Introduction

Good morning, Church Family! Today, we're diving into a powerful message from the heart of 1 Corinthians. We're going to explore the profound meaning and far-reaching implications of one of the most foundational truths of Christianity - Christ's reign.

Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Corinthians 15:25 and it says this:

"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet."

This verse is packed with meaning and we're going to unpack it together.

We'll be discussing three key aspects: the necessity of Christ's reign, the symbolism of Christ's reign, and the impact of Christ's reign. To kick us off, let me share with you a quote from Russell D. Moore: "The church is a signpost of God's coming kingdom (Eph. 3:10), a preview to the watching world of what the reign of God in Christ is to look like, a colony of the kingdom coming."

That's a powerful quote, isn't it? Moore reminds us that the church is such a big part of Christ’s reign. We need to work on truly being the “preview.”

Let's pray.

Dear Lord, as we delve into Your Word today, we ask for Your guidance. Open our eyes to the truth of Your reign, and may we be changed by the depth of its meaning. Give us understanding and wisdom as we explore the necessity, symbolism, and impact of Your reign. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Now, let's dive in, and see what God has for us today.

The Necessity

The necessity of Christ's reign is not just a theological concept but a reality that shapes our understanding of God, His plan for humanity, and the world we live in. The reign of Christ is not a mere option or a possibility, but a divine necessity.

The fulfillment of God's redemptive plan: From the beginning of time, God had a plan to redeem humanity from the power of sin and death. This plan was set into motion with the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His reign is the continuation of this divine plan. It is through His reign that the power of sin and death is ultimately defeated. As our text says, "For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet." The enemies here represent all forms of evil, sin, and death. Christ's reign is therefore necessary to bring about the complete victory over these enemies.

The establishment of God's kingdom: The Bible tells us that Christ's reign is not just about defeating enemies, but also about establishing a kingdom - a kingdom characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy. This kingdom is not a geographical location, but a spiritual reality that is brought about by the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers. Without Christ's reign, this kingdom cannot be established.

The transformation of believers: As believers, we are called to be transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation process is facilitated by the reign of Christ in our lives. As He reigns in our hearts, we are changed from glory to glory, becoming more like Him in character and conduct.

The demonstration of God's power and glory: Through Christ's reign, God's power is demonstrated in the defeat of evil and the establishment of His kingdom. His glory is revealed as believers are transformed into the image of Christ.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how you go about life knowing that you need Christ’s reign. You can also refer to how your church can work on being the “preview” for God’s Kingdom.

The Symbolism

To begin with, the image of Christ as a reigning King is a powerful symbol of authority and sovereignty ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO