Christ the King

+ Christ the King +
22 November 2009
A Kingdom Treasure of Love and Freedom
Introduction
The time has come for us to get over our problem with Commitment! Commitment is part
and parcel of who we are as human beings made in the image and likeness of God our Almighty Father and Creator. We see it in smaller ways such as the commitments made by some college students to attend chapel a certain number of times each semester, or in the cadets at a military academy who commit to the following: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Upon entering the estate of holy matrimony, husbands and wives commit to be faithful to each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. The founding fathers of our sometime republic ventured to commit themselves thus: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. It’s past time for us to get over our problem with commitment!
Our problem with commitment stems from our forgetfulness that we are made in the image and likeness of God and from not fully hearing the Gospel of God’s radical commitment to us poor sinners.
Christ Jesus our crucified and risen King gives us a kingdom treasure of freedom and love that we offer back to His glory alone.

1. Christ the King loves us like an ocean without a bottom or a shore
a. The commitment of God’s love for us –The Word became flesh and dwelt among us!
b. Mary models commitment for all believers: “Be it done for me according to Thy Word.” What does the Word say about money?
2. Christ the King freed us from our sins by His blood.
a. The commitment of His shed blood that breaks the power of sin and death
b. Our commitment to pay the price of preserving and extending freedom: “Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice…the truth shall set you free.”
We give so that others may hear His voice!
3. Christ the King made of us a Kingdom and priests unto His God and Father.
a. Jesus gives us His Kingdom treasure of love and truth, the presence of God
b. One of the ways we seek first his Kingdom is by giving back to God the tenth.
This Christ calls to Himself all sinners and promises them rest, and He is in earnest [seriously wills] that all men should come to Him and suffer themselves to be helped, to whom He offers Himself in His Word, and wishes them to hear it and not to stop their ears or [neglect and] despise the Word. Moreover, He promises the power and working of the Holy Ghost, and divine assistance for perseverance and eternal salvation [that we may remain steadfast in the faith and attain eternal salvation].