Reign of Christ in this world and eternity

Jeremiah 23.1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1.11-20; Luke 23.33-43

Sovereign Lord, you restore all things in your Only- Begotten,the Ruler of the universe: give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this secular world, knowing that your Kingdom shall come, and bring all people together under the gracious reign of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.

Today is the last Sunday of the Christian year. The Christian year, begins with Advent, takes us through the events in the life of Jesus, upto Pentecost. Thereon we have a period of time known as ordinary time when the church reflects on themes of growth and life. This season ends with what is known as the reign of Christ or Christ the king. Reminding us that we live under the rule of Christ all the days of our life.

Next week we begin a new Christian year with Advent Sunday, where the main theme is hope, that hope is that the one who rules over us will, return one day. So we use the colour blue, which is the colour of the sky, because we look up expecting Jesus to return any time. Because the reign of Christ is not just on this earth but for eternity.

It is in this backdrop that we look at our readings and try our best to understand Jesus, not just the man who walked on this earth, but Jesus the Christ, the one who rules over us.

As so this morning through our readings, I hope you'll have prepared yourself by reading the OT and Psalm too, let us look at some qualities of Christ's rule. The qualities of a rule come from the person who rules. He or she is the source. So if Jesus is the king, his reign will definitely have qualities that belong to him. 

Recent incident with one of our cricketers in Australia. The comment that many people made, when our parliament is full of rogues, murders, and immoral people, and they live free as if it is normal what can you expect from the people.

So the first quality, is what we know, what we have been speaking about for the past 4 years, and which the majority are yet to do, what is it? Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is to wash away, erase, and never again remember what someone else has done against us. It may have created a wound, it may hurt, it may have humiliated you, yet you are to forgive. That is what Jesus did on the cross. The moment he was crucified, he forgives the people who falsely accuse him and insult him. Then he forgives the penitent robber. 

Endurance - Endurance is to withstand any unpleasant or difficult situation without giving in. This most of the time happens when you have objective to achieve, and all that happens against you can make you give up. Yet you hold on. Now Jesus endured pain, ridicule, insult, humiliation. He was very patient. When you are ruled by Christ and start showing his values and qualities in your life, you will need to endure a lot for the sake of him who is your master. 

A good shepherd - good pasture, fruitful and increase, security, no fear won't get lost. When people get their basic needs met, when they don't live in fear, there is freedom, then that group of people experience justice and righteousness. 

Well there are more qualities - justice and righteousness, wisdom, patience. And I would encourage you to go home and read all the readings for this day and identify the other qualities of Christ's reign.

The reign of Christ is the kingdom of the son whom God loves. And the work of the king is accomplished on the cross. But it doesn’t end. It continues through all who are part of his kingdom. So, how much should we possess the qualities of the one who rules over us. 

Today many people want to go to foreign countries. Some of the reasons they say is there is no injustice like here, there are systems in place, look at the quality of life, look at their leaders how they think and do for the people of their country. Today people should see the kingdom of God like that. 

People should see the citizens of the kingdom, you and me like that. They should want to leave the world that they living in and become part of God's Kingdom. to come under the rule of Christ. for that they need to see the qualities and values in every Christian. Are you ready to allow the Lord Jesus to change your lives into one that will always reflect his values and qualities to the world. And if so, are you willing to endure hardships, even the cross?

Those who are ruled by Christ should be known by their qualities and values. Today we are known as the church at the colour lights. But we should be known as the church where people who forgive, where people who fight for justice, where people who are patient, where people endure anything for the sake of others, gather to worship. Isn't that the witness we ought to be? 

People of God, as I always say, you can read the bible, you can pray, you can raise your hand and say halleluiah, but all that must transform you to become people who possess the value and qualities of Christ the King. 

The question is are you ready to make a commitment to live the qualities and values of the reign of Christ?