Kingship of Christ in The Acts, Part 1

Like a great symphony that announces its theme in the opening bars and takes it up again climactically at the close, Luke bookends Acts with the kingdom motif in 1:3 and 28:31.

Now then turn to the last words of the book of Acts. Where Luke begins, Luke also ends with this dominant kingdom motif. Like a great symphony which in the opening bars announces its theme and then in the closing and climactic section takes that theme up and once again causes it to reverberate through the hall and into the ears of all appreciative listeners. So Luke does this with the kingdom theme, for the last two words of the book of the Acts are these. The Apostle Paul is a prisoner of the Roman government, not a prisoner as we generally think of it. He had great liberties. He's awaiting h...

17:45 - 18:38 Read in full sermon

Pastor Martin confesses that in his own sermon preparation he has bitten the inside of his lip and pinched his thigh to stay awake — and urges hearers to do the same rather than drift into the land of Nod.

And if ever I was tempted to drag out a sermon preached elsewhere and give you the fruit of labors elsewhere to catch up on sleep, it was this week. But I've labored to give you fresh food. I trust you'll labor to keep awake to receive it. If you need to bite the inside of your lip, reach your hand under your thigh and pinch it. I've done it more than once in preparing for you. Maybe you can do it while listening. So please, don't allow yourself to be drowsy. These are vital issues.

26:01 - 26:25 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not rob Christ of the glory of His present enthronement by saying He will only reign in a future age — it dishonors Him and robs the Christian of present comfort.

Christ is not a whimpering, simpering Savior pleading with the sinner to accept Him — He is an enthroned, compassionate Lord who welcomes, entreats, and commands, losing nothing of His glory if you are in hell forever.

He's an enthroned and gracious and compassionate Lord who welcomes, who entreats, who commands, and who never stoops to whimper and to simper, my friend. He'll lose nothing of His glory if you are in hell forever. But you'll lose the one thing you need to escape the wrath of God, the mercy and forgiveness of an enthroned Christ.

47:25 - 47:53 Read in full sermon

The point: When you pray for unsaved loved ones, plead this biblical concept: Christ is a Prince AND a Savior — exalted not merely to forgive, but to give repentance itself.

If you are a Christian, King Jesus put forth His scepter and struck a blow to all the bars and bands of satanic blindness and bondage — He stormed your soul and set you free.

And set you free. Oh how wonderful to have such a king of grace. Who goes forth in his chariots. Not to destroy. But to deliver. But that king according to Revelation 19. Is going to come someday to destroy. And it will be as king of kings and lord of lords. That he comes upon his white charger of judgment. Oh my friend. What a terrible thing. To be on the wrong side of the king in the day.

53:34 - 54:03 Read in full sermon