That's My King!

Encounter: Slowly read through Psalm 110 three times. (Interesting fact: Psalm 110 is quoted in the New Testament more than any other passage in the old testament. 11 times: Matthew 22:43-45, Mark 12:36-37, Luke 20:42-44, Acts 2:34-36, Romans 2:5, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20-22, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 5:6-10, 6:20, 7:11-28, 8:1, 10:11-13, 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, and Revelation 6:17, 1:18). Spend some time reading through these New Testament scriptures and begin to write down some themes that are coming to the surface.

S. M. Lockridge was a pastor for more than forty years serving a church in San Diego. He is known for a sermon he delivered in Detroit in the 1970’s that includes a six-and-a-half minute description of Jesus as King. Millions of people have listened to this sermon over the years, and whenever I need a clear reminder of who my Creator is and who “reigns over the kings of the earth (who by the way have a history of not quite making the mark), I look up the Youtube video and listen, maybe even a few times just like I did yesterday. This pastor’s prophetic voice still reaches into my heart and across the airwaves summoning the kingdoms of this earth to take their place on bended knee, stepping aside to let the King of kings and the Lord of lords, take His rightful place of honor, preeminence, and authority. I’ve posted the recording from Youtube on our Facebook page and the words below.

This Sunday, we take a look at the Royal Psalms, particularly Psalm 110. This psalm is the psalm most quoted by early Christian writers in the New Testament. As they considered the significance of Jesus, they found that this psalm, more than any, expressed their conviction that the risen Jesus now occupies a unique place at God’s right hand and will be victorious over His enemies.

At times like this, when we are looking for compassion, mercy and justice to reign, let Rev. Lockridge’s reminder of our King to move us to live out these truths as He leads us.

That’s My King, Do You know Him?

Pastor Tammy

“He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s preeminent. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest idea in philosophy. He’s the fundamental truth in theology. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick, He cleans the lepers. He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors, He delivers captives, He defends the feeble, He blesses the young, He serves the unfortunate, He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent, He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?

Well, my king is the king of knowledge, He’s the well-spring of wisdom, He’s the doorway of deliverance, He’s the pathway of peace, He’s the roadway of righteousness, He’s the highway of holiness He’s the gateway of glory, He’s the master of the mighty, He’s the captain of the conquerors, He’s the head of the heroes, He’s the leader of the legislators, He’s the overseer of the overcomers, He’s the governor of governors, He’s the prince of princes, He’s the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you. But He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible, He’s irresistible. I’m trying to tell you, the Heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my king!

He always has been, and He always will be. I’m talking about He [who] had no predecessor and He [who] has no successor. There was nobody before Him and there will be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him, and He’s not going to resign. We try to get prestige and honor and glory to ourselves, but the glory is all His. Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and when you get through with all of the forevers, then ‘Amen’."

“Oh I wish I could describe him to you.”

Rev. S.M. Lockridge: That’s My King

Reflect: Ask yourself this question...Who are you looking for to save the day? What is it in the above description of King Jesus do you most resonate with? Why is this important to you? Pray for your king to reveal more of Himself to you.

Encourage: How does reflecting on the character of God in Rev. Lockridge’s sermon encourage you? Has the King revealed Himself to you in any of these ways? Share the video, “That’s My King,” that is posted on the Eden Facebook page with others to remind them of who God is in these chaotic times.

Gather: Discuss in your Life Group or Triads what it means to rule with compassion, mercy and justice. How does God demonstrate to us that kind of rule in His Word and how He lives through His people. Discuss how you would describe Jesus to others.