We often hear that "It's good to be king." We affirm, as Christians, that it's good for Jesus to be our King. But what does that mean, exactly? -- especially in a world where so many "powers and principalities" vie for our allegiance?
What do this coming Sunday's lessons have to say to you and your people about Jesus' reign? (And if this isn't the theme of your Sunday worship, what texts will you be discussing instead?) Here's the place to share ponderings and inspirations!
I am using the Luke text and going with the "King" theme. I'm a little inspired by the fact that Jesus is told 3 times to "save himself" as king. But, as king, it's not himself he is worried about. It's all of us. So, he saves, but not himself.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has the time, I have an issue happening at church that I could really use a little RevGal feedback on. I've posted about it here
We are celebrating Christ the King for the first time ever in this church. The worship committee didn't even know what it was. However, I am not preaching on these texts. I am finishing the Beatitudes with the last one on verses 10-12, but I am drawing the idea of Christ the King of our lives with this beatitude.
ReplyDeleteGOing with Reign of Christ here. Using the JEremiah text mainly, and possibly tying in Zechariah's song.
ReplyDeleteAs I look again at my early thoughts I realize I have a ways to go yet.
Oops, forgot where I was posting from. THis is Gord
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about Jerimiah, lately one of my favs! I'm preaching the night service andhubbie is using Col in the am. Really trying to place emphasis on Christ as KING, not just snuggly action figure. Not perfect, but its a start.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing Psalm 46, at least in part because I agreed to write an essay on that psalm, so I figured it would be good to preach on it at the same time. I'm not sure how to tie it into Christ the King, though.
ReplyDeleteI will be visiting family. So, y'all preach 'em into the Kingdom. God bless your words...and the words of your "subs."
ReplyDeletePray for our associate. He's preaching a sermon entitled "Save Yourself!" It should be fun.
I am under pressure to pick a text and a title due to a holiday break in the office, so thank you for the encouragement here to get to work! I believe I'm going to use the gospel lesson and entitle the sermon "Every Knee Shall Bow?" I know I'm going to talk about expectations people had for the Messiah and how Jesus did not fit them. I'm playing with an idea about character class (can you tell I'm married to a D&D player?), but that part can wait for Saturday and the Preacher Party.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I am preaching on....and before I can get to that I have to finish up some things in the office so we can print the worship stuff we need. Then I need to clean my house and participate in the Thanksgiving Eve service at the Lutheran Church, then I need to cook and host Thanskgiving for my in-laws...then I can think about the sermon.
ReplyDeleteI will do something with Christ the King....
Oh, but first I HAVE TO FIND MY KEYS....I know they are someplace in this house that I am rearranging and cleaning....:-)
unless I threw them away....
Great image of a Christus Rex cross!
ReplyDeletechrist the king, and using the luke text... haven't really worked it out because first I have to finish my thanksgiving sermon, but I think I'm going with Jesus' 2 words "forgive them" and "Today you will be with me..." and the idea that even from the cross, Jesus is giving out gifts... and then maybe especially on the cross...
ReplyDeleteI had a bride once (pretty unchurched) who wouldn't kneel for a blessing... intuitively knew that there was something offensive about putting herself in that person, submissive to a "lord" or a "king" or some authority...
also, as the season of gift-giving, what does it mean to say that forgiveness and eternity are the best gifts? and how does it affect our lives to live in this reality (this kingdom so to speak)?
We discussed this in the Bible study last night - including the implications of what does it mean to feed the hungry, clothe the nacked and befriend the lonely in practice in our every day lives. Good and challenging stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to place the Jeremiah passage between the Luke and Colossians readings. The promise of God to raise up a righteous Branch; that Branch (to the world's eyes) being lifted up in the Cross as an object of scorn and ridicule; yet this is the man in whom "God is pleased to have His fullness dwell".
ReplyDeleteI'm doing pulpit supply focusing on the Col. text. Since I'm also doing the minute for mission on the new campus ministry I'm the director of, I can't help but think about vocation. Sermon title is "A Long Obedience" borrowed from the Eugene Peterson book title.
ReplyDeleteThis Sunday our Men in Mission group is leading the worship service, which means that one of our fine laymen is preaching and I can start thinking about Advent. After talking with him, it sounds like he is going to be preaching good kingdom theology, asking about which kingdoms have our allegiance.
ReplyDeleteHere's a shocker. At my nonliturgical church we are off-lectionary. :)
ReplyDeleteI am actually preaching a student sermon, the first of four weeks on controlling the tongue (based off of James natch.) My week is on complaining. I'm using Philippians 2 and Numbers 13 and 14.
We're leading into the sermon with a clip from a Frazier series where they are sitting around complaining and end up having a food fight.
The premise of the series is that we spend a lot of time zapping each other with our words, particularly using the nastiest words with the people we are supposed to love (family, church) -- and the holidays can be intense as a result.
So my outline is done, my graphics are almost done (forced to be done early because of the holiday).
And, just in time to preach, I have a demon of a cold. Pray it goes away...
d
I preached on the thief on the cross text once for the Christ the King Sunday, and I remember being struck that the one thief recognized Jesus for who he was, even as they were hanging together on crosses.
ReplyDelete"Jesus, when you come into your kingdom, remember me." He looked at Jesus on the cross next to him, and said "when," not "if." Kind of a breathtaking moment for me when I saw that the first time.
I feel your pain, Chilly Fingers.
ReplyDeleteOne would think people would behave better . . . and yet. Of course, we follow the kind of King who was crucified. Why, then, should I expect people to be nicer to me? This is what I keep telling myself.
May you weather this storm with grace.