The Reign of Christ

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." Isaiah:9:6-7

Many of our more liturgically conscious brethren observe what is called the “the Reign of Christ” or also and sometimes known as “Sunday of Christ the king”. This Observance, on the  Sunday before Thanksgiving (in the United States) culminates and  inaugurates the “liturgical calendar season” for the end of the year and the start of the new year which then leads into the Advent Season  which culminates with “Epiphany of the Lord”   in early January.

 Sunday of the Reign of Christ takes us beyond these days that we are now living beyond the troubles and strife of age to a time when the rule of God has been extended openly over all things.  This is a time of anticipated great peace and rest or all the Earth, for all peoples.

 The time of this observance of Christ’s Reign upon the Earth, it is there to speak to us about the certainty that there are betters times waiting beyond the problems of today, beyond the misrule of humanity, beyond the hardship that we all from time to time face. This observance   is to reinforce and encourage us that good ultimately will, and has, triumphs in Jesus.

Misrule

Look at the world around us, we see the result of humanities misrule, a world that is in some disarray. There are disastrous things taking place, there is deception, rising in the land, which gives birth to war and strife- that leads to famine and economic problems-inflation- which leads Social Strife - that brings sickness and death.

All these things occur when humanity looks to something other than Jesus Christ for the solutions to challenges of life whether they are personal or national. . Nothing that humanity can implement will bring listings results.  The world we live in is rifled with injustice, the destruction of the family, disasters natural and “man made”.

The Fruit of the Tree

It is said “If you want to know what kind of tree is look at the fruit it produces” what are the fruit of humanities “tree of rule”?  The tree of human misrule in an abundant harvest, that is evident from even  a quick glance of the news. What we see is that the fruit of the flesh that the Apostle Paul wrote of  in his epistle to the Galatians Church.

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the fruit of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians: 5:17-21

The world in which we live is simply the sum total of humanity, it is the collective fruit of all humanity, when there is strife in the lives of individuals there will be strife among all. 

The fruit of the flesh even at its’ best, and regardless of how well meaning the attempts are,  they will in the end fall short.

Humanities Attempts

Every effort of humanity to bring about what only God can do fails, every promise falls short, from tower of Babble  to what we see taking place in the world today,  all efforts fall short. We see attempts at Globalization, calls for one language, one currency, and in some cases there are calls for one government. Yet as all efforts of humanity will in the end fall short, even if they are well meaning, these efforts will draw people away from God and will focus humanities trust on something other than upon the only rightful king Jesus Christ. Humanity wants to believe that the answer is found within humanity, but real answers to the problems confronting humanity can only be found in Jesus.

God created the “nation state” so humanity would seek and learn to trust Him and look to Him alone, when this is disregarded, it is arising out of humanities own heart and will take humanity away from God and rely on themselves and resources .  This will only intensify the problems that have been created by looking to something other than Jesus Christ.  Acts: 17:26-29

Humanity cannot rule the world properly because Jesus does not rule their hearts. Humanity is filled with endless plots and agendas that are always there for their own glory, not His glory,  this is why there is strife, someone or things reigns in their hearts . If our Lord does not reign in their hearts the world produced by humanity will reflect this as well.

These attempts will only further draw humanity ever away from our Lord Jesus to the point of open hostility toward His Holy name and continued social disorder.

”This know also, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Timothy: 3:1-7

The reason humanities efforts always fall short, is, that Christ does not Reign in their hearts.

 

He Comes to Reign

Whatever humanities efforts and plans produce, no matter what the scale or impact they have on the world or the “global community”,  these pose no problem to Jesus when He descends from the Heavens  at the end of human civilization,   even if human civilization is moved to resist the retuning Jesus as He comes to reign.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king on my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalm: 2:1-12

Revelation: 19, speaks of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to set humanity free from the disastrous condition that will have developed upon the Earth in the years to come. Jesus  as King of Kings and Lord of Lord will then extend the Reign of our God over all things, bringing  peace to this planet and to its’ peoples.

Peace

In the Prophetic writing of the Holy Bible the Isaiah Prophet foresaw the Reign of the long awaited Messiah. He is moved by the Holy Spirit to give us a glimpse of the peace found only in Jesus. Isaiah describes humanities relationship with God would be brought back to its proper practical place. The God who created all things will be honored and worshiped, there will be truth and peace abounding in their lives, Christ will reign.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.

And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”Isaiah: 2:1-4

It will be time when every need that humanity tried to meet will be met by and in Jesus only our Lord can do this. Micah picture this contentment and peace coupled with security as sitting under the vine and fig tree, sitting under the vine end fig

“But they will sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none will make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it” Micah: 4:4

He Rules Now

Of our Lord Jesus,  we see in the Writings of Daniel,the Prophet  sees a vision of the Heavenly investing of Power and authority anointed upon Jesus Christ at His accession to the Heavens , and already now has been given the right to reign, .

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel: 7:13-14

Yet the Reign of Jesus is not just for the years to come, it is for us here and now, for Christians His reign is a present realty. No where should the Reign of Jesus more evident than in the lives of Christian’s.

That in spite of the takes place around us we are should experience the Hope and Peace of His rightful Reign even now in our lives. All the prophetic words regarding the Reign of Christ, for us , should be true even here and now each day.

Jesus speaking to the Disciples, but also to believers down through the ages speaks of the peace of His reign in our lives. This peace is the peace that defies circumstances or conditions it is the peace of a heart ruled by our Lord Jesus.

“ My Peace I will give to you, but  not as the world gives” John:14:27

This peace that we should be experiencing now under His Reign will one day be for all humanity and over the entire world but we can have it even today. It is Peace that comes only from the great God.

Sunday of the Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ directs each and all of us to see beyond the world in which we now live and encourages us all to know that our Lords’ Reign will come openly to this earth even as it has for Christians here and now and  not just for some day…

Benediction:May we each and all experience the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ , not just in the years to come, but , today, tomorrow and for evermore.Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

Faith Faces Life

  "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us." Romans:5:1-5

All of us  face difficulties in this life, these difficulties, at times can prove to be  to overwhelming . 

 The early  Christians faced tiring times as well, there was pressures to abandon their Lord. Oft times there was the real threat of death, yet many of them ,with boldness ,  faced these challenges,  all the while clinging to their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

They faced life by faith, and so might we do the same . We can face things all the while growing in our Christian life, all because our Lord has justified us the Holy Spirit transforms even as we suffer.

Paul wrote to the Roman Christians of this very thing and of the need to grow in this life.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us."Romans:5:1-5

These are areas of blessing that  are our in Jesus, they all belong to us when we freely receive Him as our Lord, they are not earned or merited  we can hold on to them and in Christ they help us face the onslaught of hardship sand test of life.

 Justification  Through Faith

Paul begins by addressing the truth that this justification, that is the pronouncement of innocents  due to sacrifice of Jesus, we experience this  through faith  that Jesus. What Jesus has accomplished for us is to make us all innocent of any charge of sin in the eyes of God.

This innocents is not contrived or just theoretical it is our due to Jesus, we are through His humanity in union with Him so He being God and Human has the means to make this  realty for us.

We are not just forgiven of "sins" that we have committed ,but all the more we are forgiven of  who and what we are . Jesus became sin,  so we might become righteous. It is not just what,  but who.

Because of Jesus and His act of Justification.

"For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2Cornithians:5:21

By Jesus being "sin for us" , He could deal with the issue of sin at its very foundation in humanities flawed fallen nature, there for we are now justified because  our very natures have been forgiven us. We can now grow in Jesus to maturity of being "righteousness" . Is this license to sin,  no,  on the contrary we being justified  should live justified by faith.

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."Romans:1:17

Peace with God

With sin dealt with, we can be at peace with our God. There is no dread in us toward our God.  God has in His Son put aside anything that would keep us from coming to know Him. God has dealt with any thing that could hinder us.

"we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Romans:5:1b

The dread or fear of God , that some how He is angry at us is not necessary , Jesus has removed this concern from us, Jesus has given reason instead,  to know that our God loved us enough to die for us. That He wanted us. That should give us great peace to realize this. God loved and wanted us. What God has none went beyond just some  "judicial" need, it demonstrates the eternal love of a God Who was willing to die for His fallen broken children rather than be without us, that means He loved us more than He loves Himself.

  Access to God

This should bring us to see the Cross as an act of love rather than an object of wrath.  The Cross of our Lord and the resurrection and accession of  Jesus affords us full access to our God and His Grace  though faith by Jesus.

"through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand",Romans:5:1b-5a

This should comfort us be aware that He is graciously inclined toward us and there to help us in all of our needs without concern that we are not "good enough" , this means that He wants to bless us and  be there for us all to bear us up in our difficulties and trails and even in times of blessing.

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke:12:32  

We have, as well,  our Lord  Jesus Who stands ready for us to interceded on each of our behalf  when we encounter hardships and face test or when we stumble and fall he is there to lift us up and bear our burdens for us .

"Why he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them."Hebrews:7:25  

'Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews:4:14-16

 

Certainty of Hope

We can look ahead to not just each day knowing that our God is with us but that we are in Christ with Him even now through our Lord Jesus and we will experience  this certainty when we enter eternity. This is not a questionable proposition, when we can to believe our eternal destiny was settled. These are ours in Jesus. 

We have also became aware of God's abiding presence  in our lives , He is with us and all around us. We are not now nor ever alone. He will not abandon us. We come to see what is true.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you". John:14:16-20

All This is and more belong to us all through Jesus Christ and coming to faith in Him we experience the realty of it, we can face life. That means we can face life based on what is our in Christ He has given all that We have been given, "Peace, Access and Hope"  all  we might need to face each and every day.

 Yet,  not only these there is more for us all.

"Not only this, (that means there is more) we glory in our tribulation" Romans:5:3

 

 Glory in Trials

At times we can interpret trails and test, as punishment from our Lord, as "divine discipline"  , that may at times be true, but the great reality is that is suffering as evidence of  our identification with and in our Lord Jesus Christ, that means that suffering is a validation of our identity in and with Jesus.  This something to glory in, we are His and He is ours. The Apostle Paul faced the same situations in his life and ministry.

 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death;" Philippians:3:7-10

We can know that our Lord is working in us as His own Children having adopted us though Jesus Christ

We can have Peace, real Peace; we have Access to God for Help, and Hope a real expectancy of ultimate resolution of all our suffering.

 Adopted Then Adapted

We can know that our Lord is working in us as His own Children having adopted us though Jesus Christ .We are His Children and there is a process at work in each of us even in the midst of our suffering, the things we face are preparing us for eternity, we have in Jesus been adopted now we are being adapted to live in eternity with our Lord.

 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together"  Romans:8:14-17 

the sufferings of this life are deeply involve in this process of flitting shaping us for eternity . The sufferings produce patience, there is no other was to truly instill it with in us, here the Greek could easily be translated as "fortitude" which produces spiritual maturity. It is our natural inclination to attempt to circumvent suffering,yet it is part of the Christians life yet will all will face it.

 One way we can see suffering in a positive way is to be grateful for all things , that means if sufferings is our lot for the moment then it has been allowed by our God, and if allows it is therefore our good this doe not suggest that we pretend to enjoy facing difficulties,but we can rejoice in the results and that we have God's word He will see us through it and with our faith focused on Jesus we can face anything.

 Through our Lord Jesus God has given us a great hope to take hold of never having to fear what comes our way. We need to cling to Him and to His finished work for us all never letting go of what He has done for us. We  can, by faith,  face Life...Amen

 Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

All Things For the Good

 "All things work for the Good for those who love God" Romans:8:28

This very often quoted Scripture  does not say work for "our comfort" ,  but our good,  that is our  Lord  can take any bad  situation that we might face in our lives and uses these situation(s) for His purpose in our lives and Salvation,  which is our Eternal Best Good,  Our Lord works  to shape us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.

In each our lives  things occur that are painful and often unjust. We may ,over the course of time lose many tings, occupations, heath, relationships , freedoms or even our very lives.  All things can be lost ,yet God works  in the midst of it all for our good.

Yet  in the midst of  bad things our lord steps in and turns it into a blessing for us. When we face difficulties  who knows what seeds God may  have been planted or what sprouting seeds may have been cultivate?

The point is God can bring to pass good in our lives , in the midst of bad. Things which some meant for harm God meant for God.

 Joseph in Slavery

Look at the Patriarch Joseph, he had received of God, through dreams,  that he would be blessed to have a place of prominence over his brothers and other members of his family, yet for a time this assurance seemed elusive and in question. 

We find that,  his brothers were motivated by jealously , largely due to the fact  that Joseph was Jacobs favorite son were moved to cast Joseph into a well then they sold him into slavery. Joseph was taken to Egypt became a servant to an Egyptian official, then false accusations of inappropriate behavior was brought against him. Joseph was then imprisoned with little or no hope of freedom, yet forlorn  as he might have been our Lord was there working even if Joseph did not see how or why. God then, through the gifts of dreams led Joseph to in the end stand next to Pharaoh .  Ultimately these difficulties that Joseph  faced led to the preservation of his family .We can read Joseph's story in Genesis: 37-50 

  
God’s Hand

After the death of Jacob, Joseph's brothers were afraid that he would  seek revenge for all the harm that they had inflicted on him. Joseph gathered them all before him and    as he faced them Joseph utters  the word that reveals  of Joseph awareness of the providence of God in all his circumstances  he tells them,  “what you meant for harm, God intended for God” Genesis:50:20

Joseph saw God’s hand in his life even in the hard times , that  God’s had a purpose for the difficulties that were encountered throughout his life time, God worked in and through these things and redeemed everything  all for His purpose. God's providential hand was there.

 Do Not See Why

We, however,  may not always understand those things which beset us, those difficulty and trails that come upon us all,  especially when they are imposed on us  by others  for their gain at our essences . many of us have experienced these things . When difficulties ,what ever their form ,  befall us , God is  yet in the midst of them working  redemption for our lives , even when we can not see the purpose that is under way even when others do for harm our Lord  God can  work for good.

Jesus’ Death, for Our Good

Even in the life of  of our Lord Jesus, He was persecuted and slanderous attacks were spoken against Him. What made it worse is, that  this was done by persons who were “religious” those who claimed to be pious servants  of God.

Unfortunately we can encounter "religious  persons"   who uses scripture and even church attendance to add a facade of legitimacy to their actions ,  the Pharisee did so under the pretense of  devotion to God for the action taken against Jesus. 
Jesus who was the most just and loving ,  had justice withheld from Him.  Jesus  was the object of ridicule and insult  and in end persecution that led to His death upon the cross,  all for our good. What the religious establishment meant for  harm against Jesus,   God intended for good, all our good and worked redemption and are beyond the grasp of the powers of this age.

"We 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. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,

what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived”—

the things God has prepared for those who love him—

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit" .1Corinthians:2: 6-10

God gave us victory and undid the powers  of this world at the very height of their “perceived” greatest moment in bring about the death of our Lord Jesus, yet in this moment  God brought about the greatest good for His Son and all humanity and brings the victory.

 "But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians:15:57

 "There is in truth only one victory, that victory is this,  that God is God , this has is and always will be eternally true. This truth, that God is God,  has manifest through out all  time and  all eternity ."

This victory, this truth, has emerges throughout the history of salvation , from the preservation of  Noah and his family , to David facing Goliath , to the cross and resurrection of our Lord,  the preaching of the Apostles to Christians facing challenges each day in their lives even to the end of the world and the return of Jesus putting and end to human misrule . All theses things just demonstrate what is and always has been true, that God is God and there is no other.

Joining in His Suffering and Glory

 We are in union  with our Lord even in sufferings ,yet  His death brought us Victory , His victory that we all  share in ,  no matter what we may face that victory is ours. If we join Jesus in suffering we will join Him and Glory as well.

For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously: Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." 1Peter:2:21-25

All Things For the Good

 God will work and carry out His will in our lives even as we face challenges and hardships what form they take.

Joseph the Patriarch, came to know  this  even in the midst of . betrayal from his brothers , disgrace, false accusations , imprisonment  , challenges,  loss of position. Through it all   Joseph came to know  that God was faithful. He was to Him and will be to us all.  What ever the hardship  God can work and use the situation.  He can and will uses  all things for the good

"God All things work for the good for  those who love Him" Romans:8:28...Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com