Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Door County serves Fish Creek and surrounding areas.
Text: Jude 20-25
Liturgical Date: Last Sunday of Church Year (B)
Calendar Date: November 24, 2024
Location: Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Door County
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Jackson
Transcript
The following transcript was produced with the assistance of AI. It has been altered for readability. It does not match the sermon as was preached 1:1
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today in the Epistle, Jude, we heard these words: “To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forevermore.” In these words, we find so many descriptions of Jesus as King. To be “Lord” is another way of saying “King.” To have glory, majesty, dominion, and authority—these are all qualities that kings possess. That is our theme for today, a common theme we reflect on during the last Sunday of the church year, which is today.
You might say that we are in the New Year’s Eve of the church year this morning. On this day, we often talk about Jesus as King. Today, we’ll explore the Lordship of Christ, the kingship of Christ, under three headings:
- Jesus has a Kingdom of Grace.
- Jesus has a Kingdom of Power.
- Jesus has a Kingdom of Glory.
The Kingdom of Grace
You might think, “Pastor Chris, this image of kingship doesn’t really connect with us as Americans.” After all, a few hundred years ago, we rebelled against King George and declared our independence! Yet, it seems we can’t quite escape the allure of royalty. Consider the royal wedding in 2018 between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Despite the time difference, millions of Americans tuned in to watch. The ceremony aired at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time, which was 4:00 a.m. in California!
Let me ask you: how many people do you think watched the royal wedding? Here are your options: 3 million, 10 million, 30 million, or 100 million. Raise your hand for each guess. [Pause for responses.]
The answer? 30 million. That’s roughly one in every eight Americans setting their alarms early on a Saturday morning to watch the royal wedding. Clearly, we are still fascinated by royalty. This reminds us that the image of Christ as King can resonate with us, too. Just as people eagerly anticipated the pageantry of that royal wedding, my hope is that we, as Christians, will eagerly await the revealing of the glory of Christ.
As Christians, we await this because we trust in Him. To trust in Christ is to be part of His Kingdom of Grace. In John 18, an alternate reading for today, Jesus says:
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Pilate responds, “So you are a king?” Jesus answers, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
What is this truth? It is the Gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
The truth Christ came to proclaim is that through His righteous life, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection, sinners are redeemed. We have all failed to keep God’s law, but Christ succeeded. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father and in perfect love for His neighbors. Above all, He demonstrated this on the cross, where He bore the punishment for our sins.
For all who trust in this truth, who place their faith in Christ, there is forgiveness, salvation, and inclusion in His Kingdom of Grace. This kingdom is perceived in the heart, even though it is not seen with the eye. We cannot see faith, forgiveness, or grace, but we know them in our hearts. We know the comfort of freedom from guilt, the joy of freedom from shame, and the hope of everlasting life.
This invisible kingdom is not only personal but also shared with believers around the world. Together, we form what theologians call the “Invisible Church,” united in Christ. Though invisible to us, this Kingdom of Grace is fully known to God.
The Kingdom of Power
Christ also has a Kingdom of Power. In Matthew 28, the Great Commission declares:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. Nothing lies outside His power. As Christians, we acknowledge this, even though it is not always visible to the eye. For example, we recognize God’s provision in our lives, especially during times of thanksgiving.
This week, many of us will sit down to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast. When I see a beautifully roasted turkey on the table, I give thanks to God. The world, however, might scoff at this, saying, “That turkey didn’t come from God! Someone raised it, shipped it, bought it, and cooked it.” Yet, as Christians, we see Christ working behind all these things, providing for us through His Kingdom of Power.
God’s power extends not only to blessings but also to trials. Romans 8:28 reminds us: “For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Even in tribulations, distress, or persecution, God is at work for our ultimate good.
Sometimes we glimpse how God uses our trials for good. For example, as a middle school student, I suffered from terrible insomnia. Yet, those sleepless nights drew me to Scripture and the Small Catechism, deepening my faith in ways I could not have imagined. What seemed like a burden became a blessing, shaping me for the ministry I have today.
Christ’s Kingdom of Power is at work in all things, whether we see it or not.
The Kingdom of Glory
Finally, we come to Christ’s Kingdom of Glory. This is the kingdom that we eagerly await, as described in our Gospel lesson:
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
Even now, Christ reigns in glory in heaven. The angels and saints there see clearly what we, in His Kingdom of Grace, perceive only by faith: Christ’s reign over all things. They see how His power is at work in the world, orchestrating all things for the good of those who love Him.
The time is coming, however, when this heavenly glory will be fully revealed on earth. Just as Christ ascended into heaven, He will return in power and might. On that day, the angels will gather God’s elect from every corner of the earth. What we now trust in by faith—Christ’s righteousness, power, and glory—will be visible to all.
Philippians 2 declares: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” At His return, all creation will acknowledge His lordship.
For believers, this will be a day of joy. Our faith will be vindicated, and our transformation will be complete. We will see Christ face to face, and we will be like Him, reflecting His glory. This is the hope we cling to as we live in His Kingdom of Grace and experience His Kingdom of Power.
Living in the Light of Christ’s Kingdoms
So, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not lose heart. Let us trust in the grace of Christ, who has redeemed us by His life, death, and resurrection. Let us find comfort in His power, which works all things—even our struggles and sorrows—for our good. And let us eagerly anticipate His return in glory, when His reign will be fully revealed and His promises fully realized.
As we wait, we live in the confidence of Christ’s words: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Whether in times of joy or trial, He walks with us, bearing all authority in heaven and on earth.
And so, we give thanks for His Kingdom of Grace, where we find forgiveness and salvation. We give thanks for His Kingdom of Power, where He sustains and governs all things for our good. And we look forward with great expectation to His Kingdom of Glory, when He will return to make all things new.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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