Scripture: Matthew 16:13-15

C.I.: The Coronation of the King

During the month of June … – In the 1st lesson… - in the 2nd lesson…. – last week … vigilance!
Today as we conclude this series – we will see how the kingdom of heaven is distinguished from the K. of men!

I. The Kingdom of Heaven is Separate from the Kingdom of Men

A. The Annunciation of the King (Matthew 16, 21)

1. Even the people of God (the Jews) – missed the point about who Jesus truly was.
a. “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah…” – were all great men on God – yet they were all only men.

2. Then Jesus asks the question – that Matthew has been leading all of us to, “But who do you say…? (v. 15)
a. (v. 16), “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
1) Now Peter (not fully understanding this truth) – announces Jesus as King!
2) “Christ” = The Anointed One. – Prophets, priests & kings were anointed
3) Though the people saw Jesus as a great “man” – it was Peter who announced Him as King!

3. (vs. 17-19), “Jesus answered & said to him, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood…”
a. The “keys” which open the door of the “kingdom” – is the soul-saving message about Jesus.
1) (Quote Jn. 14:6; 3:5), “…no one comes to the Father…” – “…unless you are born of water…!”
2) (Acts 2:14, 36-41), “But Peter, taking his stand with the 11, raised his voice and declared to them, ‘Men of Judea, and all who are living in Judea, listen to these words …let all the house of Israel…!’”

B. The Royal Banquet of the King (Matthew 26)

1. A great privilege for the subject of a kingdom - to be invited to a banquet given by their king.
a. Scripture frequently mentions these banquets as awesome events…
1) (Esther 1:3-4), “In the 3rd year of King Ahasuerus reign – he gave a banquet for all his princes, attendants, army officers, - and he displayed the riches of his royal glory for 180 days.
2) (Dan. 5:1), “Belshazzar the king held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles….”
3) Therefore, we should not find it surprising – that Jesus our King also invites His subjects to a banquet.
4) Earthly give banquets to display what they possess – the heavenly kingdom displays what it bestows!!

b. On this day, as on the first day of every week, - our King has invited us to join Him for a banquet
1) (Matt. 26:26-28), “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after a blessing He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ – And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.’”
2) So each week as we accept the King’s invitation to His banquet – we are to remember the King.

c. What an great privilege - that the King would bestow so great an honor upon us! - Could you refuse?
1) (Matt. 22:2-3, 5-6), “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king, - who gave a wedding feast for his son. – And he sent out his servants to call those who had been invited, - and they were unwilling to come … They paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants and mistreated them and killed them. – But the king was enraged…!”
2) When God throws a banquet to honor His Son – our presence is strongly encouraged!!!!
3) For the King joins us at the banquet – (v. 29), “But I say to you, I will not drink this fruit of the vine from now on - until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom!’”
4) What has Matthew been telling us about this kingdom (5:3; 16:18-19) – thus, Jesus is joining with us today – as He does each week – to commune in fellowship with us – who join Him in this victory meal

C. The Coronation of the King

1. We find no great distinction between the kingdoms – then at our Lord’s coronation! (a mockery!!)
a. 1st: The Honor Guard and the Foreign Dignitaries - (Matt. 27:1-2), “Now when morning had come, all the chief priests & the elders of the people took council against Jesus to put Him to death; & they bound Him & led Him away & delivered Him up to Pilate the governor.”

b. 2nd: The formal declarations – (Matt. 27:11), “Now Jesus stood before the governor, - and the governor questioned Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ – And Jesus said to him….”

c. 3rd: His royal investiture – (Matt. 27:27-30), “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around Him. [Then they placed on Him the symbols of office] – And they stripped Him, and put a scarlet robe on Him. – And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; [Then as a mark of respect - they all began to pay homage to their King] – and they all kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’”

d. 4th: The Procession to His Royal Palace – (Matt. 27:33), “And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means place of a skull …[they placed Him on His throne, v. 35] – “… they crucified Him” – [And so that all might know His greatness – they raised a royal banner over His throne for all to see] – “And they put above His head the charge against Him, which read, ‘This is Jesus the King of the Jews,’” (v. 37).

2. Kingdom of men has paid Him the honor they believed Him due – but God’s coronation was greater!
a. 1st: The Honor Guard and the Foreign Dignitaries – (Matt. 28:1-3), “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, - Mary M. & other Mary came to look at the grave. - Behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven & came & rolled away the stone & sat upon it. – His appearance was like lightning.”

b. 2nd: Formal Declarations – (vs. 5-6), “I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. – He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.’” – (Rom. 1:3-4), “…Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God with power through the resurrection from the dead.”

c. 3rd: The Royal Investiture – (v. 18), “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

d. 4th: The Procession to His Royal Palace – (vs. 19-20), “Go therefore and make disciples…”