Consultant or King?

"Most people want Jesus as a consultant rather than a King, and He does not come that way." - Tim Keller

I found these words very challenging indeed. Do I have Christ in my life as someone I can consult from time to time, but I still reserve the right to call all the shots? If this is the case, then Jesus is not my Lord, but he is rather my sounding-board or my consultant. 

What do you feel about this quote? How does it challenge you?

Revelation 19:16 - On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings. and Lord of Lords. 

Living in Grace

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If you were a King?

The author A.A. Milne wrote an intriguing poem called: If I were King? Although this poem is nothing like his famous Winnie the Pooh stories, it does pose and interesting question? 

"I often wish I were a King,

And then I could do anything.

If only I were King of Spain,
I'd take my hat off in the rain.

If only I were King of France,
I wouldn't brush my hair for aunts.

I think, if I were King of Greece,
I'd push things off the mantelpiece.

If I were King of Norroway,
I'd ask an elephant to stay.

If I were King of Babylon,
I'd leave my button gloves undone.

If I were King of Timbuctoo,
I'd think of lovely things to do.

If I were King of anything,
I'd tell the soldiers, "I'm the King!"

While we understand that his poem was created for a little fun, the last 2 lines make for interesting reading. Is it not true that the kind of Ruler (King or Queen) we are accustomed too, is the person who likes to make their authority known. Telling people, "I am the King!"

When we compare this behaviour with that of Jesus, we see a stark contrast in attitude. For most of his ministry Jesus spoke of a new kingdom, but he never bragged about his title. Even when he was questioned by Pilate, it seemed that Jesus was trying to get Pilate to see that this kingdom was very different. 

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

"He is a king who fears nothing, he is a king who desires nothing!" - Seneca the Younger

Thought for today: Is Christ your King?

Living in grace

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King at 8 years of age!

Can you remember being 8 years of age? I can't really remember that age exactly, but I do remember being a child and how simple life seemed to be. So, can you imagine being asked to be a sovereign ruler at just 8 years young? I couldn't think of anything worse - the sheer weight of that responsibility must be crippling. 

One of Jesus' ancestors, King Josiah, was made King when he was just 8, succeeding his father Amon, who had been assassinated. Josiah was an influential King - for all the right reasons. 2 Kings 2 describes his reign in this way: “And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (v.22)

Another of the highlights of his reign was that ordered the restoration of the temple, and it was during this rebuilding process that the book of the Law was rediscovered. He then instituted a campaign of reformation and returning to the Lord:

“The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant” (2 Kings 23:3).

Advent is a time when we should rediscover the ancient story of God's love for us, and then as we retell the Gospel stories, we should recommit our ways to God. I find that the Nativity never gets stale or boring for me - I love being reminded of the child, who was born a King! 

Jesus didn't have to wait until he was 8 before he was anointed as King - we honour him as the One born to rule!

Living in Grace

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Christ the King

The last Sunday before Advent is usually marked as Christ the King Sunday. It is a significant occasion for believers as it draws our attention back to the Sovereignty of Jesus. In a time when leaders scramble for power and worldly leadership is often self-centered, we would do well to honour Christ as our King and Saviour. 

1 Timothy 1:17 - “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 19:6 - “On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name inscribed King of kings and Lord of lords.” 

Elizabeth Joy-Lawrence wrote: "We need Christ the King Sunday because we need to remember that our ultimate hope is not in any human being, but in Christ.”

      Thought: How could Christ the King Sunday change the way we live our daily lives?

      Living in grace

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Waking up the King

"The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access (to our King)." - Tim Keller

I think these words are so beautiful and help me to remember that we can pray at any hour of the day. As a parent, I remember being woken up in the early hours of the morning by a sick child, or a child who had a nightmare or who was thirsty. Their requests didn't make me angry (although they did make me tired and sleepy), but they reveal the depth of trust that the kids had in us. 

Hold onto this image as you go about your day. Remember that we have the privilege of being able to wake up the King - any time of the day.  

1 John 5:15 - And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

Living in grace

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Trying to flatter the King?

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher.

King Louis demanded, “What does this mean?”

 

Fenelon replied, “I had published that you would not come to church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who flatters the king.” - (Submitted by Chris Stroup, Source Unknown)

Thought: The obvious challenge for us all is this - do we attend Sunday worship to gain the respect of others, or do we worship to honour the King? 

Revelation 17:14 - They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Living in Grace

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A Royal Crown

In a week where the world has begun to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we are reminded that we are also considered to be 'royalty' in the eyes of God. We may not get to sit on the earthly throne of Buckingham Palace, but we will be honoured in the presence of Almighty God. 

"You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God." - Isaiah 62:8

"You will also be [considered] a crown of glory and splendour in the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem [exceedingly beautiful] in the hand of your God." (Amplified Bible)

Thought:

1. What prevents us from feeling like 'royalty' in the eyes of God?

2. What responsibility do you think comes with being a royal child of God?

Living in Grace

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Missing out on what stares us in the face

As history would confirm, the Emperor Vespasian was born on the 17th November 9AD. Obviously not short on confidence, he once remarked: "Dear me, I believe I am becoming a god. An emperor ought at least to die on his feet." 

It is ironic that he lived at the same time as Jesus and yet was not able to appreciate that the Son of God graced the same planet as he did. He was too busy appreciating himself in the mirror that he forgot to look around and notice that the Messiah had come. 

Sometimes we are all guilty of missing out on the truth that stares us in the face.

Mark 8:18 - Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?

Living in Grace

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From heaven you came...

I am not sure if the song The Servant King is officially considered to be a Christmas Carol, but I truly believe it shares the incarnational message of Jesus, as well as Christ’s painful journey to the cross. The opening line reminds us of how God became one of us (John 1) even though his glory was initially veiled.

Graham Kendrick wrote this song in 1984 as the theme song for the Spring Harvest Bible teaching event. Graham, who is now 70 years old, found the theme of Jesus being a servant king very inspiring. He writes: 'It was a challenge to explore the vision of Christ as the servant who would wash the disciples' feet but who was also the Creator of the universe.'

Graham Kendrick is one of the well-known worship leaders of our generation and some of his most loved songs include: Shine Jesus Shine, Meekness and Majesty, Let the Flame burn brighter, God of the poor and Amazing Love. Enjoy these lyrics of the song and if you don't know the song please google it :)

From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
'Yet not My will but Yours, ' He said

Chorus

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

Chorus

We bring our lives to you
A sacrifice for you
In view of love so true
We are changed, renewed

Let us remember that the innocent child, reaching up to the voice of Mary and Joseph on that cold evening in Bethlehem, was the same man who humbly surrendered as soldiers nailed this same hands to the cross.

Living in Grace

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What kind of King?

Our passage from Ecclesiastes today fits in very well with our overall theme as a Christian Church. Today is known as Christ the King Sunday and we obviously celebrate the Lordship of Jesus, as well as the end of the liturgical calendar. With the benefit of hindsight and thousands of years of history we slowly comprehend that Jesus came as a different kind of King. The world has a picture of what lordship looks like, which is why many people took a while before they understood that Jesus was the King of Kings.

"I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good." - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Let us not miss our king of Kings this year. Of all the years, 2020 is the time we need to get on bended knee and admit we are in need of a Saviour-King.

Living in Grace

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No King?

People faulter without proper leadership. This is a fact and is played out in countries, schools, businesses, communities, churches and even in some homes. People need leaders!

"Have you no king to lead you?
Have your wise people all died?" - Micah 4:9

Micah's question arises as a result of the mess that he sees in the nation of Israel. People are living as if they have no king and no wise teachers to lead them. The irony was that they had a King, but they had turned their backs on God.

Remember this Advent season, that we are blessed to have a King - his name is Jesus. He invites us into his kingdom and waits to see our response.

Matthew 2:2 - “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

Living in Grace
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9 - Story of the forgotten poor man

I love a good story. But, I enjoy even more, a story with a great ending. However, as I read through Ecclesiastes 9 today, I was a little saddened by the short story told by Solomon. Have a read of this yourself and see how you feel.

¹⁴ There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. ¹⁵ Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man." - Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

In two verses Solomon tells the bleak story of a hero who was not remembered? Why was he forgotten? Was it because he was poor or was it because the townsfolk soon forgot his wisdom? Did their lives just carry on, because the threat of war dulled their senses? I guess we will never really know the answer to this, but it does lead me to this point:

The story of Easter is about a King who became poor for the sake of humanity. This King gave up his own life, in order to defeat the cunning enemy. The people cheered for a short while, but soon they also forgot what he had done for them. Sadly, very few people remembered the sacrifice of the King.

Let us remember what Christ did for us.

Living in grace
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Compassionate King - Psalm 103

It is not often that you find a compassionate ruler. Being compassionate can be seen as a sign of weakness, yet in this case, it reveals the great strength of God. When it is well within God's power to be vengeful or harsh, he shows his great love for humanity in his mercy.

It saddens me when I hear of people speaking of God only as an angry God or as someone who delights in putting people in their place. Do these words sound like someone who is angry?

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." - Psalm 103:13

Just as our Lord is compassionate, let us show compassion to those who need it.

Living in Grace
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King of Glory - Lent 24

How many times do you need to say something to get your message across? Twice, three times?
Well, in Psalm 24 David uses a phrase 5 times!

'King of Glory'
'King of Glory'
'King of Glory'
'King of Glory'
'King of Glory'

Clearly he wants people to understand something unique about Yahweh. He is not just a king, but he is the King of Glory!

"Who is this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty - 
he is the King of glory." - Psalm 24:10

What does this phrase mean for you?
Let me know your thoughts if you have a moment please.

Living in Grace
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