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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: Parades are a big deal for communities. You show off. Anybody who is anybody
wants to be seen. In ancient times when a king would return from victory, he would
parade through the city on his horse, proud. The spoils of war would be displayed,
even the prisoners of war. It was not uncommon for a leader or a group of joyful
worshippers to parade into Jerusalem.
Today is the beginning of Holy Week. The Passion Week of Christ. The most important week in
history. It begins with a unique parade like none other. We call it Palm Sunday - it shows us
that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, as He ride triumphantly, yet humbly into the Holy City
of Jerusalem.
That Palm Sunday was predicted in OT by the prophet Zechariah: 9:9 “Rejoice greatly,
O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to
you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt,
the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah wrote his prediction by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit over 500 years before
Jesus came and did just that - rode a donkey, a beast of burden into the holy city and
proclaimed as King. Matthew and John state this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus entered
Jerusalem.
But He rode a donkey, not a horse. A horse was a sign of victory in war, someday the King of
Kings will ride a white horse in victory at the end of time. But this time, the King rides a
donkey, a symbol of peace, for Christ is the Prince of Peace. Jesus Christ is given respect on
that Palm Sunday as He demonstrated, and the people declared that He was the King of Kings.
Today let us look at that one phrase “king of kings” in the Scriptures
with the goal that THE king of kings must rule and reign in each of our lives.
1. The Majesty of King of Kings
- “King of kings” = king of those who are kings. The greatest of
the kings, the Supreme King. The highest of the highest. The best of the best.
- W. E Vine: this title was used in early eastern history as a decoration of great
monarchs... Three times we see title in the O.T.
- Ezekiel 26:7: For thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will bring upon Tyre
from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, chariots,
cavalry and a great army”
- Daniel 2:37: “You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven
has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory;”
- Ezra 7:12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the
law of the God of heaven, perfect peace. And now”
- These two men were great kings of great kingdoms: Babylon & Persia Modern day Iraq
and Iran.
- Have we had great kings in recent times that fit this title “king of kings?”
ILLUS: Not many nations have kings, some African, some Arab. England has a Queen,
someday maybe another King but mainly ceremonial. Our nation has Presidents, our
founding fathers didn’t want a king, no more King James (time of pilgrims),
or King George (time for Revolution).
Closet to a king we have ever had was maybe Elvis - PBS Thursday night, 25 years
after his passing concert “Elvis Lives.” Video of Elvis and original
artists reunited to do backgrounds live - Imperials included.
Some world leaders want to be a world king: Hitler the Fuhrer of the Third Reich -
Supreme Leader of the Third Kingdom. Saddam Hussian thought he was modern day King
Nebuchadnezzar. We wonder about leaders of Iran, North Korea, Cuba?
- In fact, the problem with our world today is there is no great world ruler, a noble
king who seeks to establish peace and justice. The world is hungry for this, that is
why in the end times as they hunger for a leader, one ruler to arise and take control
of the chaos of the world, at any cost - sadly they will follow the anti-christ -
Rev. 13. We are watching the EU for such a leader. But Satan will not raise
up a “king of kings.”
- That title in the NT times only belongs to the ones who God designates - the real
“King of kings” is Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.
2. The Messiah is the King of Kings
- All NT texts point to the Lord Christ is the “King of kings”
- 1 Timothy 6:13-15 “...He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of
kings and Lord of lords...”
- Revelation 17:14 “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will
overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with
Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
- Revelation 19:16 “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,
‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’”
- Description of the conquering King 19:11-16. No mere donkey, but white horse.
Two names are given:
- “Faithful and True” - to His promises, in righteousness
He will set all wrongs right, pour out God’s wrath of wickedness. His
eyes will be a flame of fire, on His head sit many crowns, from His mouth
comes a sharp sword. His wrath will be like a wine press - utter destructions
as grapes become juice - as the nations are slaughtered and blood flows
QUOTE: Hymn “Battle Hymn of the Republic” - Russian army singing.
- His name is “The Word of God.” The incarnate and living
Word. The Word of truth, the pure Word given to a sinful world. Christ’s
robe has been dipped in blood, red stained; but His army (the saints of all
the ages, the angels) will wear pure white. You and I will be a part of that
great battalion of Christian soldiers riding also white horses. We are by His
side as He wins the victory.
- There is another name we don’t know. Such a great King, beyond our
comprehension to grasp.
- This King is ruling today in the hearts of His people, countless people.
- Jesus says: “The kingdom of God is in your midst” Luke 17:21
- Apostle John wrote in Rev. 1:5-6 “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful
witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him
who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood- and He has made us to be a
kingdom, priests to His God and Father-to Him be the glory and the dominion forever
and ever." We are in Christ’s great kingdom now on earth, in us!
- His kingship was established by one great act of redemption, the death on the cross
and the resurrection from the grave. Centuries of OT foreshadowing and prophecies
fulfilled in this coming Holy Week.
- But someday He will establish His pure and absolute rule over entire universe. No
other King can ever hold this highest title. Christ is Only true “King of
kings.” There is more to come - another day to come, the final culmination
when Jesus is presented at His second coming, when all things will be under His
authority, “and every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
- Jesus is the King of time and of space, of earth and of heaven, of creation and of the
new creation. Jesus is the King of life and love and liberty. He is King of our
salvation and sanctification and glorification.
- Christ is the Conqueror of conqueror’s, the Victor of victories, the Majesty of
majesties. The King of kings. We are on the winning side.
- Is Jesus your King?
ILLUS: That is hard for us Americans to grasp, we live in a great democracy here
in America, we have a President and Congress, we have state governors and city
mayors. No kings. And history rarely gives us a good example of a righteous and
just king, including the Biblical kings - good ones are few, David was the Great
King. He wasn’t even awarded “King of Kings.”
- But you and I still need a King? A Complete Sovereign over our lives.
- Is Jesus your King? Does He sit on the throne of your life and rule you in
“grace and truth... were realized through Jesus Christ” John 1:17
- We even sing about Christ’s Kingly authority, are we loyal servants?
- “All Hail King Jesus, All Hail Emmanuel, King of Kings, Lord of Lords,
Bright Morning Star. And throughout eternity, I’ll sing Your Praises;
And I’ll reign with You throughout eternity.”
- “O Worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His
wonderful love.”
- “We will glorify the King of Kings, we will glorify that Lamb; We will
glorify the Lord of lords, who is the great I Am.”
- “Majesty, worship His majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of
all kings.” Is Jesus your King of all kings?
CONCLUSION
Is Christ sitting on the throne of your life? As King, Jesus has the right to tell you what to
do, where to live, and how to live. He has the right to change you and your circumstances.
There is not enough room on the throne for two people, step down and let Christ reign. Invite
Christ to be the King of your life. If you are a Christian determine today to let Christ
complete authority in your life.
“Lead Me to Calvary” #176
“King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be, Lest I forget Thy thorn
crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.”
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