Kingship of Christ in The Acts, Part 1

In this part of the sermon: Martin demonstrates the kingdom motif by examining the beginning and end of Acts. Christ's post-resurrection teaching focused on the 'kingdom of God' (Acts 1), and Paul's final…

Martin compares Luke's use of the kingdom theme at the beginning and end of Acts to a symphony announcing its theme in the opening bars and then bringing it to a climactic reverberation at the close, illustrating the deliberate emphasis.

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 Acts are these. The Apostle Paul is a prisoner of the Roman government.

17:48 - 18:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Labor to keep awake and attentive during the sermon, even if it requires physical effort.

Martin shares a personal anecdote about biting his lip or pinching his thigh to stay awake during sermon preparation, urging the congregation to make similar efforts to remain attentive despite losing sleep due to the time change.

Now please, I know you lost an hour's sleep because of the time change, but will you gird up the loins of your mind? I've labored in preparation with very little sleep over the past week. 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, and I trust you'll labor to keep awake to receive it.

25:48 - 26:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Consciously step down from the throne of your own heart and welcome King Jesus as Lord and Christ.

Martin describes how people might concoct a 'Christ of their own conceiving' who offers safety from hell while allowing them to maintain sovereignty over their lives and cling to sin, highlighting the danger of creating a false Christ.

On the one hand, of a desire to be fireproofed and not go to hell when you die. And on the other hand, a desire to maintain the sovereignty of your own life. Now, you can concoct a Christ who conforms to your native desire for safety on the one hand,

45:09 - 45:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand that access to the benefits of the cross comes by way of the throne; do not bypass the issue of Christ's governance over your life.

Martin uses the metaphor that 'just as he came to the throne by way of a cross, you get to the benefits of the cross by way of a throne and no other way,' emphasizing the inseparability of Christ's suffering and His reigning authority for salvation.

And the framework of present thinking with regard to the kingship of Christ has lent itself to the whole idea he's a savior now. We need only reckon with the reality of his cross to be saved. He'll be a king later and then we better shape up and start thinking seriously about the throne. My friend, no. No, no. Just as he came to the throne by way of a cross, you get to the benefits of the cross by way of a throne and no other way. And if you'd bypass the issue of who shall govern this life, you forfeit the right to lay any biblical claim to saying the blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanses...

49:45 - 50:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Plead with the enthroned Christ for mercy, 'kissing the Son lest He be angry and you perish in the way.'

Martin describes King Jesus putting forth His scepter, striking a blow to satanic blindness and bondage, and storming the soul to set it free, illustrating the powerful, sovereign work of Christ in conversion.

Not only to forgive and receive penitent sinners, but the scripture says to give repentance. You see, if you're a Christian this morning, it's because 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. Oh, how wonderful to have such a king of grace.

53:12 - 53:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Fall before His throne now to find the mercy promised to the vilest of sinners.

Martin contrasts Christ's present chariots of deliverance with His future return on a 'white charger of judgment' as King of kings and Lord of lords, underscoring the urgency of submitting to Him now.

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 of his return to judgment.

53:39 - 54:06 Read in full sermon