OceanSide church of Christ

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CHRIST, THE KING OF ALL KINGDOMS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The Jews knew that a king was to be born from among them.

1.     The prophets had announced it.

2.     The Jews eagerly anticipated it.

 

B.    They had three misconceptions about this king.

1.     They thought he would be a man, not the Son of God.

2.     They thought his kingdom would be physical, not spiritual in nature.

3.     They thought that he would be just the king of the Jews, not the king of all.

 

C.   In our lesson today, we want to examine the subject:  “Christ, the King of All Kingdoms.”

 

I.           JESUS IS LORD OF ALL

 

A.   One of the titles of Jesus is Lord.

1.     It is the most used of all His titles, 736 times.

2.     The title means “master, possessor, supreme authority, king, and owner.”

 

B.    The Bible affirms in numerous places that Jesus is Lord over all.

1.     Daniel 7:13-14

 

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him:  his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

 

2.     Matthew 28:18

 

And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

3.     Romans 9:5 (See also Rom. 10:12)

 

Whom are the fathers, and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever.

 

4.     Ephesians 1:22

 

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.

 

 

5.     Philippians 1:9-10

 

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth.

 

C.   The Lordship of Jesus has several qualities.

1.     It is singular.  It rests in Him and Him alone.

2.     It is absolute.  It is not limited in any way.

3.     It is inviolable.  It is secure from destruction.

 

II.         JEUS IS LORD OVER ALL KINGDOMS

 

A.   When we think of kingdoms, we usually think of the physical kingdoms of the earth, and nothing more.  Jesus is Lord over every kingdom of man.

1.     The Scriptures refer to Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

a.     I Timothy 6:15

 

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

b.    The description of the rider on the white horse (Rev. 19:16).

 

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  

 

2.     When Jesus returns, He will prove beyond measure that He is over all kingdoms.

a.     I Corinthians 15:24

 

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power.

 

b.    As we read earlier, every knee shall bow to Jesus and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father (Phil. 2:10-11).

 

B.    Another kingdom that Jesus is over is the Creation.

1.     He is over all the Creation because He is the Creator of all (Col. 1:16).

 

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him.

 

2.     In Psalm 148, the inspired poet begins with these words:  Praise ye the Lord.  In the psalm, he exhorts many aspects of God’s creation to praise the Lord (See verses 3-5).

 

Praise ye him sun and moon:  praise him all ye stars of light.   Praise ye heaven of heavens, and ye water that be above the heavens.  Let them praise the name of the Lord:  for he commanded, and they were created.

 

C.   Closely connected to the previous point is the fact that Jesus is Lord of nature.  Here we are talking about the powerful forces of nature.  Jesus proved His Lordship over these during His earthly ministry (John 8:26-27).

 

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?  Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a calm.  But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him!

 

D.   The Scriptures also teach us that Jesus is Lord over the powers that are hidden from man’s view.

1.     I Peter 3:22

 

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

 

2.     Jesus demonstrated his Lordship over the evil spirit realm during His ministry.  He was able to command the evil spirits to come out of those they afflicted (Luke 8:28-29).

 

E.    Jesus is also head over His spiritual kingdom, the church (Eph. 1:20-23).

 

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

 

III.       WHAT MAN NEEDSW TO KNOW AND DO

 

A.   Man needs to know that Jesus is Lord (Acts 2:36).

 

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

 

B.    All need to submit to Jesus’ Lordship now (Rom. 10:13).

 

For whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

C.   Rebellion against the Lord is foolish (Ps. 2:1-3, 6).

 

Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.

 

 

 

D.   All will one day acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:11).

 

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

E.    There will be what the Bible calls “the day of the Lord” (Acts 2:20; I Cor. 1:8; 5:5; II Cor. 1:14; I Thess. 5:2; II Pet. 3:10).

 

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We hear a lot of talk today about making Jesus Christ the Lord of one’s life.  The truth is that we do not make Him Lord.  He already is Lord.

 

B.    The real question is:  “Will you submit to His Lordship?”

 

C.   NOTE:  Verbally calling Jesus Lord will not save.  Calling on the name of the Lord involves obedience to His will.

1.     Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46

2.     Initial obedience involves submitting to the Lord’s command to be baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16).

 

And now why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.