Jesus as King of kings/Lord of lords – Page 2

Songs for Sunday, February 16, 2025 @ Christ Community Church

Sunday’s coming, and that’s good news!

Lord willing, we will gather together Sunday morning as a faith family and worship Him. We will lift our voices in song. We will submit our hearts to His Word preached. We will give Him our focus and praise.

It’s good practice and preparation for when we stand around His throne and worship Him together one day.

It’s a beautiful shadow of the substance that is coming when we see our King face-to-face and pour out our hearts in grateful praise for who He is and all He has done.

Sunday is good news for the believer because it points us back to that first resurrection Sunday when Jesus walked out of His borrowed tomb, risen just as He had promised.

Sunday is good news because it points forward to the day (not necessarily a Sunday on the calendar) when He will return and gather His bride – His Church – to Him.

Sunday gatherings are good news in the present because they represent His grace and mercy toward people who still have the opportunity to turn from their sin to Christ, confessing Him as their Lord and King. But there is coming a day when the opportunity to call on Him will be over. This is why the Scriptures urge us to be mindful of the time and call with urgency for people to repent and turn to Him. Look at how the prophet Isaiah put it:

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Similarly, Paul said,

“Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

God will not wait around in His “divine forbearance”, passing over “former sins” (Romans 3:25) forever. He is coming. That’s what He said at the end of Revelation, isn’t it? “And behold, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:7). But look at the way He said it the final time in Revelation 22:12-13:

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

He’s coming and doing what? Could “bringing…recompense” mean what it says? Simply put: yes.

So, the urgency of seeking the Lord while He may be found is underscored – underlined – highlighted and bolded for emphasis. Those who call upon the name of the Lord, those who confess faith in Him and submit to Him as Lord and Savior do not receive the just recompense for their sin because Jesus took that wrath and punishment on their behalf. But for those who have not, the full weight of the wrath of God awaits. It’s a startling prospect. I would definitely categorize that as not-good news.

It does not have to be though. There is grace enough for all who come to Him.

Jesus doesn’t end His revelation with the bad news. He also offers an invitation. “Come” say the Spirit and the Bride. “Come” says those who have heard the Word of God and responded to Jesus in faith. Those who are thirsty can come and receive from Jesus the “water of life without price” (Revelation 22:17).

So, I echo that invitation to you, beloved: “Come”. Or as Philipp told Nathaniel, “Come and see” (John 1:46). Come, and meet with Jesus. Come, and lay your burdens down. Come, and call upon Him while He is near. Simply, come.

This is not about coming to church but coming to Jesus. This is not about religion but extending an invitation for relationship. This is about the God of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, extending an invitation for those who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him (Matthew 11:28).

As I said earlier, Sunday is coming and there is an opportunity to gather and worship Jesus. Won’t you come and join us? Won’t you lift your voice with ours? There’s no time like the present.

Just know that YOU are invited. YOU are wanted. YOU are welcomed.

Come on.

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

Scripture | Revelation 19:11-16 —

¹¹Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. ¹³He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. ¹⁴And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. ¹⁵From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Song | King of Kings —
Scripture Inspiration: Proverbs 4:19, John 3:19-21, Ephesians 2:1, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 5:17, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:31, Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:7, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 8:1, John 1:14, Psalm 136:3, Matthew 28:18, Revelation 19:16, Matthew 13:24-52, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Isaiah 53, John 3:16, Romans 5:6-10, Galatians 3:13, Colossians 2:14, Titus 2:14, Acts 4:33, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Matthew 27:52-53, Luke 15:7, Acts 2:1-4, Matthew 24:35, Ephesians 1:7, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11

Scripture | Revelation 4:8-11 —

⁸And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

⁹And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹¹“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Song | Worthy of It All —
Scripture Inspiration: Revelation 4:10-11, Revelation 7:9-17, Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, Revelation 5:6-13, Romans 11:36, Malachi 1:11

Song | Holy, Holy, Holy (Jesus Reigns) —
Scripture Inspiration: Isaiah 6:1-7, Revelation 4:5-11, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Genesis 17:1, Revelation 1:8, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 86:5, Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 John 4:19-20, Job 36:26, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 90:2-4, Revelation 11:17, Revelation 22:13, John 3:20, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 92:15, Philippians 2:10-11 (Help/guidance from Scripture with the doctrine of the Trinity: Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Baptist Faith and Message (2000), Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 2), Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry)

Scripture | Revelation 5:8-14 —

⁸And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, ¹⁰and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹²saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

¹⁴And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Song | Revelation Song —
Scripture Inspiration: Revelation 5:6-12, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 4:8, Romans 3:25, Hebrews 9:5, Revelation 5:13, Revelation 17:14, John 15:5, Psalm 33:8-9, Revelation 4:2-3, Revelation 4:5, Luke 5:17-26

Invitation | Forever Reign —
Scripture Inspiration: Psalm 73:1, Nahum 1:7, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:16, John 1:4-5, John 8:12, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:24, Deuteronomy 33:27, Luke 15:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, Proverbs 3:15, Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:6, Philippians 4:4, Habakkuk 3:18, Psalm 13:6, Job 23:11-12, Psalm 16:2, Romans 1:19-20, Colossians 2:9-10, Matthew 28:20, Psalm 138:1, Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11

Offertory | It is Well with My Soul —
Scripture Inspiration: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, John 14:27, John 16:29-33, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-15, Colossians 3:15, 3 John 2, 1 Peter 5:8, Psalm 66:8-12, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:5-9, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 94:19, Luke 12:22-26, John 3:30, Philippians 4:6-7, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Colossians 2:14, Philippians 1:21, Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25, Philippians 3:20, Mark 13:26-27, Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 21:1-4

“The Thundering Power of God’s Voice” from Psalm 29 (#dailyPSALMSchallenge)

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as King forever.
Psalm 29:10

Psalm 29 is a majestic hymn that calls us to worship God for His unrivaled power and glory. Using the imagery of a powerful thunderstorm, David declares the might of the Lord’s voice, His sovereign rule over creation, and His eternal kingship.

David opens with a call to worship for the “heavenly beings” to “ascribe to the LORD glory and strength” (v. 1). Whether this is a reference to angels or to false gods, David is compelling them to acknowledge the Lord’s supremacy and preeminence. The repeated call to “ascribe to the Lord” emphasizes God’s inherent glory, strength, and holiness. As worshipers, we are invited to recognize His matchless greatness and bow in reverence before Him (vv. 1-2).

The middle portion of the psalm (vv. 3-9) describes the “voice of the Lord” as it moves across creation, bring both destruction and awe. From the “mighty waters” of the sea (v. 3) to the forests of Lebanon and the wilderness of Kadesh (vv. 5-8), God’s voice shakes the earth and demonstrates His unrivaled power. Even the majestic cedars of Lebanon, symbols of strength and stability, are shattered at His command (v. 5). This vivid imagery reminds us that no force – indeed nothing in creation – is beyond God’s reach or control.

Psalm 29 culminates with a declaration of God’s eternal rule: “The LORD sits enthroned as King forever” (v. 10). The reverence to the “flood” in v. 10 recalls the great flood in Noah’s time, a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty over creation as well as His might in judgment. Yet, alongside this display of power is the promise of peace for God’s people (v. 11).

Psalm 29 is the revelation of the dual reality of God’s greatness and goodness – His fearsome power contrasted with His blessing and protective care for His people.

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 29

Psalm 29 points to Jesus as the ultimate Word of God (John 1:1-3), describing the voice of the Lord as powerful and majestic. As God incarnate, Jesus spoke with authority over creation, calming storms with a word (Mark 4:39) and demonstrating His sovereignty as King of kings (Revelation 19:11-16).

The imagery of a storm also reminds us of the judgment and salvation accomplished through Jesus. At the cross, the earth trembled (Matthew 27:51) as Jesus bore God’s wrath against sin. Through His resurrection, He conquered death and now reigns eternally as King. Psalm 29 concludes with a prayer for strength and peace, which are both fully realized in Jesus, who offers peace with God through His sacrifice (Romans 5:1).

Reflection

Psalm 29 invites us to worship the Lord for His power, holiness, and eternal reign. Consider these following questions to help you reflect.

When you see displays of God’s power in nature, are you reminded of God’s power and majesty? How can those moments move you to praise?

In what areas of your life do you need to remember God’s sovereignty and trust in His control?

Take time today to marvel at God’s power and glory, expressed both in creation and in the person of Jesus. Let your heart respond with the same cry as the worshipers in the temple: Glory! (v. 9)

The #dailyPSALMSchallenge gives us the opportunity to start 2025 in God’s Word by digging into a psalm a day. Each day will identify a key passage for us to meditate on as well as seeking to help us see Jesus in the psalm and reflect on what we have read.

Won’t you take the challenge?

“His Name is Jesus” from Psalm 24 (#dailyPSALMSchallenge)

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
Psalm 24:7-8

Psalm 24 is a majestic declaration of God’s greatness, His rightful place as ruler over all creation, and the glory of His presence. Traditionally, this psalm is connected to the Ark of the Covenant arriving in Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6. The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God’s presence among His people (especially the Mercy Seat on its top), but this psalm transcends the Ark and Israel because we know the answer to Psalm 24’s question of “Who is this King of Glory?” – His name is Jesus!

David begins Psalm 24 by asserting that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord because He founded and established it (vv. 1-2). He is the Creator and therefore the rightful owner of everything that is, including every person. This foundational truth reminds us that our lives are not our own; we belong to God who made us for His purposes.

In vv. 3-6, David asks an important question: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy presence?” (v. 3). Then, David promptly answers by saying that only those with “clean hands” and a “pure heart” may enter into God’s holy presence (v. 4). These qualifications reveal two things: 1)God is immensely holy, pure, and perfect, and 2)humanity is immensely, well, not. It is impossible for sinful humanity to stand before God on our own merit. Clean hands refers to righteous actions and deeds, and a pure heart references cleanliness in our motives and minds. Religion cannot produce this; only a life fully devoted to God in truth and righteousness.

Psalm 24 then crescendos in vv. 7-10 with a triumphant call to open the gates for the King of Glory. The repetition of the question referenced above – “Who is this King of Glory?” – underscores His unmatched majesty. He is “the LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle” (v. 8). This imagery celebrates God as the victorious Warrior-King who reigns supreme over all creation. Ultimately, this points to Jesus, the King of Glory.

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 24

As stated multiple times above, this psalm very clearly points to Jesus. He is the Creator through whom all things were made (John 1:1-3). He is the sinless Son of God who alone has clean hands and a pure heart. He not only can ascend the hill of the Lord but descended down to where we are, making Himself like us so that He can carry us up the hill – which is essential for us to understand because He is the only Way we will make it (John 1:14, 14:6)!

Potentially the most important connection in Psalm 24 is its ties to the Ark of the Covenant entering the city. The Ark was never meant to be more than a representation of God’s presence going before them and being among them. Jesus is the better Ark. After His victory over sin, Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary – ascended the holy hill – as the victorious King (Hebrews 9:24). More than that, Jesus Himself IS the mercy seat!

The mercy seat was where the priest sprinkled the blood on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. The word the author of Hebrews used in Hebrews 9:5 for mercy seat is the exact same word Paul used in Romans 3:25 for propitiation – atoning sacrifice. Jesus is the better Ark because He is not a shadow or symbol but the substance; His sacrifice was once for all (Hebrews 7:27, 10:10). He is the King of Glory! He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins! He is God! And He is good!

The gates of heaven open wide for Him, and He now reigns as the exalted Lord. Revelation 19:11-16 vividly portrays Jesus as the rider on the white horse, leading the armies of heaven in final victory. When He returns, the King of Glory will bring the fullness of His kingdom to earth, and every knee will bow before Him!

Reflection

Psalm 24 challenges us to examine our hearts and lives. Are our hands clean and our hearts pure before God? On our own, we fall short of His holy standard. But the gospel assures us that through Jesus, we can be washed clean and made new.

As you reflect on this psalm, consider these question. Are you living as though your life belongs to God? Are you seeking His presence daily with a heart devoted to Him?

Take time to marvel at Jesus’s majesty, the King of Glory who reigns in power and grace. Lift up your heart in worship, for He is worthy. Let the gates of your life be opened wide to welcome Him in.

The King of Glory has come, and He is coming again. Are you ready to meet Him?

Here’s a good song to help you meditate on Jesus, the “King of Glory”: