destruction, but as the ability to create and bring life where there isn't. He defeated death and gave us a new humanity, free from death and sin ([01:14:44]).
2. The Kingdom of God comes not through wars and tyranny, but through love for God and one another ([01:15:31]).
3. Jesus, God's anointed king, is near, knows us, and is for us. He will never leave us ([01:16:24]).
4. Peace does not come from legislation or more weapons, but from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ ([01:17:25]).
5. The Psalms are divinely inspired Hebrew poems that have served as the song book and prayer book for the people of God for over 3,000 years. They are the most quoted book in the New Testament, and Jesus himself quoted and referred to the Psalms often.
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 2 #!!39:49!!#
2. Psalm 110 #!!46:32!!#
3. 2 Samuel 7:16 #!!48:02!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the nations raging and plotting in vain in Psalm 2?
2. How does Psalm 110 portray the role of the king?
3. What is the covenant promise God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:16?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Psalm 2 reflect the sovereignty of God over the nations?
2. In Psalm 110, how does the king's role relate to the concept of Jesus as the Messiah?
3. How does the covenant promise in 2 Samuel 7:16 foreshadow the eternal reign of Jesus?
Application Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as the anointed king influence your view of current world events?
2. In what ways can you demonstrate your trust in God's sovereignty when you face personal challenges?
3. How can you apply the concept of Jesus' eternal reign in your daily life?
4. Can you think of a situation where you need to remember that Jesus has defeated death and sin?
5. How can you contribute to the coming of God's kingdom on earth through your actions and attitudes?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Control Amidst Chaos
In the midst of war and disaster, we are reminded that God is in control. Even when the world seems to be falling apart, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God is sovereign over all things. He is not surprised by the events unfolding around us, and He is actively working in and through them for His purposes. [36:37]
Psalm 46:1-3 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
Reflection: How can you find peace in God's sovereignty amidst the chaos in the world today?
Day 2: The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice
Jesus demonstrated His power not by lording over us, but by laying down His life for us. He took on the ugliest parts of humanity, and through His death and resurrection, He gave us a new humanity free from death and sin. This is the hope we hold onto, even when it seems like Jesus is not on the throne. [01:14:44]
Hebrews 2:14-15 - "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice change your perspective on power and authority?
Day 3: The Promise of God's Anointed King
God made a covenant promise to David that his throne and kingdom would last forever. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus, the anointed King in the line of David. As we navigate through life, we can find comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is our eternal King. [46:32]
2 Samuel 7:16 - "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever."
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' eternal reign impact your daily life?
Day 4: The Rebellion Against God's Anointed
The world often rebels against God and His anointed King, Jesus. But God is not threatened by this rebellion. Instead, He laughs at their futile attempts and asserts His authority. As believers, we are called to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. [39:49]
Psalm 2:1-4 - "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them."
Reflection: How can you stand firm in your faith amidst the world's rebellion against God?
Day 5: Jesus, the Divine King
Jesus is not just a symbol, but the Divine King, God's anointed. When we proclaim Jesus Christ, we are acknowledging His kingship. This understanding should not be purely academic, but should transform our lives as we submit to His rule. [42:04]
Psalm 2:6-7 - "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain. I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, 'You are my son; today I have become your father.'"
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the Divine King influence your relationship with Him?
Quotes
1. "We really need to be able to understand who you are in relationship to us. Help us to see how you are king and how you are in control. Speak to us through your word this morning and we pray for the people in Israel, the people in Palestine that you would bring peace, that you would bring healing." - 38:16
2. "Jesus came to us as God's beloved anointed king in order to bring God's rule and God's Reign and all of creation. The king of creation on the cross changed everything because he showed us what true power is when he submitted himself to death." - 44:23
3. "Jesus defeated death. He did it ultimately by allowing himself to be killed and reframing what it means to have power. Jesus showed his power, he has the power to create things, to bring life where there isn't but he laid down his life taking the ugliest parts of humanity upon himself and through his death and his resurrection giving us a new Humanity." - 01:14:44
4. "The Kingdom doesn't come through Wars and tyranny, the kingdom of God comes on Earth as we are image bearers of the king, as we love God, as we love one another. That is radical and subversive. Jesus is in the Psalms as God's anointed king and the greatest news in the world is that he's near and he knows you and he is for you and he will never leave." - 01:16:24
5. "The Bible's not primarily a collection of stories about what we ought to do but it's one big United story showing us what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. I want us to see Jesus in the Psalms and I want us to see Jesus as who he truly is so he comes to us in the Psalms and in the four gospels as a Divine King, God's anointed." - 42:04
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