1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,980 Well good morning everyone. We’re returning today to our series Bearing Witness to 2 00:00:05,980 –> 00:00:11,760 Jesus and I invite you to open your Bible at Matthew and Chapter two. We’ve seen 3 00:00:11,760 –> 00:00:17,000 that after the announcement of the birth of Jesus was made from heaven it was 4 00:00:17,000 –> 00:00:23,299 confirmed on earth by various people who spoke to Mary. Bears witness about the 5 00:00:23,299 –> 00:00:28,340 unique glory of the child that she bore and we’ve noted that each of these 6 00:00:28,440 –> 00:00:36,000 witnesses spoke off a particular aspect of the glory of Jesus. So, Elizabeth spoke 7 00:00:36,000 –> 00:00:41,919 of him as the Lord Why is it that the mother of my lord should come and visit 8 00:00:41,919 –> 00:00:47,200 me? The Shepherds report to Mary the words of the angel that are that a 9 00:00:47,200 –> 00:00:52,520 Savior has been born. Simeon bears witness to Jesus being the Christ the 10 00:00:52,520 –> 00:00:57,520 long-awaited Messiah that the people of God had been anticipating down through 11 00:00:57,520 –> 00:01:03,580 the centuries? And Anna the Prophetes spoke of him as we saw last time as the 12 00:01:03,580 –> 00:01:08,220 Redeemer. Now, today we come to perhaps the most obvious example of all, which is 13 00:01:08,220 –> 00:01:13,459 the Wise Men, who so clearly and wonderfully bare witness to Jesus the 14 00:01:13,459 –> 00:01:17,480 King. Matthew 2 in verse 2 Where is He who has 15 00:01:17,480 –> 00:01:23,440 been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and 16 00:01:23,699 –> 00:01:32,559 have come to worship Him. Now you all know that by tradition these wise men 17 00:01:32,559 –> 00:01:39,580 who worshipped Jesus were themselves kings and the Bible does not say 18 00:01:39,580 –> 00:01:45,139 specifically that they were kings but I believe that there is good biblical 19 00:01:45,139 –> 00:01:50,739 reason to think that they were and that reason comes from the book of Psalms 20 00:01:50,739 –> 00:01:56,440 because on two occasions in the book of Saums we read about kings bringing 21 00:01:56,440 –> 00:02:02,980 gifts to the Lord some 68 in verse 29 because of your temple at Jerusalem 22 00:02:02,980 –> 00:02:10,619 kings shall bear gifts to you it’s a specific prophecy and then in some 72 23 00:02:10,619 –> 00:02:16,240 in verse 10 a prayer may the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render 24 00:02:17,199 –> 00:02:24,440 may the kings of Sheba and Sieba bring their gifts now believing that we do 25 00:02:24,440 –> 00:02:29,119 that, the Bible is the Word of God it is natural for us to ask whenever we see 26 00:02:29,119 –> 00:02:33,539 something in scripture well when did this happen how did kings from the 27 00:02:33,539 –> 00:02:40,000 nations bring gifts to the Lord and I believe that it is very reasonable to 28 00:02:40,279 –> 00:02:47,360 the prophecy of some 68 fulfilled and the inspired spirit inspired prayer of 29 00:02:47,360 –> 00:02:54,360 some 72 answered in the story of the wise men kings who worshiped Jesus and 30 00:02:54,360 –> 00:03:02,020 opened their treasures to honor him with their gifts now the message today is not 31 00:03:02,020 –> 00:03:08,320 so much about the Kings as it is about the King the one who they came to 32 00:03:08,320 –> 00:03:14,279 worship the wise men the kings came on this journey in order to worship Jesus 33 00:03:14,279 –> 00:03:19,660 the King and that is why we are here today we have come to worship the King 34 00:03:19,660 –> 00:03:24,880 and my prayer as I have sought to prepare for today is that the Holy 35 00:03:24,880 –> 00:03:32,039 Spirit would awaken within all of our hearts a fresh love for King Jesus a 36 00:03:32,520 –> 00:03:39,320 joy in him and a fresh commitment to him as the king and as the sovereign Lord of 37 00:03:39,320 –> 00:03:44,619 our lives and so what I want to do today is to paint for you three scenes 38 00:03:44,619 –> 00:03:50,500 relating to the King. The first is the King’s glory, the second the King’s 39 00:03:50,500 –> 00:04:00,179 enemies, and the third the King’s people, scene one then the King’s glory. now 40 00:04:00,179 –> 00:04:04,520 everything that we find in the New Testament has something in the Old 41 00:04:04,520 –> 00:04:11,899 Testament that points forward to it and the story that most obviously foreshadows 42 00:04:11,899 –> 00:04:18,839 the worship of the Kings who come from Gentile nations to worship the newborn 43 00:04:18,839 –> 00:04:24,839 King Jesus. The story that foreshadows that is, of course, the story of the Queen 44 00:04:24,980 –> 00:04:32,260 of Sheba who comes to visit King Solomon. That story is told in the first book of 45 00:04:32,260 –> 00:04:36,359 kings in chapter 10, you can glance back to it if you wish or you might like to 46 00:04:36,359 –> 00:04:42,239 read it later, but in outline the story is this that Solomon the great king of 47 00:04:42,239 –> 00:04:48,160 Israel at that time in the ancient world was known widely for the glory of his 48 00:04:48,160 –> 00:04:52,260 kingdom. It seemed there had never been anything like it and having heard about 49 00:04:52,260 –> 00:04:58,940 it, having heard the rumors, this Gentile queen the queen of Sheba sometimes 50 00:04:58,940 –> 00:05:03,679 referred to by our Lord Jesus as the queen of the south she came to the king 51 00:05:03,679 –> 00:05:10,279 of Israel and when she came she presented him with gifts. One kings in 52 00:05:10,279 –> 00:05:16,100 chapter 10 and verse 1 when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon 53 00:05:16,140 –> 00:05:22,019 concerning the name of the Lord she came in other words rumor had got to her 54 00:05:22,019 –> 00:05:28,959 that the God of Israel had given remarkable wisdom to this king in Israel 55 00:05:28,959 –> 00:05:34,100 and she said well I’m a person who has many many questions. If there is a king 56 00:05:34,100 –> 00:05:38,839 who has the answer to my most perplexing questions I’d like to put my questions 57 00:05:38,839 –> 00:05:44,880 to him and so verse 2 the queen decides to pay Solomon a visit to test him with 58 00:05:45,239 –> 00:05:50,820 questions that’s what the scripture says. The Bible tells us that Solomon 59 00:05:50,820 –> 00:05:56,459 answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from the king that he 60 00:05:56,459 –> 00:05:59,679 could not explain to her. In other words God gave particular 61 00:05:59,679 –> 00:06:04,399 wisdom to Solomon that as he was asked all these hard questions by this Gentile 62 00:06:04,399 –> 00:06:10,500 queen he was given the wisdom to give wise and Godly answers that brought 63 00:06:10,679 –> 00:06:17,059 light to her. And as you follow the story of this remarkable visit we find that 64 00:06:17,059 –> 00:06:23,140 after the queen heard King Solomon’s wisdom she’s then taken on a tour and 65 00:06:23,140 –> 00:06:28,359 she sees the grandeur, the glory of the temple that Solomon had built. She’s 66 00:06:28,359 –> 00:06:34,660 absolutely wowed by that. But even more emphasis is placed on her visit into the 67 00:06:34,660 –> 00:06:38,779 palace itself and in great detail the scripture records that she saw the 68 00:06:38,920 –> 00:06:43,260 servants and she saw the way the household was ordered and the joy of all 69 00:06:43,260 –> 00:06:50,320 who were in this royal household. And the scripture says this, that when she saw 70 00:06:50,320 –> 00:06:59,100 this there was no more breath in her. Wonderful phrase. We would say it just 71 00:06:59,100 –> 00:07:04,579 took her breath away. She had never seen anything like it, the wisdom of this man 72 00:07:04,619 –> 00:07:11,119 and the glory of the temple that he had built and the sheer joy of all of the 73 00:07:11,119 –> 00:07:15,720 servants in his house. Never seen a royal household like this. Royal houses are 74 00:07:15,720 –> 00:07:20,660 usually filled with intrigue rivalry among all of the servants. 75 00:07:20,660 –> 00:07:24,200 Solomon how do you have a household that’s full of joy and blessing like 76 00:07:24,200 –> 00:07:30,600 this. It just took her breath away. And the scripture says, the Queen says to 77 00:07:30,600 –> 00:07:33,600 Solomon, I’m quoting now 1 Kings 10 and verse 7 and 8. 78 00:07:33,720 –> 00:07:39,179 The Queen says, I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own 79 00:07:39,179 –> 00:07:43,920 eyes and behold the half of it was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity 80 00:07:43,920 –> 00:07:46,839 surpassed the report that I heard. 81 00:07:46,839 –> 00:07:51,559 Happy are your men, happy are your servants who continually stand before 82 00:07:51,559 –> 00:07:57,079 you and hear your wisdom. And then what does the Queen of Sheba do next? 83 00:07:57,079 –> 00:08:03,480 She brings out her gifts and for those of you who have 84 00:08:03,480 –> 00:08:09,480 arithmetically minded and like to sort out the footnotes in the Bible in all of 85 00:08:09,480 –> 00:08:15,619 the detail, you can work out, as I did it on my calculator this week, that the 86 00:08:15,619 –> 00:08:25,200 Queen of Sheba had shipped to Jerusalem no less than four tons of gold. Four 87 00:08:25,200 –> 00:08:30,200 tons and if you want to check that out in 1Kings 10.10, it refers to a 88 00:08:30,320 –> 00:08:34,960 hundred and twenty talents and then the footnote tells you that a talent was 89 00:08:34,960 –> 00:08:41,520 about 75 pounds in weight, so go do the math, four tons, that is some shipment of 90 00:08:41,520 –> 00:08:48,000 gold. And I was interested by the way to find out that as recently as three years 91 00:08:48,000 –> 00:08:54,140 ago, the Mines in which that gold from which it was taken, have actually been 92 00:08:54,140 –> 00:08:58,080 discovered by a group of British archaeologists as recently as the year 93 00:08:58,159 –> 00:09:06,380 2012 in Ethiopia, the ancient land of Sheba. So here you have this queen, gentile 94 00:09:06,380 –> 00:09:14,080 queen, and she brings lavish gifts to Solomon and what’s so fascinating is 95 00:09:14,080 –> 00:09:16,900 that in return she receives even more back. 96 00:09:16,900 –> 00:09:22,900 Solomon gave her quote all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what 97 00:09:22,919 –> 00:09:28,419 was given to her by the bounty of King Solomon. 98 00:09:28,419 –> 00:09:30,099 Now you get the picture. 99 00:09:30,099 –> 00:09:36,419 Here’s the most glorious king that Israel has ever had, Solomon. 100 00:09:36,419 –> 00:09:44,080 His glory took away the breadth of the Queen of Sheba, who brings gifts, 101 00:09:44,080 –> 00:09:47,979 four tons of gold and opens these treasures for him. 102 00:09:47,979 –> 00:09:53,460 But Solomon knew one thing that’s right at the very centre of the 103 00:09:53,460 –> 00:09:59,479 Bible story, and that is that God had given to Solomon’s father David a 104 00:09:59,479 –> 00:10:04,919 promise that into this line would come a greater son. 105 00:10:04,919 –> 00:10:11,200 And surely, because that was so central to the whole Old Testament narrative, 106 00:10:11,200 –> 00:10:15,599 so central, therefore, to Solomon’s life, surely it is not unreasonable to 107 00:10:15,599 –> 00:10:20,780 picture him speaking about this with the queen of Sheba. 108 00:10:20,780 –> 00:10:27,059 Queen of Sheba, you’re impressed with what you see. 109 00:10:27,059 –> 00:10:30,580 It takes your breath away, but I want you to know first that it’s 110 00:10:30,580 –> 00:10:31,820 God who’s done this. 111 00:10:31,820 –> 00:10:34,419 He’s the one who gave me the Gift of Wisdom. 112 00:10:34,419 –> 00:10:37,140 He is the one who has prospered me, and any blessing that is 113 00:10:37,140 –> 00:10:41,179 in my house is the gift of His hand. 114 00:10:41,179 –> 00:10:44,719 But I want you to know this, that God promised to my father 115 00:10:44,820 –> 00:10:48,719 that there would be a greater son than I will ever be. 116 00:10:50,599 –> 00:10:54,380 And roll the Bible story forward a thousand more years, and 117 00:10:54,380 –> 00:10:58,320 David’s greater son, the one that Jesus describes Himself as, 118 00:10:58,320 –> 00:11:02,260 one greater than Solomon, is born into the world. 119 00:11:02,260 –> 00:11:03,299 And what happens? 120 00:11:03,299 –> 00:11:06,840 Kings come from afar, just like the queen of Sheba. 121 00:11:06,840 –> 00:11:07,760 Now what do they do? 122 00:11:07,760 –> 00:11:12,760 They bring gifts of gold and they bring gifts of spices. 123 00:11:12,799 –> 00:11:14,859 And they say, Matthew 2 in verse 2, 124 00:11:14,859 –> 00:11:17,780 where is he who is born the King of the Jews, 125 00:11:17,780 –> 00:11:19,960 for we saw his star when it rose 126 00:11:19,960 –> 00:11:23,460 and we have come to worship Him. 127 00:11:25,500 –> 00:11:28,000 Now, put these two stories together 128 00:11:28,000 –> 00:11:30,739 and now project forward to the glorious day, 129 00:11:30,739 –> 00:11:32,539 brothers and sisters in Christ, 130 00:11:32,539 –> 00:11:35,659 when we will see King Jesus. 131 00:11:37,260 –> 00:11:39,440 If the glory of Solomon 132 00:11:40,320 –> 00:11:43,840 and His temple and the joy of His house 133 00:11:43,840 –> 00:11:48,760 could take away the breath of the Queen of Sheba, 134 00:11:48,760 –> 00:11:51,880 what will it be like for us 135 00:11:51,880 –> 00:11:55,179 when the glory of the King of Kings is revealed? 136 00:11:56,359 –> 00:11:58,080 And for sure we shall bring Him 137 00:11:58,080 –> 00:12:01,059 all of our hardest questions, 138 00:12:01,059 –> 00:12:04,020 all that has perplexed us. 139 00:12:04,020 –> 00:12:08,359 And we will listen to the wisdom of His words. 140 00:12:08,359 –> 00:12:10,820 We will see the glory of His temple. 141 00:12:10,820 –> 00:12:14,159 We shall share ourselves the joy 142 00:12:14,159 –> 00:12:16,780 of all of the servants in His house. 143 00:12:16,780 –> 00:12:19,900 We will live under the blessing of His rule 144 00:12:19,900 –> 00:12:22,719 forever and forever, as the scripture says, 145 00:12:22,719 –> 00:12:27,500 we will see the King in His beauty. 146 00:12:28,619 –> 00:12:30,020 And when we do 147 00:12:31,260 –> 00:12:35,760 His glory will take our breath away. 148 00:12:36,739 –> 00:12:39,419 And even though we do not see Him, 149 00:12:39,419 –> 00:12:41,719 now you know, whenever we come to worship, 150 00:12:41,719 –> 00:12:42,880 what are we doing? 151 00:12:42,880 –> 00:12:44,080 When we come to worship 152 00:12:44,080 –> 00:12:46,619 we are anticipating the day by faith 153 00:12:46,619 –> 00:12:48,780 when we shall see Him face-to-face. 154 00:12:49,719 –> 00:12:50,760 That’s why Peter says 155 00:12:50,760 –> 00:12:52,559 even though we do not see Him now, 156 00:12:52,559 –> 00:12:53,780 we love Him, 157 00:12:53,780 –> 00:12:56,859 and we are filled with an inexpressible 158 00:12:56,859 –> 00:12:59,919 and glorious joy even while we are receiving 159 00:12:59,919 –> 00:13:01,440 the goal of our faith, 160 00:13:01,440 –> 00:13:05,159 which is the salvation of our souls. 161 00:13:06,359 –> 00:13:08,200 Scene one, 162 00:13:08,200 –> 00:13:10,479 the king’s glory. 163 00:13:10,479 –> 00:13:11,679 And hasten the day 164 00:13:11,679 –> 00:13:14,840 when faith shall be turned to sight 165 00:13:14,840 –> 00:13:16,979 and our breath too 166 00:13:16,979 –> 00:13:20,080 will be taken away. 167 00:13:20,080 –> 00:13:21,159 Second scene, 168 00:13:22,239 –> 00:13:24,080 the king’s enemies, 169 00:13:24,080 –> 00:13:25,580 the king’s enemies. 170 00:13:26,599 –> 00:13:27,799 Now the Bible as you know, 171 00:13:27,799 –> 00:13:31,840 does not tell us how many wise men there were, 172 00:13:31,840 –> 00:13:33,960 but tradition has it 173 00:13:33,960 –> 00:13:35,119 that there were three 174 00:13:35,159 –> 00:13:37,000 because of course of the three gifts 175 00:13:37,000 –> 00:13:37,840 that were given, 176 00:13:37,840 –> 00:13:39,679 the gold, the frankincense and the myrrh. 177 00:13:39,679 –> 00:13:40,760 So let’s go with that. 178 00:13:40,760 –> 00:13:43,400 We have three kings 179 00:13:43,400 –> 00:13:48,200 and they have come to worship Jesus, the king, 180 00:13:48,200 –> 00:13:50,679 and in order to find him, 181 00:13:50,679 –> 00:13:54,000 they stop off at the palace of Herod the king. 182 00:13:54,000 –> 00:13:57,799 So that’s an awful lot of kings in the story. 183 00:13:57,799 –> 00:13:59,919 And when the wise men go to Herod 184 00:13:59,919 –> 00:14:01,320 who is king over the Jews 185 00:14:01,320 –> 00:14:02,359 and they asked the question, 186 00:14:02,359 –> 00:14:04,760 where is he who was born king of the Jews? 187 00:14:04,760 –> 00:14:08,359 You know for sure that there’s soon going to be trouble. 188 00:14:08,359 –> 00:14:09,960 Herod of course has cunning 189 00:14:09,960 –> 00:14:13,239 and he does not reveal his hands to the wise men. 190 00:14:13,239 –> 00:14:14,859 He says go verse eight 191 00:14:14,859 –> 00:14:16,840 and search diligently for the child 192 00:14:16,840 –> 00:14:18,239 and when you have found him, 193 00:14:18,239 –> 00:14:19,200 well now bring me word, 194 00:14:19,200 –> 00:14:21,640 I too want to go and worship him. 195 00:14:23,119 –> 00:14:25,340 But God who is the fount of all wisdom 196 00:14:25,340 –> 00:14:27,919 revealed to these wise men 197 00:14:27,919 –> 00:14:30,679 that this was indeed a trap and a deception 198 00:14:30,679 –> 00:14:33,280 and so when they had worshipped Jesus, 199 00:14:33,280 –> 00:14:37,239 they returned by another route. 200 00:14:38,580 –> 00:14:43,580 Now Furie then fills Herod 201 00:14:44,659 –> 00:14:48,940 and he determines to destroy Jesus. 202 00:14:50,400 –> 00:14:52,179 And from that note that is right 203 00:14:52,179 –> 00:14:53,520 at the beginning of the gospel, 204 00:14:53,520 –> 00:14:55,520 you get this intense antagonism, 205 00:14:55,520 –> 00:14:57,140 hatred and opposition to Jesus 206 00:14:57,140 –> 00:14:59,280 that goes all the way into the cross. 207 00:15:00,679 –> 00:15:02,760 And I want us to understand this today 208 00:15:02,760 –> 00:15:05,599 that the hatred of Jesus that has gone 209 00:15:05,599 –> 00:15:09,520 throughout human history arises for one reason 210 00:15:09,520 –> 00:15:12,059 and for one reason alone and it is this, 211 00:15:12,059 –> 00:15:15,000 that he is the king. 212 00:15:15,000 –> 00:15:17,380 That’s why he arouses such antagonism. 213 00:15:17,380 –> 00:15:20,539 That’s why he has so many enemies throughout the world. 214 00:15:22,599 –> 00:15:24,179 Now think about this with me, 215 00:15:25,020 –> 00:15:29,440 if the wise man had come to Herod and said, 216 00:15:29,440 –> 00:15:32,140 you know there’s a baby that’s been born in your country, 217 00:15:33,119 –> 00:15:36,280 and God has revealed to us that when this little one 218 00:15:36,280 –> 00:15:41,159 grows up he will do good for many people. 219 00:15:41,159 –> 00:15:42,679 In fact it’s been revealed to us 220 00:15:42,679 –> 00:15:44,219 that he will make the blind see 221 00:15:44,219 –> 00:15:45,559 and he’ll make the deaf hear, 222 00:15:45,559 –> 00:15:48,359 and the dumb speak, and even make the lame walk. 223 00:15:48,359 –> 00:15:52,880 In fact, he is going to be able to feed 5,000 people 224 00:15:52,880 –> 00:15:55,820 with just five loaves and two fishes, 225 00:15:55,820 –> 00:15:57,940 and Herod, here’s something else he can do, 226 00:15:57,940 –> 00:16:00,320 and this might be especially of interest to you, 227 00:16:00,359 –> 00:16:05,179 is that he’s going to be able to turn water into wine. 228 00:16:05,179 –> 00:16:06,700 Well, I think Herod might have said 229 00:16:06,700 –> 00:16:08,260 I could use a bit of that. 230 00:16:09,599 –> 00:16:11,080 Why don’t you bring him into the Palace? 231 00:16:11,080 –> 00:16:12,719 I’ll take good care of him. 232 00:16:12,719 –> 00:16:15,200 I’d like to co-opt him into my regime. 233 00:16:15,200 –> 00:16:17,039 I think this could be very very helpful 234 00:16:17,039 –> 00:16:19,700 to someone who can do all these things for me. 235 00:16:21,619 –> 00:16:23,919 Or suppose the wise men had said, 236 00:16:23,919 –> 00:16:26,760 Herod, a baby has been born, 237 00:16:26,840 –> 00:16:30,700 and God has revealed to us that he is going 238 00:16:30,700 –> 00:16:33,320 to bring remarkable teaching into the world 239 00:16:33,320 –> 00:16:37,119 and especially teaching on how we are to love one another. 240 00:16:38,280 –> 00:16:39,719 I think Herod might well have said 241 00:16:39,719 –> 00:16:41,320 well, you know, we all need that. 242 00:16:43,039 –> 00:16:45,719 What the world needs now is love, sweet love, 243 00:16:45,719 –> 00:16:48,119 that’s the only thing there’s just not enough of. 244 00:16:48,119 –> 00:16:49,479 Can I feel a song coming on? 245 00:16:49,479 –> 00:16:51,000 Not sure that Herod would have sung it 246 00:16:51,000 –> 00:16:54,719 but if that was the message, 247 00:16:54,719 –> 00:16:56,640 I could see Herod saying 248 00:16:56,640 –> 00:16:59,299 bring him to the palace, I’ll take good care of him. 249 00:17:00,840 –> 00:17:03,880 But you see, here’s where the antagonism comes from, 250 00:17:03,880 –> 00:17:05,760 that the wise men, when they come, 251 00:17:05,760 –> 00:17:09,459 they say, a baby is born and he is the king. 252 00:17:11,760 –> 00:17:13,000 And Herod says, wait a minute, 253 00:17:13,000 –> 00:17:14,400 there’s only one king around here 254 00:17:14,400 –> 00:17:15,239 and that’s me 255 00:17:15,239 –> 00:17:17,599 and so anyone who’s wanting to lay claim to king 256 00:17:17,599 –> 00:17:20,400 is laying claim to a throne on which I sit 257 00:17:20,400 –> 00:17:22,199 and there’s only one course of action for me. 258 00:17:22,199 –> 00:17:23,979 I therefore have to kill him 259 00:17:23,979 –> 00:17:26,459 and so right at the beginning of the story, 260 00:17:27,140 –> 00:17:28,699 you have kings who worship him 261 00:17:29,780 –> 00:17:33,060 and you have a king who wants to kill him. 262 00:17:34,800 –> 00:17:38,599 Now, understand this then, 263 00:17:38,599 –> 00:17:42,239 that Jesus Christ the king has enemies 264 00:17:42,239 –> 00:17:43,800 and always will have enemies 265 00:17:43,800 –> 00:17:47,560 precisely because he is the king. 266 00:17:47,560 –> 00:17:50,359 That is why it says he came to his own 267 00:17:50,359 –> 00:17:54,119 and his own received him not 268 00:17:55,040 –> 00:17:57,160 and we still live in the pressure 269 00:17:57,160 –> 00:17:59,219 of this as Christian believers today. 270 00:17:59,219 –> 00:18:01,780 So, let me put it to you this way, 271 00:18:01,780 –> 00:18:04,599 imagine a conversation that you might be having 272 00:18:04,599 –> 00:18:08,199 with a postmodern secularist friend. 273 00:18:08,199 –> 00:18:10,319 Here’s a neighbor or a colleague at work 274 00:18:10,319 –> 00:18:12,560 and they don’t share your Christian faith at all 275 00:18:12,560 –> 00:18:14,359 but this person’s a friend 276 00:18:14,359 –> 00:18:17,199 and he or she really would like to be able 277 00:18:17,199 –> 00:18:19,520 to understand your faith 278 00:18:19,520 –> 00:18:21,719 which seems very strange to them 279 00:18:21,719 –> 00:18:24,020 but to understand your faith in a way 280 00:18:24,020 –> 00:18:26,319 that would be comfortable for them, 281 00:18:26,319 –> 00:18:28,479 a way that they could affirm 282 00:18:28,479 –> 00:18:31,020 and so they’re constantly trying to express it 283 00:18:31,020 –> 00:18:34,359 in a way that they say it can fit one of my categories 284 00:18:34,359 –> 00:18:36,959 and I can be okay with it. 285 00:18:36,959 –> 00:18:39,099 So, here this friend comes and says to you, 286 00:18:39,099 –> 00:18:42,060 yeah, so what you’re saying is 287 00:18:42,060 –> 00:18:45,839 that Jesus is there to help us 288 00:18:45,839 –> 00:18:48,760 when we want him and if we feel we need him, 289 00:18:48,819 –> 00:18:50,579 yeah, I can buy that. 290 00:18:51,640 –> 00:18:54,260 I can see that religion helps people, 291 00:18:54,260 –> 00:18:56,339 it helps some people more than others, of course, 292 00:18:56,339 –> 00:18:58,739 but, you know, and if you feel you need that, 293 00:18:58,739 –> 00:19:01,380 yeah, I can buy that and you say, 294 00:19:01,380 –> 00:19:03,180 well, yeah, but it’s more than that. 295 00:19:04,599 –> 00:19:05,660 Okay, what more? 296 00:19:05,660 –> 00:19:09,619 So, she says to you, okay, I get it, 297 00:19:09,619 –> 00:19:12,439 what you’re saying is that Jesus is calling 298 00:19:12,439 –> 00:19:14,500 all of us to love, I can see that, 299 00:19:14,500 –> 00:19:16,619 I should be more of a loving person, 300 00:19:16,619 –> 00:19:18,500 we certainly need that in the world 301 00:19:18,800 –> 00:19:21,900 and you say, yeah, but it’s more than that. 302 00:19:23,219 –> 00:19:25,900 Now she’s beginning to scratch her head, 303 00:19:26,800 –> 00:19:27,739 what more? 304 00:19:29,939 –> 00:19:31,900 And you say, do you really want to know? 305 00:19:32,979 –> 00:19:34,060 Yeah, go on, tell me. 306 00:19:36,020 –> 00:19:37,420 Okay, here’s where it is. 307 00:19:38,599 –> 00:19:42,579 Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of the universe 308 00:19:43,579 –> 00:19:48,579 and what that means is that he lays claim today 309 00:19:49,540 –> 00:19:51,319 to everything that you are, 310 00:19:52,339 –> 00:19:54,660 everything that you have, 311 00:19:54,660 –> 00:19:57,180 and everything that you ever will be, 312 00:19:58,699 –> 00:20:01,459 and she looks at you and she says, get out of here. 313 00:20:04,380 –> 00:20:06,260 The world is always trying 314 00:20:06,260 –> 00:20:09,339 to slim down the message of the gospel 315 00:20:09,339 –> 00:20:11,540 in such a way that it can fit categories 316 00:20:11,540 –> 00:20:13,420 with which we are comfortable, 317 00:20:13,420 –> 00:20:14,819 but here’s the declaration 318 00:20:14,819 –> 00:20:16,300 that’s right at the heart of Christmas, 319 00:20:16,300 –> 00:20:20,959 Jesus Christ is the King and it’s no surprise, therefore, 320 00:20:21,780 –> 00:20:26,099 that when he came to his own, his own received him not, 321 00:20:26,099 –> 00:20:28,420 and you roll the story forward from Christmas 322 00:20:28,420 –> 00:20:31,540 and soon in the gospels you’re getting to the place 323 00:20:31,540 –> 00:20:33,420 where they’re taking him by force 324 00:20:33,420 –> 00:20:36,680 and they’re handing him over to this man Pontius Pilate, 325 00:20:36,680 –> 00:20:39,500 and Pilate has just one question for Jesus, 326 00:20:39,500 –> 00:20:42,219 remember what it was, are you the King? 327 00:20:44,000 –> 00:20:47,459 Then Jesus says to him, my kingdom is not of this world. 328 00:20:48,979 –> 00:20:53,619 The soldiers pick up on this Jesus the King piece. 329 00:20:53,619 –> 00:20:55,859 Oh, the King, we know what to do about that. 330 00:20:55,859 –> 00:20:56,680 What do they do? 331 00:20:56,680 –> 00:21:01,500 They twist a crown of thorns and they force it 332 00:21:01,500 –> 00:21:03,979 onto his head and they go get a piece of purple 333 00:21:03,979 –> 00:21:05,939 and they dress him in this purple robe 334 00:21:05,939 –> 00:21:09,339 and they get a reed and they put it in his hand 335 00:21:09,339 –> 00:21:13,020 to mock a kind of a scepter and then they kneel down, 336 00:21:13,020 –> 00:21:16,819 you remember, in the fake worshiping hymn 337 00:21:16,819 –> 00:21:19,459 and then they get up and they spit on him 338 00:21:19,459 –> 00:21:21,579 and then they take the reed that they’ve put in his hand 339 00:21:21,579 –> 00:21:23,699 and they hit him over the head with it again 340 00:21:23,699 –> 00:21:25,859 and again and again, the Bible says. 341 00:21:25,859 –> 00:21:27,920 And then they nail him to the cross. 342 00:21:29,339 –> 00:21:31,140 And you remember what’s over his head. 343 00:21:31,140 –> 00:21:34,300 Pilate wrote the sign, Jesus of Nazareth, 344 00:21:34,300 –> 00:21:37,680 the King of the Jews. 345 00:21:38,680 –> 00:21:40,880 And the people who are watching, they mock him 346 00:21:40,880 –> 00:21:43,000 and what’s at the center of their mockery, 347 00:21:43,000 –> 00:21:48,000 if you’re the King, why don’t you come down from the cross 348 00:21:48,959 –> 00:21:52,020 and save yourself? 349 00:21:53,359 –> 00:21:58,359 Now, how are we to use this truth of the King’s enemies? 350 00:22:03,420 –> 00:22:04,640 The rejection of the King. 351 00:22:04,640 –> 00:22:06,439 That when the King comes into the world, 352 00:22:06,439 –> 00:22:09,219 the first move of Herod is to seek to kill him, 353 00:22:09,219 –> 00:22:10,760 and when his ministry begins, 354 00:22:10,760 –> 00:22:12,359 it’s the same with the Pharisees 355 00:22:12,359 –> 00:22:13,939 and it goes all the way to the cross. 356 00:22:13,939 –> 00:22:15,640 How are we to use this truth? 357 00:22:15,640 –> 00:22:16,839 Here’s how we’re to use it. 358 00:22:16,839 –> 00:22:18,880 It’s really important for us today. 359 00:22:20,920 –> 00:22:23,060 You see, when you look at the world today, 360 00:22:23,060 –> 00:22:28,060 you may find yourself saying, if Jesus is the King, 361 00:22:28,439 –> 00:22:31,199 why is there so much evil in the world today? 362 00:22:32,599 –> 00:22:34,880 There are many Christians who really struggle here. 363 00:22:34,880 –> 00:22:36,020 You can’t get beyond it. 364 00:22:36,020 –> 00:22:38,680 You’re just going round and round and round in circles 365 00:22:38,680 –> 00:22:39,520 on that question. 366 00:22:39,520 –> 00:22:41,239 If Jesus is the King, if he’s really the Lord, 367 00:22:41,239 –> 00:22:42,160 if he has all this power, 368 00:22:42,160 –> 00:22:43,920 why’s the world in a state that it is today? 369 00:22:43,920 –> 00:22:45,640 And people will ask you this question. 370 00:22:45,640 –> 00:22:47,280 You need to know how to answer it. 371 00:22:48,880 –> 00:22:51,400 And I would suggest you do it like this. 372 00:22:53,119 –> 00:22:55,800 When you feel the weight of the evil 373 00:22:55,800 –> 00:22:57,780 that is in the world today, 374 00:22:58,680 –> 00:23:00,560 you say to yourself, 375 00:23:00,560 –> 00:23:04,359 this is what a world looks like when it rejects. 376 00:23:04,959 –> 00:23:05,800 The king. 377 00:23:06,719 –> 00:23:07,959 If you don’t have that peace, 378 00:23:07,959 –> 00:23:10,219 you’ll never be able to answer that question. 379 00:23:11,579 –> 00:23:13,939 Why is there so much evil in the world today? 380 00:23:13,939 –> 00:23:14,780 I’ll tell you. 381 00:23:15,619 –> 00:23:17,719 This is what a world looks like 382 00:23:18,959 –> 00:23:22,780 when the king has been rejected. 383 00:23:25,160 –> 00:23:27,719 You say, but why did Jesus allow his enemies 384 00:23:27,719 –> 00:23:29,719 to perpetrate all this, this evil? 385 00:23:29,719 –> 00:23:31,040 I mean, he is the king. 386 00:23:31,040 –> 00:23:34,859 He could have called in a million angels 387 00:23:35,119 –> 00:23:37,760 and what they would have done 388 00:23:37,760 –> 00:23:39,579 would make anything in Star Wars 389 00:23:39,579 –> 00:23:42,160 look very, very tame indeed. 390 00:23:44,619 –> 00:23:46,660 But you see, if Christ had established 391 00:23:46,660 –> 00:23:48,439 his kingdom in that way, 392 00:23:49,300 –> 00:23:50,420 you realize the problem. 393 00:23:50,420 –> 00:23:52,939 There isn’t a single one of us that would be in it. 394 00:23:55,020 –> 00:23:58,160 See, this king came to redeem a people 395 00:23:58,160 –> 00:24:01,380 for himself, and in order to do that, 396 00:24:01,400 –> 00:24:05,459 he had to endure all that he did on the cross. 397 00:24:06,219 –> 00:24:07,979 And yes, the Bible is very clear. 398 00:24:07,979 –> 00:24:10,619 One day he will defeat all of his enemies, 399 00:24:10,619 –> 00:24:14,180 but until that day he is very wonderfully 400 00:24:14,180 –> 00:24:16,839 in the business of making his enemies 401 00:24:16,839 –> 00:24:19,280 into his friends. 402 00:24:20,500 –> 00:24:22,500 And today, therefore, this king, Jesus, 403 00:24:22,500 –> 00:24:24,660 offers forgiveness and reconciliation 404 00:24:24,660 –> 00:24:26,420 to all who have been fighting against him, 405 00:24:26,420 –> 00:24:27,819 all who’ve been resisting. 406 00:24:28,520 –> 00:24:31,699 Today, he offers an entrance into all the blessing 407 00:24:31,699 –> 00:24:34,599 and all of the joy and one day all of the glory 408 00:24:34,599 –> 00:24:37,540 of the kingdom that is his. 409 00:24:38,839 –> 00:24:43,300 So the king’s glory, the king’s enemies, 410 00:24:43,300 –> 00:24:46,819 third, the king’s people. 411 00:24:46,819 –> 00:24:50,199 Now, although we find throughout the gospels 412 00:24:50,199 –> 00:24:52,739 that there are so many enemies of Jesus, 413 00:24:52,739 –> 00:24:56,339 you find from the beginning that there are always 414 00:24:56,339 –> 00:25:00,319 some people who stand up and identify themselves 415 00:25:00,319 –> 00:25:03,819 as his friends and give themselves to him 416 00:25:03,819 –> 00:25:06,140 in wholehearted allegiance. 417 00:25:06,140 –> 00:25:07,979 And that’s right in the story here. 418 00:25:07,979 –> 00:25:10,260 His herods determined to destroy him, 419 00:25:10,260 –> 00:25:12,339 but here are three wise men, three kings, 420 00:25:12,339 –> 00:25:15,099 and they come and worship him. 421 00:25:15,099 –> 00:25:16,660 And again, you find this pattern 422 00:25:16,660 –> 00:25:18,979 all the way through the gospels’ story. 423 00:25:18,979 –> 00:25:21,219 There’s one scene that’s particularly poignant 424 00:25:21,219 –> 00:25:24,060 I think for us as Christian believers today 425 00:25:24,140 –> 00:25:26,699 in John’s gospel in chapter six. 426 00:25:27,680 –> 00:25:31,400 There were times when the crowds of people 427 00:25:31,400 –> 00:25:34,680 that followed Jesus, and spoke well of him, 428 00:25:34,680 –> 00:25:37,280 swelled to become very very large indeed, 429 00:25:37,280 –> 00:25:38,819 especially after the miracles. 430 00:25:38,819 –> 00:25:42,099 Who didn’t want to be part of one who could feed 431 00:25:42,099 –> 00:25:44,599 5000 people with loaves and with fishes, 432 00:25:44,599 –> 00:25:47,959 and so the crowd at times became quite large. 433 00:25:49,040 –> 00:25:50,579 But, invariably, what happened, 434 00:25:50,579 –> 00:25:52,859 at some point Jesus would say something 435 00:25:52,859 –> 00:25:55,280 that caused most of them to be offended, 436 00:25:55,280 –> 00:25:58,040 and then they were off somewhere else. 437 00:25:58,040 –> 00:25:59,500 And in John chapter six, 438 00:25:59,500 –> 00:26:02,099 we have a scene that in many ways 439 00:26:02,099 –> 00:26:05,339 is resonant with what many of us as believers 440 00:26:05,339 –> 00:26:08,699 are feeling and experiencing in our own culture today. 441 00:26:08,699 –> 00:26:11,119 What was once a large crowd that’s following Jesus 442 00:26:11,119 –> 00:26:14,300 and people are moving away from allegiance to him 443 00:26:14,300 –> 00:26:17,079 in droves in very very large numbers. 444 00:26:17,079 –> 00:26:19,619 And you remember in John six when that happens 445 00:26:19,619 –> 00:26:21,380 Jesus comes to the twelve and he says, 446 00:26:21,420 –> 00:26:22,439 now what about you? 447 00:26:24,060 –> 00:26:26,140 Lots of friends, lots of people you know, 448 00:26:26,140 –> 00:26:27,739 lots of folks in the school, 449 00:26:27,739 –> 00:26:29,760 don’t want anything to do with me now. 450 00:26:32,060 –> 00:26:32,920 What about you? 451 00:26:34,859 –> 00:26:37,219 Are you going to leave as well? 452 00:26:37,219 –> 00:26:38,660 You remember what Peter said? 453 00:26:40,060 –> 00:26:41,819 Lord where are we gonna go? 454 00:26:43,479 –> 00:26:48,479 Only you have the words of everlasting life. 455 00:26:49,219 –> 00:26:53,680 And you roll it forward to the darkest hour there 456 00:26:53,680 –> 00:26:56,040 at the cross and all of this mockery 457 00:26:56,040 –> 00:26:59,319 that’s focused around Christ the King 458 00:26:59,319 –> 00:27:02,239 and there’s the inscription above him, 459 00:27:02,239 –> 00:27:05,599 nobody wants you as their King. 460 00:27:07,599 –> 00:27:09,660 But right next to him there’s a thief 461 00:27:11,219 –> 00:27:15,439 and it’s as if this guy says, I do, 462 00:27:16,099 –> 00:27:20,699 Jesus will you remember me when you come 463 00:27:20,699 –> 00:27:23,000 into your kingdom? 464 00:27:25,140 –> 00:27:26,739 And there at the foot of the cross 465 00:27:26,739 –> 00:27:29,260 there’s Mary and some devoted godly women 466 00:27:29,260 –> 00:27:31,719 and John the Apostle and they’re saying we do, 467 00:27:32,699 –> 00:27:35,280 whatever it costs, even if it costs us our lives, 468 00:27:35,280 –> 00:27:38,000 you’re our King and we worship and adore you 469 00:27:38,000 –> 00:27:39,800 though all the world hates you. 470 00:27:40,400 –> 00:27:45,400 And then on the third day, he rises from the dead. 471 00:27:47,500 –> 00:27:50,760 The scattered disciples are gathered 472 00:27:50,760 –> 00:27:54,400 and Peter, who is so ashamed of his many failures 473 00:27:54,400 –> 00:27:57,439 is wonderfully restored and Thomas, 474 00:27:57,439 –> 00:27:59,839 who is ashamed of his many many doubts 475 00:27:59,839 –> 00:28:03,920 is wonderfully confirmed in faith and then Christ 476 00:28:03,920 –> 00:28:06,599 ascends to Heaven and where he reigns 477 00:28:06,599 –> 00:28:08,780 as the King forever and forever 478 00:28:09,079 –> 00:28:10,579 and on the day of Pentecost, he pours out 479 00:28:10,579 –> 00:28:13,319 the Holy Spirit on all who believe 480 00:28:13,319 –> 00:28:16,640 and Peter stands up and speaks boldly 481 00:28:16,640 –> 00:28:19,140 and he says to this vast vast crowd 482 00:28:19,140 –> 00:28:20,979 now this Jesus who you crucified 483 00:28:20,979 –> 00:28:23,500 God has made him the Lord and the Christ 484 00:28:23,500 –> 00:28:25,420 and essentially in his messages 485 00:28:25,420 –> 00:28:27,939 asking this question who now wants 486 00:28:27,939 –> 00:28:30,500 to submit to the Savior King 487 00:28:30,500 –> 00:28:33,420 and now there are 3000 people 488 00:28:33,420 –> 00:28:36,760 and all of them say we do, we do, 489 00:28:36,760 –> 00:28:37,760 we want him as our King 490 00:28:37,760 –> 00:28:40,520 and Peter says well then you’d better repent 491 00:28:40,520 –> 00:28:41,760 you’d better be baptized 492 00:28:41,760 –> 00:28:43,040 and here’s the wonderful good news 493 00:28:43,040 –> 00:28:45,239 for you there is forgiveness 494 00:28:45,239 –> 00:28:48,800 and for you there is the gift of the Holy Spirit 495 00:28:48,800 –> 00:28:50,520 and ever since that day the good news 496 00:28:50,520 –> 00:28:52,699 of this Savior King has been spreading 497 00:28:52,699 –> 00:28:54,819 around the nations of the world 498 00:28:54,819 –> 00:28:56,520 Christ the King is in the business 499 00:28:56,520 –> 00:29:00,040 of making former enemies into his friends 500 00:29:00,040 –> 00:29:02,160 the door to his Kingdom is open 501 00:29:02,160 -> 00:29:04,959 it is open here today submit yourself 502 00:29:05,079 –> 00:29:08,319 to this King and enter into all the joy 503 00:29:08,319 –> 00:29:10,959 and all the good of his rule 504 00:29:12,880 –> 00:29:14,839 and you roll the story forward 505 00:29:14,839 –> 00:29:16,439 to the end of the New Testament 506 00:29:16,439 –> 00:29:19,319 and what do you find in Revelation chapter 19 507 00:29:19,319 –> 00:29:21,760 that Jesus Christ is revealed as 508 00:29:21,760 –> 00:29:27,719 the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords 509 00:29:27,719 –> 00:29:29,920 and in Revelation chapter 19 in verse 12 510 00:29:29,920 –> 00:29:32,560 we have this wonderful statement 511 00:29:32,560 –> 00:29:37,599 that on his head are many crowns 512 00:29:37,599 –> 00:29:41,119 try and draw that 513 00:29:41,119 –> 00:29:45,160 one head, many crowns 514 00:29:45,160 –> 00:29:46,079 you can’t draw it 515 00:29:46,079 –> 00:29:49,359 like many things in the book of Revelation 516 00:29:49,359 –> 00:29:51,959 the images are impossible to draw 517 00:29:51,959 –> 00:29:55,560 what they’re given to us for 518 00:29:55,560 –> 00:29:58,319 is to communicate a glorious truth 519 00:29:58,319 –> 00:30:01,280 that’s so clearly communicated 520 00:30:01,280 –> 00:30:03,719 in that marvellous statement 521 00:30:03,719 –> 00:30:06,760 on his head are many crowns 522 00:30:06,760 –> 00:30:09,520 why are there so many crowns 523 00:30:09,520 –> 00:30:13,479 on the head of King Jesus? 524 00:30:13,479 –> 00:30:15,520 well, many of you will remember 525 00:30:15,520 –> 00:30:17,079 and you’ll think of this immediately 526 00:30:17,079 –> 00:30:18,880 that earlier in the book of Revelation 527 00:30:18,880 –> 00:30:20,880 we are given this glimpse 528 00:30:20,880 –> 00:30:23,959 into the creatures 529 00:30:23,959 –> 00:30:25,479 that is, created beings 530 00:30:25,479 –> 00:30:26,959 heavenly creatures 531 00:30:26,959 –> 00:30:28,800 that are around the throne in heaven 532 00:30:28,800 –> 00:30:31,160 god’s heavenly creation 533 00:30:31,160 –> 00:30:33,319 unfallen creation 534 00:30:33,319 –> 00:30:35,760 and we’re told the living creatures 535 00:30:35,760 –> 00:30:38,560 give glory and honour and thanks 536 00:30:38,560 –> 00:30:40,560 to him who is seated on the throne 537 00:30:40,560 –> 00:30:42,560 and then we read these words 538 00:30:42,560 –> 00:30:45,680 they cast their crowns 539 00:30:45,680 –> 00:30:47,359 before him 540 00:30:47,359 –> 00:30:49,119 saying, worthy are you 541 00:30:49,119 –> 00:30:50,199 our Lord and God 542 00:30:50,199 –> 00:30:51,239 to receive glory 543 00:30:51,239 –> 00:30:52,359 and honour 544 00:30:52,359 –> 00:30:53,439 and power 545 00:30:53,439 –> 00:30:54,359 friends 546 00:30:54,359 –> 00:30:56,920 if heavenly creatures 547 00:30:57,400 –> 00:30:59,400 cast their crowns 548 00:30:59,400 –> 00:31:01,400 before the creator-king 549 00:31:01,400 –> 00:31:05,079 what will redeemed sinners do 550 00:31:05,079 –> 00:31:07,800 with whatever may be awarded 551 00:31:07,800 –> 00:31:08,599 to us 552 00:31:08,599 –> 00:31:10,319 by the grace of god 553 00:31:10,319 –> 00:31:13,560 with regards to our saviour-king 554 00:31:13,560 –> 00:31:16,280 see the bible speaks about 555 00:31:16,280 –> 00:31:18,280 crowns that are in store 556 00:31:18,280 –> 00:31:20,280 for christ’s own people 557 00:31:20,280 –> 00:31:23,319 the bible speaks about a crown of righteousness 558 00:31:23,319 –> 00:31:24,400 remember Paul 559 00:31:24,400 –> 00:31:26,119 as he comes to the end of his life 560 00:31:26,160 –> 00:31:28,920 there is laid up for me now 561 00:31:28,920 –> 00:31:30,479 a crown of righteousness 562 00:31:30,479 –> 00:31:32,160 and it’s not just for me 563 00:31:32,160 –> 00:31:32,839 he says 564 00:31:32,839 –> 00:31:34,680 but it’s going to be awarded to all 565 00:31:34,680 –> 00:31:36,239 who have loved 566 00:31:36,239 –> 00:31:38,800 you love the appearing of Jesus 567 00:31:38,800 –> 00:31:40,640 you’re living in anticipation of it 568 00:31:40,640 –> 00:31:43,359 the bible speaks about a crown of righteousness 569 00:31:43,359 –> 00:31:44,000 for you 570 00:31:45,199 –> 00:31:46,079 Peter speaks 571 00:31:46,079 –> 00:31:48,239 to those who extend themselves 572 00:31:48,239 –> 00:31:50,239 in service of a crown of glory 573 00:31:50,239 –> 00:31:51,560 he speaks to elders 574 00:31:51,560 –> 00:31:53,119 he speaks to spiritual leaders 575 00:31:53,119 –> 00:31:54,319 he speaks to those who 576 00:31:54,319 –> 00:31:55,800 shepherd the flock of god 577 00:31:56,199 –> 00:31:58,280 and he says to those who do this faithfully 578 00:31:58,280 –> 00:32:00,119 when the chief shepherd appears 579 00:32:00,119 –> 00:32:03,640 you will receive the unfading crown of glory 580 00:32:05,079 –> 00:32:06,280 for those who suffer 581 00:32:06,280 –> 00:32:09,640 and especially perhaps those who even lay down their lives 582 00:32:09,640 –> 00:32:12,199 the scripture speaks of a crown of life 583 00:32:12,199 –> 00:32:15,239 revelation in chapter 2 and verse 10 584 00:32:15,239 –> 00:32:16,439 Christ himself says 585 00:32:16,439 –> 00:32:19,079 Do not fear what you are about to suffer 586 00:32:19,079 –> 00:32:21,079 be faithful unto death 587 00:32:21,079 –> 00:32:23,719 and I will give you a crown of life 588 00:32:23,719 –> 00:32:25,079 so throughout the bible 589 00:32:25,079 –> 00:32:26,680 it becomes very plain 590 00:32:26,680 –> 00:32:29,239 that in the gift and in the kindness 591 00:32:29,239 –> 00:32:32,359 and in the undeserved favor of our loving God 592 00:32:32,359 –> 00:32:34,199 There are great rewards 593 00:32:34,199 –> 00:32:36,839 and there are great crowns that lie ahead 594 00:32:36,839 –> 00:32:38,599 of all of christ’s people 595 00:32:38,599 –> 00:32:39,800 and here’s the question 596 00:32:41,640 –> 00:32:44,599 what will God’s people do with these crowns? 597 00:32:46,920 –> 00:32:51,880 picture the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus 598 00:32:51,880 –> 00:32:56,280 and he’s got a crown of righteousness on his head 599 00:32:57,959 –> 00:32:59,319 what’s he going to do with it? 600 00:33:00,680 –> 00:33:01,560 he’s going to say 601 00:33:02,680 –> 00:33:06,119 I’m not the one who should be wearing a crown of righteousness 602 00:33:06,119 –> 00:33:08,760 I’m the last person who should have this crown 603 00:33:08,760 –> 00:33:12,359 The only righteousness Jesus that I ever had in my life 604 00:33:12,359 –> 00:33:14,520 is the righteousness that came from you 605 00:33:14,520 –> 00:33:16,520 I know exactly what to do with this crown 606 00:33:16,520 –> 00:33:17,959 I’m going to place it on your head 607 00:33:20,199 –> 00:33:21,560 and here are some elders 608 00:33:21,599 –> 00:33:24,199 pastors, spiritual leaders, Sunday school teachers 609 00:33:24,199 –> 00:33:26,199 those who have extended themselves 610 00:33:26,199 –> 00:33:28,839 in shepherding the flock of God 611 00:33:28,839 –> 00:33:30,599 and they’ve got crowns on their head 612 00:33:30,599 –> 00:33:31,959 crowns of glory 613 00:33:33,160 –> 00:33:36,920 What is this elder going to say in the presence of Jesus 614 00:33:36,920 –> 00:33:37,959 Surely he’s going to say this 615 00:33:38,599 –> 00:33:41,640 I’m not the one who should be wearing this crown 616 00:33:43,400 –> 00:33:45,160 Jesus you’re the good shepherd 617 00:33:45,160 –> 00:33:47,640 in any shepherding I was ever privileged to do 618 00:33:47,640 –> 00:33:51,160 I did to an absolute complete and utter dependence upon you 619 00:33:51,160 –> 00:33:53,400 I know there’s only one place for this crown 620 00:33:54,439 –> 00:33:56,119 I’m gonna place it at your feet 621 00:33:58,040 –> 00:34:01,079 Here’s someone else who has suffered greatly for her faith 622 00:34:02,599 –> 00:34:04,680 She’s endured injustice, loss 623 00:34:04,680 –> 00:34:05,959 Here is a martyr 624 00:34:07,239 –> 00:34:11,560 She laid down her life in some dangerous place in the world 625 00:34:11,560 –> 00:34:13,479 for the sake of Jesus Christ 626 00:34:13,479 –> 00:34:17,320 And now she has a crown upon her head 627 00:34:17,320 –> 00:34:19,080 It is the crown of life 628 00:34:19,080 –> 00:34:21,800 And what is she going to do with it? 629 00:34:21,800 –> 00:34:23,320 She’s going to say something like this 630 00:34:23,320 –> 00:34:27,080 You know Jesus, I’m not the one who should be wearing the crown of life 631 00:34:27,080 –> 00:34:31,000 because you are the one who laid down your life for me 632 00:34:31,000 –> 00:34:34,280 And I’m not here because I laid down my life for you 633 00:34:34,280 –> 00:34:37,800 I am here because you laid down your life for me 634 00:34:37,800 –> 00:34:40,439 and I’m taking this crown right off my head 635 00:34:40,439 –> 00:34:43,000 and I’m going to place it on yours 636 00:34:43,000 –> 00:34:49,959 Now, picture the whole scene of this vast company 637 00:34:49,959 –> 00:34:52,919 The scripture says a crowd that no one could number 638 00:34:52,919 –> 00:34:55,719 And they’re before the throne of God 639 00:34:55,719 –> 00:35:02,060 And there is not a single one of them has a crown on his or her head 640 00:35:02,060 –> 00:35:04,439 Why? 641 00:35:04,439 –> 00:35:07,520 Because all that has been given to them 642 00:35:07,520 –> 00:35:10,280 Has been placed on the head 643 00:35:10,320 –> 00:35:15,580 And at the feet of Jesus 644 00:35:15,580 –> 00:35:18,139 Crown him with many crowns 645 00:35:18,139 –> 00:35:21,340 The lamb upon his throne 646 00:35:21,340 –> 00:35:24,820 Hark how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own 647 00:35:24,820 –> 00:35:31,219 Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee 648 00:35:31,219 –> 00:35:37,139 And hail him as thy matchless King 649 00:35:37,199 –> 00:35:40,500 Through all eternity 650 00:35:40,500 –> 00:35:43,239 Lord, we have come here to worship 651 00:35:43,239 –> 00:35:46,459 And we lift our hearts even now 652 00:35:46,459 –> 00:35:49,840 In praise and adoration 653 00:35:49,840 –> 00:35:53,239 Of Christ, the King 654 00:35:53,239 –> 00:35:55,699 In whose name we pray, Amen