HE IS RISEN: Christ's Victory and Our Mission

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the hinge-point of human history—the moment when death's grip was broken and a new creation dawned. This Easter sermon explores the profound implications of Christ's empty tomb through three powerful movements: Victory Secured, Dominion Declared, and The March Begins.

When we examine ancient prophecies like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, we discover God's redemptive plan was no afterthought. Seven centuries before Calvary, Isaiah described with uncanny precision how the Messiah would bear our griefs, carry our sorrows, and be pierced for our transgressions. King David's prophetic words in Psalm 22 captured not only Christ's suffering ("they pierced my hands and feet") but also His ultimate triumph ("all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh"). What appeared to be defeat at the cross was actually history's greatest victory—the serpent's head crushed even as he bruised the heel of our Savior.

Following His resurrection, Jesus made an earth-shattering declaration: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This wasn't empty rhetoric but the fulfillment of Daniel's vision of the Son of Man receiving an everlasting dominion. The risen Christ now rules as King over every sphere of existence—the individual heart, the family, the church, and the nations. Nothing falls outside His jurisdiction. From this absolute authority flows our Great Commission mandate to disciple all nations, teaching them to observe everything Christ commanded.

What does this mean for us today? We're not spectators but participants in the advancing kingdom. Christian men are called to discipleship leadership in their homes and communities. Women serve as powerful kingdom agents through nurturing, teaching, and hospitality. Families function as outposts of Christ's light in a darkened world. The church trains warriors who engage culture with truth and grace rather than retreating from it.

Christian Warrior Talk is Sponsored by Trident Shield, your trusted ally in violence preparedness. Trident Shield helps safeguard your loved ones with expert training and consulting. Trident Shield, defending faith through empowered preparedness because together, we save lives."

Chapters

• 1:18 Easter Introduction and Welcome
• 4:07 Victory Secured: Cross and Empty Tomb
• 18:34 Isaiah's Prophecies of the Suffering Servant
• 29:55 Psalm 22: The Cry of Victory
• 52:02 The Crucifixion Account in Matthew
• 1:09:52 Dominion Declared: Christ's Authority
• 1:14:35 Holy Communion and Benediction

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:39

Happy Easter to you, welcome, welcome, welcome to Christian Warrior Mission. I'm going to keep everything short because this is going to be. It is Easter, so you guys need to strap in for a long sermon. So no quick and easy hit. Today you guys got an 11,000 plus word sermon coming your way Because I want to do this right. It's the most important day of the year and every time I tried to cut it I didn't feel right. So I'm giving you forewarning Go get your coffee, because most of you are watching from home. Get your bathroom breaks in here, and I'm not going to do anything other than get started. All right, so I hope you had a great week. I know I sure did, and I'm glad that the weather has gotten nice here in Tennessee. So good morning, brothers and sisters. He is risen. He is risen, indeed right.

Speaker 1: 1:41

This Lord's Day we celebrate the decisive victory of our King, jesus Christ, over sin, death and hell. We are not here as defeated people, but as Christian, victorious Christian warriors, rejoicing in the triumph of our commander. Oh death, where is your sting? Oh hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen and life reigns. Today we stand in the light of the empty tomb, bold, grateful and ready to follow our risen Lord into spiritual battle. This is not just another Sunday. It's the victory day of the kingdom of God. Let's set our hearts to worship the King of Kings, who has conquered and now commands us. Let us pray, heavenly Father, lord of hosts, we praise you this day for the resurrection of your Son. We thank you that the tomb is empty and our Savior lives and reigns. Fill this sanctuary with your resurrection, joy and warrior boldness by your spirit. Open our eyes to behold Christ's victory secured, his dominion declared and the march of his kingdom begun. Empower the preaching of your word. Let it be clear, true and piercing. Strengthen us as Christian soldiers to respond in obedience. We exalt you, o God, for death cannot hold your son. May Christ Jesus receive all glory in our worship In his mighty name, we pray amen.

Speaker 1: 3:12

This is a three-part sermon, okay. Part one victory secured. We begin with the foundations of our faith the cross and the empty tomb. In this first part, we will see how Jesus secured victory over sin and death through his suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. Our warrior king won the war at Calvary and by rising on the third day Calvary and by rising on the third day.

Speaker 1: 3:46

Let's deeply examine the scriptures that foretold of this record and recorded this triumph. The suffering servant foretold Isaiah 53. Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah, 700 years before Christ, described the Messiah's suffering and its purpose. Hear the word of God. Now I want you to picture how many times you've heard Easter, how many times you've watched the Passion of Christ or any other Christian film that depicts the suffering of Christ and all these things, and picture those.

Speaker 1: 4:19

As I am reading this word 700 years before it happened, as I am reading this word 700 years before it happened, who has believed our report and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed? For he grew up before him like a tender shoot and like a root out of parched ground. He has no stately form of majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should desire him meaning. He was humble and meek. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised and we did not esteem him. Surely, our griefs he himself bore and our sorrows he carried. Yet we ourselves esteemed him, stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our inequities, the chastening of our peace fell upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. My TV here just turned off. We ourselves esteemed and stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was pierced through.

Speaker 1: 5:50

I love being a one-man show. It is the best thing ever. Let me tell you, if you want to be a pastor and run all the tech by yourself, while you're doing it you are going to learn humility, my friends, and you're going to have to show patience in front of countless untold people, no matter what words echo in here. You've got to project calm and peace. Yes, thank you. Let me get back to the word of God now. Thank you, but he was pierced through and was crushed for our iniquities. The chastening for our peace fell upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way, but Yahweh has caused the iniquities of us all to fall on him.

Speaker 1: 6:44

He was oppressed, he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth, like a lamb that is led to slaughter and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers. So he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment, he was taken away. And as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, that the transgression of my people striking was due to him. So his grave was assigned with wicked men. Yet he was with a rich man in his death. Now I can unpack those two specifically. But if you think he was with a rich man in his death, now I can unpack those two specifically. But if you think he was crucified with two traitors, two thieves, two political terrorists, whatever you want to call them, and then he was buried in a rich man's tomb, right that was donated Because he had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in his mouth, but Yahweh was pleased to crush him, putting him to grief.

Speaker 1: 7:54

If you should place his soul as a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days and the good pleasure of Yahweh will succeed in his hand as a result of the anguish of his soul. He will see it and be satisfied by his knowledge of the righteous one, my servant, will justify the many as he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will divide for him a portion with the many and he will divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors. Yet he himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors. Isaiah foretells a suffering servant who would bear the sins of his people.

Speaker 1: 8:41

Every line we just read points to Jesus. He was despised and forsaken. A man of his people. Every line we just read points of Jesus. He was despised and forsaken. A man of sorrows, he bore our griefs and carried out sorrows on the cross. He was pierced for our transgressions, literally nailed and speared, crushed for our iniquities by the wrath of God. This is the language of substitution and sacrifice. Our warrior king secured victory by not avoiding suffering but entering into it fully on our behalf.

Speaker 1: 9:08

Notice the end of the passage. After his soul's anguish, he will see his seed, his will, prolong his days. He will prolong his days A reference to resurrection, life. God promises that his suffering one, though he dies, will live again and see his offspring, the people redeemed by his works. The text even says he will divide the spoils with the strong. That's victory language. After the battle, the conqueror shares the spoils. Jesus, through the agony of the cross, won the spoils of salvation and eternal life for us. Charles Spurgeon joyfully noted, the silver thread of resurrection runs through all believers' blessings, from his regeneration onward to his eternal glory, binds them together. In other words, christ's death and resurrection secure every blessing we have. The victory was not partial, it was complete. Isaiah 53 ends with triumph Sin born, intercession made, victory secured.

Speaker 1: 10:32

Now let's go to one of the most misunderstood portions of the Bible. The Rolling Stones even wrote about this the cry of victory on the cross, psalm 22. Even King David, centuries early, prophesied the Messiah's suffering, an ultimate triumph, in Psalm 22. Jesus himself would quote this psalm while on the cross. Let's hear portions of it Again.

Speaker 1: 11:04

Picture this my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my groaning. Oh, my God, I call by day, but you do not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me. They smack their lip, they wag their heads saying commit yourself to Yahweh. Let him rescue him, let him deliver him because he delights in him. I am poured out like water and all of my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a pot sherd my tongue, cleaves to my jaw and you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me, a band of evildoers has encompassed me. They pierced my hands and my feet. I count all my bones. They look, they stare at me, they divide my garments among them and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, o Yahweh, be not far off. O my strength. Hasten to my help. You have answered me. I will surely recount. Hasten to my help. You have answered me. I will surely recount your name to my brothers.

Speaker 1: 12:43

In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you, you who fear Yahweh. Praise him All you see of Jacob, glorify him and stand in awe of him, all you see of Israel. For he has not despised nor abandoned the affliction of the afflicted and he has not hidden his face from him. But when he cried to him for help, he heard. O you, in my praise and the great assembly, I shall pay my vows before those who fear him. The afflicted will eat and be satisfied. Those seek him will praise yahweh. May your heart live forever. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to yahweh. Now, this is important and we'll break this down later. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to yahweh, and the families of nations will worship before you, for the kingdom is yahweh's and he rules over nations. All the prosperous of earth will eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust will bow before him, even he who cannot keep his soul alive. Their seed will serve him. It will be recounted about the Lord to the coming generation. They will come and be declared his righteousness. They will come and declare his righteousness To the people who will be born, and that he has done it.

Speaker 1: 14:05

The psalm is astounding. It begins with a cry my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Everyone who doesn't know the Bible thinks that that's God asking the Father. Why have you forsaken me? Not knowing that he's quoting scripture that's hundreds of years old. At that point, any Israelite would know that that is the opening passage of Psalm 22 and that everything below that is what is about it. That is what he's talking about, as the Roman soldiers are dividing his clothes and casting lots before him. They literally divided his clothes and his belongings and they were rolling dice, casting lots to see who had him and pierced his hands and feet. Everything there. Oh yes, thank you, god. So it begins with a cry my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The very words Jesus shouted from the cross Matthew 27, 46.

Speaker 1: 15:03

David describes in uncanny detail the crucifixion scene. David describes in uncanny detail the crucifixion scene. Mockers saying he trusts in God. Let God rescue him. We heard the chief priests say that in Matthew's account. Thirst and exhaustion, my clung cleaves to my jaw, the piercing of hands and feet and the casting of lots for clothing All these were filled exactly when Jesus hung on the cross. This shows that the cross was God's plan all along. Our king knew what he had to endure to save us and he willingly went to that cross.

Speaker 1: 15:45

But Psalm 22 does not end in defeat or despair. Notice the turning point. You have answered me God delivers. Then the psalm shifts to praise and global triumph. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh, for the kingdom is Yahweh and he rules over the nations. Hallelujah, because of the suffering of Christ, the nations of the world will come to know God. The psalm even concludes they will declare his righteousness to a people yet unborn. That he has done it. The final phrase could be rendered it is finished. Does that sound familiar. It echoes Jesus' last word on the cross in John 19.30. He has done it, the work is completed, the victory concerned.

Speaker 1: 16:33

This is very interesting for a couple of reasons. You know, we have the benefit of looking back through time now. But here is the religion of one of the most pathetic nations to ever exist, israel. God chose them because they were the weakest and they were the smallest, not because they were some great empire, and the religion of that group becomes the largest religion in the world. Okay, you need to stop talking, yeah, yeah. Yeah, you need to stop talking or you need to go away, okay, thank you. So both Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, we see this pattern Intense suffering, then vindication and victory.

Speaker 1: 17:15

Jesus fulfilled these prophecies to the letter On Good Friday at Calvary. Our Lord secured victory. He satisfied the justice of God for our sins, disarmed the spiritual powers of darkness and opened the way for all people to be saved. The ancient, or sorry, john Chrysostom expressed it in a flourishing triumph Christ is risen. O you, o death are annihilated. Christ is risen. The evil ones are cast down. Christ is risen and all life is liberated. In Christ's death and resurrection, death itself was defeated and life triumphed. It is finished the crucifixion account in Matthew 27. Now let's turn to the New Testament record of these events. We will walk through Matthew's gospel account of the crucifixion, where we will see prophecy become history.

Speaker 1: 18:15

And as they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means place of the skull, they gave him wine mixed with gall and after tasting it he was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified him, they divided up his garments among themselves by casting lots and sitting down. They began to keep watch over him there and above his head they put the charge up against him which reads this is Jesus, the King of the Jews. At that time, two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left, and those passing were blaspheming him, shaking their heads and saying you, who are going to destroy the sanctuary and rebuild it in three days, save yourself. If you are the son of God, come down from the cross. In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying he saves others. He cannot save himself. He is the king of Israel. Let him come down from the cross and we will believe in him. He trusts in god. Let god rescue him now if he delights in him. For he said I am the son of god. And the robbers who have been crucified with him were also insulting him with the same words.

Speaker 1: 19:34

Now, from the sixth hour, darkness fell upon the land until the ninth hour Three hours of darkness during the day. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a large voice saying my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of those who were standing there when they heard it began saying this man is calling for Elijah. And immediately one of them ran taking a sponge he filled with sour, with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave him a drink. But the rest of them were saying let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom. It's important, I'll talk about that after. And the earth shook and the rocks were split and the tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep dead were raised, coming out of the tombs. After his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion and those who were keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said truly, this was God's son, this is holy ground we're treading in scripture.

Speaker 1: 20:49

Let's unpack some key moments. First, on his way to Golgotha, jesus was so physically weakened from torture that Simon of Cyrene was pressed into carrying his crossbeam. This is God in the flesh. Okay, almighty Christ, who is God's son, has infinite power. God in the flesh. He chose to be drained of strength as a man for us. He could have called on angels to help, he could have done anything he wanted, but instead he embraced weakness that we might be made strong. At Golgotha, they offered him wine mixed with gall, a bitter drink like a mild anesthetic, but Jesus refused anything that would numb his senses. He would drink the cup of suffering to the full.

Speaker 1: 21:38

Wide awake to atone for us, the soldiers crucified and gambled for his clothes. Matthew records this matter of factly. But think, the Son of God was nailed to a tree and in that very act of prophecy of Psalm 22, 18 came true. They divided my garments among them and cast lots from my clothing. 22, 18 came true. They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Meanwhile, the charge above his head reads jesus of nazareth. Nazareth, the king of jews.

Speaker 1: 22:05

The powers of the world meant it as mockery, but in god's providence, proclaim the truth. Jesus is king, even as he suffers. The bystanders and religious leaders hurl insults that are loaded with irony. They mock he saves others. He cannot save himself. In fact, it was by not saving himself that he was saving others. They called him king of Israel in scorned, not realizing he truly is the king, not just of Israel, but of all nations. They shall let him come down from the cross and we will believe. Thank God Jesus didn't come down because by staying on that cross he secured the only basis for saving faith.

Speaker 1: 22:57

Sometimes victory doesn't look like the world expects. In this case, victory looked like a man dying on a cross for the sake of his enemies. Our Lord's power was perfected in weakness at that moment. Then, from noon to three, darkness covered the land. Creation itself signaled the way to this event. The light of the world was being extinguished, or so it appeared. In that darkness, jesus cried out the words of Psalm 22.1, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Here we glimpse a profound mystery of the Son experiencing the abandonment that our sins deserved. Jesus drained the cup of God's wrath so that we, god's people, will never have to know forsakenness by God. He was forsaken for a moment on the cross so you and I could be accepted forever. Finally, after fulfilling every prophecy and knowing all that was accomplished, jesus shouted and yielded up his spirit. John's gospel tells us his shout was it is finished the victory cry of our champion at the moment.

Speaker 1: 24:05

At that very moment, matthew notes, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. That massive curtain, for ages had symbolized separation between the holy of holies, holy God and sinful men, was ripped open. God himself tore it from top to bottom Through Jesus' broken body. The new living way into God's presence was open. No more would an earthly high priest have to offer animal blood year after year. Christ, our great high priest, had offered himself once and for all. The way to the throne of grace is now open wide to all who come through him.

Speaker 1: 24:45

The earth shook and rocks split. Even the earth was responding to the death of its creator. Tombs broke open and some saints were raised to life as a foretaste of resurrection. It's as if death's grip was already slipping in the presence of Jesus' victorious death. The centurion and soldiers guarding Jesus saw these wonders and were terrified. Hardened Roman soldiers found themselves exclaiming this truly was God's Son. Even in his dying, jesus was conquering hearts, the first fruits of a great harvest to come.

Speaker 1: 25:18

Brothers and sisters, jesus secured the victory on the cross. He paid in full the penalty of our sins. He satisfied divine justice and defeated the devil. Who can no longer accuse us successfully? Colossians 2.15 says that Christ, having disarmed the rulers and authorities, made a public display of them triumphing over them by the cross. What looked like defeat for an itinerant preacher from Nazareth was actually a cosmic D-Day of God's plan. The serpent's head was crushed Genesis 3.15,. Even as the serpent bruised his heel.

Speaker 1: 26:01

Charles Spurgeon put it this way the whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that Christ is risen from the dead. For if Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain. But indeed he is risen and now the silver thread of resurrection runs through all of our blessings. We can never overstate the importance of this victory. Jesus' death and resurrection are the hinge of history. Our sins are forgiven. Our greatest enemies have been vanquished. John Calvin wrote of the cross and resurrection. We divide the substance of our salvation between Christ's death and resurrection as follows Through his death, sin was wiped out and death extinguished. Through his resurrection, rightfulness was restored and life raised up. Do we grasp that At Calvary, christ wiped out our sin debt? On Easter morning he rose to apply new life and righteousness to us. Victory secured. The empty tomb is God's proof that Christ's sacrifice was accepted in the war won.

Speaker 1: 27:12

Now, before we move on to the next part, consider this victory means to you personally. Sin no longer has a right to rule you. Death no longer has a right to rule you. Death no longer has the final say over you. If you are in Christ, you stand on the side of the victor. We are not fighting for victory over sin. We are fighting from the victory Christ already achieved. This gives us confidence to strive for holiness and courage in spiritual warfare.

Speaker 1: 27:42

Lauren, if you're hearing me, if I can get a refill of drink, that'd be great. If you're not, that's okay. Discipline drill. Examine your life this week in light of christ's victory. Identify one area of persistent sin or fear. Remind yourself that jesus died to break that sin's power and rose to empower you by the holy spirit. Resolve to battle that sin as a defeated foe. For example, if anger or lust or bitterness plagues, you, declare boldly in prayer Christ has set me free from your dominion. Then take concrete steps of obedience, knowing that victory is secured. Try memorizing Romans 6.14. Every day preach to yourself I am alive from the dead. With Christ, I will not return to the grave clothes of sin.

Speaker 1: 28:43

Having seen our Lord secure the victory through the cross, let's now move on to part two, where we behold Christ, the risen Christ, and hear his royal declaration of domination, of dominion. Dominion, sorry. Dominion declared the king has triumphed. Now he takes his throne. In this part we focus on the resurrection and ascension of Jesus as the moment his dominion, his kingly authority is declared over all creation. The war is won. Now the rightful king stakes his claim. We'll see that Jesus receives all authority in heaven and on earth, fulfilling ancient prophecies, and we will hear his marching orders that flow from that authority. He is risen, the king triumphant. Matthew 28, 1 through 10.

Speaker 1: 29:32

Resurrection morning changed everything. Let's read Matthew's account of the empty tomb and the risen Christ appearing to the women. Let's read Matthew's account of the empty tomb and the risen Christ appearing to the women. Now, after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, there was a great earthquake where an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it and his appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow and the guards quaked from fear of him and became like dead men. And the angel answered and said to the women Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen. Just as he said, come see the place where he was lying and go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. And behold, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him. And behold, I have told you. And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to his disciples. And behold, jesus met them and said Greetings. And they came and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Notice that they came and took hold of his feet. Then Jesus said to them Do not be afraid, go and report to my brothers to leave for Galilee. And there they will see me.

Speaker 1: 30:54

Imagine that morning dawn's light creeping in an earthquake, an angel blazing like lightning, rolling away the stone. Not to let Jesus out, for Jesus was already gone, but to let the witnesses in the Roman guards. Battalion soldiers shook and fainted in fear. The angel speaks the glorious words. He is not here. Here, for he has risen, just as he said. That is the turning point of history. Right there, jesus kept his promise. Death could not hold him Up from the grave. He arose as a mighty victor over the dark domain.

Speaker 1: 31:34

The angel commissions the women as the first messengers of the resurrection. Go quickly and tell his disciples, and on their way, jesus himself meets them. Can you imagine their emotion, fear and great joy mixed, suddenly seeing the Lord alive standing before them? They grasp his feet. This is no ghost or hallucination. They have physical hold of him and they worshiped. The appropriate response to the risen Christ is to worship at his feet, for he is God and he is king. Jesus' first words to them were so tender Greetings, followed by do not be afraid, our king is compassionate. He knows they are overwhelmed. He gives them reassurance and repeats instructions Go tell my brothers to meet me in galilee. Note that he calls the disciples my brothers, despite their having fled and failed. Okay, so I've been told that my camera's froze. I got a new computer, a new system. I apologize if you guys can't see me, but there's probably some setting I have to figure out and I apologize, I'm going to continue on. He speaks for them with grace and warmth.

Speaker 1: 32:54

The resurrection was not for him alone. It was bringing many sons and daughters to life and to his family. So in rising, jesus proved everything. Jesus proved everything he said about himself. He is the son of God with power. The resurrection vindicated his claim to be the Messiah and king. He also demonstrated that his sacrifice for sin was accepted, the debt is paid and new life now flows to his people, the Messiah and King. He also demonstrated that his sacrifice for sin was accepted, the debt is paid and new life now flows to his people. He has risen, just as he said. Remember, jesus had repeatedly told his disciples he would suffer, be killed and on the third day rise. Matthew 16, 21, 17, 23, etc. He is utterly faithful to his word.

Speaker 1: 33:36

Think of the dominion implications of the resurrection. This isn't just a man coming back to life, this is the author of life conquering the grave. Jesus emerged not only alive but glorified, beyond the reach of death. Romans 6.9 tells us Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again. Death no longer is master over him. He broke the power of the last enemy, which is death.

Speaker 1: 34:02

In Revelation 1.18, jesus says I was dead and behold, I am alive forevermore and I have the keys to death in Hades. Keys represent authority. Jesus now holds the keys to death itself. He is the Lord of life and death. No wonder that the earliest preaching of the apostles, the resurrection, was front and center. Peter, on Pentecost, declared that God raised Jesus and exalted him to the right hand. The empty tomb means a filled throne. Jesus is not just alive, he reigns.

Speaker 1: 34:39

And before we look at the formal declaration of his authority, let's remember an important prophecy that comes into play here. The prophet Daniel, centuries before Christ, saw a vision of the Son of man receiving dominion. Daniel 7, 13 through 14. I kept looking in the night visions and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like the Son of man was coming and he came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him, and to him was given dominion, glory and kingdom that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not be taken away, and his kingdom is which will not be taken away, and his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. This prophecy depicts the heavenly coronation of the Messiah After his suffering. Daniel earlier in Daniel 7, the beast representing the evil kingdom's rage, one like a son of man, comes on the clouds to God, the Ancient of Days, and is given universal and eternal dominion. The term son of man comes on the clouds to God, the Ancient of Days, and is given universal and eternal dominion. The term son of man was Jesus' favorite designation for himself and this scene is what he had in mind when Jesus comes to the Ancient of Days in the clouds.

Speaker 1: 35:48

Heavenly Father, not at his birth and not during his early ministry. This happened at his ascension after the resurrection. Forty days after rising, jesus ascended into the clouds and entered the heavenly throne room to be crowned. Daniel saw from heaven's perspective what the disciples witnessed from earth. The risen Christ ascended and dominion was bestowed upon him in his mediatorial role as God-man and dominion was bestowed upon him in his mediatorial role as God-man. Thus, the resurrection and ascension of Christ are Christ's coronation day. He had inherent authority as God's son, of course, but now, as the God-man, the crucified and risen Redeemer, he is exalted and enthroned as King of Kings. All authority is handed to the one who conquered sin and death. This leads us to the Great Commission text, where the risen Christ explicitly declares his dominion on earth All authority in heaven and on earth. The Great Commission in Matthew 28, 16 through 20.

Speaker 1: 36:53

The disciples obeyed Jesus' instruction to go to Galilee. Let's read what happened. But the 11 disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated, and when they saw him, they worshiped him. But some doubted, and Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This passage is loaded and is central to our mission.

Speaker 1: 37:32

Notice first, the disciples see the risen Jesus and their response is worship, as it should be, Though Matthew candidly notes but some doubted in verse 17. They are a bit staggered. It's not that they disbelieve now, but they are hesitant, still processing this incredible reality. Jesus doesn't rebuke them here. Instead, he assures them with a bold proclamation All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. This is dominion declared. Our Lord announced his cosmic kingship. The phrase has been given reflects Daniel 7 being fulfilled, the ancient of days giving him dominion. It's also echoing language of places like Psalm 2.8, where God says to his Messiah ask of me and I will surely give the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession. Jesus is now asserting that this has happened. He has triumphed and now holds royal authority over everything in heaven and everything on earth, nothing excluded. This is really important.

Speaker 1: 38:38

When you start looking at eschatology, you know the screams post-mill. Consider the scope all authority, not some or most. All Over angels, over stars, over kings, over nations, over nature and history, and every molecule and every moment. Jesus reigns supreme. So you hear all these pre-mill guys out there talking about the devil reigns. The devil's doing this, the devil's doing that. It's not the Bible says.

Speaker 1: 39:14

Abraham Kuyper famously said there is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which christ, who is sovereign over all, does not declare mine, does not cry mine. He wants it all. That is what all authority means. The dominion adam lost through sin. Jesus the second adam has regained, more, regained and more. He is the Lord of heaven and earth right now. This is post-resurrection, present reality, church. Do we live like? This is true To all of us Christians? Act as if Jesus' authority is only in the future, when he returns, or only spiritual in our hearts or in heaven. But Jesus said it plainly Right now, in this age, he has all authority, on earth as well as in heaven. We must not buy the lie that Satan or secular powers have real say right now and Jesus will only rule later. No, jesus rules today. He is actively subduing his enemies, as RC Sproul succinctly noted. By his life, death and resurrection, our Savior has conquered our enemies and by his spirit he has granted us to share in the victory. Christ is reigning and we share in that reign by his spirit.

Speaker 1: 40:43

Too often we look at our political situation or the state of what's going on in America as the measuring standard of what's going on in the world. Here is the truth A small amount of knuckleheads. 12, started Christianity. They were the first 12,. Right Now there are billions. Are we really losing, like the pre-millennials say? The answer is no.

Speaker 1: 41:08

What does Christ's present dominion imply? It means no sphere of life is outside his jurisdiction. He is Lord over the individual, lord over the family, lord over the family, lord over the church and Lord over the nations, including governments, culture, education, businesses, all of it. The resurrection was his enthronement as king. Ephesians 1.20-1.22 says, seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and he put all things in subjection under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church. Jesus today is head over all things for the sake of his church. That means Christian. There is no situation you face where Jesus is not king. There is no rival authority that can override him.

Speaker 1: 42:00

Now Jesus, upon declaring his total authority, immediately commands his followers go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Notice that, therefore, because he has all authority, we must go. The universal lordship of Christ is the foundation for the church's missionary mandate. If Jesus were not the rightful king of all peoples, we would have no right to go into all nations and call them to submit to him. But since he is. We have not only the right but the obligation to proclaim him everywhere. This is the Great Commission. Our marching order is straight from the commander. Let's break it down briefly.

Speaker 1: 42:38

The mission make disciples of all nation. A disciple is a learner, a follower, an inherent, and we are to turn rebels into followers of Jesus through the gospel. Not just converts, but disciples, lifelong students and servants of Christ, and not just in some places or one ethnic group, but all nations, the Greek word ethne meaning all people, groups, every culture, language and tribe. The king claims every nation as his own. Remember Psalm 2, ask of me and I will give you the nations as your inheritance. Here King Jesus is sending us out to collect his inheritance. This is dominion declared and applied. The whole earth must come under Christ's gracious rule. This means baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I have commanded you.

Speaker 1: 43:31

We make disciples by evangelism. We make disciples by evangelism symbolized in baptism and education, teaching obedience. Baptism is the public sign of repentance and faith, of being united with Christ. It's essentially enlisting in the king's army and swearing allegiance to the triune God To baptize in the name of the Father, son and the Holy Spirit indicates bringing people into covenant with the one true God identified as Trinity. Then we don't leave the new disciples untaught. We teach them to observe everything Jesus commanded, not suggestions, not maybes commands. The king wants obedient nations. This includes personal ethics, yes, but also living out Christ's teaching in community, in family life, in vocation, every area. Our curriculum is all that I commanded. We are not free to pick and choose. Christian discipleship is comprehensive. And notice Jesus is not telling the original apostles to teach. By extension, those they disciple must also teach the next generation, and so on.

Speaker 1: 44:39

This commission perpetuates until the end of the age verse 20, which hasn't come yet. So this task remains our task. We sit here today because previous generations obeyed this commission and brought the gospel across oceans and continents, and now it's our turn to carry the banner forward, the motivation and comfort. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Praise God, our king does not send us alone. He promises his perpetual presence With us through the Holy Spirit. The captain of our salvation marches with his troops. That means we have supernatural courage available. When you're out there sharing Christ or standing for truth in a hostile environment. Remember, jesus is with me right now. The sovereign risen Lord is at my side. Whom shall I fear? The presence of Christ is the power that makes the Great Commission doable. Without him we can do nothing. With him, all things are possible. So Christ has declared dominion and given us our mission orders.

Speaker 1: 45:47

Before we dive more into our part in part three, let's reflect on the dominion means for us now in our various roles. If all authority belongs to Jesus, then our lives must be brought under his authority in every respect. Abraham Kuyper's quote reminds us there is no neutral ground. Every facet of life must bow to King Jesus. For individual Christians, jesus is the Lord of your heart and mind. That means your belief. All choices, use of time, money, all should honor Christ's rule. We are not alone. We were bought with a price and Christ is our master. Are there rooms in your life where you've kept the door closed to Christ's authority? Perhaps you conduct your business, or your entertainment, or certain relationships? He claims lordship over all of it. The resurrection is the call to surrender fully and joyfully, because serving a living king is far better than being enslaved to dead idols of self.

Speaker 1: 46:44

For families, jesus is lord of our homes, husbands. He is the head over you and you lead your wife and children Wives. He is your chief bridegroom whom you honor in the way you support your husband, parents. Parenting aims should be driven by Christ's dominion, raising kingdom warriors, not worldly success stories. As a family unit, your home is a little outpost of Christ's kingdom. The atmosphere, the habits, like prayer, bible reading, worship, the way conflict is resolved, the priorities, all should reflect that Jesus reigns here. We are called to exercise dominion under Christ in our household, ordering our family life according to scripture, serving God together, welcoming others with hospitality, as an embassy of Christ's love For the church, obviously, jesus is the head of the church.

Speaker 1: 47:35

This means the church must always bow to his word as supreme. We don't take our cues from secular culture, from popular opinion. We march to Christ's commands. The mission of our church to make disciples in all nations is not optional. We must orient everything we do towards fulfillment. That great commission. Worship, fellowship, teaching, mercy, ministries all contribute to discipling the nations.

Speaker 1: 48:01

Also, as a local congregation committed to discipleship and dominion, we need to think beyond our walls. How can we influence our community for Christ's crowns rights? How can we support the gospel spreading to unreached people. We exist not just for ourselves, but as a base for a kingdom advance For society. This is where some get nervous, but it naturally follows. If Jesus is the Lord of all, then government and society fall under his authority. While the Great Commission focuses on making disciples, which changes society from the inside out, we also realize that Christ's law is the standard of righteousness for any nation.

Speaker 1: 48:49

Psalm 2 warns the kings of the earth to kiss the sun lest he be angry. They are to submit to the Messiah. This doesn't mean establish a coerced state church we're not talking about forced religion but it does mean Christian influences should extend to law, civil justice, education, art, etc. Through the salt and light of believers permeating these fields. When enough people in the nation follow Christ, it will transform the culture to reflect godly principles. Jesus' dominion declared compels us to seek the lordship of Christ over every sphere, in love and truth, not by sword, but by the word and spirit. Think of it right now. Jesus is king of kings. He is actively ruling the nations, even those that do not acknowledge him yet, steering history toward the ultimate goal. The earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea. What are you doing? Okay, have a seat. Okay, have a seat. We are on the winning side of history because the winner is on the throne.

Speaker 1: 50:05

The post-millennial confidence that the gospel will have victory in history before Christ returns isn't human arrogance. It's built on scriptures like we've seen Daniel 7, 14,. All peoples will serve him. Psalm 22, 27,. All ends of the earth will turn to the Lord. Matthew 28,. All nations discipled. These are promises to energize our mission. We truly expect the Great Commission to succeed by Christ's power. We're not a tiny, defeated band huddled until escape. We're an ever-expanding army claiming territory for our king, who already rules it by right.

Speaker 1: 50:46

John Christostom's Easter sermon includes these lines we heard Christ is risen and the evil ones are cast down. Christ is risen and life is liberated. The evil ones are cast down. Christ is risen and life is liberated. Christ is risen and the tomb is emptied of its dead. What a note of victory.

Speaker 1: 51:02

Evil is on notice. Because Christ lives, new creation has begun. His current reign guarantees that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his church. Gates are defensive. So that was Matthew 16. Gates are defensive, meaning that the church is on offense, battering the strongholds of Satan. The church is batter-ramming the gates of hell. So Christian men, step up as leaders under Christ's supreme authority. Christian women, serve boldly in confidence of Christ's reign.

Speaker 1: 51:38

Youth, submit your dreams to King Jesus. Aim to glorify him in your calling. Whatever it is, we all can say Jesus is the Lord. So I will not compromise with sin or the world's pressure. I answer to a higher throne Discipline drill.

Speaker 1: 51:54

Conduct a dominion inventory of your life this week. Take time and prayer to go through each sphere of your life Personal habits, family routines, work ethic, friendships, civic engagement. Reese ask is Jesus visibly Lord here? If someone observed this aspect of my life, would they see that I operate under Christ's authority? Identify one practical change for each sphere that would bring it more into line with Christ's lordship. For instance, if you're home, you might start daily family devotions or ensure the entertainment you consume honors Christ At work. Maybe you decide to display integrity and speak of Christ when opportunities arise. Acknowledge his authority above company policy. If conflict comes In community, perhaps it's writing a letter to a local leadership about a moral issue, respectfully presenting a Christian perspective. Do this inventory and commit to those changes. This is training ourselves to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Speaker 1: 52:55

2 Corinthians 10.5. With victory secured, part one, dominion declared part two. And we now move to the final part, part three. The march begins here. We consider how we, as Christ's church, press forward in history, carrying out the Great Commission, knowing the outcome is certain. History carrying out the Great Commission, knowing the outcome is certain. The march begins. Our king is risen and reigning. The command is clear Go make disciples of all nations.

Speaker 1: 53:27

Now, in part three, we focus on our marching orders as the church militant, the church at work on earth. This is where the rubber meets the road, where theology fuels action. Christ's victory is secure and his authority is absolute. So what do we do now? We march forth to extend his kingdom, armed with the gospel, empowered by his spirit. We look at the earthly church's example and the promises that encourage us and practical marching orders for us today, as Christian men, families and a congregation committed to discipleship and dominion from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Speaker 1: 54:10

Consider the march how the march began in the first century. Small band of disciples, once timid in hiding, became bold witnesses after encountering the risen Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In a matter of decades, the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and far beyond. Just as Jesus said in Acts 1.8, by the power of Christ's presence, the early Christians turned the world upside down. They confronted Jews and Gentiles alike with the news that Jesus is Messiah and Lord. They didn't shrink from declaring there is another king Jesus Acts 17.7,. A statement that caused political upheaval in Thessalonica. King Jesus Acts 17.7,. A statement that caused political upheaval in Thessalonica. Yet it was true, caesar was not supreme. Jesus was and is king of kings.

Speaker 1: 55:03

Despite intense persecution, the church kept advancing. Why? Because the risen Christ marched with them, confirming the message. Mark 16.20 says they went out and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them. Message Mark 16 20 says they went out and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them. One by one, idols fell At Ephesus. So many turned from idols to Christ that the sale of silver Artemis shrines plummeted, sparking an uproar in the idol-making industry Acts 19. What is that? Christ's dominion advancing, enemy territory being liberated.

Speaker 1: 55:33

The book of Acts is essentially the chronicles of the kingdom of God expanding like a mustard seed growing into a tree. Fast forward through history. The gospel continued to march across continents. Rome, which tried to squash Christianity, eventually acknowledged it, imperfectly but significantly. Pagan temples gave way to churches, education, law, art all were transformed to varying degrees under the influence of Christ's teaching as time went on. Even today, though, parts of the world are in rebellion, we see evidence of Christ's impact globally. There are faithful believers in every country on earth. Millions upon millions have bowed the knee to Jesus. Empires have risen and fallen, but the Church of Christ's kingdom. It's a long campaign, not completed in one generation or even one millennium, but it is inexorable. Isaiah 9-7 declares and peace there will be no end. The kingdom of Christ is ever increasing in scope until it fills the earth.

Speaker 1: 56:39

1 Corinthians 15.25 says Jesus must reign until he has put all enemies under his feet. He is doing that now, subduing human hearts through conversion and one day ultimately defeating even death completely at sorry, and one day ultimately defeating even death completely at the resurrection of all. We live in the midst of the process, this process with absolute confidence in the final outcome. Paul, in Romans 8, gave us triumphant words that ring out like a battle cry for this marching church. If God is for us, who is against us? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? Who will separate us from the love of Christ and all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. We are more than conquerors through Christ. That doesn't mean life is free of hardship. We are being put to death all day long was in that passage too, acknowledging suffering. But it means no hardship can defeat us or stop the mission. Not prison, not martyrdom, not hostile ideologies. Nothing can halt the kingdom's advance, because Christ's love and power keeps us in the fight. As history has shown, persecution often only fuels the gospel spread. As Tertullian quipped, the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church. So, brothers and sisters, the march has been ongoing and will continue until the end of the age.

Speaker 1: 58:17

The question is are we marching in it or watching from the sidelines? We were not meant to be passive observers of Christ's victory parade. We are soldiers and ambassadors in his service. Our mission field Christian men, families, congregations and more Sorry on the move. It starts with each of us embracing the role of the Great Commission. Not everyone is called to go overseas, but every one of us has a mission field In our home, our workplace, our neighborhood, our social circles. The march begins right where you are. You are the tip of the spear, where you stand. Christian men, you are called to lead this march.

Speaker 1: 58:59

Be disciples and disciplers. Your children should be your primary disciples. Do not leave it to the church program alone to teach them Christ. Gather your family for regular Bible reading and prayer. Model godliness and repentance. Show your sons and daughters what a man under Christ's authority looks like. Oops, just skipped, sorry. So your sons and daughters, what a man in Christ's authority looks like Humble, bold, loving, principled, also engaged other men. Shop and encourage each other to live for the kingdom, perhaps mentor a younger man in the faith or witness to a co-worker who's lost. The world is in dire need of godly men who stand unashamed under Christ's banner. Lead in integrity at your job, showing that your ultimate boss is Jesus. Take initiative in acts of service and evangelism. Remember discipline wins wars. So discipline yourself in prayer, in scripture, in virtue that you may be fit. Be a fit warrior for Christ.

Speaker 1: 1:00:13

Christian women, you also carry a banner of Christ's dominion in unique and powerful ways, whether you are nurturing children. Talk about discipleship. Motherhood is the front line of gospel work or influencing friends or serving through hospitality or teaching. You are expanding the kingdom's reach. The Bible honors women like Priscilla, who helped instruct Apollos more accurately in the faith, and like Phoebe, who served the church. Your steadfast faith, your prayers, your willingness to speak truth and love these are weapons God uses to conquer hearts. Our congregation's women's ministry, hospitality, outreach, sisters your labor in these is essential to the mission. Do all as daughters of the King, confident in his purpose for you. Raise the next generation of sons and daughters for Christ. Support your husbands or fellow believers in their calling. Be ever ready to share the reason for your hope, the hope in you, to your neighbors and colleagues. You march alongside the men in the distinct assignment God gives, not as bystanders but as fellow warriors, as shield maidens. She opens her mouth in wisdom. She looks well to the boys of her household. That's dominion at home and community that's Proverbs 31.

Speaker 1: 1:01:34

Families collectively view your family as a unit on mission. Ask how can your family serve Christ's kingdom together? Perhaps it's a simple opening your home for fellowship or a Bible study, demonstrating to a lonely world the warmth of a Christ-centered family. Perhaps it's participating together in community service helping a neighbor. Perhaps it's participating together in community service helping a neighbor. When families prioritize weekly worship, lord's Day observance, catechizing children and loving one another according to Scripture, they become a fortress of light, pushing back the darkness in their neighborhoods. Multi-generational faithfulness grandparents passing their faith to parents, to children is a long-term strategy to disciple nations. Abraham was chosen that he might command his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord Genesis 18, 19. And through that, all nations will be blessed. Your family, however imperfect, when submitted to Christ, is part of God's plan to bless the world, plan to bless the world.

Speaker 1: 1:02:36

Christian Warrior Church or Christian Warrior Mission her name itself indicates that we are not a social club but a training ground for spiritual warriors. We exist to equip and send out each other into the battle daily. We must therefore foster a culture of discipleship and dominion thinking. That means robust teaching, deep exposition, scripture, like we strive to do so that we know our orders, fervent prayer. Because this fight is spiritual. It must be won by God's power and genuine accountability and encouragement. Soldiers don't fight alone. We cover each other's backs.

Speaker 1: 1:03:11

It means we keep the Great Commission central, supporting missionaries, church planting and evangelizing our local area, praying for revival and reformation. It also means we engage culture from a biblical worldview not retreat, not surrender, but engagement. For example, if there is injustice, of moral evils in our community, be it abortion, sex trafficking, corruption etc. The church should address them prophetically, calling society to repent and submit to Christ's ways, while also extending Christ's grace to the broken. The gospel has both a saving effect and a transforming effect on society, like William Wilberforce, whose devout Christian faith drove him to fight the slave trade in the British Empire, or like Abraham Kuyper Just skipped again, I'm almost done when we quoted who was also a theologian and prime minister, worked to shape society into Christ's lordship. We too should have a vision of godly influence in whatever realm God gives us favor.

Speaker 1: 1:04:20

Now one might ask isn't the world very hostile right now? Don't we see secularism, false religion, immorality on the rise? Yes, in many places we do, but we must interpret the times with biblical hope. There have been dark ages before and great awakenings followed. The gospel torch may move from one region to another in different areas. Europe had its day of widespread faith and then grew cold, while Africa and Asia now see the most vibrant church growth. If our own nation is straying, we must work and pray all the more diligently for God to send revival here.

Speaker 1: 1:04:54

Remember our commander has all authority. He can topple ideologies and regimes in a moment. He conquered the mighty Roman Empire not by the sword, by witness and suffering Christians and the pre Sorry Mighty Roman Empire not by the sword, but by witnesses of suffering Christians and preaching of the truth. He can do it again in our day in unexpected ways. Our posture, therefore, should be bold and optimistic, not withdrawn and defeatist. We take seriously the warfare against sin and falsehood, but we do so singing because we know the end of the story. As the old hymn says this is my father's world. Oh, let me never forget that though the wrong seem off so strong, god is ruler. Yet Christ is on the throne. So we roll up our sleeves and get to work often that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Now I want to give some concrete marching orders, practical steps that we can and should be taking as individuals and as a church to advance Christ's kingdom. In this context, think of these as actionable objectives from our king, suited for our unit here at Christian Warrior Mission.

Speaker 1: 1:06:13

One deepening your training in God's word. Enroll in a Bible study, lead someone to Christ or closer to Christ. Identify at least one person in your life who is either unsaved or a young believer and intentionally invest in them spiritually, initiate a spiritual conversation, invite them to church or start a one-on-one Bible reading with them. Making disciples starts with individuals God has put you in your, or individuals God has put in your path. Do not be shy. You have authority of Christ behind you. When you speak his gospel, remember he is with you.

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Always Practice family worship and catechism. If you have kids, begin a routine of family worship. If you haven't, this can be simple. Read a short scripture passage after dinner. Sing a hymn or chorus together. Pray, sing Christian music together. Also consider using a catechism to teach your children core doctrines. It's an excellent way to teach them to observe all he commanded. Fathers, take ownership of this. Single adults and couples without kids you can still have a household devotion time or gather with friends to pray and sing. Make our homes little sanctuaries of praise and an act of dominion, claiming our households for Christ. Engage your community. Find a way to serve a witness in the community. Don't hide the light under a basket in your property and not go anywhere.

Speaker 1: 1:07:43

Uphold unrighteousness in society. Exercise your civic responsibility under christ lordship. This means voting for leaders and laws that align with biblical justice and morality. It might mean respectfully voicing your Christian perspective on public issues, writing to your representative or speaking at a school board meeting If something contrary to God's design is being pushed. We do this not because we trust in politics to save, but because we are Christ's ambassadors everywhere, including the public square. Our goal is is society where good is upheld and evil is restrained, which blesses all people. Seek the peace of the city. Jeremiah 29, 7 was God's command to exiles, and we seek our society's good by seeking its.

Speaker 1: 1:08:40

Wrap it up here pray kingdom oriented prayers. Increase your prayers for big kingdom causes. Set aside time daily or weekly to pray for everything from missionaries to people in your life, unreached people, groups to our nation. That turns back to God, to people in your everyday life. These are not burdensome when done in the joy of the Lord. They are part of our worship, our reasonable service to the King who gave all for us.

Speaker 1: 1:09:16

Remember Matthew 28, 20. I am with you always. You are not going alone in any of these tasks. The reigning Christ indwells you by his spirit. The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us. We go in authority of Christ, in the presence of Christ. That's an unbeatable combination.

Speaker 1: 1:09:34

So as we march we do, singing praises, encouraging one another, picking up the fallen, ever pressing forward. We know that our labor might be long. The enemy will throw counter attacks, temptations, discouragements, persecutions, but none of those can stop king jesus. The ending is assured. The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord. Sorry, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 11 and 15. We, the church, triumph and at the end we'll sing hallelujah For the Lord, our God. The Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to him. Revelation 19, 6 through 7. That victory song is coming.

Speaker 1: 1:10:22

Even though I'm in conclusion of this sermon, let us take heart from one more promise of Scripture regarding our role in Jesus' victory. Romans 16.20 says Notice under your feet, notice under your feet. Jesus decisively crushed the serpent's head at the cross and he will ultimately throw Satan in the lake of fire. Yet Paul says God will also. Let us, the church, put our feet on the serpent's neck, so to speak, as we participate in the mop-up operation of this war. What an honor to share the victory of our Lord. So lift up your heads. So lift up your heads, christian warriors. Our captain goes before us. He has risen, he is reigning and he will be with us to the end.

Speaker 1: 1:11:24

Let's march out of this building today with renewed zeal to disciple the nations, starting with our own households and neighbors, for the glory of our undefeated king. Adopt so here's a discipline drill. Adopt a battle buddy. Soldiers often have a partner to watch their back Buds. We had a swim buddy. Likewise, pair up with a fellow believer or a small band of two to three for the purpose of mutual encouragement and accountability in your mission. Meet regular to pray together, share evangelistic efforts, confess struggles and celebrate victories. Spur one another on. Don't try to march alone. Lock arm with your brother or sister and advance together.

Speaker 1: 1:12:07

Finally, we pray to come to the Lord's table and then go our separate ways. Let me encourage you with the ending vision of Revelation of the Lamb's ultimate triumph. It shows where all this is headed A countless multitude from every nation worshiping Christ, the new Jerusalem coming down to a renewed earth, god dwelling with man, every tear wiped away, that this is that is sure destiny that Christ's resurrection is secured. We are not chasing a fantasy. We are fulfilling a plan that cannot fail, because Jesus is alive on the throne. To sum it up, he is risen. Victory is secured. We stand forgiven and free because of it. He is risen, dominion declared, he is king of all. Right now he is risen.

Speaker 1: 1:12:57

The march begins. We have commission. We have a commission to fulfill in his power. Let's live in triumph of the resurrection, not just one day a year, but every day. The world will take notice of christians who are fearless, loving and unshakably joyful because they serve a risen Lord. That's how the kingdom advances One transformed life at a time influencing one another Amen.

Speaker 1: 1:13:22

Before we transition to the Lord's Supper, let's seal this one word in our hearts with a prayer of commitment. Let's pray King Jesus, we honor you, the risen one. Take our lives and let them be consecrated to your cause. Give us the courage and discipline to put into the practice of these marching orders. Use this church mightily to win souls and build your kingdom here in our community and beyond. We rejoice that you have conquered. Strengthen us now as we soon partake of your supper to go out and conquer in your name, conquering not with swords but with truth and love and unyielding faith. Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Speaker 1: 1:14:01

As we come to the Lord's table, we do as victors, only because the victim who was slain is now alive in the victor. This supper is a covenantal meal for believers in Jesus Christ, those who trust in his finished work on the cross, his resurrection. Jesus Christ, those who trust in his finished work on the cross, his resurrection. If that is you, if you have examined yourself and are seeking to follow Christ Lord, you are welcome to partake. If you are not yet a believer, we ask you to refrain at this time and consider the free offer of the gospel.

Speaker 1: 1:14:29

The Lord's Supper both looks back and forward. We look back to the cross. Do this in remembrance of me. Jesus said the bread and the cup signify his body broken and bloodshed for the goodness of our sins. It is finished, paid in full, but that's what we remember. But we also look forward. Scripture says for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. He is risen and he is coming again To consummate this kingdom. This meal is like an appetizer of a victory banquet we will share with Christ in the coming in the age to come the marriage supper of the Lamb. So as we take this supper, do so with reverence and joy. Christ is spiritually present with us to nourish our faith. Spiritually present with us to nourish our faith, confess any known sin and discern his body, honor the unity we have in him with one another. Let this meal strengthen you for the march ahead. Think of it as battle rations for soldiers of Christ, reminding us why we fight because he died for us, and assuring us of our destiny.

Speaker 1: 1:15:31

The feast of glory. Hear now the words of the institution of the scripture, for I received from the Lord that which I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said this is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, he took the cup, also after supper, saying this is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink in remembrance of me. Let us pray over the elements. Father, we set apart this bread in this cup from common use for the sacred purpose of communion. We thank you for the body of christ has given for the body of christ given for us and the blood of christ shed for the remission of our sins. As we eat and drink in faith, feed, feed our souls on your grace by your Spirit, unite us more deeply to our living Lord and to one another. Nourish us that we may run the race and fight the good fight until the feast with you in fullness, in Jesus' name. All right, take the bread, take and eat. This is Christ's body given for you. Go ahead and eat. This is Christ's body given for you. Go ahead and eat. Take the wine, take and drink. This cup is the new covenant in Christ's blood Shed for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Go ahead and drink. Thank you, lord Jesus, for giving yourself to us in this supper. Let its truth remain with us your death for our life. Amen. As we conclude our Resurrection.

Speaker 1: 1:17:09

Sunday worship. Let's go forth with God's blessing ringing in our hearts. Please stand. Worship, let's go forth with God's blessing ringing in our hearts. Please stand Now. The God of peace who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep. Through the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, equip you in every good thing to do His will, by doing in us what is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen, he is risen. He is risen indeed. Go in victory and peace of Christ to love and serve the Lord, amen.