The Mission of Jesus the King, pt 1

This sermon, the first in a series on 'The Mission of Jesus the King,' explores the purpose and identity of Jesus as revealed in Matthew's Gospel. The speaker begins by reflecting on the recent birth of a baby in the church community, drawing a parallel between the 'birth pains' of the world described in Matthew 24 and the joy of new life. He then defines mission as a life devoted to a singular, self-sacrificial goal, emphasizing that Jesus lived this mission from his youth, even as a 12-year-old in the temple. The core of the sermon centers on Matthew 1:21: 'You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' This mission is framed as a rescue from sin’s penalty, power, and presence. The speaker unpacks the theological depth of Jesus' identity—both fully God and fully human—highlighting how his incarnation (Immanuel, 'God with us'), baptism, and temptation demonstrate his solidarity with humanity and his perfect righteousness. The sermon concludes with a call to discipleship: believers are not merely following Jesus, but walking with him, surrendering their lives to his mission. The story of William Borden, a wealthy young man who gave up comfort to become a missionary, serves as a powerful illustration of what it means to live a life fully devoted to Christ’s mission.