Sermonstudio

Scholars are divided on the question whether David actually
wrote this song. If he did, they are not his last words but his
last song. The first verse is an introduction to David, a man
raised by God to a high position, anointed by God, and a sweet
psalmist. Now David declares that the Spirit speaks through him.
The Spirit says that a godly ruler is as appreciated as the sun
in a cloudless sky and as rain that makes grass grow. The song
concludes with the claim that the righteous prosper and the
wicked perish.

Lesson 2: Revelation 1:4b-8 (C, L)
This passage contains a greeting similar to Paul's, a
doxology, an announcement of Jesus' return and God's declaration
of his being alpha and omega. Grace and peace come from the
Trinity: (God-father; Christ-son; Holy Spirit-"seven spirits,"
the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit). The beginning and the end of
the passage deal with God, but Christ is the subject of the
central section. Jesus is a witness, the firstborn of the dead,
the King of kings (death, resurrection and ascension). Because of
his love, Jesus redeemed us, made us a kingdom and will come to
judge the earth.

Gospel: John 18:33-37 (C, E, L, RC)
Pilate has Jesus inside his court and the Jews outside. Pilate
is torn between the two. He is trying to make up his mind by
asking Jesus questions. His first question is whether Jesus is a
king. This is a political term and thus it is very dangerous.
Jesus dodges the question by asking Pilate if this was his or
others' opinion. The other question concerns what Jesus has done.
Jesus explains that his kingship is not of this world. This is
proved by the fact that Jesus is not using force to defend
himself. Jesus explains that his mission in the world is to bear
witness to the truth. But, only those of the truth and of God
will accept his words as truth.

Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 132:1-12 (C) -- "Rise up, O Lord, and go to your resting
place." (v. 8)
Psalm 93 (E, L)

Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things to your beloved Son, whom you anointed priest forever and
king of all creation: Grant that all the people of the earth, now
divided by the power of sin, may be united under the glorious and
gentle rule of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ."

Hymn Of The Day
"At The Name Of Jesus"

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THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 18:33-37 (C, E, L, RC)
1. King (v. 33). Pilate himself was, in a sense, a king. Jesus
was accused of being a king, too. This was dangerous, for it
appeared as though Jesus was threatening to replace Pilate. To
avoid being charged with rebellion, Jesus avoided the question,
"Are you the king of the Jews?" When Jesus explained that his
kingship was not political, Pilate again asked if Jesus were a
king. Jesus is more than a king, more than the king of the Jews.
His kingship rises above all kings and is thus King of kings.
2. Of (v. 36). Jesus taught that his followers were not to be
of the world. Its source is not the world. He was not king by a
royal succession. The people, unlike Saul, did not elect him
king. His kingship came from heaven, a gift of the Father.
Because of his divine nature, he was naturally king.
3. Done (v. 35). Pilate asked Jesus what he had done that made
the religious leaders hand him over to him (Pilate) as a
criminal. Jesus did not answer the question. Jesus was not
inclined to defend himself or to prove to Pilate that he had done
no wrong. He was not going to boast of the people he healed, the
good he did and the truth he proclaimed. His record would speak
for him.
4. Born (v. 37). Why was Jesus born? Here we have the answer
in Jesus' own words. He was born to bear witness to the truth. He
was sent by God. He was given a message. He had a destiny.
Because of this, he had a reason to live and knew the meaning of
life. In a world where many drift and are confused as to the why
and wherefore of life, Christ has a message: Discover your divine
destiny. As a follower of Christ, one's mission is to bear
witness to the truth -- the truth of God's love for a fallen
humanity.

Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 (C)
1. Oracle (v. 1). What follows in this pericope is called an
"oracle," "the oracle of David." What an oracle is can be found
in the following verse, "The Spirit of the Lord speaks to me, his
word is upon my tongue." God speaks to us through an
intermediary, a spokesperson who speaks in behalf of God. To be
God's mouthpiece is a high privilege and a heavy responsibility.
And who today speaks for God? Anyone who teaches, preaches and
witnesses to the truth in the Bible.
2. Rock (v. 3). In the Old Testament God is often referred to
as a rock. David sings, "The Rock of Israel has said to me."
Jesus said his church would be built upon a rock. We are not
talking about a pebble nor about a stone we can easily throw. It
is a rock like Gibraltor or the thousand feet high rock of
Yosemite. God is a rock -- stable, secure, immovable, permanent.
3. Me (v. 5). David speaks not of a covenant with the nation,
his own tribe, or with his house. It is an individual and
personal covenant. It means David had a personal and intimate
relationship with God. They made an agreement. It means each
person needs to have an individual relationship with God. Paul
had this association, for he wrote about "my gospel." One cannot
be a Christian in general. No other human can take your place
with God nor answer to him for your life. Baptism is the time
when a covenant is made with God by faith in Christ.

Lesson 2: Revelation 1:4b-8 (C, L)
1. Loves (v. 5). The other verbs in this sentence are in the
past tense. When it comes to love, it is in the present tense.
Jesus died long ago. In the past he freed us from our sins. He
made us priests. All of this is in the past. But what of today?
Is he in the glory of heaven, freed from the concern of the
world? No, the text says he, though he is seated at the right
hand of God, continues to love us here and now. In Jesus' love,
there is no past tense.
2. Made (v. 6). Jesus is King of kings, and he has his
kingdom. It is not a political nor geographical kingdom. It is a
kingdom of people. He made us his own kingdom by dying for us and
admitting us into his reign. He gave us citizenship. We were not
born into it nor did we buy it. "I was made a Christian." I am a
product of grace.

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3. Pierced (v. 7). When Jesus returns at the end of time, all
who pierced him shall see his coming. If this were taken at face
value, only a few of the first century would see his coming. A
small minority put Jesus on the cross. But "pierced" goes beyond
the few executioners of A.D. 30 to cover all humanity. Jesus is
repeatedly "pierced" by our sins. When Paul persecuted the
church, Jesus called to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
me?" Thus, all sinners will witness the parousia.

PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: John 18:33-37 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Every inch a king! 18:37 - "So you are a king?"
Need: Pilate's question is our question, too. This peasant
preacher -- a king? This prophet who enters the capital city on a
donkey -- a king? Where are his palace, his retinue of courtiers,
his bodyguard? Is this a king who stands here before Pilate with
a crown of thorns on his head, a reed in his tied hands and rages
for regal robes? A king -- are you kidding? The sermon is to show
how Jesus is every inch a king.
Outline: Jesus is every inch a king because --
a. He was born a king -- eternal.
"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" Matthew
2:2.
b. He lived as a king -- power.
"A ruler is most powerful ... when he tends to the needs
of his subjects." -- Danker.
c. He died as a king -- grace.
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." -- INRI.
d. He conquered as a king -- glory.
2. For this you were born. 18:37 -- "For this I have come into
the world, to bear witness to the truth."
Need: A king has a reason for living. His destiny is to rule.
Jesus understood his destiny as a king to witness to the truth.
In our society we struggle to know the meaning of life, the
reason for living. Many have nothing to live for, nothing to hope
for in the future, no objective, no goal. As followers of Christ,
we have a similar divine destiny: to bear witness to the truth of
Christ.
Outline: You were born to tell the truth --
a. The truth of God's nature in Christ -- revelation. What
kind of a God do you show the world?
b. The truth of God's work in Christ -- redemption. What are
you doing to share this redemption?
3. What have you done, king? 18:35 -- "What have you done?"
Need: Kings can be put on trial, too. People like Pilate ask,
"What have you done?" to be tried and deposed. In one year the
question was asked of the Shah of Iran, Samoza of Nicaragua and
Idi Amin of Africa. What has King Jesus done to be threatened
with death? Our people need to appreciate the tragedy of the
trial and death of Jesus.
Outline: What have you done, Jesus?
a. "I have broken the law to do good." Healing on the
sabbath.
b. "I have exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders." The
woman caught in adultery.
c. "I have claimed oneness with God." "The Father and I are
one."

Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 (C)
1. How do you want to be remembered? 23:1
Need: Although this Lesson is supposed to be David's last
song, the first verse of the poem obviously was written by
another person who summed up the life and reign of David. It
makes us ask what will be said of our lives? Have you ever asked,
"How would you like to be remembered?" In David we have a model
for what people might say about us.

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Outline: What we want people to say about us --
a. A person whom God raised on high -- from sinner to saint
-- v. 1.
b. A person anointed by God at baptism -- v. 1.
c. A sweet singer of God's praise -- v. 1.
2. Two destinies for two kinds of people. 23:5-7
Need: What David says in these verses is the same view of
ethics stated in Psalm 1. David agrees that the godly will
prosper and the wicked will perish. It is as simple as that!
There may be exceptions, but generally it is true. Indeed, Job
protested against this view, for though he was a good man, he
suffered and lost everything. Life consists of rewards and
punishments. Violate God's laws, and we suffer the consequences.
Harmonize with divine principles and we are blessed.
Outline: It is a law of life --
a. The wicked have a destiny of death -- vv. 6-7.
b. The godly have a destiny of security and prosperity -- v.
5.

Lesson 2: Revelation 1:4b-8 (C, L)
1. A kingdom of people. 1:5b-6
Need: The church is the kingdom of God on earth. If not the
whole kingdom, at least it is a part of it. What is the kingdom
(church)? According to this text, it is not something we build or
organize. Christ made his kingdom. It is not, moreover, an
organization, an institution, a hierarchy, nor an ethical
movement. The kingdom is made of people who are loved and freed
from the bondage of sin. We are made Christians by Christ. This
is needed in a day when we think we are the ones who build the
kingdom and we choose Christ. The truth is that we are chosen, we
are made a kingdom of God's people.
Outline: You are a kingdom.
a. Reasons for making you a kingdom -- v. 5b.
1. Christ loves us.
2. Christ frees us.
b. Activities of those in the kingdom -- v. 6.
1. Serve as priests.
2. Glorify the King.
2. God the ending. 1:8 -- "I am the Alpha and the Omega."
Need: Since this Sunday is the last Sunday of the church year,
we naturally think of the ending. But, who would think of God as
the ending, the Omega? In this sense we deal with the ending and
show the practical consequences for life today.
Outline: With God as our ending --
a. At the end, we look to the Alpha, the beginning. Thanks
to God for the past.
b. At the end, we find God at our ending. Face the end with
trust in God.
c. At the end, we experience a new beginning. A beginning of
life in heaven.

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