“Worthy of the Kingdom”
Pastor David Moore
Old Testament reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Theme: The second Sunday of Advent, the theme is Peace. The sermon today will continue examining Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The topic is Jesus as a King of the Universe, and He can be the King of your life (Kingship of Christ).
New Testament reading: Colossians 1:9-17
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
The two areas that will be covered today are that Christ is the King of all things and that He should be King of your life. ~D. Moore
God existed before the world was created, God already was, and He exists apart from the world and holds power over the world. ~D. Moore
God is the cosmic King. “For by Him all things were created and in Him all things are held together by Him.” Col. 1:17 ~D. Moore
There is a moral order to the universe because of Christ. ~D. Moore
Colossians 1:9-13
This is what I’m praying for you. That God would fill you with all the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father…
Two steps for entering the Kingdom of God and having peace:
1. Ask Christ to come into your life and you become worthy to enter the Kingdom of God.
2. We grow because we appreciate what Christ has done for us. We want to please Christ and get to know Him better by reading the Scriptures, praying, and putting Christ at the center of your life—and peace will follow.
Psalm 100:2
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
Isaiah 9:6
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The peace comes when we are in the Kingdom. ~D. Moore
This week, read the Scriptures from the sermon and think about the King of the Universe in how He holds it all together. Then ponder what is your response to Him being your King.
God bless you.