Reigning In Life (Romans 5:17)

Tonight I want us to begin by considering our dreams of greatness. Maybe you want to be the next social media influencer, the next top chef, or the next CEO of a major company. But if we are going to dream big, why not go for it all? Why not dream of being president? Why not dream of being bigger than the president? We don't dare dream of being king of the whole world. But what if I told you that's what Christians are. I know it sounds crazy. How can multiple people be kings or queens at the same time? It sounds crazy, but God tells us it is true.

Men have always craved power and greatness. Once we taste a little bit, we want more. Eventually, our selfish ambitions take us away from God and lead to the destruction of our brother. We develop bitter jealousy, boasting, and we lie to help our selfish cause. Why is that craving so prominent?

Created To Reign

Did you know that God created us to have power and greatness?

Genesis 1:26--27 (ESV) --- 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

In the beginning, God created man to have dominion over all of the earth. I have men say that we are animals, but that is not true. That's evolution speaking, not the Bible. The number of similarities we have to animals like monkeys is minuscule compared to our differences. That's because God created us in his image to rule over all creation. That was his plan from the very beginning. He wanted us to represent God's image and likeness. As God has all power, authority, and dominion over the universe, He gave man all dominion over the earth. Unfortunately, this power went to man's head and led him to become more like God through rebellion.

Genesis 3:3--6 (ESV) --- 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Eve and Adam didn't eat the fruit to live longer. They didn't eat the fruit to jump higher or run faster. They ate the fruit to be as wise as God is. They thought that they could improve their situation and become greater than they already were. But with that knowledge of good and evil came spiritual death and condemnation. They were given a form of power in wisdom, but they couldn't tame it. It was too much for them. God knew that, and that's why he told them not to eat of it.

Redeemed To Reign

Later on in the Bible, we read that God wanted to create a unique group of people to reign with power and greatness. That nation was called Israel. He took them from the lowest position of slavery and brought them to glory.

Exodus 4:21--23 (ESV) --- 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

In this text, we see that the nation of Israel is enslaved to Egypt, but God is coming to set them free. He tells Pharaoh that God would take away Pharaoh's firstborn son if he didn't let go of Israel, his firstborn son. Isn't it interesting how God calls Israel His son? The son of Pharaoh is the one who would take the throne after him. What kind of power and majesty is God planning to give Israel, his firstborn son?

Deuteronomy 15:6 (ESV) --- 6 For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.

Do you see in this that God intended to help his people become the greatest nation? That's what he has planned for them, but what happened? God brought them into the promised land. He set them up as the greatest nation in the world, but they eventually asked for God to give the reign to one man and make him the king. So God sets up Saul and eventually David. In 2 Sam 7, God makes a covenant with David, telling him that his descendants rule forever. But, Israel and the descendants of David forgot and forsook God. Just like with Adam and Eve, they pursued their own way. Satan came in and convinced Israel to abandon God.

Hosea 11:1--11 (ESV) --- 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. 9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. 10 They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; 11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.

Notice in this text that God has treated Israel as his son, and he has tried to help them understand how to reign and how to be what God wants them to be. But they turned away from God and went after things that were not going to help them. God says, "My people are bent on turning away from me." So God rejects them. He eventually casts out of their cities and rejects them.

Promising To Reign

After Israel fails to fulfill God's plan for them, we might think that all hope is lost. God can't give men power or greatness without them messing it up. But that's not the end of the Old Testament. While Israel is failing to fulfill their purpose, God is already revealing his plans to redeem Israel again, and this time he promises that they will reign forever. The number of promises that a future Israel would reign and dominate the enemy is staggering. There are so many that I gave up on trying to find them all. But I want you to have a taste of these promises so that we can understand how God would fulfill them.

Micah 5:7--9 (ESV) --- 7 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man. 8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. 9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.

One of the most fascinating images of Israel (Jacob) is that they will be like lions amid many beasts. The lion is the king of the jungle. He has the power to dominate all of the animals. He says that there will be none to deliver Israel's enemies. They shall cut off all of them. This picture is unique to Micah, but the idea that Israel will dominate all of its enemies is prevalent. Look at Isaiah 54.

Isaiah 54:14--17 (ESV) --- 14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. 16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

God will make Israel into a weapon that defeats God's enemies. He will make Israel a strong nation that is never afraid and can bring terror to its enemies.

Throughout the prophets, one other common idea is that Israel will possess the land, the kingdom, and the nations. The best example of that is in the book of Daniel. We just studied Daniel and saw this, but I want to look at it more closely for those who weren't in the class.

Daniel 7 has a vision of four beasts who represent four kingdoms (Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome). These kingdoms are judged, but during the fourth kingdom, the son of man is given the kingdom and sits down at the right hand of God to rule. He comes before God and is given "dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." This sounds like one man is given the power to rule over all creation. That man, of course, is Jesus. He was established to rule and seated at God's right hand. But what I find most interesting is the statement made after that.

Daniel 7:18 (ESV) --- 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

Daniel 7:22 (ESV) --- 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

Daniel 7:27 (ESV) --- 27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’

Notice, the rule doesn't go to the Son of man who is seated at the right hand of God. It goes to all of the people. They share in the reign and dominion. In the end, it tells us that the kingdom and dominion will be given to the people, but it also tells us that it is "his kingdom." In other words, it's not their kingdom, but God will give the rule and reign to them.

Fulfillment

When we come into the New Testament, it is evident that everyone was looking for these promises to be fulfilled. It's the time for the Son of man to come and be given all authority and power. It's time for him to give it to the people. But what does Jesus do? He comes in as a servant who works miracles and teaches people about God. When people try to make him king (John 5), Jesus withdraws. He doesn't want to be given rule by men. He wants to please God.

What I find especially interesting is the fact that the disciples are confused by this. In Matthew 19-20, Jesus teaches his disciples that the first will be last and the last first. Reigning is not about making yourself the greatest. Reigning is about making yourself the least. All of this is bizarre to us as well. We don't see Jesus reigning as he is walking around teaching people and often being rejected. We don't see Jesus reigning as he is hung upon the cross. But then, he ascends to heaven, and his humble, obedient life results in him being given all authority (Matthew 28:18) and seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1).

Now, do you remember the second half of the promise in Daniel? Do you remember the promise in Isaiah and Micah? Those promises and many others say that the people of Israel will have power and dominate their enemies. When does that happen?

Matthew 5:3 (ESV) --- 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:5 (ESV) --- 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:10 (ESV) --- 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus also promised this. So is that what the disciples do? The kingdom doesn't take form as we might expect. The disciples don't wage war against anyone. They don't possess the land. Instead, we see them selling land. They all become servants like Jesus was. Why? Because they want to please God. They make themselves last and humble themselves with faith that God will exalt them after this life. They do this to fulfill the great commission. The authority and power of Jesus give them the power to make disciples of all the nations.

Application

How are all of these promises being fulfilled? How do we reign with Christ? As we try to understand how this applies to us, let's consider a few key texts.

Reigning After Death

2 Timothy 2:11--13 (ESV) --- 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--- for he cannot deny himself.

In 2 Timothy, Paul encourages us to reign with Christ if we endure to the end. The goal is not to be the greatest on earth. The goal is to endure and remain faithful so that we can reign with Christ after this life. Did you know that Christians are reigning with Christ right now? It seems that after we die, we go to be with Christ, and we reign with him. The martyrs especially are given that opportunity (Rev 20:4).

So we need to endure whatever trials or persecutions come our way. We need to fulfill the great commission. Then, after this life is over, we will reign with Christ. So, our perspective should be that to live is Christ and to die is gain. We should believe like Paul in Romans 8, "In all these things (persecutions) we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Nothing can take away the promise that we will one day reign with Christ. We can give it up by refusing to endure, but nothing can take it away from us.

Paul tells us that we will be given a body like Jesus' body and judge angels (1 Cor 6:3). The Hebrew writer tells us that we don't currently see everything subject to mankind, but we do see that in Jesus (Heb 2:5-9).

Reigning NOW

But there is a sense in which we all reign right now in life. I don't have enough time to go through this in as much detail as it deserves. But, to simplify a very complex idea, we reign in the spiritual realm. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph 1) so that we can defeat Satan (Eph 6). We reign over sin and death through the blood of Christ. Sin, death, and condemnation have no power over us. Temptation and trials have no power over us. The love of God has given us the strength we need to overpower everything this world and the god of this world throws at us.

Romans 8:12--14 (ESV) --- 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

The word devil means deceiver. The word Satan means accuser. That explains who he is and what he does. He deceives so he can accuse and condemn us. Jesus has set us free from the requirement of the law. His blood provides forgiveness. Now Satan and our sin have no power over us. The requirement of the law and the record of our debts have been nailed to the cross.

Colossians 2:14--15 (ESV) --- 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

When we are filled with life through Jesus, the spiritual forces of wickedness are defeated, and we rule over them. No weapon fashioned against us will stand if we hold on to our faith in God's Son. We can be strong in him and in the strength of his might. We are seated with Christ at the right hand of God. We are hidden with Christ, enjoying access to the Father.

Colossians 3:1--4 (ESV) --- 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Ephesians 2:5--6 (ESV) --- 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ---by grace you have been saved--- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

God has raised us from spiritual death and set us on the throne with Christ. We have power, dominion, and authority now, but we don't use it as the people in the world use power. We submit our hearts and our minds to the wonderful Father and live a life of service that glorifies his name. When we do that, when we overcome every temptation to be self-serving and hurt other people, we defeat the spiritual forces of wickedness like Christ did. Even though the devil successfully killed Christ, he still had power over Satan. We can too. Death does not equal defeat. Enduring to the point of death means that we are more than conquerors through Jesus.

Conclusion

Maybe right now, you are in shock after hearing that you, too, are destined for greatness. You are expected to fulfill the role of Christ on earth in his absence. "You can do it if you believe in yourself" doesn't work for us because this is real life. The Old Testament has taught us that we can't do it by ourselves. None of us are worthy of this role. If you don't feel qualified or strong enough for this task, that's precisely where God wants us all to be because we reign with Christ, not on our own. We defeat the spiritual forces of darkness by the strength and might of Jesus, not by our own strength and might. We are free from sin, death, and condemnation because God has sent his Son to provide forgiveness and his Spirit to train us in righteousness.

Will you submit your heart, mind, and body to the service of Jesus? Will you live for him and enjoy the eternal glory he offers to you? His grace can overpower every weakness or failure. Submit to him and reign with him.