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In this concluding message of The Gift series, titled "A King Like No Other," we dive into the profound Kingship of Christ. With a unique blend of biblical truths and geek culture insights, we explore how Jesus' unexpected entry into the world, His sacrificial love, and eternal reign set Him apart as a King unlike any other. Celebrate the hope of Christmas with us and find inspiration for your spiritual journey.
Creators & Guests
What is The Greater Guild Loading Screen?
Welcome to The Greater Guild's Loading Screen, the ultimate podcast where the sacred and the geeky collide! Dive deep into the Holy Scriptures with us as we explore sermons sprinkled with your favorite gaming quests, cosplay characters, and anime adventures. Whether you're a Paladin of Prayer, a Cosplay Crusader, or an Otaku of the Old Testament, this is your sanctuary.
Join our fellowship as we level up our faith through the lens of epic battles, legendary heroes, and fantastical worlds. From the wisdom of the Proverbs to the valor of the Apostles, we'll draw parallels between biblical narratives and the beloved realms of gaming, cosplay, and anime.
Tune in for:
Sermon Side Quests: Discover the deeper meaning behind Scripture with analogies from your favorite games and anime.
Cosplay Character Spotlight: Unveil the biblical virtues embodied by iconic characters and how they inspire our spiritual journey.
Anime Apologetics: Engage in lively discussions that bridge the gap between faith and fandom, unraveling the spiritual themes in popular series.
So, grab your controller, don your cosplay armor, and get ready to embark on an epic quest of faith and fandom. Church Nerds United is here to guide you on a heroic journey, one episode at a time. May the faith be with you!
Welcome to the Greater Guild Loading Screen, the podcast where faith meets geek culture. Pastor Brandon is your guide for your journey into discovering timeless truths in a way that speaks to geeks, gamers, and everyone in between. Today, we're wrapping up our series, The Gift, with a message titled, A King Like No Other. We'll explore how Jesus' story mirrors the arcs of unexpected heroes we love and why his kingship changes everything, both in our lives and in the world. So grab your favorite drink, find a cozy spot, and let's dive into the ultimate story of hope, redemption, and a king like no other.
Pastor Brandon Holm:Merry Christmas, and welcome to the final message in our series, the gift. And as we conclude our message for today, let's look at Jesus as the king, but a king like no other. And for this Christmas season, let us reflect on that kingship of Christ. Now gold throughout history has been a gift fit for a king. It signifies wealth, power, and authority.
Pastor Brandon Holm:When the wise men presented gold to Jesus, they acknowledged his kingship. But what makes Jesus a king like no other? His entry into the world defies every expectation. See, in the 1st century, people anticipated a messiah born into opulence, power, and royalty. Basically, from the house of David in the palace.
Pastor Brandon Holm:But instead, Jesus was born in poverty in a manger surrounded by animals. As it says in Luke 2:7, and she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a mainsure because there was no place for them in the inn. This profound moment demonstrates that God's plan for salvation transcends human understanding. The king of kings did not come to establish a worldly kingdom marked by wealth and domination. Instead, he came to usher in a kingdom of grace, humility, and sacrificial love.
Pastor Brandon Holm:His birthplace, not a palace, but a stable, was a declaration that his rule would reach the lowest and the least expected. And Jesus' story really mirrors the arc of the unexpected hero. Take Frodo Baggins, our, you know, favorite hobbit from the Shire in Lord of the Rings, or even Luke Skywalker, a farm boy from Tatooine. Jesus came from humble beginnings to change the world. His arrival flips the script of what we imagine a hero or a king to be, reminding us that true power often comes through humility and service.
Pastor Brandon Holm:Jesus' life continues to challenge expectation. The king of glory born in Nazareth, a place dismissed with the question, can anything good come out of Nazareth? This was a king who would associate with outcasts, touch lepers, and challenge the hypocrisy of religious leaders. I wish he'd come back today and do that as well. I'd want him to challenge me, make sure I'm on the straight and narrow.
Pastor Brandon Holm:He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and societal rebels as his closest followers. His mission was for the broken and the marginal. Moreover, his approach was unconventional even in his choice of followers. Jesus Jesus sought those who were overlooked and disregarded by society. This choice was not incidental, but intentional, showcasing that his kingdom was inclusive and transformative.
Pastor Brandon Holm:As Isaiah 9:6:7 proclaims, for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, of the increase of his government, and of peace there will be no end. This is not a king demanding allegiance from a throne, but one who served humbly. Philippians 26 through 8 beautifully captures this. Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equally with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself by taking this form of a servant being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form he humble he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Pastor Brandon Holm:In this light, Jesus' kingship is an invitation for us to embrace humility and servitude. Following the example of a king who came not to be served but to serve. His arrival challenges us to rethink power, greatness, and what it truly means to reign. Now Jesus, our king, was born to die. Unlike earthly kings who seek to expand their kingdoms through conquest, Jesus expanded his kingdom through sacrifice.
Pastor Brandon Holm:His death on the cross was not a defeat but the ultimate victory. It was through his suffering and resurrection that he secured salvation for all who believe. Consider the humility and love displayed at the cross while enduring unimaginable pain. Jesus prayed for his executioner saying, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. His kingship was marked not by taking life, by giving it.
Pastor Brandon Holm:His sacrifice was foretold long before his birth. Again, Isaiah in chapter 53 verses 5 and 6, it declares, but he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. With his wounds, we are healed.
Pastor Brandon Holm:All all we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the inequity of us all. In telling in storytelling terms, this is the ultimate sacrificial play. Reminiscent of heroes like Iron Man giving his life to save the universe or Harry Potter walk walking into the Forbidden Forest to face death. Jesus' sacrifice was not just noble or transformative, breaking the power of excuse me.
Pastor Brandon Holm:Jesus' sacrifice was not just noble but transformative. Breaking the power of sin and death. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith and the ultimate declaration of his authority. Matthew 20 28:6 proclaims, he is not here for he has risen. As he said, come see the place where he lay.
Pastor Brandon Holm:Jesus' triumph over death solidifies him as the king of king and the lord of lords. His kingdom, unlike earthly kingdoms, is eternal and unshakable. Hebrews 1228 reminds us, therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God offer offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe. Jesus' sacrifice is the foundation of this kingdom inviting us to partake in his victory and live under his rule of grace and mercy. Now even today, people respond to Jesus' kingship in 3 distinct ways much like those in the 1st century.
Pastor Brandon Holm:The first way is opposition. King Herod opposed Jesus fearing the loss of his throne. K. Some reject Jesus because they fear losing control over their lives. They cling to their own authority, unwilling to surrender to the true king.
Pastor Brandon Holm:Proverbs 16 18 warns, pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Opposing Jesus often stems from his from a desire for self rule or even just to embrace a comfortable sin, but such resistance leads to separation from the very source of life and purpose. Herod's opposition served as a cautionary tale for those who fear for those who let fear and pride dictate their response to Christ. Think of antagonists like Emperor Palpatine or Thanos, especially Thanos because they clung to their power despite knowing their ways could lead to ruin. Now the second, response usually is dismissal.
Pastor Brandon Holm:The Jewish pre Jewish priests dismissed Jesus despite their knowledge of scripture. They were indifferent even though they were just 5 miles away from Bethlehem. Similarly, many today acknowledge Jesus in theory but failed to live in his truth. This goes for Christians as well. Now this response is perhaps the most subtle and dangerous.
Pastor Brandon Holm:James chapter 1, verse 22 urges us, but be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving ourselves. Dismissing Jesus may appear harmless, but it denies his rightful place in our hearts and lives. It's like, ignoring the wisdom of of Gandalf or the guidance of Dumbledore, a missed opportunity for transformation. Now finally, the third response is worship. And we're not just talking singing, we're talking like prayer and stuff like that.
Pastor Brandon Holm:You know, the wise men set the example by bowing down and worshiping Jesus. Their actions remind us of the reverence and awe that Jesus, our king, deserves. Matthew 211 recounts, and going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. True worship is characterized by surrender and adoration.
Pastor Brandon Holm:It acknowledges Jesus as the ultimate authority and aligns our lives to his will. Psalm 956 calls out calls to us. Oh, come. Let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord, our maker.
Pastor Brandon Holm:It's the kind of loyalty and reverence we see in stories, like, when characters, you know, Samwise Gamgee or, Chewbacca. Now they dedicate themselves wholly to their cause and the cause of the of of the people they they befriend or are friends with. Which response reflects your heart today? Seriously. Are you opposing?
Pastor Brandon Holm:Are you dismissing? Or are you worshiping the king? Each response carries eternal significance. And as I always say when people challenge me about Christ and Jesus and being a Christian, you know, the choice is yours. So this Christmas, let us recognize Jesus as a king like no other.
Pastor Brandon Holm:He's not distant or uninvolved, but present, loving, and sovereign. Revelation 1916 declares, in his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, king of kings and lord of lords. As we celebrate his birth, may we bow and worship, offering our lives as gifts to the king who gave everything for us. Let us leave here today not just as admirers of a historical figure, but as followers of the living king.
Greater Guild Announcer:Thank you for joining us at the Greater Guild loading screen. We hope today's message, a king like no other, has inspired you and reminded you of the profound hope and love found in Jesus. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to help others discover this podcast. You can also connect with us on social media or at www.greatergill.org to stay up to date on future episodes, events, and more. Until next time.
Greater Guild Announcer:Remember, just like in your favorite stories, the greatest adventures often start with unexpected heroes. And in Jesus, we have a king who turns everything upside down for our good. Stay safe, stay curious, and God
Pastor Brandon Holm:bless.