456. ACT 17:7. CHRIST A KING

Act_17:7. Christ A King

"There is another king, one Jesus."’97Act_17:7.

The kingship of Jesus was both extensively typified and predicted in the old testament scriptures. Melchisedec was an eminent type of Jesus, combining in himself both the office of priest and king. David and Solomon too were both types of the royalty of Jesus. The prophets also predicted of him as the "King of glory," Psa_24:8; "King of Zion," Jer_8:19; "A mighty king," xi. 3. He is called, "David their king," Hos_3:5. And "King over all the earth," Zec_14:9. Christ also confessed to Pilate, that he was a king, but that his kingdom was not of this world.

I. Consider the kingly Character of Jesus.

Considered in the divinity of his person, He is universal king. King of kings and Lord of lords. In this sense, his empire extends to heaven, and earth, and hell. All creatures, and all worlds belong to his illimitable empire, and of his dominion there is no end. But we now especially consider him in his mediatorial office, as feigning in the midst of the Zion of his church.

(1) His kingdom consists of two branches; that of the spirits of the just in heaven, and that of all true believers on earth.

(2) His palace is in glory, where he has his great and exalted throne, where the homage of countless attendants is constantly paid to him.

(3) His laws and statutes are revealed in his word, and the gospel is his royal sceptre, the rod of his strength.

(4) The officers of his kingdom are the pastors and teachers of his church, who are to publish his laws, and to enforce the discipline of his kingdom.

(5) All who truly believe in him, and unfeignedly love him, are his subjects; on he throne of their willing hearts he sits, and sways the sceptre of his grace. It will thus appear, that his kingdom is not confined by local bounds, or geographical limits, but in whatever nation or country, or of whatever people, or clime, or color believers are found there is his spiritual empire, there he reigns as King of his universal Zion. Notice,

II. The Characteristics of Christ’s kingly Office.

Jesus Christ as a king is possessed of the most illustrious distinctions and titles 1. He is the king immortal.

He has life in himself’97he ever liveth’97he had no beginning of years, or end of days’97he claims the prerogative of absolute immortality and self existence’97he is the "I am,"’97the "Jehovah of hosts," and besides him there is none else 2. He is the king invisible.

He once appeared in our world and tabernacled amongst us, and his glory was beheld, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, but now he is removed from our mortal vision, having entered into the holiest place of all, where he ever appears in the presence of God for us.

3. He is the king eternal.

His reign shall be everlasting, and of his dominion there shall be no end.

4. He is the king of kings.

His providence extends to all the affairs of earth. By him kings reign. By him all the complex machinery of governments is overruled and directed.

5. He is the king of glory He dwelleth in glory. His throne is in the highest heaven. All the glorious hosts adore before him. All the angels of heaven worship him. For this king we should cultivate feelings of profoundest reverence and veneration. To him in all things we should be subject. His will is supreme and unchangeably binding in its obligations on all his disciples.

6. He is a righteous and equitable king.

He is the holy and just one. He reigns not as a usurper, his dominion is not based on iniquity, but in eternal righteousness and truth. His name is the "Lord out righteousness." "A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of his kingdom." "Righteousness is the girdle of his loins."

7. He is a bountiful and benevolent king.

His goodness is associated with all his acts, and all his engagements,’97his good ness is over all his works. He reigns to diffuse his goodness’97

"Blessings abound where’er he reigns,

The pris’ner leaps to lose his chains,

The weary find eternal rest,

And all the sons of want are blest"

8. He is also a gracious and merciful king.

Grace is poured into his lips,’97he is full of grace and truth,’97the sceptre be sways is a sceptre of mercy,’97he delighteth in mercy,’97his mercy extends to his greatest enemies. It abounded to Saul of Tarsus as a pattern or example of what it could effect, and to whom it could extend. Those whom we should have supposed had totally excluded themselves from the possibility of his favor, were the first to whom the gospel message of mercy and grace was sent. Remission of sins was to be preached to all nations, but first of all, "beginning at Jerusalem."

Application

1. The throne he now occupies is one of grace, to which the vilest may have access by repentance and faith, and obtain mercy and grace to help them in time of need.

2. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their king.

3. Let the sinner be exhorted to "kiss the Son lest he be angry, and he perish from the way, when his anger is kindled but a little," Psa_2:11.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS