In the song, “You’ll Be Back” from the Broadway show Hamilton, King George III sang a break-up song with America. His words to America were, “you’ll be back,” because he claimed its citizens were his subjects. King George sang, “I served you well… and I will love you ’til my dying days.” He shared that if they did not continue to accept him as their king, he would remind them of his kingship by fighting and winning the war with them, by sending a fully armed battalion to remind them of his love, and by killing their friends and family.
God’s Kingship and relationship with us is very different because God is the Cosmic King. First, as Cosmic King, God has absolute dominion over all things. He is not an earthly king with limitations. We can bring our burdens to him and know he has our best interests at heart. God cares for us.
Second, God does not coerce us into loving or serving Him as our King. God gives us a choice about whether we submit to His Kingship. We are not forced by an army, politics, or arm-twisting.
Third, we can trust God because he intimately knows us and wants the best for us. He created us in our mother’s womb.
Fourth, there is no fear in going to God. We don’t have to request an audience. We have the privilege of spending time in prayer and in a relationship with our God and King.
Lastly, but most importantly, God loves us with a perfect love. His Kingdom is different from any kingdoms that have ever existed on the earth. When humankind rejected, revolted, and rebelled against Him, God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He conquered death and allowed those who believe in Him to have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Background On Kings, Kingship, and Monarchy
-Monarchies are the oldest form of government.
-Americans are intrigued by monarchies.
The thesis for this week is to show how King George III is an example of the prototypical king throughout world history and how the revolutionaries were the prototypical response people had/have to monarchy rule throughout history. We will also see how the story of the Cosmic King in Scripture and His subjects break the prototypical response.
The Prototypical King/Monarch is:
-Imperfect.
-Impersonal.
-Indignant.
-Intense.
-Impermanent.
The Prototypical Response of the People is:
-Reject the king.
-Rebel/Revolt against the king.
-Run away from the king.
-Rule on their own without the king.
The Cosmic King’s Response to His Subjects in Contrast to King George is:
-(All) Powerful.
-Perfect.
-Personal.
-Gracious/Merciful/Loving.
-Just.
-Patient.
-Redemptive.
After the fall in Genesis, people called on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4:26)
Later in Genesis 15:13-16, God entered into a covenant relationship with Abraham. God promised Abraham that He would give Abraham land for his descendants. God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son who would be part of a dynasty of kings and nations.
Four hundred years later, in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, Moses gave Israel laws on how to live, the promise of land, and a promise of protection as long as they followed the laws He gave them in the land He gave them.
Later in Israel's history, Samuel, who was a great judge, reluctantly provided a king for Israel at the people’s request in 1 Samuel 8:1-22. The people rejected the True King since they wanted to be like all the other nations around them.
In 2 Samuel 7:8-17, God established an everlasting covenant with David and promised to create an eternal dynasty with him. Solomon was the immediate fulfillment of the covenant. How the eternal dynasty would be established was up in the air at this point in Israel's history.
After the death of Solomon, Israel became divided into The Southern Kingdom and The Northern Kingdom. These kingdoms were conquered by Assyria (Northern Kingdom) and Babylonia (Southern Kingdom) because of the people of Israel’s sin and idolatry against their Sovereign, Ultimate King, YHWH.
The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel give glimpses of promise and hope in the midst of a dark and hopeless time in Israel's history. (Isiah 11:1-2, 5-8; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Ezekiel 37:24-26)
God sent a King who is King Jesus. Jesus was fully God and fully man. Jesus was different from every other king who walked on planet earth. Jesus was the King of the Jews.
Jesus died for God’s enemies, which broke the prototypical response of every human king. Jesus' resurrection validated Jesus as God’s Son, God’s Messiah, God’s Cosmic King.
Jesus told His followers, His disciples, before returning to heaven: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)
When Jesus returns he will come back as a Conquering King, as told in Revelation 21:1-6.
The kind of subjects who follow Jesus as King, and thus are part of God’s
Kingdom, have these characteristics, which are also a good gauge as to whether or not they are part of His Kingdom.
Jesus’ subjects, Jesus’ followers, Jesus’ disciples are:
-Boldy believing.
-Lovingly loyal.
-Ferociously faithful.
-Passionately purposeful.
-Deathly devout.
-Excitedly expectant.
God’s Kingdom is clearly not of this world—for it is vastly different from any other kind of kingdom that has ever existed.
This week, practice ways that you can recognize and acknowledge God as your Cosmic King. Here are a few ideas:
God, you are the one, true Cosmic King of the universe. Give me eyes to see you as my King, and let me lift you high above all things. As Psalm 47:7-9 states: “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.” Earthly kings pale and are insignificant when compared to you. Let me honor you, love you, and serve you as the King of my life with my time, my talents, and my treasure. Keep my eyes focused on You, my God and my Cosmic King, as I live my life.
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» June 24-25
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| Blinded by Pride |Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» July 1-2
TED-THEOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL DISCOURSES| Word & Revelation // God & Trinity |Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» June 24-25
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| Blinded by Pride |Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» July 1-2
TED-THEOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL DISCOURSES| Word & Revelation // God & Trinity |Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25 following our weekend worship services
Are you exploring Northland? Join us for this brief (15-30 minute) informal gathering immediately following each worship service on the weekend of June 24-25. During our time together, you will have an opportunity to learn more about Northland, hear from Pastor Josh, and connect with ministry leaders and long-time congregants.
If you have kids, we are happy to keep them in Children's Church during this time, and you can pick them up afterward.
Saturdays, June 24, July 22, and, August 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Calling all Middle School and High School students and their families! Come join us in June, July, and August for a time of fun, food, and fellowship with other Northland families.
Thursday, August 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, August 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Learn to ignite transformation everywhere you go at this two-day satellite event, featuring world-renowned leaders like Craig Groeschel and Patrick Lencioni. Register by July 22 to save $20 on registration, and join us at Northland's Longwood campus to take your leadership skills to the next level.
