The Kingship of Christ: Our Eternal Sovereign
Summary
Tonight, we explored the kingly office of Christ, completing our study of his threefold role as prophet, priest, and king. In the Old Testament, these offices were always separate, but in Christ, they are perfectly united. As prophet, he reveals God’s truth and saves us from ignorance; as priest, he offers himself as the sacrifice for our guilt; and as king, he delivers us from the dominion of sin, sanctifying and redeeming us. Christ’s kingship was prophesied long before his birth, and he is the fulfillment of every righteous king Israel ever hoped for. Unlike earthly kings, his reign is eternal, and his kingdom knows no end.
Christ’s dominion is not a new authority but the restoration of humanity’s original calling to rule under God, a calling lost in Eden but restored in the God-man, Jesus. His kingdom is not of this world, yet it encompasses all creation—visible and invisible, thrones and dominions, all are his. Even in his humiliation, Christ’s kingship was mocked with a crown of thorns, but in his exaltation, he sits at the right hand of God, ruling the universe.
His kingship is exercised in three spheres: over the universe as a kingdom of power, over the church as a kingdom of grace, and in heaven as a kingdom of glory. For the world, he upholds, governs, and judges all things; for the church, he gathers, governs, equips, protects, and perfects his people; and in heaven, he will glorify his redeemed, making them like himself. His reign is eternal—he will never lay down his scepter, and his union with his people will never be broken.
We cannot accept Christ as prophet and priest without also submitting to him as king. He rules us through his word, wars for us as the Lamb on the throne, and calls us to trust and obey. Our greatest need is not deliverance from earthly troubles, but from sin itself—a deliverance only King Jesus can provide. In every season, whether in joy or trial, we are called to rejoice, exalt, trust, depend, purify ourselves, and live as citizens of his everlasting kingdom.
Key Takeaways
- The unity of Christ’s offices—prophet, priest, and king—means that our redemption is complete only in him. He reveals truth, removes guilt, and breaks the power of sin, offering a holistic salvation that no other could provide. To know Christ is to experience the fullness of God’s rescue: from ignorance, from guilt, and from bondage. [01:26]
- Christ’s kingship restores humanity’s original purpose. In Eden, humanity was meant to rule under God, but through sin, we lost that dominion. In Christ, the God-man, our calling is restored—not as autonomous rulers, but as those who reign under his authority, participating in his victory and purpose for creation. [13:05]
- The kingship of Christ is not just cosmic but deeply personal for the church. He rules the universe for the good of his bride, gathering, governing, equipping, protecting, and perfecting his people. Every aspect of church life—its growth, unity, mission, and sanctification—flows from his gracious reign. [35:55]
- Christ’s kingdom is eternal and unshakeable. Even when all earthly powers fade and every enemy is defeated, his reign endures. Our union with him is forever; he is our head, and we are his body, destined to share in his inheritance and glory. This eternal perspective calls us to live now as citizens of a kingdom that will never end. [45:38]
- Submission to Christ as king is inseparable from receiving him as prophet and priest. We cannot claim his sacrifice or his word without bowing to his authority. True discipleship means trusting and obeying him, recognizing that every area of life belongs to him, and that our greatest security and joy are found in his sovereign, loving rule. [48:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King
[02:30] - Christ’s Kingly Work: Sanctifies and Redeems
[03:34] - Old Testament Kings and Christ’s Deliverance
[05:45] - Christ’s Eternal Reign Prophesied
[08:03] - Christ’s Kingdom: Redemption and Dominion
[10:32] - Christ’s Kingship: Always and Forever
[13:05] - Restoring Humanity’s Dominion
[15:47] - Christ’s Kingdom Not of This World
[17:27] - Rejoicing in the King’s Salvation
[18:28] - Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven
[21:00] - Christ’s Exaltation and Universal Dominion
[25:26] - Christ’s Kingdom of Power
[35:55] - Christ’s Kingdom of Grace for the Church
[41:40] - Christ’s Kingdom of Glory in Heaven
[45:38] - The Eternal Kingdom of Christ
[48:18] - Christ as King: Our Response
[50:47] - Assurance of Entrance into the Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Kingly Office of Christ
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### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 23:5-6
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
2. Colossians 1:12-14
“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
3. Luke 1:30-33
“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Jeremiah 23:5-6, what are the main characteristics of the King God promised to raise up from David’s line?
2. In Colossians 1:12-14, what has God done for us through Christ’s kingship? What does it mean to be “delivered from the power of darkness”?
3. In Luke 1:30-33, what does the angel say about the length and nature of Jesus’ reign as King?
4. The sermon described how Christ unites the roles of prophet, priest, and king, unlike the Old Testament where these were always separate. What does this unity mean for our salvation? [[01:26]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that Christ’s kingship is not a new authority, but the restoration of humanity’s original calling to rule under God. What does it mean for us that Jesus restores what was lost in Eden? [[13:05]]
2. How does Christ’s kingship differ from earthly kings, both in the way He rules and in the purpose of His reign? [[05:45]]
3. The sermon teaches that Christ’s kingdom is exercised in three spheres: over the universe (power), over the church (grace), and in heaven (glory). Why is it important to understand these different aspects of His reign? [[35:55]]
4. Why can’t we accept Christ as prophet and priest without also submitting to Him as King? What does this mean for how we live as Christians? [[48:18]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said our greatest need is not deliverance from earthly troubles, but from sin itself—a deliverance only King Jesus can provide. Are there areas in your life where you are seeking rescue from something other than sin? How can you shift your focus to Christ’s deliverance from sin? [[09:32]]
2. Christ’s kingship restores our original purpose to rule under God, not as autonomous rulers but under His authority. In what ways do you try to “rule” your own life apart from Christ? What would it look like to surrender those areas to His kingship this week? [[13:05]]
3. The sermon emphasized that Christ rules the church as a kingdom of grace, gathering, governing, equipping, protecting, and perfecting His people. How have you experienced Christ’s gracious rule in your life or in the church? Where do you need to depend on Him more? [[35:55]]
4. Christ’s kingdom is eternal and unshakeable. When you face uncertainty or loss, how does remembering Christ’s unending reign help you? Is there a current situation where you need to trust that Christ is still on the throne? [[45:38]]
5. Submission to Christ as King is inseparable from receiving Him as prophet and priest. Are there areas of your life where you accept Christ’s forgiveness or teaching, but resist His authority? What is one step you can take to submit more fully to His rule? [[48:18]]
6. The sermon called us to rejoice, exalt, trust, depend, purify ourselves, and live as citizens of Christ’s everlasting kingdom. Which of these responses is most challenging for you right now, and why? What practical step can you take this week to grow in that area? [[17:27]]
7. Christ’s reign is both cosmic and personal. How does knowing that Jesus rules the universe for the good of His church change the way you pray for yourself, your family, or your church? [[27:37]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Christ the King: Deliverer from Sin’s Dominion
Jesus Christ fulfills the offices of prophet, priest, and king, uniquely rescuing us from the ignorance, guilt, and dominion of sin. As King, he sanctifies and redeems his people, breaking the power of sin and bringing us out of darkness into his kingdom. Just as Old Testament kings rescued and protected their people, Christ is the ultimate champion who delivers us from the prison house of sin, setting us apart for himself and granting us true freedom. [03:34]
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (ESV)
"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel trapped by sin’s power? Ask King Jesus to rescue you from that specific bondage today and trust him to set you free.
Day 2: The Eternal Kingship of Christ
Christ’s dominion as King is not new or limited; he has always ruled over all things, and in his incarnation, he began restoring humanity to its original purpose of reigning under God. From creation to the present, Christ’s authority extends everywhere—there is not a single place in the universe where he is not King. His rule is not just cosmic but personal, inviting us to rejoice that the King has come to save and restore us. [14:20]
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: Where in your life do you struggle to recognize Christ’s authority? Take a moment to rejoice that he is King over every part of your life, even those you find hardest to surrender.
Day 3: Exalting Christ Above All
Christ’s kingship is fully revealed in his exaltation, as he is seated at the right hand of God, ruling over every power and authority. There is not one square inch of the universe that does not belong to him, and all things are under his dominion for the glory of God and the salvation of his people. We are called to exalt Christ above all people and things, refusing to let anything else take his rightful place in our hearts and lives. [24:12]
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Reflection: Is there a person, possession, or ambition that you have placed above Christ in your heart? What practical step can you take today to exalt Jesus as King over that area?
Day 4: Christ’s Kingdom of Grace for the Church
Christ rules the universe in power, but for his church, his kingdom is one of grace—he gathers, governs, equips, protects, and perfects his people. As the head and cornerstone, he supplies every need of his church, ensuring that nothing can prevail against it. We are called to depend on Christ to supply all our needs, trusting that he is faithful to build, sustain, and sanctify his people for his glory. [38:16]
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one need—spiritual, emotional, or practical—that you are facing today? Bring it to Christ in prayer, depending on him as your King to provide and care for you.
Day 5: Living as Subjects of the King
We cannot have Christ as our prophet and priest without also submitting to him as our King. He rules us through his word and reigns from his throne, calling us to trust and obey him as his subjects. Our response to his kingship is to continually look to him, follow his commands, and live as citizens of his everlasting kingdom, knowing that he is always for us and that no one can snatch us from his hand. [49:42]
Luke 6:46 (ESV)
"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?"
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been resisting Christ’s rule? What is one act of obedience you can take today to honor him as your King?
Quotes