The King of Glory (Responsive Reading)
Psalm 24:7-10, Rev. 15:3-4
Leader: Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors,
People: That the King of glory may come in.
Leader: Who is this King of glory?
People: The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Leader: Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors
People: That the King of glory may come in.
Leader: Who is he, this King of glory?
People: The LORD Almighty—he is the King of glory.
ALL: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
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Where is He ... the King of the Jews?
Matthew 2:2
Big Idea: How do we react to the awareness of Christ as King?
INTRO:
>> Show the Video: “That’s My King.”
Do you have your cell phones with you this morning? I have a question to ask and you’ll want to text me your answer – we will refer to them later in the service.
In John 19:14 Pilate looks at the gathered mob and says, “Behold Your King!” They, of course had a reaction that led to the events that followed … the crucifixion.
But that gathered mob is not the only ones that react to such a declaration. Humankind has reacted to the startling reality of Christ as King ever since and they have reacted in a myriad of ways.
Here’s your text question … I stand before you today and introduce Jesus to you by saying, “Behold your king!”
What is your personal and initial response to the reality that Jesus is your King?
SERMON:
I want to read a single simple verse to you from the Gospels this morning. In Matthew 2:2 (the story of Jesus’ birth) the Magi ask a question that is addressed over and over from many different vantage point through the remainder of the book. The question: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?"
You see, the Kingship of Jesus is a clear and essential thread that runs through the Gospels and, in fact, through both the Old and New Testaments.
• The Jews awaited one from the lineage of David who would again sit on the throne and reign as King and Messiah.
• Today, we await the return of the King. We await the day when, as Revelation 15 says, the redeemed will sing “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.”
Until that time, we wait and anticipate and point others to the one “born king of the Jews."
Throughout Matthew’s Gospel Jesus is postured as a King who has brought / is bringing His Kingdom. His coronation is on this day, Palm Sunday, and is recounted with detail in Matthew 21:1-9.
And yet, with all of this (and more) the Magi’s question is still valid today: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?"
Some still ask:
• “So where is this King?”
• “What does this King look like?”
• “How does this King make himself known to us today?”
These are all good questions … maybe questions you have even asked.
The problem for us Americans is that we have no solid idea of or experience with a king.
• I recently read an article on salon.com about the death of “The King.” They were giving sordid details about Elvis Presley’s death.
• I lived in the Chicago area in the late 80’s and there was a group of guys who came to town occasionally to play ball against Michael Jordon and company called “The Sacramento Kings.”
• When I was working on my doctoral dissertation, which centered on juvenile gangs, I was introduced to the “Latin Kings.”
None of these kings will be much help in spotting "he who has been born king of the Jews." They have nothing in common with our King.
Others throughout history have had problems identifying the King we seek too.
The Jews did not recognize him and when a placard was placed on His cross in multiple languages saying “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” They simply could not conceive of it.
What is your answer when seekers ask the question? Your texts might give insight to that.
May I suggest that when seekers ask, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" that they should be able to look to Jesus’ church for the answer? You see, Jesus’ church is filled with “citizens of His Kingdom.” Seekers should be able to look at the church and see evidence that His Kingdom has come / is coming – that His will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.
We point seekers to the King when we live like citizens of His Kingdom.
Jill Gibson had an interesting post on Facebook this week. It said,
The girls are currently obsessed with listening to Taylor Swift … After showers they asked to see one of the music videos since I was on my computer. In the middle of the video for "Shake It Off" one of our older boys walked in and started “bustin' a MOVE” but not typical dancing that I'm used to seeing from the kids around here so I said, "Louis, what are you doing?" To which he quickly replied, "Oh! Just dancing like an American."
I laughed and laughed.
And now for the rest of the night anytime any child has asked anything of me I've told them they can have it ONLY when they “dance like an American" and shake their wrists while singing, "Shake it off, Shake it off!"
Never a dull moment. never.
My point in reading that is to remind you that people have certain stereotypes or assumptions about what an American is. … There are also certain assumptions about what a Christ-follower looks like too.
And King Jesus set the criteria.
1. IT BEGINS TODAY WITH OUR WORSHIP.
Jesus willingly receives our worship just as He did that first Palm Sunday.
A few days back we had our first storm of the season. The sirens rang out and tornados dropped from the sky. Thankfully none of us experienced loss but Vickie and I did experience something we have never witnessed before. When we got home, after the storms had passed, Vickie went into the pantry and there was water on the floor. She quickly found the culprit – this gallon of water you see on the screens was crushed, just as you see it there. There were a few cans of soda nearby that were so tight the aluminum was about to burst at the seams. The low-pressure front that passed above created enough force that the liquid in the bottle had to find an escape.
Might I suggest that is what our worship should do? The reality of the King and His kingdom become so real and intense it has no choice but to seek release – and that becomes our expression of worship.
The responsive reading we read earlier expresses that worship well.
“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
2. LATER THIS WEEK, ON MAUNDY THURSDAY, WE WILL EXPERIENCE ANOTHER OF HIS CRITERIA.
“Maundy” means commandment and Maundy Thursday is referred to in some circles as “New Commandment Thursday” because this is when Jesus set the criteria.
It was on that Thursday that Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
This is His Kingdom coming into the hearts of His citizens. This is His will on earth being done as it is in heaven.
3. IT WAS ALSO ON THURSDAY THAT HE SHOWED HOW A CITIZEN OF HIS KINGDOM should act: In John 13:1 it says Jesus showed the “the full extent of his love” in one simple act, “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.’” (John 13:12-14).
4. IT WAS THE NEXT DAY, FRIDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, THAT HE SHOWED, DARE I SAY, “MODELED” LOVE AND SERVICE.
He did this when He went to the cross “becoming sin for us who new no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
5. WHEN SEEKERS LOOK FOR JESUS THEY WILL FIND HIM BY LOOKING AT JESUS’ FOLLOWERS.
As citizens of the Kingdom we live our lives in a manner that reflects His character, virtue, and values. Like when He said, "I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. . . . When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me" (Matt. 25:35, 40).
We are going to pause and sing together about our King. Afterward I will return for a Wrap-Up.
WRAP-UP
How do we reflect and point people towards our King? Let’s go to your phone texts for answers.
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I knew youse guys would get it!
You have gotten a glimpse of The King by worshipping with us today. You have seen Him as sovereign, awe-inspiring, and majestic. But the real glimpse of Jesus, our King, will come tomorrow. When he calls you to obedient service or when He passes you in the form of human need.
I will promise you this, as long as seekers are asking, "Where is he?” He will show Himself. … through us.
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** Special Note: Mark Galli’s article in Christianity Today (December 2006) served as the inspiration for this sermon.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
First Church of the Nazarene
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
www.banazarene.org
