WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.160 Amen. You may be seated. Children, you may head off to your King's Kids class, 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:12.439 and if everybody else would turn in their Bibles to Colossians chapter 1, 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:20.920 15 through 20. In your pew Bible, it's 1168, 1168. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:34.920 You are about to hear high ground of Jesus. Hear God's Word. 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:46.380 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 00:00:46.380 --> 00:00:52.620 For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 00:00:52.900 --> 00:00:56.900 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:01:01.420 All things were created through Him and for Him. 00:01:02.300 --> 00:01:08.780 And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:12.320 And He is the head of the body, the church. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:19.439 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. 00:01:19.559 --> 00:01:22.659 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 00:01:23.039 --> 00:01:28.079 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:34.979 whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:01:36.199 --> 00:01:39.239 God bless the reading and hearing of His Word. 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:46.979 You know, King Charles was recently crowned King of the British Commonwealth. 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:52.060 And we all know that's mainly a ceremonial position. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:55.459 No real authority to wield. 00:01:56.319 --> 00:02:04.539 But that crown with which he was crowned is a symbol of the dominion of the British Commonwealth. 00:02:04.540 --> 00:02:09.140 Again, has no real authority, but that's what it symbolizes. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:13.819 Do you ever think about the moment before His crowning? 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:20.500 Like, there must have been like a crown sizing appointment 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:26.520 where they like measured His head to make sure that crown fit. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:27.780 You don't want a crown too big. 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:29.379 You don't want a crown too little. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:37.759 Well, this morning you're going to see that Jesus Christ is the reigning King of two dominions. 00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:45.099 And if each dominion had its own representative crown, 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:50.379 they could only be worn by Jesus Christ. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:55.379 There's no other that could bear these crowns. 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.479 And they're not ceremonial. 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:00.519 They're real. 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:06.759 Now, if you were here last week, you learned God's will for your life. 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:08.419 Sounds audacious, doesn't it? 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:11.099 I asked a question. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:14.620 What is God's will for your life? 00:03:14.620 --> 00:03:18.039 And we saw from Colossians 1, 9 through 14, 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:22.400 God's will for your life is five letters, five words, 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:24.219 to please Christ in everything. 00:03:24.319 --> 00:03:26.439 So let me ask you, what is God's will for your life? 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:29.340 To please Christ in everything. 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:31.319 Today's question is this. 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:33.219 Why Christ? 00:03:36.040 --> 00:03:40.439 Why should He be the controlling center of your life? 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:46.079 Why should He be the one that you seek to please in everything? 00:03:47.859 --> 00:03:54.180 What gives Him the right to that part of everything? 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:00.960 Why Him? 00:04:03.139 --> 00:04:07.319 Colossians 1, 15 through 20 answers the question, 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:09.620 why Christ? 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:13.719 Why should we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus? 00:04:13.959 --> 00:04:15.759 Why should we seek to please Him in everything? 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:18.819 I'm going to answer it in three ways. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:20.439 He is the divine King. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:23.879 He wears the crown of creation. 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:24.659 That's number two. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.779 And number three, He wears the crown of redemption. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:30.279 Why Christ? 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:31.800 Why should we please Him in everything? 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:31.879 Why? 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:36.319 He's the divine King reigning over all of creation 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:38.280 in all of redemption. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:40.040 We please Christ in everything 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:42.259 because He's reigning over everything. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:43.400 And if you're a Christian, 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:47.540 He's claimed you not just once, but twice. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:54.860 So let's look at this divine King. 00:04:56.019 --> 00:04:57.800 He is our divine King. 00:04:57.960 --> 00:04:59.139 He is the divine King. 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:01.019 In verses 15 through 20, 00:05:01.979 --> 00:05:04.979 if you look carefully at these six verses, 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.719 you will notice quickly that there's something missing. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.860 Not once do you see the name Jesus. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.279 You don't see the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:17.779 You don't see Jesus Christ. 00:05:18.919 --> 00:05:21.919 But what you do see in an unusual accumulation 00:05:21.919 --> 00:05:24.819 is what you heard me emphasizing as we read through it. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:29.980 There is an abundance of third person singular pronouns. 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:32.180 Listen. 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:36.680 He is the image of the invisible God, 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.180 the firstborn of all creation. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:38.680 Verse 16. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:40.399 For by Him all things were created. 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:42.039 Look at the end of verse 16. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.399 All things were created through Him and for Him. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:44.839 17. 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:47.159 And He is before all things, 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:49.060 and Him all things hold together. 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:49.800 18. 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:51.600 And He is the head of the body, the church. 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:55.020 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. 00:05:56.080 --> 00:05:58.920 That in everything He might be preeminent. 00:05:59.080 --> 00:06:00.400 For in Him, verse 19, 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:01.980 all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:02.840 20. 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:06.860 And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, 00:06:07.760 --> 00:06:10.500 making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:11.960 Now the obvious question is, 00:06:12.260 --> 00:06:15.740 who is this He, Him, Himself, His? 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:16.920 And that last one, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:20.260 His cross is a clear giveaway. 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:20.379 Anyway, 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:27.740 what Paul is doing here is he's elaborating on what he said in verse 13. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:32.839 We learned in verse 13, 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:35.819 that God the Father has delivered us from the domain of darkness 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:40.279 and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.439 That's the He. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:45.839 He, in whom we have redemption, 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:47.360 the forgiveness of sins. 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:52.500 The subject of verses 15 through 20 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:54.860 is the beloved Son, 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:58.339 whom we know from chapter 1, verse 3, 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:00.399 is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:04.920 Now you may be asking this question, 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:07.420 hold on Pastor Mike. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:11.620 I see the word kingdom in verse 13, 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:14.699 but nowhere in verses 15 through 20 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:15.860 do I see the word king. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:18.379 You're saying that He's a divine king? 00:07:19.520 --> 00:07:20.400 Where's the king? 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:25.200 Well, it's true that the word king 00:07:25.200 --> 00:07:27.980 is not anywhere to be found in verses 15 through 20, 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:31.020 but did you happen to see the word firstborn? 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:33.680 In verse 15, 00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:35.840 the firstborn of all creation. 00:07:36.020 --> 00:07:37.740 In 19, the firstborn from the dead. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:41.340 To our 21st century American ears, 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:42.759 when we hear firstborn, 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:45.340 we think in terms of birth order. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:48.780 We think in terms of creation, 00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:52.100 something coming into existence. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:59.680 But the way that the word firstborn 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:03.200 is being used here in Colossians 1, 15 and 19, 00:08:03.320 --> 00:08:04.340 and then how it's used 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:07.439 in Hebrews 1, verse 6 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:09.439 and Revelation 1, verse 5, 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:12.100 these New Testament passages 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:14.100 are talking about firstborn 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:16.300 not in the way that we Americans think, 00:08:16.660 --> 00:08:20.500 but in the way that Psalm 89, 27 thinks. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:22.220 If you want to turn there, 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:26.519 let me show you how firstborn is being used. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.680 It's on page 587 of your pew Bibles. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.700 This is Psalm 89, verse 27. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.700 God is speaking about David. 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:47.100 And I, God, will make him, David, the firstborn. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:52.379 Do you remember, David was the youngest 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:56.320 of seven sons of Jesse. 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:59.639 Firstborn is being used here in a different way. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:01.440 It's talking about a position. 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.080 And then what we read is this, 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:05.519 and I will make him the firstborn. 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:07.680 God says, I will make David the firstborn, 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:12.840 the highest of the kings of the earth. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:17.519 Not only is this a position, 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:20.920 but it is a kingly position. 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:23.980 And not just a kingly position, 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.960 a high king position. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:30.960 Firstborn is describing the authority of a king. 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:33.680 The high king of heaven. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.740 And God is explaining that of David. 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:41.680 But there's even a higher king than King David. 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:45.580 It's David's greater son, Jesus. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:49.740 So this firstborn is a reference to Jesus. 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.860 Not to his creation. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:53.460 Sorry, Jehovah's Witnesses. 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:57.879 But his authoritative reign over all. 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:00.100 You can say firstborn is talking about 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:01.100 the king of kings. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:07.399 The last thing I want you to notice 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:11.320 about this divine king 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:13.019 is not just he's a king, 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.860 but he's divine. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.279 He's a God king. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:21.220 If you want to look at verse 15, 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:24.040 speaking of the beloved son, 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:26.620 he is the image of the invisible God. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:31.919 He is God seen. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:37.279 Hebrews 1.3 says it like this. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:40.039 He is the radiance of the glory of God, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:42.600 the exact imprint of his nature. 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:49.539 The beloved son is God seen. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:52.419 And it's not just limited to his incarnation. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:53.960 It even happened before. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:56.220 So do you know who Adam and Eve saw in the garden 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.320 when they would walk with God 00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:58.060 in the cool of the day? 00:10:58.860 --> 00:10:59.800 The beloved son. 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:03.160 Do you know who Isaiah had a vision of? 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:05.440 The king sitting on his throne 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:07.840 with seraphim all around him? 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.519 Beloved son. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:16.899 115, this image of the invisible God 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.820 is a claim of deity. 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:22.160 And in verse 19, 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:23.440 if there was any question, 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:25.560 for in him, 00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.540 the beloved son, 00:11:27.260 --> 00:11:29.660 all the fullness of God 00:11:29.660 --> 00:11:31.460 was pleased to dwell. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.720 This beloved son, 00:11:35.660 --> 00:11:39.140 who makes the invisible God visible, 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:42.380 possesses the entire fullness 00:11:42.380 --> 00:11:44.720 of God-ness. 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:50.060 this he, 00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:51.580 him, 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.660 himself, 00:11:53.800 --> 00:11:54.220 his, 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:58.180 is the divine king of kings. 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.840 This is the one whom we please. 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:06.580 And this is the one in whom we walk 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.580 in a manner worthy of. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:11.600 It's him we seek to please 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:12.360 in everything. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:15.639 And he claims you twice, 00:12:15.780 --> 00:12:16.080 Christian. 00:12:17.420 --> 00:12:18.600 So let's move from 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.700 who he is, 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.860 this divine king, 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:23.840 to his first domain. 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:27.460 His first crown. 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:30.160 In verses 15 through 18, 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.700 we are shown 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:33.800 his first dominion, 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:35.300 that which he reigns over. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:38.240 Imagine a brilliant crown 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:40.639 of yellow gold 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.740 and gilded throughout 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.419 the perimeter of this, 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.679 of this crown, 00:12:45.839 --> 00:12:48.579 you have golden mountains 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:49.819 and golden rivers 00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:51.120 and golden forests. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:53.939 And there's this golden Adam and Eve 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:54.839 in the garden 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:56.299 walking together. 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:59.959 And in white gold, 00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:01.679 you have this, 00:13:02.079 --> 00:13:03.039 these words, 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:05.939 the center of this crown, 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.279 the firstborn 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.519 of all creation. 00:13:12.579 --> 00:13:13.620 The crown 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:16.339 represents a dominion 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:19.899 and it only fits 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:21.059 the beloved son 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:23.000 who is the image 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.980 of the invisible God 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.000 in whom the fullness 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.459 of God is pleased to dwell. 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.899 He's the high king 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.939 of all. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.759 And what we're talking about here 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.980 now is 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.620 one of his dominions. 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.679 And so let's look at 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.559 the nature of this dominion, 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.879 his right to it, 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:39.860 and the goal of it. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.860 The nature of his dominion. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:43.120 We see it in the title, 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:45.139 the firstborn of all creation, 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.399 and then it gets spelt out. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.080 It's spelt out 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.360 with this little phrase, 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.299 all things. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.600 Look at verse 16. 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.240 For by him, 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.399 all things were created. 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.939 At the end of verse 16, 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:58.720 all things were created 00:13:58.720 --> 00:13:59.539 through him and for him. 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.500 Verse 17, 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.799 and he's before all things 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:03.799 and in him all things 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.639 hold together. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.980 And so he then, 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.639 Paul, 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:08.240 helps us to kind of get a sense 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.240 of what all things is 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:10.659 in heaven and earth. 00:14:11.179 --> 00:14:12.019 That's everything. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.480 Visible and invisible. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.259 Things you see, 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:16.120 things you don't see. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.179 That's his dominion. 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.080 And then he goes into 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:21.379 thrones, 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.000 dominions, 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:22.379 rulers, 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.080 and authorities. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.820 Whether there are thrones, 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:26.299 rulers, 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:26.799 dominions, 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.279 and authorities 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.779 that are seen or unseen, 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.100 whether they're in heaven 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.079 or on earth, 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.259 he has dominion 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.319 over them all. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.079 If you look over 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:37.699 chapter 2, 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.399 verse 18, 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.259 you can see some 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.139 of the false teaching 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.579 that was infecting 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:44.459 the Colossian church. 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:47.199 Let no one disqualify you, 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.620 insisting on asceticism 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.779 and worship of angels. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.699 What Paul is doing here 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.179 is simple. 00:14:53.979 --> 00:14:55.120 He's getting ahead 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.019 of that problem. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.719 He's saying angels 00:14:57.719 --> 00:14:58.819 are created things. 00:14:58.939 --> 00:15:00.120 Why are you worshiping them? 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.819 They're under the domain 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:05.719 of the firstborn 00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:06.419 of all creation. 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:11.819 This firstborn 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:13.620 is someone greater 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.359 than angels. 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:17.399 He is greater than demons. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.639 He's greater than the devil. 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:20.719 He's greater than dictators, 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.559 politicians. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:24.259 He's definitely greater 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.939 than any Super Bowl athlete. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.919 The nature of this domain 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:36.179 is all creation. 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.379 So what gives him the right? 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.839 Why does he get 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:41.839 to wear that crown? 00:15:44.119 --> 00:15:45.899 On what basis 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:48.479 does the second person 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:49.079 of the Trinity, 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:50.179 the beloved son, 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:52.399 get to be the high king 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:53.639 of all creation? 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.599 In verse 16, 00:15:56.719 --> 00:15:57.259 we see it. 00:15:58.099 --> 00:15:59.000 For by him, 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:01.099 all things 00:16:01.099 --> 00:16:02.959 were created. 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:06.779 All things were created 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.659 through him. 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:10.079 He's the high king 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:10.919 of all creation 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:12.459 because he created 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.319 all things 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.519 in creation. 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.199 John 1.3, 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.419 John says it this way, 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.459 all things were made 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:20.959 through him 00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:22.159 and without him. 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.439 Not one thing 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.179 was made. 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:25.779 Not anything 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.699 was made 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.360 that was made. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.740 It's the same point 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.699 of Hebrews 1.2. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.899 The beloved son 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.860 is the creator 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.559 of all. 00:16:34.479 --> 00:16:35.139 And not only 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.120 did he create 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.899 everything, 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.539 it's not like 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.219 the second person 00:16:39.219 --> 00:16:39.839 of the Trinity 00:16:39.839 --> 00:16:41.419 was like this, 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:42.639 all of creation 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.779 is like this clock 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.539 that he wound up 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.219 and let it go. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:47.100 he's not only 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:47.620 the creator 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.040 of all. 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.680 Verse 17, 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.540 he holds all things 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:50.899 together. 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.800 He sustains 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.480 all things. 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.820 Ultimately, 00:16:56.820 --> 00:17:01.820 you were created 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:03.440 and are being 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.120 sustained 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:06.740 by this firstborn 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.640 of all creation, 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:10.120 the beloved son, 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:13.039 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.900 Whether you are 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.759 conscious of it 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.400 or not, 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.000 you were created 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.840 by him 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:19.820 and you depend 00:17:19.820 --> 00:17:20.240 on him 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.320 for your next breath. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:24.779 He's actually 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.299 numbered 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.779 your days. 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.720 He has claimed 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.039 you 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.059 by virtue 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.859 of creating 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:34.299 you 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:36.039 and sustaining 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.279 you. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.079 That's what gives 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.779 him the right 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:40.359 to wear the crown, 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:42.919 who he is, 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.819 what he does. 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:50.019 That's why we seek 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.500 to please him 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:50.939 in everything. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.700 But there's one more 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.220 thing I'd like you 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.480 to see. 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.160 The goal of it all. 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.340 The aim 00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:59.120 of his reign 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:00.440 over all creation. 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:00.880 It's 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:02.640 in verse 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.200 18. 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.740 Excuse me, 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.299 it's in verse 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.940 16. 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.900 And for him. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.059 All things 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.460 were created 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.059 through him 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:17.279 and for him. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.380 Every square inch 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:20.340 in all of creation 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.399 in heaven and earth, 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.599 visible and invisible, 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.439 he claims 00:18:23.439 --> 00:18:24.240 as mine 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.679 for him, 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.240 for his glory. 00:18:27.879 --> 00:18:28.720 Every mountain, 00:18:28.939 --> 00:18:29.419 every river, 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.220 every forest, 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.279 every image 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.599 bearer created, 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.339 it's created 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.240 for his glory. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.079 Anybody 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.459 who liked 00:18:37.459 --> 00:18:38.639 watching the PBS 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:40.199 antique road show? 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:43.000 I began loving it 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.700 when I turned 50. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.180 I'm not sure 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.720 if it's got to do 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.059 with that. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.440 Well, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.380 this show is basically 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.980 about finding hidden 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.360 treasures. 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.660 And it goes from city 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.400 to city in the United 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.840 States, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.640 and people bring 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.400 their stuff, 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.400 and they bring their 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.559 stuff to these 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.759 experts in particular 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.140 fields. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.380 So, 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.600 they bring kind of 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:02.779 a painting they found 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.380 in their attic, 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.480 and they bring a bracelet 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.440 that was given to them 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.340 by their great aunt, 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.259 and they bring this 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.959 piece of pottery 00:19:08.959 --> 00:19:10.319 they bought for $3.50 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.179 at a garage sale, 00:19:11.199 --> 00:19:11.899 and they bring it 00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:13.259 to see what these 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.339 experts have to say, 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.480 and lo and behold, 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.319 the show unfolds, 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:19.339 and you find treasure. 00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:21.519 There's this painting 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.699 in someone's attic 00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:23.740 that is signed 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.799 Remington. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.240 There's a bracelet 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.599 that has a silver 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.399 mark stamp 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:33.000 that's Tiffany. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:37.619 There's a pottery, 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.740 a piece of pottery 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.559 that's made 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.440 by Dave Drake. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.299 The value 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.880 then goes 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:48.180 off the charts 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:51.079 because the value 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.180 of these created 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.779 things 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.299 is given 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:56.059 by its creator. 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.619 Biblically speaking, 00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.779 every created thing, 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.539 all things, 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.480 bear the maker's 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.779 mark. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:05.279 the firstborn 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.119 of all creation. 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.579 His mark 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.200 is on everything. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.380 We bear His image. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.660 We are living marks 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:17.160 of our maker, 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.980 Jesus Christ. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.400 We were created 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.019 by Him 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.240 and for Him 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.200 and like Him. 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.859 Our sin 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:27.200 is a 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.140 de-creative 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.700 act. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.259 It pushes 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.220 back against Him. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.140 So when we 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:33.380 ignore the maker's 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:33.720 mark, 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.680 when we 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:36.160 kind of 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.860 attribute 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:38.180 beauty of something 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.740 not to Him 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.420 but to something 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.180 else, 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.560 when we try 00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:42.340 to scratch 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.680 out His signature 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.420 on us 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.100 and put in 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:45.880 our own, 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.460 we're decreating. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.780 We're denying 00:20:49.780 --> 00:20:50.280 the crown. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:50.720 We're trying 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.900 to take the crown 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.900 that's only for His 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.820 head and put it 00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.740 on our own 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.200 heads. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:58.240 when we deny 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.000 our Creator 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:03.460 and attribute 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.059 things to 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.220 something else, 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.580 it's a capital 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.400 offense against 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:08.779 the High 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.059 King of all 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.519 creation. 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.440 This is His 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.799 domain. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.299 All things 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.019 is His domain. 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.440 And you are 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.000 by virtue 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.279 of your existence 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.240 part of His 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.680 domain. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.700 And if this 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.700 domain of all 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.640 creation had a 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.320 crown with a 00:21:25.320 --> 00:21:25.779 title, 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.100 gilded in white 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.420 gold, 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:27.980 it would read 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.799 the firstborn 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.960 of all creation. 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.580 And that crown 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:33.100 can only fit 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:34.600 on one person's 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:34.880 head, 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.680 the beloved 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.200 Son, 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.480 the Lord Jesus 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.080 Christ. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.880 He claims 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:42.820 you by virtue 00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:43.799 of His creation 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.460 and sustaining 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:44.920 of you. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.700 This is the 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.039 first crown 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.700 and there is a 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:48.980 second. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:52.220 In verses 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.420 18 through 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.900 20, 00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:56.259 we encounter 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.519 the second 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.720 domain of 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.320 this king. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.180 If the 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.960 first crown 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.400 of yellow 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.360 gold with 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:06.140 white gilding 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.759 that says 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.519 the firstborn 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.320 of all creation, 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.060 this second 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:10.480 crown is 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:12.100 spectacular 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.100 as well. 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.279 It's yellow 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.680 gold and all 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.980 around its 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.720 perimeter you 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.740 have men 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.279 and women 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.980 from every 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.660 tribe to 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.300 tongue and 00:22:21.300 --> 00:22:22.360 nation with 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.880 hands raised 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.660 to the 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:25.259 one who 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.840 redeemed 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:26.259 them. 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.500 And at the 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.160 center of 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.040 this crown 00:22:30.040 --> 00:22:32.779 gilded in 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.900 red gold 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:36.380 are the 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:36.620 words, 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.480 the firstborn 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.080 from the 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.340 dead. 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.900 Remember, 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.340 the one 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.840 whom is 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.540 over this 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.119 dominion, 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.539 the first 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.180 dominion, 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.819 the 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.379 Lord Jesus 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:51.940 Christ. 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.519 He's the 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.059 image of 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.500 the invisible 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.899 God. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.379 In him is 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.240 all the 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.619 fullness of 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:56.799 God 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.500 pleased to 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:57.799 dwell. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.059 This second 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:00.899 dominion is 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.700 Christ's 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.480 authoritative 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.299 reign over 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.180 all things 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:05.819 reconciled by 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.539 the blood of 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.119 his cross. 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:08.700 All things. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.779 The high 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.680 king of all 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:13.799 creation is 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.579 also the 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.379 high king 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.720 of all the 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.200 redeemed. 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.440 So let's 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.119 again look at 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:21.220 the nature 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.799 of this 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.819 domain, 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.440 Christ's 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.419 rightful claim 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:26.919 on it, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.599 and the goal 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.000 of it. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:32.220 we get to 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.660 the nature 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.359 of this 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.859 particular 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:35.720 domain by 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.460 some titles. 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:37.700 The first 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.440 title is in 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:40.200 verse 18, 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.819 and he's the 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.240 head of the 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.559 body, 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.000 the church. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.259 The body 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.880 of Christ 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:47.240 is the 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.880 church of 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.339 Christ, 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.140 and that 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.920 body metaphor 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.160 for the 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.819 church is 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.160 one of 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.539 Paul's 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.880 favorites to 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.460 describe all 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.920 that's been 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.559 purchased by 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:56.940 the blood 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.380 of Jesus. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.680 The 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.240 church 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:01.359 is not 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:01.980 a building, 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.759 it's a 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.220 people, 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.660 and we've 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:04.839 already 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.319 encountered 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.000 the church 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.279 in Colossians 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.640 1. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.579 It's in 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.180 verse 13, 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.420 all those 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:10.920 who've been 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.880 delivered from 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.259 the domain 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.759 of darkness 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.039 and transferred 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.079 into the 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.339 kingdom of 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:16.779 the beloved 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.140 son, 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.279 in whom we 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.740 have redemption, 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.220 the forgiveness 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.900 of sins. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.180 The universal 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.059 church are 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.740 all those 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.359 people from 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.259 all of time 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.960 who've been 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.059 reconciled to 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.759 God by the 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.180 blood of 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.900 Jesus Christ. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:30.880 Jesus is 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.339 their risen 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.680 king. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.119 And him 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.579 being the 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:34.859 head of 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.240 the body 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.579 is a 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.160 picture of 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.259 both his 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.200 authoritative 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.700 reign over 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.460 his church 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.640 and the 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.079 church's 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.079 dependence on 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.339 him. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:45.980 So the 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.420 domain we're 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.019 talking about 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.359 here, the 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.000 nature of 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.619 this domain, 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.259 we're not 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.660 talking about 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:50.940 all of 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.420 creation. 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:53.660 we're talking 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.080 about all 00:24:54.080 --> 00:24:54.480 those who've 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.600 been 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.440 reconciled to 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:55.700 him. 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.560 There's another 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:59.560 title, he is 00:24:59.560 --> 00:25:00.039 the beginning, 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.120 the firstborn 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:03.340 from the dead. 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.140 Again, it's 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:05.620 getting at the 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.580 nature of this 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:06.940 reign. 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.100 The beginning 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:08.680 is not a 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.500 reference to 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.539 in the 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.759 beginning God 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.240 created. 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.900 This is a 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.259 different 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.320 beginning. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.939 because it's 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:17.559 tied to that 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:19.519 title, the 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.339 firstborn from 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.799 the dead. 00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:23.059 And that is a 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.559 reference to 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:23.919 Jesus' 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.460 resurrection. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.119 What Paul is 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.559 getting at 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.960 here is the 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.579 beginning of a 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.299 new creation. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.759 The 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.240 resurrection 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:40.339 was Christ's 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.799 inauguration to 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:43.099 his reign over 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.000 all things 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.619 redeemed. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.519 his 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.000 resurrection. 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.399 We just 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:47.839 sang it 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.579 moments ago. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:48.960 It's his 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.879 victory over 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:51.220 sin, death, 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.019 and the 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.259 devil. 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:52.819 It's the 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.779 great reversal 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.779 of sin as 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.379 far as the 00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:56.779 curse is 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.079 found. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.839 It's the 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.559 beginning of 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.799 a new 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.139 creation work 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:04.099 bearing fruit 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:05.339 and increasing 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.039 in the whole 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.359 world. 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.819 So the 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.679 nature of 00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:11.099 this second 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.200 dominion 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:14.779 is one 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.619 dealing with 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.700 spiritual 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.460 rescue, 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.759 redemption. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.160 Check it 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.379 out. 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.819 The creator 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.200 of all 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:25.039 things became 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.759 like one of 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:27.359 his creations, 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.279 taking on 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.000 human flesh, 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.099 lived a 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.799 perfect life, 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:31.980 died to 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.079 reconcile all 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.559 those who 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.519 rejected him, 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.539 all those who 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.579 were decreating, 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.480 and was 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.379 raised then 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.519 triumphant over 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.039 all that 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.700 opposed him. 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:44.319 and ever 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.700 since that 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.240 happened, 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.680 Christ's death 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.500 and resurrection, 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.039 the gospel, 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.519 the good news, 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.299 has been 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.340 recreating 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:56.299 people 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:59.680 bearing fruit 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.460 and increasing 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.059 throughout the 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.640 whole world. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:04.240 what we're 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.840 talking about 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:07.220 here is the 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.820 beginning of a 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:08.540 new creation 00:27:08.540 --> 00:27:08.960 reign. 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.480 In the 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.100 scope of it, 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.420 we see in 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.960 verse 20, 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.660 all the 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.220 earth and 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.460 in the 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:17.740 heavens. 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.280 This 00:27:19.280 --> 00:27:21.360 redemption 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.240 work of 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.600 Jesus 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:24.040 is 00:27:24.040 --> 00:27:24.820 cosmic. 00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:28.280 What gives 00:27:28.280 --> 00:27:28.540 him the 00:27:28.540 --> 00:27:28.780 right? 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:31.259 what gives 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.720 him the 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.339 right to 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.259 rule over 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.500 all the 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.000 redeemed? 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.220 Why does 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.859 he get to 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.139 be the 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:37.399 head of 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:37.980 the church? 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:40.759 Remember 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.799 verse 19, 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:43.240 all the 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.639 fullness of 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:43.980 God was 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.559 pleased to 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.000 dwell in 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.240 him. 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:45.920 He is 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.759 fully God 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.579 and he 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.259 is fully 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.259 man and 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.859 he is 00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:50.480 the divine 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.500 king and 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.099 he is the 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.859 only one 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.379 of all 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.160 creation who 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.799 can reconcile 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.440 us to 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.899 God through 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.440 his blood. 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.220 There is no 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.500 other. 00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:02.279 what gives 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:02.579 him the 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:04.399 right to 00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:05.460 exercise his 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.960 domain, 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.899 his authority 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:10.139 over all 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:10.639 that will 00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.139 be 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.319 reconciled 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:15.160 is who 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.700 he is, 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.119 God, 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.399 and what 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:17.879 he's done. 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.119 His work 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.359 on the 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.799 cross, 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.279 the blood 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.599 of his 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.079 cross. 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.559 He 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.259 reconciled 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.599 us to 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.139 himself 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:29.600 and will 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.000 one day 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.500 reconcile 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.200 all of 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.840 creation to 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.259 himself. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.600 If you 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.020 look down 00:28:36.020 --> 00:28:36.340 at verse 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:36.940 21, I'm 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.040 going to 00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:37.360 preach on 00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:37.680 this next 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:37.980 week. 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:38.540 If you 00:28:38.540 --> 00:28:38.740 look at 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.320 verse 21, 00:28:39.540 --> 00:28:39.720 you're going 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.080 to see 00:28:40.080 --> 00:28:40.759 our state 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.520 before we 00:28:41.520 --> 00:28:41.700 were 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.540 reconciled to 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:42.980 Christ. 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.440 Christ, and 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:44.900 you who 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.700 once were 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.839 alienated and 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.980 hostile in 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.660 mind doing 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.539 evil deeds. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.519 In our 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.240 decreating 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.200 sinfulness, we 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.120 are hostile to 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.980 God, but God 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.599 in his grace 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.579 towards us 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:57.059 sent Jesus 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.779 and he did 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.160 something 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.740 remarkable. 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.380 He made 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.200 peace with 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.940 us, not 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.259 us with 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.480 him. 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.660 He made 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.620 peace with 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.200 us through 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.920 his cross. 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.059 Only he, 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:12.039 could do 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.299 that. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:13.919 Only this 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.379 king could 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:14.779 do that, 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.940 being who 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.359 he is. 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:16.839 Our 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.799 creator paid 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.299 the price 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.700 of our 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.240 decreating 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.980 in order to 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.899 recreate us 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:21.759 in his 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.399 image in 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.759 order to 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.480 live for 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:23.799 him. 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:24.720 We are 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.359 new creations. 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:25.819 The old 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.139 is gone, 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.500 the new 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.919 has come. 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.619 If this 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.740 domain had 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.279 a crown, 00:29:33.179 --> 00:29:33.539 it would 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:35.119 be titled 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.639 with red 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.819 gold lettering 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.519 that read 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.279 the first 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.679 born 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.580 from the 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:40.820 dead. 00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:41.539 The high 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.600 king of 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:43.279 those raised 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.600 from the 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:43.799 dead. 00:29:44.060 --> 00:29:44.480 The high 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.500 king of 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.920 an eternal 00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.380 life. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:46.880 The high 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:48.160 king of 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:48.759 a new 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.400 creation. 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.140 And it 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.920 fits only 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.259 him. 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.039 Only on 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.580 his head. 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.140 You can't 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:57.640 bear the 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.460 weight of 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.120 your own 00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.620 redemption. 00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:01.799 Only he 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.060 can. 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:06.000 The goal 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.360 of this 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.000 reign we 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.420 see in 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.039 verse 20. 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.560 to reconcile 00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:12.759 all things 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.560 to himself. 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.580 That he 00:30:15.580 --> 00:30:15.960 might be 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.640 preeminent. 00:30:17.060 --> 00:30:17.380 That he 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:17.779 might be 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.220 Christ 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.860 central. 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.660 He created 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:21.940 you. 00:30:22.060 --> 00:30:22.480 He died 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.920 for you. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.660 He was 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.340 raised for 00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:24.860 you so 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.320 that you 00:30:25.320 --> 00:30:25.900 would live 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.480 for him. 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.480 So that you 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.880 would walk 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.240 in a manner 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.039 worthy of 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.120 this king. 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.180 So that you 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.660 would seek to 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.560 please him 00:30:32.560 --> 00:30:33.740 in everything. 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.940 Christian, 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:36.380 you've been 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.000 claimed not 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.680 once but 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.620 twice by this 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:38.820 king. 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:41.220 the first 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.799 was your 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.500 very creation. 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.259 Your next 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.059 breath is 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.839 evidence of 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:45.599 his kingship. 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.579 And his 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.200 second claim 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.679 on you 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:51.539 was his 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:51.859 death on 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.279 the cross 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.679 for you. 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.460 His 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.279 redemptive 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.279 dominion 00:30:58.279 --> 00:31:00.299 is reclaiming 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.519 more and 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.899 more of 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:04.019 his created 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:05.079 dominion. 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.639 and one 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.319 day his 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.759 work of 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.179 redemption 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:09.139 will reclaim 00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:09.839 it all. 00:31:11.899 --> 00:31:12.419 And there 00:31:12.419 --> 00:31:12.679 will be a 00:31:12.679 --> 00:31:13.179 new heavens 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:13.639 and a new 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.039 earth. 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.460 And we 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:15.779 will be 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.179 with him 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:16.599 in his 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.099 place. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.559 And it 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:19.799 will be 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.039 good. 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.480 I've got a 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:23.919 question for 00:31:23.919 --> 00:31:24.099 you. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:26.819 What is 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:27.179 God's will 00:31:27.179 --> 00:31:27.419 for your 00:31:27.419 --> 00:31:27.639 life? 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.079 Give it to 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.240 me. 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.099 Five words. 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:31.039 Christ died 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:35.920 Let me 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.339 back up. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.279 Let me 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.960 ask myself 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.359 this question. 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.059 Mike, what 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.379 is God's 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:41.599 will for 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:41.940 your life? 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.619 To please 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.079 Christ in 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.440 everything. 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.680 This 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.119 morning we've 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.460 been asking 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:49.879 the question 00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:50.519 why Christ? 00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.059 Why him? 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.059 He's the 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.720 divine king. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.200 He alone 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.839 bears the 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.259 crown of 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.720 creation. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.220 He has 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.740 the title 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.319 the first 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.640 born of 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:00.779 all 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.200 creation. 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.099 He alone 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.839 bears the 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.599 crown of 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:04.980 redemption. 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:05.859 He alone 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.240 has the 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.740 title the 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:08.539 first born 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.559 from the 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:09.900 dead. 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:10.880 He's 00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:11.279 alive. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.319 Christian, 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.099 you have 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.859 been claimed 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:16.880 twice by 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:17.539 this divine 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:17.980 king. 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.640 He created 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.339 you and 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.920 he redeemed 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.220 you. 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.160 Why 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.579 Christ? 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.480 Who he is 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.839 and what he's 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:24.980 done. 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.099 But let 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.420 me just 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.420 ask one 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:27.579 more 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.019 question. 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.400 Why 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:30.859 bother? 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:35.019 Why 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.460 bother? 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.400 Why 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.220 bother 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.460 taking the 00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:39.819 time and 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.559 effort to 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.460 daily recognize 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.339 him as the 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:42.859 reigning king 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.180 of all? 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:43.740 Why bother? 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.259 Well, you 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.660 can make an 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.299 argument for 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:47.779 the quality 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.120 of your 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.440 life. 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.579 That when 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.240 he is the 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:51.759 reigning king 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.120 of your 00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:52.539 life, the 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:52.900 controlling 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.480 center of 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:53.799 your life, 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.059 you'll 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.519 experience joy 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.240 and peace 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.000 and growing 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.720 in abundance 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.720 despite your 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.400 circumstances, 00:32:59.600 --> 00:32:59.799 right? 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.559 If he is 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.960 the reigning 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.500 king of 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:03.920 your life, 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.779 controlling 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.200 center, 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:05.680 Christ 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.140 center, 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.960 you will 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:09.000 be realizing 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.440 more and 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.600 more what 00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:11.860 possibly could 00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:12.960 anything happen 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:13.539 to me and 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.400 anyone do 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.740 to me that 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.660 is a threat 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.259 to him. 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:18.600 Nothing. 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.220 When you 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.700 realize who 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.759 your king is 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.480 and that he's 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.240 for you, 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.160 it's a 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:26.740 tremendous 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.700 source of 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.059 confidence. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.059 So your 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.559 quality of 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:29.839 life. 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.220 But there's 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:32.480 an even 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:32.839 basic 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.299 argument. 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.339 Why bother? 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.640 Here it 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:36.880 is. 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.079 Because it's 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:39.680 reality. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.120 Because Jesus 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:44.259 right now 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.519 is the 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:45.920 reigning 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.440 king of 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:46.940 creation. 00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:47.620 Because Jesus 00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.660 right now 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.500 is the 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:49.920 reigning 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:51.079 king of 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.539 redemption. 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.220 The new 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.779 creation. 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:52.899 creation. 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:55.000 He's got 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.599 the spot. 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.099 He's got 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:56.759 the right 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.940 to your 00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.700 reigning 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.259 of you 00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.920 and all 00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.359 of the 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:00.759 world. 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.920 Don't swap 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.200 him out 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.619 for U.S. 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.160 politics. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.440 Don't swap 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:06.779 him out 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.500 for international 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.139 conflicts. 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.800 Don't make 00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:11.679 the state 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.199 of your 00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:12.739 marriage 00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.579 the controlling 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.420 center of 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.880 your life. 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:15.980 Don't make 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.000 the spiritual 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.619 well-being 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.000 of your 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.579 children the 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:18.980 controlling 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.599 center of 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.019 your life. 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:20.699 There's only 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.059 one. 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.119 One. 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:24.800 Don't make 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:26.120 your health 00:34:26.120 --> 00:34:27.260 the controlling 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:27.820 center of 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.220 your life. 00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:29.800 Don't make 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.560 who will win 00:34:30.560 --> 00:34:31.019 the Super 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.300 Bowl, 00:34:31.640 --> 00:34:32.180 what are the 00:34:32.180 --> 00:34:32.780 snacks at 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.160 the Super 00:34:33.160 --> 00:34:33.400 Bowl, 00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:33.960 the controlling 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.420 center of 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:34.860 your life. 00:34:37.600 --> 00:34:38.660 Why bother? 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.180 Because the 00:34:43.180 --> 00:34:43.920 reality is 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:44.400 this. 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.580 Christ is 00:34:48.580 --> 00:34:48.820 reigning 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:49.420 over all. 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.840 And we 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:55.240 please the 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:56.380 Lord Jesus 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.480 in everything 00:34:57.480 --> 00:35:00.760 because he's 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:01.300 the high 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:03.640 king of 00:35:03.640 --> 00:35:04.340 everything. 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:06.420 And that 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:06.940 is reality. 00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:09.480 Let's pray. 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:09.500 Let's pray. 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:19.719 Lord Jesus, 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.460 you do call 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:20.940 us to 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:22.539 daily deny 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.019 ourselves, 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:23.659 take up our 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.280 crosses and 00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:24.900 follow you 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:27.599 in seeing 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.659 you for who 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:29.159 you are. 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.179 That you are 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:32.019 the firstborn of 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.659 all creation 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.500 and the firstborn 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.159 from the dead. 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:34.780 You are the 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.619 king of creation. 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.460 You are the 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:36.960 king of 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.360 redemption. 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:39.079 You are in 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:40.039 the process 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:42.360 of reclaiming 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:43.360 this fallen 00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:43.920 world. 00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:47.079 And so when 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.880 we think about 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.559 this call in 00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.180 our lives to 00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:50.220 deny ourselves, 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:50.780 take up our 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:51.320 crosses and 00:35:51.320 --> 00:35:51.680 follow you, 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.780 we say yes 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:54.700 in light of 00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.400 who you are, 00:35:56.160 --> 00:35:56.599 in light of 00:35:56.599 --> 00:35:56.960 what you've 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:57.500 done and what 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:57.920 you're doing 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.380 and what you 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:58.940 will do. 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.460 You are 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:01.200 worthy, 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.640 Lord Jesus, 00:36:03.140 --> 00:36:04.160 of all that 00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:04.620 we are. 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:06.719 and we 00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.420 crown you 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:09.380 Lord of 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:09.579 all. 00:36:11.259 --> 00:36:11.559 Amen.