The Blessed and Only Potentate

Introduction:

1. The grandest drama of glory and power imaginable is being played on the stage of the universe, and not only have you received a script of the action, you are a glorious victor in the climactic conclusion.
2. An angelic traitor to God and the throne room of heaven raised an army, declared war against the Most High God, deceived our first parents to join his side, and damned our race under God’s holy judgment and vengeance for sin to dysfunctional lives, death, and an eternity in hell. We need a King!
3. A king, the sole monarch with all the authority and glory and power and the command of the army in a domain, is one of the best and most frequent pictures of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Bible.
4. It is a shame we have never seen the absolute political power of a king or the great regal glory of a king, so the degree to which we benefit by Jesus Christ as king varies on our learning of this subject.
5. We know more about David, his life, his thoughts, and his virtues than any other 10 men in Scripture combined, and the glory of David as a king is used throughout the Bible as a picture of Jesus Christ, and the mountain fortress of Zion is used throughout the Bible as a strong picture of heaven itself.
6. My job is an ambassador of the King to you, declaring terms of His kingdom (Ps 68:18; II Cor 5:20).
7. Remember that God is God. He is a king in the sense of absolute power and infinite glory. But He is the Creator! Jesus Christ is a Man. Jesus Christ is a Man crowned as king over all creation! Glory!
8. Do you know the word kingdom? It means the dominion of a king, the sphere of a king’s authority.
9. Do you understand the name Jesus? It is from Hebrew to Greek to English, meaning Jehovah is Salvation: it is the personal name of the son born to Mary by God’s power (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31).
10. Do you know the title Christ? It is from the Hebrew Messiah to the Greek Christos to the English Christ, which is a designation of the anointed one of God, since important officers were all anointed.
11. Do you know the title Lord? When in all capitals, it is the Hebrew name Jehovah, for I AM THAT I AM. In Greek, it is kuriov, meaning absolute and supreme ruler or master, certainly befitting a king.
12. When calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, you should understand each one of the words!
13. Mount Zion, or Sion in the New Testament, was the mountain fortress of Jerusalem, which gives delight as a mighty place of safety and strength (II Sam 5:7; Ps 2:6; 48:2; 110:2; 125:1; Heb 12:22).
14. Shriners talk about their Imperial Potentate, but we know and serve the Blessed and Only Potentate!
15. The Lordship controversy is any absurdity today, where demented Arminians exclude accepting Jesus Christ as Lord from the salvation formula to avoid making it too hard to be saved! They do not have a clue about Jesus Christ or salvation, since nowhere does the Bible teach salvation by any formula.
16. A true king in a monarchial government answers to no one but Himself and God, and the Lord Jesus Christ is just such a king, for He answers to no one but Himself, except for God (I Cor 15:27-28).
17. Melchisedec is also a type of our king, for he was King of righteousness and of Salem (Heb 7:1-4).
18. If this is not a major theme of my ministry, then I do not know what subjects should be my theme.
19. Much delight can be obtained from a study of king, kingdom, crown, key, throne, sword, pavilion, dominion, scepter, and so forth in the Bible as terms relating to the rule of God and Christ over all.
20. There is no comfort in a baby Jesus or a begging lady at a garden door or a crucified Saviour without seeing Him as He truly is today! The King is glorified, and we should remember that at all times.
21. The title, “Lord of hosts,” used 235 times in the Old Testament for God, now belongs to Jesus Christ!
22. If you catch the vision, you will be much holier in all matters of sobriety, attire, reverence, relationships, action, obedience, zeal, service, praise, reading the Bible, prayer, defending the truth, confidence in prayer, patient in tribulation, fearlessness with enemies, and so forth.
23. When Isaiah saw Jesus Christ’s glory by vision, there was a response of service (Is 6:1-8)!
24. Men love great leaders … Alexander, Washington, Patton … here is a leader par excellence!
25. The superiority of Jesus Christ to all angels and men is infinite by any measure or standard!

The Prophecies of a King

1. Jacob prophesied that Judah would have Shiloh the King, which Hebrew word means peace, pacific, quiet, ease, tranquility, and rest i.e. Prince of Peace (Gen 49:10 cp Is 9:6 cp Heb 7:2).
2. Balaam under God’s inspiration saw a star and scepter with dominion coming (Nu 24:15-19).
3. David on his deathbed prophesied of a future Ruler far superior to his family (II Sam 23:1-7).
4. The regal, Messianic psalms give many prophecies in glorious poetic language of a coming King reigning in righteous and power (Psalm 2, 24, 45, 72, 89, 110, and 132 among others).
5. Read the great prophecy of this son and government of David by God’s zeal (Isaiah 9:6-7).
6. Isaiah saw a vision of a King on His throne, which was Christ in glory (Is 6:1-8; John 12:41).
7. Daniel prophesied of the God of heaven setting up a kingdom after the Romans (Dan 2:44).
8. David, the most wonderful of Israel’s kings in the sight of God and men, is used as a kingly type of the Lord Jesus Christ in many prophecies (II Sam 7:11-13; Is 55:3-5; Jer 23:5-6; 30:8-9; 33:14-21; Ezek 34:23; 37:24-25; and Hosea 3:5 among others).
9. Though born in little Bethlehem, He was to be a Ruler with goings from eternity (Micah 5:2).

The Birth and Life of the King

1. When Gabriel told Mary about her Son, he described Him as a perpetual king (Luk 1:30-33).
2. The decree from heaven, even at His birth, was for the angels to worship Him (Hebrews 1:6).
3. Wise men came from the east to worship the King of the Jews at Bethlehem (Matt 2:1-12).
4. When He entered Jerusalem before His crucifixion, He was hailed as King (John 12:12-16).
5. Have mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, ever combined better (Psalm 85:10)? Never!
6. Unless a man is born again, he is so under the power of the devil and a depraved heart that he cannot and will not recognize Jesus Christ as his King and Lord (John 3:3; I Cor 2:8; 12:3).
7. But Nathanael, an Israelite indeed, quickly identified Jesus as King of Israel (John 1:43-51).
8. He died with the following superscription on his cross in the three languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19-22).
9. Jesus rebuked the two on the road to Emmaus for cheating Him of His glory (Luke 24:26).
10. Before He ascended to His Father, He claimed all power in heaven and earth (Matt 28:18).

The Coronation of the King

1. The ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the great events of the New Testament; but many overlook it, for they miss what then happened in heaven (Acts 1:9-11 cp Rev 5:1-14).
2. When Jesus passed out of the sight of the apostles, He appeared in heaven to take His throne!
3. Just 7-10 days after His ascension, Peter preached Jesus as Lord and Christ, exalted at the right hand of God and dispensing the gifts of the Holy Spirit from the Father (Acts 2:33-36).
4. His position far above all is taught throughout the New Testament (Eph 1:20-23; Heb 1:3).
5. When Jesus came into heaven, the devil was cast out, salvation was legally completed, and the kingdom formally began with the Son of God on the throne of David (Rev 12:5-11).
6. Coronation was reward for humbling himself to the death of the cross (Phil 2:9-11; Is 53:12).
7. The incredible and phenomenal thing here is that a Man was promoted over the universe!
8. Jesus is now Lord of hosts, for all the hosts or armies of heaven report to Him (I Peter 3:22).
9. John saw Him glorified – very different, with keys of David, hell, and death (Re 1:9-20; 3:7)!
10. Though David saw by prophecy a day in which all things would be under man, Paul could write about it in the past tense to the Hebrews – fulfilled in Jesus (Heb 2:5-9 cp Psalm 8:1-9).

The Coming of the King

1. A time is coming in which Jesus Christ will show Himself King of kings (I Tim 6:13-16).
   1. Potentate. A person endowed with independent power; a prince, monarch, ruler.
   2. Though He has been crowned King for 2000 years, He will soon formally reveal the fact!
   3. Do you think Timothy paid attention to this ministerial charge with a prophecy attached?
   4. If you catch a glimpse of the Lord Christ, you will obey without spot and unrebukeable!
   5. What a glorious description in the middle of private correspondence? Can you do it?
2. John gives us a picture of a glorious conquering King coming with His saints (Rev 19:11-16).
   1. The world has no clue, because theirs is in a manger, a lady in a garden, or on a crucifix.
   2. The white horse at the head of this army is carrying the glorious Captain of God’s people.
   3. Compare the glorified Lord Jesus Christ in the descriptions at the beginning of the book.
3. Our King is coming in flaming fire with ten thousands of His mighty angels (II Thes 1:7-10).
4. The King will gather all nations before Him and separate the sheep and goats (Mat 25:31-34).

What Is the Kingdom of God?

1. The UNIVERSAL KINGDOM is God’s rule over all things everywhere (I Chron 29:11-12).
   1. God’s dominion and kingdom is everlasting over heaven and earth (Daniel 4:34-35).
   2. God reigns as King over a universal kingdom (Ps 47:7-8; 103:19; 145:13; Jer 10:10).
   3. This kingdom begins in eternity, ends in eternity, and has unconditional citizenship.
   4. Jesus took this kingdom at His ascension (Ps 2:1-12; Ep 1:20-23; He 2:5-9; Re 2:27).
2. The ISRAELITE KINGDOM was God’s rule over Israel as a nation (II Chr 9:8; 13:5,8).
   1. The Israelite kingdom began at Sinai and ended with John the Baptist’s generation.
   2. Citizenship in this kingdom was by physical birth and/or physical circumcision.
   3. This kingdom was removed from the Jews and given to the Gentiles (Matthew 21:43).
   4. Scofield teaches Israel will yet have her greatest earthly glory (SRB, p. 1204, 1206).
3. The REGENERATE KINGDOM is Christ’s rule over and with His saints (Col 1:13).
   1. When the elect are regenerated, they begin to reign with Christ (Eph 2:4-6 cp 1:19-23).
   2. This kingdom is based on the Lord’s vital relationship to His saints and churches.
   3. At His return, Christ will deliver this kingdom to God (I Cor 15:23-25 cp Heb 2:13).
   4. The regenerate kingdom begins and ends with the plan of salvation (Rev 1:6; 20:6).
   5. Citizenship in this kingdom is unconditionally determined by God’s will (Jn 3:3,5,8).
4. The GOSPEL KINGDOM is Christ’s reign over His saints and churches (Matt 16:13-20).
   1. This kingdom replaced the Israelite/Jewish kingdom with John the Baptist (Luke 16:16), though the two kingdoms ran parallel to each other for 40 years (Heb 9:10; 12:26-27).
   2. It is made up primarily of Gentiles in rebuilding David’s kingdom (Acts 15:13-18), but Jews are also included as part of one body made possible by Christ’s blood (Ep 2:11-22).
   3. It included the destruction of all that offended by Jesus Christ the King in 70 A.D., when he ground to powder those rebel enemies that despised His rule (Matt 21:33-45; 22:1-7).
   4. This kingdom is connected to the universal kingdom, because Jesus after His coronation reigns over all God had previously reigned over alone (Ps 8:1-9; Heb 2:5-9; I Cor 15:27).
   5. This kingdom is connected to the regenerate kingdom, because of the vital qualifying for anyone to see or enter this kingdom (John 3:3,5; Eph 2:1-3; Col 1:13; Rev 20:6).
   6. There is a spiritual aspect to this kingdom only the elect have (I Cor 12:13; Ac 2:47).
   7. Only the elect (the chosen) have on the appropriate wedding garment (Matt 22:8-14).
   8. This kingdom is connected to the heavenly kingdom, because that is where it ends and we go, and because we are spiritually connected to the king and church there (Heb 12:22-24).
   9. Citizenship is by repentance and water baptism (Luke 7:29-30 cp Matthew 21:31-32).
   10. By baptism, we answer God with a good conscience in a figure of our Lord’s resurrection that led to His sitting on heaven’s throne over all angels and principalities (I Pet 3:21-22)!
   11. Ordinances and men in authority are its character (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:29-30).
   12. It includes the supernatural power of God to cast out devils and heal (Luke 11:20).
   13. It is voluntary membership in this kingdom that makes us strangers and pilgrims in this earth, because we are a holy nation invisible to the world (I Pet 2:9-12; I Cor 2:14-16).
   14. This kingdom is not of this world, and it was not visible (Luke 17:20-21; John 18:36).
   15. Here is where many of the parables of the kingdom are to be applied (Matt 13:44-46).
5. The HEAVENLY KINGDOM is Christ’s final rule over all things in heaven (Rev 19:16).
   1. The heavenly kingdom begins at Christ’s Second Coming (Rev 11:15; I Cor 15:24).
   2. At this time it will become manifestly evident Who is King of kings (I Tim 6:15-16).
   3. Citizenship is by election and the book of life (II Peter 1:10-11; Revelation 21:27).
   4. We apply many “inherit the kingdom of God” verses here (I Cor 6:9,10; 15:50).
   5. Here is where other of the parables of the kingdom are to be applied (Matt 13:24-43).
6. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are identical kingdoms by God’s word.
   1. C.I. Scofield teaches that these two kingdoms are not the same (SRB, page 1003).
   2. Jesus Christ used both expressions in teaching the same lesson (Matthew 19:23-24).
   3. Luke uses “kingdom of God” for the quotes Matthew uses “kingdom of heaven.”
7. The dispensationalists and most “conservative” or “fundamental” Christians do not believe that Jesus Christ is reigning now on David’s throne or that the kingdom of God has come.
   1. They foolishly look for a carnal and natural millennial kingdom of Jews restored to Palestine with animal sacrifices and Jesus on a throne there as fulfilling these prophecies!
   2. They heretically claim that Jesus offered the kingdom to the Jews, and when they rejected it, He then had to stick in the church age of Gentiles as a reactive measure to save face.
   3. The facts are that the carnal Jewish Dispensationalists tried to make Jesus king, but He refused their carnal ideas and drove them away with spiritual doctrine (John 6:15)!
   4. The facts are that John and Jesus announced the kingdom at hand (Mat 3:1-2; 4:17; 10:7).
   5. Men pressed into that kingdom through John (Matt 11:12; 21:31; Luke 7:29-30; 16:16).
   6. Jesus declared, “No doubt!” the kingdom was already come (Luke 11:17-20; 17:20-22)!
   7. He charged His apostles with administering rule and ordinances in it (Luke 22:16-30).
   8. The apostle Paul preached the same kingdom as then present (Acts 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31; Rom 14:17; I Cor 4:20; Col 1:13; Heb 12:28-29).
   9. The apostle John preached the kingdom as then present (John 3:1-3; Rev 1:9; 12:10).
   10. The thief on the cross, divinely inspired, knew where Jesus was going (Luke 23:42).

The Meaning of a King and Kingdom

1. John Baptist began preaching the kingdom of heaven, and men pressed into it (Luke 16:16).
2. It takes violence to enter the kingdom of heaven, the violence of repentance, which is pursuing God’s approval by turning your life upside down (Mat 11:12; Luke 16:16; 19:8-10).
3. The apostles preached a message that Christians were under another king, Jesus; but since His kingdom was very different from Caesar’s, there was no threat to Rome (Acts 17:7).
4. Even when Paul wrote Timothy personal epistles, he called Christ, “King” (I Timothy 1:17).
5. The kingdom of Jesus Christ is much more than little rules of Christian liberty (Rom 14:17).
6. The gospel of the New Testament is the covenant and terms declared by your King, for it describes what He has done for you, what is awaiting you, and what you can do for Him.
7. The kingdom was taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles by the King (Mat 21:33-45).
8. Jesus Christ as King ordained the New Testament offices, which is why Paul charged Timothy with aspects of Christ’s reign (Mark 13:34; Eph 4:8; I Tim 6:13-16; II Tim 4:1-2).
9. This King is also your Advocate, Apostle, Bishop, Bridegroom, Captain, Cornerstone, Counselor, Deliverer, Desire of all Nations, Everlasting Father, Executioner, Firstborn from the dead, Great High Priest, High Priest, Judge, Life, Lord, Master, Mediator, the Mighty God, Potentate, Priest, Prince, Prophet, Propitiation, Ransom, Redeemer, Resurrection, Saviour, Second Adam, Shepherd, Stone, Truth, and the Way.
10. King Jesus raided the kingdom of king Satan, where you were a willing captive, and delivered you from your former king and his palace (Luke 11:20-22; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 2:1-3; Col 1:12-14; 2:13-15; Heb 2:14-15; I John 3:8; Rev 9:11; 12:7-11).
11. There was a conflict and war the likes of which you have never read about anywhere else, which was a spiritual and literal battle between Jesus and the devil.
12. This is the gospel, if you will hear it: Satan conquered our father Adam and took our race captive, where we were held helpless until our conquering Prince delivered us by death, and He is coming again to raise our bodies from the grave and take us home with Him forever!
13. The conflict is not yet over, though we know the certain outcome is our victory (Re 20:7-10).

The Implications of a King and Kingdom

1. What king, especially one with this authority, power, and glory would die for His enemies?!
2. You have a king that destroyed sin, sickness, death, the grave, and hell beyond the grave!
3. So great was this victory that inspired, sober men mocked death and the grave (I Cor 15:55)!
4. What are you worried about in life? The King is your Saviour, Priest, Brother, and Friend!
5. Regardless of what the future holds, we are more than conquerors through Him (Rom 8:37).
6. This King tells His enemies, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:23); but He tells His friends, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:6).
7. He tells His enemies, “How can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matt 23:33); but He tells His friends, “I will give you rest … my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mat 11:28-30).
8. No matter how lowly or obscure or mean your job, do it well for the Lord Christ (Col 3:24).
9. Our status as New Testament believers is glorious in context of a kingdom, but you cannot rejoice and shout unless you consider and meditate on some of the benefits (Heb 12:22-24).
10. Yet, we must worship this King with kingdom reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:25-29).
11. You exist for one purpose – the glory, praise, and pleasure of your King (Pr 16:4; Rev 4:11).
12. Jesus is Lord. He cannot stand hearing, “Lord, Lord,” but observe disobedience (Luke 6:46).
13. We are pilgrims and strangers on the earth, no matter how much we may like our nation, just like Abraham and the patriarchs before us (I Pet 2:9-12; Heb 11:8-16).
14. The King assigned you personal bodyguards in the form of His angels (Ps 34:7; Heb 1:14).
15. The pavilion is where you may hide, if you will make this King your trust (Ps 27:5; 31:10).
16. Have you submitted to this King in your heart, in your life, forever dedicated to Him alone?
17. How will you worship the King? Anything less than the best is totally inadequate (Mal 1:14)!
18. When we have the Lord’s Supper we are doing so in the kingdom of Christ (Luke 22:29-30).
19. He sees and knows all things, which demands your utmost service (Pr 15:11; Heb 4:12-14).
20. No wonder friendship with the world or spiritual adultery is so terrible … He is the King!
21. When teaching about His kingdom, Jesus said you are either for or against Him (Lu 11:23).
22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha (I Cor 16:22)!
23. If you catch the vision, you will be much holier in all matters of sobriety, attire, reverence, relationships, action, obedience, zeal, service, praise, reading the Bible, prayer, defending the truth, confidence in prayer, patient in tribulation, fearlessness with enemies, and so forth.
24. When Isaiah saw Jesus Christ’s glory by vision, there was a response of service (Is 6:1-8)!

Conclusion:

1. If you have not been baptized, you are defying the King of kings and despising Him (I Peter 3:21-22; Luke 7:28-35; Matt 21:31-46; 22:1-7).
2. Do you love the “Hallelujah Chorus” of Handel’s MESSIAH? When did you listen to it last? It will help your spirit to have godly, Christ-praising, regal music in your life to worship your King.
3. Our church relationship is a legal purchase by His blood, a vital union by His Spirit, and a practical knowledge of mysteries kept secret from the world that we have a King in heaven coming for us!

For Further Study:

1. Sermon Outline: “Is Jesus Lord?” applies the Lordship of Jesus Christ to every aspect of your life.
2. Sermon Outline: “Your Body Is the Lord’s,” shows the Lord created and purchased your body for Himself.
3. Sermon Outline: “He Ascended Up on High,” exalts the ascension and coronation of Jesus Christ in heaven.
4. Sermon Outline: “The Lord is Jealous,” defines and applies the jealousy of God to the lives of believers.
5. Sermon Outline: “Spiritual Adultery,” compares friendship with the world to adulterous betrayal of Christ.
6. Sermon Outline: “The King of Kings,” compares the superiority of Jesus Christ to many kings in history.
7. Sermon Outline: “The Great Mystery of Godliness,” details the spiritual facts about the Lord Jesus Christ.
8. Sermon Outline: “The Stronger Man,” explains the victory of Jesus Christ over the devil and his works.
9. Sermon Outline: “What a Word Is This!” reviews the glorious power of the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
10. Sermon Outline: “The Good Confession of Jesus Christ,” studies the kingdom exchange of Pilate and Jesus.
11. Sermon Outline: “He Is Altogether Lovely,” describes Jesus Christ as the perfect Man and Husband.
12. Sermon Outline: “Psalm 45,” provides a verse-by-verse exposition of this glorious psalm about the King.
13. Sermon Outline: “The Witness of 70 A.D.,” details by many prophecies Jesus Christ’s destruction of Israel.