THE RESCUER KING
We have been considering the Good News of the Bible.
We started with the bad news—we are slaves of Satan’s kingdom of darkness. The Good News is that there is another kingdom—The Kingdom of Light.
But there is more to the Good News. There’s a Rescuer King.
Acts 8:12 (NIV)
Philip … proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God AND the name of Jesus Christ (emphasis added).
Acts 28:30-31 (NIV)
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God AND taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance (emphasis added)!
The first part of the Good News is that there is another kingdom—the Kingdom of Light. The second part is that there is a Rescuer King—the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though we can’t escape the kingdom of darkness, Jesus can rescue us from it and transfer us to the Kingdom of Light. Let’s look at that today.
First, Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Light.
Matthew 28:18 (NIV:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Revelation 19:16 (NIV)
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
But not only is Jesus the King of the Kingdom of Light, He is also the Rescuer of the Kingdom of Light.
Jesus called the Apostle Paul with these words:
Acts 26:18
Open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those made holy by faith in me.
Clearly echoing this calling, Paul described the Good News like this:
Colossians 1:12-14
Give thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in the light. For he has rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
What does God rescue us from?
What does God transfer us to?
Why is purchasing our freedom and forgiving our sins essential to our rescue and transfer?
Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV)
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT)
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross
How did Jesus purchase our freedom and forgive our sins?
Why does Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross forgive our sin and free us from Satan?
Mark 1:14-17 (NIV)
Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
How are we to respond to the Good News that the Kingdom has come near to us through the person and ministry of Jesus?
Why is repentance important? Have you?
Why is believing the Good News important? Do you?
Why is following Jesus important? Are you?
Why is it important for Jesus to send us back into our circles of influence to fish for people (that is, to be His witnesses and ambassadors of His Kingdom)? Will you?
In light of what you have discovered through the Bible readings and your personal reflections, how will you respond? Finish this sentence: “I will …”