OceanSide church of Christ

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Part of the series: MAKE CHRIST YOUR KING
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THE KING’S MISSION

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Last month, we discussed Jesus’ birth.  He literally came in the flesh.

 

B.    In reality, Jesus was sent by the heavenly Father.

1.     John 8:42

 

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me:  for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

 

2.     Galatians 4:4

 

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

 

3.     In Hebrews 3:1, Jesus is called an Apostle.  He is truly an apostle for the meaning of the word is “one sent.”

 

C.   When the Father sent His Son, He sent Him on a mission.

1.     John 3:17

 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

2.     I John 4:9-10

 

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live thought him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

D.   The title of our lesson this morning is:  “The King’s Mission.”

1.     This is one of our lessons relating to this year’s theme:  “Make Christ Your King in 2013.”

2.     Jesus knows His mission.  Often in the gospels He discusses it.  Let’s let Him tell us “why” He came.

 

I.           JESUS CAME TO FULFILL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS (Matt. 5:17-18)

 

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

 

A.   Part of Jesus’ mission was to fulfill the prophecies, types, and shadows that deal with Him in the Old Testament (John 5:39).

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:  and they are they which testify of me.

 

1.     There are over 300 prophecies about Him.

2.     Jesus said that the law would not pass “till” all be fulfilled.

3.     Jesus brought to pass every prophetic utterance about the Messiah.

4.     The probability of this happening.

a.     The probability of just 8 prophecies being fulfilled is 10^17.

b.    If we were to take 10^17 silver dollars and lay them upon the face of the state of Texas, they would cover all of the state 2 feet deep.  Then, think of the chances of your picking one that had a correct date on it.

c.    Fulfilling all of the prophecies is said to be 10^157.

 

B.    NOTE:  Some translations have Jesus saying:  “Think not that I am come to abolish the law, or the prophets…”

a.     First, abolish and destroy represent different actions.

b.    Second, when the word “abolish” is used, this verse contradicts Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:15.

 

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.

 

II.         JESUS CAME TO CALL SINNERS TO REPENTANCE (Matt. 9:12-13).

 

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacri-fice:  for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

A.   Jesus spoke these words because the Pharisees questioned His eating with the publicans and sinners.

1.     The Pharisees counted themselves as being righteous before God (See Matt. 5:20).  Thus, they rejected the message of Jesus (Matt. 21:42; Luke 7:30).

2.     Because they were “righteous,” they would not associate with the “sinners.”  This is why they questioned Jesus’ actions.

 

B.    “…for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

1.     Only sinners know that they stand in need of salvation.  A righteous man does not.

2.     Jesus message to sinners was simple:  “Repent!”

a.     Repentance involves change.

1)     It begins with a change of heart.

2)     It leads to a change of actions.

3)     It results in a complete reformation of life.

b.    Example:  A publican named Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8)

 

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold.

III.       SOME “TROUBLING” REASONS WHY JESUS CAME

 

A.   He came to send a sword upon the earth (Matt. 10:34).

 

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword.

 

1.     The sword of which Jesus speaks is not a physical sword.

a.     Jesus told Peter to put his sword up when he drew it as Jesus was about to be arrested (John 18:11).

b.    Jesus explained to Pilate that the reason His servants did not fight is because His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

2.     The sword is a figurative sword, a spiritual sword that fights against the evil forces and evil people of this world.

a.     II Corinthians 10:4-5

 

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

 

b.    The sword that our Lord references is the powerful Word of God that Paul likens unto a double edged sword in Hebrews 4:12.

 

B.    Jesus came to set family members at variance with one another (Matt. 10:35).

 

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

 

1.     Jesus knew that not everyone in a family would receive him as their Savior.

2.     When some accepted the gospel and others did not, they would be set at variance one with another.

3.     This is one of the most difficult situations to deal with as a Christian.

a.     At least weekly, sometimes daily, one feel the alienation.

b.    At times, pressure is put on the Christian from his non-Christian family members to turn from the gospel.

c.    Thus, Jesus warns of variance, that is, separation that will come to families.

d.    My friend, this will sometimes become a test of one’s love for God (Matt. 10:37).

 

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

 

IV.        JESUS CAME TO GIVE LIFE (John 10:10)

 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

A.   We might be tempted to think that Jesus is referring to eternal life here.

B.    The word translated “life” is the Greek word “zoe.”  Thayer defines it as follows:

1.     The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate

2.     Of the absolute fullness of life

3.     Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed

 

C.   Jesus came to give mankind an abundant, full, vibrant life in the here and now.

1.     Many, however, have not experienced it.

2.     Why?  They have not truly, wholeheartedly given their heart and life to Christ and His cause.

3.     When one does, he will find that there is no better life.

a.     A life right with God

b.    A life right with self

c.    A life right with others

d.    A life right with possessions

e.     A life right with the world

f.     A life right with the future

 

V.          JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST (Luke 19:10)

 

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

A.   The word “lost” involves those who have sinned against God and are condemned to suffer the eternal flames of hell.

 

B.    This involves all mankind (Rom. 3:9-12, 23).

 

What then?  Are we better than they?  No, in no wise:  for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doeth good, no, not one….For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

 

C.   We all fall into the category of the lost, and Jesus came to save us.

1.     The holy, sinless Son of God substituted His life for us on the cross.

2.     He satisfied the demands of divine justice.  He paid the price for sin.  He became sin for us (I John 4:9-10).

 

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

D.   Not all, however, will be saved.  The Lord has provided us with a choice.

1.     Those who faithfully obey His will can be saved (Matt. 7:21; Acts 10:35; Heb. 5:8-9).

2.     Those who refuse will be lost (II Thess. 1:7-9).

 

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The King’s mission was all about doing the will of the Father who loved mankind (John 6:38; John 3:16).

 

B.    The King’s mission was all about mankind.  He came to save our souls (John 3:17; 12:47).

 

C.   John 17:3

 

And this is eternal life, that they many know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.