The Feast of Christ the King is
observed on 25 November 2012, the last Sunday of the Christian Calendar!
A Prayer for the Feast of Christ the King:
Almighty Christ, King of all!
Today, Lord Jesus Christ, we celebrate your glorious victory. We gladly
bring honour to you, our Redeemer, who has not only saved us from our sins by
your cross and resurrection, but also ascended to the right hand of God as King
and Lord of all. We rejoice that your
Kingdom has come on earth, just as it is in heaven.
We bring honour to you, our Saviour, whom we call Christ the King, who
victoriously reigns now, and reigns forever.
You, dear Lord, dealt with our every need, delivered us from every
enemy, healed us from all sin, harm and injury and you are worshipped when
heaven and earth bow down before you as Lord of heaven and earth.
Majestic Lord, everything promised about your reign has not happened on
our earth yet! You are the King, and yet, your dominion is also still coming to
us and to the world. We live in hope,
and in faith that we truly heard the Word of God, that testifies that you will
come in glory to effect in the smallest detail, your glorious reign.
King Jesus, thank you that you not only bring salvation to us, but
through your work through the ministry of your Church, also to the whole world,
yes, to the ends of the earth. Your
people accept the grace that you brings, and commit their lives to the power of
the Holy Spirit who empowers your children and your Church to fulfil your commission to preach the gospel to everyone. Now bring
justice wherever we serve you and bring hope and light where darkness still
hides your glorious reign and redemption.
Help us to live only for your honour, glory and reign. Help us to be
obedient, by the power of your resurrection and of your Spirit. We know that
nothing will separate us from the love of God that we received in Christ the
King, our Lord and our Redeemer!
We pray for all your servants, glorious Lord! For those who preach your
word and for those who listen. Protect and guide all the missionaries sent to
the ends of the earth to proclaim salvation in you. Guide them and bless their
work for you. Call many more to do your
work and make us obedient to your call.
In your mercy, heal the sick and comfort those who are weeping. Set the
captives free and grant relief to the poor.
Sanctify those who are powerful and influential and humble those who are
proud.
Bring to an end the kingdom of darkness and let your majesty shine as
the light of the world.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us your peace.
And now, great King of kings and Lord of lords –
have mercy on us, and on all your people.
In your Name, Lord Jesus, we pray!
Amen.
Scripture
Lessons for the Feast of Christ the King:
2
Samuel 23:1-7 or Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm
132:1-12, or Psalm 93
Revelation
1:4b-8
John
18:33-37
Sermon
Ideas, using the reading from Revelation 1.
Introduction: In the salutation of Revelation, grace and
peace are given to the Church of Christ. We are part of Christ’s Kingdom, solely by the
merit of Christ’s work and his grace includes us into the divine shalom or
peace that the Holy Trinity shares and grants the followers of Jesus.
The
Prince of Peace reigns and we are the beneficiaries of his grace and mercy!
What
does his reign bring to our lives, today?
Jesus,
Ruler of heaven and earth!
Revelation
1 uses three titles to describe Jesus:
faithful
witness,
firstborn
of the dead,
and ruler of the kings of the earth.
Every
title reveals something important about King Jesus!
He
is a faithful witness; as Revelation 1:1 indicates. He is God’s ultimate messenger. He alone authentically revealed and still reveals
God and God's purpose for the Church, making
us God’s witnesses too.
Jesus
is also firstborn of the dead. Through his death and his resurrection Jesus has
set in motion the coming of his Kingdom.
His resurrection is more than a return to life, but the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom that will last forever more. Calling Jesus the first-born reveals that all
his followers will follow and share in his glorious and eternal resurrection.
Finally,
Revelation 1 describes Jesus as Ruler of the kings of the earth. In the
context of the Roman Empire, Caesar was the ruler of kings. When Jesus is given this title, it is a
challenge to the Roman imperial ideology of the first century.
It
also is a challenge to every worldly power who arrogantly assumes the ability
and right to rule the world. Christ
Jesus remains in control till the end!
He is King, not only of the world, but also of all heavenly powers. To him has been given all authority in heaven
and earth. His will be done! His Kingdom comes!
Jesus
as the one who displays love, enables freedom from sin and redeems believers.
Christ
creates a kingdom and establishes priests for God his Father. It is not to Caesar that Christians owe allegiance.
It is not around early powers, political
parties, groupings and caucuses that Christians unite! We Christians are a nation composed of various
tribes, cultures and languages, but we share first and foremost the authority
of our Holy God - the one who is, who
was and is to come. To him we dedicate our worship, our obedience and our
allegiance!
We
are called to unite under the rule of Christ. Our allegiance to Christ may lead us to resist
political tyranny, economical oppression and corruption and cultural divides
and enmity.
Yet
most of all, as we unite under the rule of Christ the King - we
testify that he is the true Saviour of the world, the deliverer from sin and judgments
and our hope for the future, even for eternal life!
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