Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. We are here today, gathered as a family in faith. We are here to share, to learn, and to grow. We are here to understand more about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here to understand His role in our lives and how we can live under His reign.

G.K. Chesterton once said, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried." Let us not leave it untried, dear friends. Let us strive to understand and live according to the Christian ideal as we seek to understand more about Christ as our King.

Understanding Christ as King

In the scripture we read today, we see Jesus depicted as a King. This is not a king in the way we might think of earthly kings, with crowns and castles. Instead, this is a King who rules with justice, mercy, and love. This King, our Lord Jesus, is not distant or detached. He is intimately involved in the lives of His people. He knows their needs, their struggles, their joys, and their sorrows. He is a King who cares deeply for His people, and who desires to see them live in a way that reflects His love and justice.

Jesus, as King, is also a judge. In the scripture, we see Him separating the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. This is a picture of judgment, but it's not a judgment based on arbitrary rules or personal preferences. Instead, it's a judgment based on love and care for others. Those who have shown love and care for the "least of these" are welcomed into the kingdom, while those who have not are turned away. This shows us that Jesus, as King, values love and care for others above all else.

But this King is not just a judge. He is also a provider. In the scripture, we see Him rewarding those who have cared for others with the promise of a kingdom prepared for them since the creation of the world. This is a King who provides for His people, who rewards them for their love and care for others. He doesn't just demand obedience; He rewards it. He doesn't just expect His people to follow His commands; He provides for them when they do.

And finally, this King is a Savior. In the scripture, we see Him identifying with the "least of these" - the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the prisoner. He says that whatever was done for them was done for Him. This is a King who identifies with the least, the lost, and the lonely. He is a King who saves, who rescues, who redeems.

So, when we think of Jesus as King, we need to think of a King who is just, who is merciful, who is loving, who is a provider, and who is a Savior. This is the kind of King Jesus is. This is the kind of King we serve. And this is the kind of King we are called to follow.

The Role of Christ in Our Lives

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the teachings of Matthew 25:31-46, we find ourselves confronted with the multifaceted role of Christ in our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO