The Ultimate Visionary
Maybe my •comments on U.S. politics will help you appreciate some of what was experienced by segments of the Jewish population in Jesus’ day. Of course, He was significantly younger than either of our present leaders. Jesus was only in His early thirties when He started campaigning for a change in leadership.
Jesus’ visionary presentation—His dream—was about a new kind of kingdom, or kingship. Christ was saying that for people to know a better world, they needed to willingly recognize Him as their rightful leader, or king. Wherever He went He talked about this kingship, or kingdom. In a most appealing manner, He said that it was to the advantage of His hearers to buy into what He was offering.
“The leaders you have now—when you’re in deep sorrow, when you mourn, do they comfort you? Is that what Herod does? No. But you’re blessed, my friends, because now you can come under my rule. Under my kingship, those who mourn are comforted. Watch how I live among you. My way of life verifies what I’m telling you.”
“Listen to Me, this is good news! Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness, for what’s right in the eyes of God? In Pilate’s hall of judgment, is that where you expect to find righteousness? You know better. But under My kingship, you’ll discover what you’re looking for. I’ll show you what’s right in God’s eyes. When I’m on the throne, you’ll be satisfied and blessed.
“You who are meek—yes, you, and you, ma’am—is it to your advantage to be meek under Caesar? Not really. But under My reign it’s the meek—yes, you—who will inherit the earth.”
Christ’s kingdom talk was electrifying! The Jewish population longed for the revealing of the anointed one of God, the great Jewish King who had been promised, their Messiah. That’s what the word Messiah means, “the anointed of God.” The word Christ means the same thing. It’s Greek for “the anointed one.” Christ and Messiah are synonyms. One is a Greek word, the other is Hebrew. If I say Jesus Christ, that means the same as Jesus Messiah, Jesus the anointed one.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
