“The Coming Inauguration, and This World’s ‘Lame-Duck’ Prince”
Christ the King Sunday Nov.23/08 Eph 1:15-23 Play
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Why Associate with the “Lame-Duck” Leader?
● other administrations eager to meet with Obama
rather than current president
● Satan ‘prince of this world’ but has no hold on
Jesus our coming King (Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)
A Kingship Increasingly Apparent
● Jesus’ sovereignty hailed long ago by Jacob, David,
Isaiah, Daniel (Gen 49:10; Ps 45 72 110; Is 9:6f; Dan 2:35,44, 7:13f;
Mic 5:2)
● Jesus’ titles and teachings hint of kingship: Lord,
Messiah (Lk 22:29; Jn 18:37, 19:19, 1:49; Mt 13:41, 25:31,34, 4:17;
18:23; 20:1; 22:2; 25:1)
● in Jesus’ life and disciples’ mission, God’s
kingdom takes effect (Lk 11:20; Mt 28:18ff)
● Kingship will be most apparent during Millennial
age / judgment (1Cor 15:24; Rev 14:14; 17:14; 19:11,15f)
● different from earthly rulers: serving, confers
kingdom to followers, awards crown, makes us kings and priests (Mk
10:42ff; Lk 22:29f; 2Tim 4:8; Rev 1:6, 3:21)
The Interim Impostor
● Satan limited creature liable to be bound by just
one angel (Rev 20:1)
● accuser, serpent, ruler of the kingdom of the air,
thief aiming to steal, kill, and destroy (Rev 20:1, 12:10; Jn 12:31;
14:30; 16:11; Mt 12:24; Eph 2:2; Jn 10:10)
● blinds mind of unbelievers, tempts to disobey,
inflicts disease, motivates people to lie and be selfish (2Cor 4:4; Ge
3:4,5, Mt 4:1,3; Job 1:9ff, 2:7; Zec 3:1; Mt 13:19; Mt 13:38f; Lu 9:42;
Jn 8:44; Ac 5:3; Eph 2:2; 1Pet 5:8)
● destruction and oppression instigated in
relationships makes for sad stories
No Contest When It Comes Down to It
● Jesus perceived God’s kingdom-work included driving
out demons (Mt 12:24ff)
● destroyed the devil and his work by His death on
the cross (Heb 2:14)
● doom predicted for Satan and associates: unending
torment (Rev 20:10)
Armoured Sons and Daughters of the Kingdom: Resisting the Enemy
● be mentally beefed up on God’s Word / Spirit’s
“sword” (Mt 4:4; Ps 119:11; Eph 6:17)
● monitor emotions lest give foothold through anger
(Eph 4:26f)
● keep alert, extinguishing darts through prayer and
worship (Eph 6:16,18)
● be actively carrying out God’s Kingdom tasks (Mt
6:33; Jas 4:7)
● practise self-control: look for the ‘way out’ of
temptation (Gal 5:22f; 1Cor 10:13)