Do we get it?

That's My King! - SM Lockridge

You gotta see this!

That's My King! transcript

The late Dr. S.M. Lockeridge, a preacher from San Diego, California proclaimed the greatness of our God and King in this sermon in Detroit in 1976.

My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King.

He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . .but He's indescribable. He's indescribable. That's my King.

He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the 'ever's, then . . .Amen.

Amazed

I am totally amazed that God called me to preach and be a pastor. I am humbled that He did because I know what I am like. Casting Crowns has a song that expresses how I feel about it:

Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to know that You want me
So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

I am constrained by the love of Christ. My life is His to do with as He pleases. I am amazed that He wants me... but it makes me want Him even more.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.(Ps.37:4)

You can take that to the bank!

The Face of Jesus

On Christmas Eve I went to my son's church called Watermark in Tampa. It's cut out of the "emerging church" mold. They held a very different but very worshipful service with the pastor preaching a solid gospel message. This post-modern church experience was new for me but was quite refreshing to tell you the truth. There was lots of music and drama fitting their cultural genre with tons of visual aids. There was an interesting art exhibit displaying the faces of Jesus perceived by various imaginations through the centuries. There were plenty of the traditional representations along with various unusual pictures such as abstract paintings, a photo of Jesus' face in he clouds, another on the bark of a tree. Even the Jesus from South Park was displayed. The point was that everyone has their own idea of who Jesus is. Some reverent, some not so reverent, some even absolutely ridiculous but one thing was clear... Jesus is the central figure of human history that has captured the imaginations of millions all over the world. The one here was from my own imagination done a couple of years ago. I guess the thing that struck me was that this central figure in human history is interested in me. Regardless of everybody elses perception of Jesus, He wants to touch my eyes to see Him as He really is. He wants to reveal Himself so clearly to me that everything else comes under subjection to Him. But to see His face, I don't need to look at the imaginations of others, I simply look into the Word. It is there we will see His face... and hopefully, the more clearly I see, the more clearly others can see Him in me.