The creation, the Creator, and the King…

• A battle begins, and the world is cursed.
• The devil and his purpose versus God and His.
• The choosing of a people, and God’s promise of a coming King who will destroy the enemies of God.

Isaiah 61:1 (NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Jeremiah 23:5–6 (NIV) 5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

Micah 5:1–2 (NIV) 1Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod. 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Jesus came as King.

• From the beginning, John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Messiah.
• • There was also the voice from heaven when Jesus was baptized and the miracles He did.

• But Jesus didn’t do what the people thought He should.
• • He didn’t attack the Romans, and He didn’t talk to the holy, but rather the unholy.
  • He refused to let them make Him King.
  • Even His entry into Jerusalem was confusing—He went to the temple rather than the Roman fortress.

Matthew 21:1–17 Luke 19:37-44

His confrontation in the garden of was the ultimate confusing experience. 

• Jesus rebuked Peter, “Don’t you know I can call legions of angels to protect me?” (Matthew 26:51-54)

Why was this so confusing to the disciples and to the people?

•  The story is about a spiritual battle and spiritual Kingdoms clashing—not physical.

Paul understood this after the fact:

Ephesians 6:10–12 (NIV) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

God is righteous and Holy; sin must be punished.

• The devil had lied about sin not leading to death.

• •  Sin separates you from God, destroys everything, and has consequences related to it (the curse).
  • God had revealed that sin equals death throughout the Old Testament.
• God had also revealed that He would allow a substitute.

• • Jesus knew there was more to it than that—a lamb or goat was not enough. There had to be a perfect sacrifice.
    • A sacrifice so pure that it would be Holy. One so valuable that it could pay the price.
• Ultimately, God would send a King who would destroy God’s enemies in both the physical and spiritual realms.

2 Corinthians 5:21 Romans 3:21–26 Romans 6:23

The devil had lied about God and His motivation behind the Law. 

• Jesus showed the type and depth of love of God by revealing grace to those who had killed Him. (Luke 23:34)
• God is love; grace was given and continues to be given!

God’s kingdom is a Kingdom of choice. God is a relational God.

1 Corinthians 2:6–8 (NIV) 6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The Story reveals that our God is a forgiving, relational God, and His Kingdom is a Kingdom of choice. 

• It’s always been that way. (The Garden, the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem…)
• God shows us the depth of His power, knowledge, love, and Holiness… and then we get to choose.

The message on the day of Pentecost: It was all according to plan. (Acts 2:36–40)

The Kingdom of heaven starts with the Holy Spirit right now. 

• We have a good message! God is the Creator. He is holy, grace-filled, spiritual, relational, and brilliant.
• Now, we get to choose.

Discussion questions for home, or Life Group:

Choose a passage from the sermon or consider: John 20:1-23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

1. People who follow Jesus believe Jesus is ALIVE! The Tomb is empty! Talk about what makes this so significant.

2. How has Jesus’ resurrection made a difference in your life? (If you are on the journey of exploring Jesus, find someone who knows Jesus to talk about it. If you have a clear answer, spend some time thanking God and sharing with someone what He has done.)

3. Who in your life needs to hear about and experience the love God demonstrated through Jesus? Ask God to open this person up to hearing about Him and to use you as His witness.

4. Set aside intentional times, daily, this week to specifically remind yourself what Jesus did for you.