These are interesting times. The stock market rockets up and down, setting new records regularly for gains and losses, with the losses significantly out pacing the gains. The virus we call Covid-19 and the apprehension associated with it, are fueling the aforementioned market volatility, binge buying, event cancellations, travel restrictions, and the call for people to self quarantine. The presidential primaries take a fascinating swing when Joe Biden is resurrected from a political graveyard to be considered the go-to nominee for the Democratic Party. Fascinating, interesting times. Also, maybe scary times, maybe even terrifying times; times that force us to reassess what we are anchored to.
It is times like this when I find comfort in a familiar but easily forgotten idea. Jesus is king. Paul, the early church founder describes it well in a letter he wrote to an early church he helped found, the New Testament letter we call Ephesians. Look at this prayer he articulates:
*Ephesians 1:19–22 (NLT) *
*19**I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power **20**that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. **21**Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. **22**God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. *
I notice two things.
One, God exerted his power, not only to raise Christ from the dead, but to seat at a place of honor. Not simply “a place of honor” but “the place of honor”, at the right hand of God. In other words, the slain savior is the coroneted king. As such he is “far above” any other “ruler or authority or power or leader” in the current and coming world. This would include human rulers such as Trump, Putin and Netanyahu, and heavenly rulers, spiritual forces and powers that are unknown to us, but nevertheless strong, real and very present, both good and evil. Christ is King… over all…. forever. Remember this… assert this… praise him for this…submit to this. Submit to Him.
Second, notice that he is enthroned on behalf of, for benefit of “the church”. No doubt Paul had in mind what we call “the universal church”, the group that he elsewhere calls, “the body of Christ”, those who have believed upon the enthroned king. Those who ought to be enthralled with the enthroned king. But the universal church has local expressions, lots of them, spread out all over the place. Christ is head for the benefit of these local bodies.
I recently read about Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, which lost its roof, when the recent tornadoes hit. But the following Sunday, they gathered undeterred, determined to “worship in the rubble”, proclaiming the power of the king, even though he choose not to use his power to preserve their roof. However, He clearly empowered the pastor Boyd, who proclaimed that he “does not deliver us from storms, but through storms”, and he urged the people of the church to serve the struggling community, as he queried them, , “Now that the brick and mortar is gone, do you still love this community?”
The pastor’s faith helped empower the members of the congregation who felt the presence and power of the king. One 79 year old Bobbie Harris, who lost her home but did not lose her head, asserted, “God is good. He was the conductor on that train and he went around me,” Harris said. “He saved me.” Remember, he is King, for the benefit of the church. ministrywatch.com/nashville-church-worships-in-the-rubble-after-deadly-tornado/
This is why I am excited about The Pastors Partner. The church, in all of it’s manifestations, is the beneficiary of King Jesus. When the pastors are encouraged and empowered by King Jesus, they will help the people be encouraged and empowered by King Jesus. This is why TPP is called to serve pastors. . Thank you for being a part of it. Thank you also, for experiencing King Jesus as you exercise your faith in your local church!
It is times like this when I find comfort in a familiar but easily forgotten idea. Jesus is king. Paul, the early church founder describes it well in a letter he wrote to an early church he helped found, the New Testament letter we call Ephesians. Look at this prayer he articulates:
*Ephesians 1:19–22 (NLT) *
*19**I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power **20**that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. **21**Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. **22**God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. *
I notice two things.
One, God exerted his power, not only to raise Christ from the dead, but to seat at a place of honor. Not simply “a place of honor” but “the place of honor”, at the right hand of God. In other words, the slain savior is the coroneted king. As such he is “far above” any other “ruler or authority or power or leader” in the current and coming world. This would include human rulers such as Trump, Putin and Netanyahu, and heavenly rulers, spiritual forces and powers that are unknown to us, but nevertheless strong, real and very present, both good and evil. Christ is King… over all…. forever. Remember this… assert this… praise him for this…submit to this. Submit to Him.
Second, notice that he is enthroned on behalf of, for benefit of “the church”. No doubt Paul had in mind what we call “the universal church”, the group that he elsewhere calls, “the body of Christ”, those who have believed upon the enthroned king. Those who ought to be enthralled with the enthroned king. But the universal church has local expressions, lots of them, spread out all over the place. Christ is head for the benefit of these local bodies.
I recently read about Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, which lost its roof, when the recent tornadoes hit. But the following Sunday, they gathered undeterred, determined to “worship in the rubble”, proclaiming the power of the king, even though he choose not to use his power to preserve their roof. However, He clearly empowered the pastor Boyd, who proclaimed that he “does not deliver us from storms, but through storms”, and he urged the people of the church to serve the struggling community, as he queried them, , “Now that the brick and mortar is gone, do you still love this community?”
The pastor’s faith helped empower the members of the congregation who felt the presence and power of the king. One 79 year old Bobbie Harris, who lost her home but did not lose her head, asserted, “God is good. He was the conductor on that train and he went around me,” Harris said. “He saved me.” Remember, he is King, for the benefit of the church. ministrywatch.com/nashville-church-worships-in-the-rubble-after-deadly-tornado/
This is why I am excited about The Pastors Partner. The church, in all of it’s manifestations, is the beneficiary of King Jesus. When the pastors are encouraged and empowered by King Jesus, they will help the people be encouraged and empowered by King Jesus. This is why TPP is called to serve pastors. . Thank you for being a part of it. Thank you also, for experiencing King Jesus as you exercise your faith in your local church!
I love this phrase “be enthralled with the enthroned king”. Thank you for this. Do you plan to alert followers when a new post is online? Thank you so much.