26-0614a - Detailed Summary

Jim, one of the men in the rotation who speaks the word of God on behalf of the congregation, introduced his lesson titled "A Tale of Two Kingdoms, Part 1." He encouraged the congregation to reflect on the land they live in—America—considering where it has been and where it is heading. He noted that America began under a British monarchy that was oppressive, with citizens having very few rights, including God-given rights that they could not fully exercise.

Jim explained that the American spirit led God-fearing Christian men to design their own government based on godly principles. This created a system run by the people, and the tale of two kingdoms refers to the two active kingdoms that matter in this world today. America’s government was fashioned after belief in God and His kingdom. He described the republic briefly, noting that George Washington called it the last great experiment for promoting human happiness. The founding fathers faced uncertainty because self-government by the people was a radical concept, nearly the opposite of monarchy.

In this constitutional republic, sovereignty rests with the will of the people, exercised through voting. Representatives are elected for fixed terms rather than through hereditary monarchy. Key characteristics include God-given rights that cannot be revoked by government, a representative government with leaders accountable to citizens, checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and the rule of law that applies equally to everyone. Citizens are encouraged to participate in elections as a civic duty, knowing candidates' character, positions, and policies.

Jim referenced Daniel Webster’s 1830 Senate speech describing the constitutional republic as the people’s government made for the people, by the people, and answerable to the people. He noted how Theodore Parker, an abolitionist minister, adapted these words to emphasize God’s rights for all people regardless of skin color amid debates over slavery. Abraham Lincoln later incorporated a version of this into the Gettysburg Address. Jim expressed preference for Webster’s original phrasing, particularly the emphasis on being answerable to the people, which modern government often seems to forget.

Jim contrasted the American system with a true monarchy, where the monarch—whether king, queen, prince, or princess—holds absolute power. Monarchs rule kingdoms, and their word is fiat, meaning "let it be done." He humorously referenced the movie The King and I, with Yul Brynner as the king of Siam declaring, "So let it be written, so let it be done." Jim noted that some in modern government act as if their word is fiat, but it is not. He concluded this civics foundation to prepare the congregation for discussion of the two active kingdoms: God’s kingdom of light and Satan’s dominion of darkness. This morning’s focus would be on God’s kingdom.

Jim described God’s kingdom as the oldest of all kingdoms. Through Jeremiah, the Holy Spirit calls God the Father the Eternal King, with no beginning or end to His kingdom. Jeremiah 10:10 states, "But the Lord is the true God. He is the living God and eternal King." Paul confirms this in 1 Timothy 1:17, addressing the eternal King, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, to whom belong honor and glory forever. No man has seen this King, as explained by the Apostle John in John 1:18 and elsewhere: the only begotten Son, who is God and at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

Jim addressed the triune nature of God as a mystery. Moses declared in Deuteronomy 6:4 that Yahweh our God is one. Jesus echoed this oneness in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), baptizing in the singular "name" of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Isaiah 9:6 prophesied of the Messiah: a child born, a son given, with government on His shoulders, called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These names reflect the Godhead in one, with "He will be" relating to the meaning of Yahweh ("I AM").

The name Wonderful comes from the angel of the Lord speaking to Manoah about Samson in Judges. Counselor refers to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter promised by Jesus. Mighty God (El Shaddai) was how the patriarchs knew God. Everlasting Father aligns with the Eternal King, and Prince of Peace is a messianic title. In the Tree of Life version, 1 Timothy 6:13-16 describes God as the blessed and only ruler, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light. The Father is King of Kings, and the Messiah has God in Him.

Jim discussed Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) and His position in the royal hierarchy, emphasizing the oneness of Father and Son. When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus replied that seeing Him meant seeing the Father (John 14). Hebrews describes Jesus as the exact representation of God’s glory. Jesus stated, "I am in the Father, and the Father is in me." Colossians 2:9 affirms that in Him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily, and He is Immanuel, God with us. When people saw Jesus, they saw the Godhead in bodily form.

Scripture calls Jesus both Prince and King. Wise men from the east sought the one "born King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:1-4), troubling King Herod. These Magi likely drew from Babylonian traditions and Daniel’s prophecies, including Daniel 9:25-27 about the prince Messiah. The angel Gabriel told Mary that her son Jesus would receive the throne of His father David and reign over the house of Jacob forever, with no end to His kingdom (Luke 1:30-33). Thus, Jesus has been King from birth.

During His trial before Pilate, Jesus affirmed His kingship but clarified, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36, as read earlier). If it were earthly, His servants would fight. He came to testify to the truth. Pilate asked if He was a king, and Jesus affirmed it for the purpose of His birth and mission.

In Luke 17:20-21, when Pharisees asked when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied that it does not come visibly with people saying "here it is" or "there it is," because "the kingdom of God is within you." Jim explained that Jesus' kingdom is spiritual, ruling in the hearts of believers who submit to His authority. It is not a physical palace with borders but a realm where He holds full authority in heaven and on earth as sovereign, granted by the eternal Father King. "All authority has been given to me."

To gain citizenship, one must believe and confess that Jesus is the Son of God, believe God raised Him from the dead, repent of sin, and put on Christ in baptism. This adds one to the church, which is His eternal kingdom. Believers are no longer citizens of earth but strangers here, as their citizenship is in heaven (per Peter). Jim announced that Part 2 on the other kingdom would be that evening. He expressed discomfort discussing the dominion of darkness but praised God for delivering believers from it through Jesus Christ into the kingdom of life.

Jim extended an invitation: if anyone needed to put on Christ in baptism and join this kingdom, they could come forward as the congregation sang.