On Tuesday evening of the Florida College Lectures, Kevin Clark, asked this question: What is the Heart of Christianity?” He then proceeded to suggest several possible answers similar to these scenarios.
Is the heart of Christianity the purity of a teenage girl who resists the constant temptation of her boyfriend to commit fornication?
Is the heart of Christianity the integrity of a businessman who refuses to “cut corners,” “cook the books,” or dishonestly misrepresent his product or service?
Is the heart of Christianity the doctrinal soundness of Preachers and Pastors who reject post-modernism, liberalism, and unscriptural teaching on marriage?
To each of these situations and others like them, Kevin Clark echoed a resounding, “NO!”
So what is the heart of Christianity? Simply put, Kevin would boldly affirm, “IT IS JESUS!”
Clark’s dynamic presentation, entitled “King of Kings, Lord of Lords”: Our Conquering King,” focused on what our religion is all about. It’s not about a philosophy. A human tradition. Or a creed. It’s about a relationship with Jesus. Who He is. What He did. And why it’s relevant to us.
On Friday when Jesus went to the cross, He was not another criminal killed for societal or civil disobedience. He was the promised Messiah. The coming Christ. The conquering King.
Jesus was prophesied to be a King. He admitted to coming as a King that would establish His Kingdom. And Peter proclaimed Him as King–the spiritual heir to David’s throne. So, Paul pronounced Jesus as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. (1 Tim. 6:15-16)
But if Jesus is a King and reigns over a Kingdom, what did He conqueror? Kevin Clark answered that question in three ways.
(1) King Jesus Conquered Death.
Death. It’s a cold word. A cruel word. A scary word.
Death separates. Hurts. And destroys.
But death did not destroy Jesus. He destroyed death! Because Friday gave way to Sunday, and His glorious resurrection. Since Jesus overcame death, so can you I. Because He was raised, so can we! Our conquering King gives us hope! Promises immortality! And assures victory!
(2) King Jesus Conquered Sin.
Friday’s cruel death was a despicable display of everything that is wrong with a fallen and sinful world. Human pride. Carnal desire. Worldly power. Selfish ambition. Unrestrained envy. Misplaced passion. Misguided goals.
However, because of Sunday’s resurrection, we can be healed from sin’s scars. And cleansed from sin’s stain. We can be liberated from sin’s snare. King Jesus has set sin’s captivities free!
(3) King Jesus Conquered Satan
The devil is our enemy. Our adversary. Our nemesis. He is crafty. Cunning. And clever. But he is a deceiver. A liar. And an imposter disguised as an angel of light.
On Friday, I can imagine Satan smirking with a smug air of superiority. Jesus is dead. Score one for Lucifer. The grave has claimed another victim. However, the Devil’s diabolical victory was short-lived.
On Sunday the grave was empty. Jesus had arisen! Death was overcome. The King had conquered! He had proven that the Devil can be beaten at his own game.
Therefore, my assurance is in Jesus. I know that by submitting to his rule, I can win. By following Him as my leader I can’t lose. By ordering my life according to His commands, I can echo with Paul…
O, death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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