April 16, 2023 – Psalms 45; 72; 89; 102

Lesson Date: April 16, 2023

Focal Scripture Passage: Psalm 45:3-7; 72:6-11; 89:3-4, 34-37; 102:24-27

AIM: To lead students to discover four important facts about Christ’s kingdom, and to examine themselves to determine if He is ruling in their lives.

Before class: Read the notes on Psalms 45; 72; 89; and 102 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Look up some famous kings to learn when and where they ruled.  A few examples are Tutankhamun, Alexander the Great, Henry VIII, or even the current king of England, Charles III.  Write the following words on the marker board or chalkboard: “Promise,” “Coming,” “Duration,” and “Scope.”  Write or print the following scripture references on index cards or small pieces of paper: 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Luke 17:20-21; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:1-12; Revelation 19:11-16.  Enlist some volunteers to look up the passages and be prepared to read them to the class when called upon.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Ask the class to name some famous kings (or queens) from history.  Be prepared to name some of the kings you have studied if responses from the students come slowly.  After each king is named ask the following two questions:

• “When did he reign?”
• “Over what country or region did he rule?”

Stress the fact that each king reigned for a limited time and over a limited territory.  Explain that while a certain king might have been very powerful or ruled over a very large territory, eventually his rule came to an end; all earthly kings rule for a limited time and over a limited territory.

Tell the class today’s lesson is about a very different King, one whose kingdom is NOT limited by time or territory: Jesus Christ.  The title of today’s lesson is Christ’s Eternal Kingdom.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the students that we have been studying prophecies about Jesus in the Psalms.
   • Tell them that two weeks ago we learned about Christ’s Life and Ministry.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s Easter lesson about?” (Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection).
2. The PROMISE of the King.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Psalm 89.
   • Read Psalm 89:3.
   • Ask: “What is a covenant?” (a contract or promise).
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read 1 Samuel 16:12-13.
   • Explain the following:
     • God chose David to be king of Israel.
     • Psalm 89:3 says God made a promise to David.
     • Direct the students’ attention to the word “Promise” written on the board.
     • The promise God made to David is found in the next verse.
   • Read Psalm 89:4.
   • Ask: “What did God promise David?” (through his descendants, David’s kingdom would endure forever).
   • Read Psalm 89:34-37.
   • Ask: “Will God break His promise to David?” (no).
   • Ask: “In verses 36 and 37, what examples did God cite to prove that He will keep His promise?” (the permanence of the sun and the moon).
   • Explain the following:
     • God will keep His promise to David as long as the sun and moon continue.
     • David’s “seed” refers to His most notable descendant, the Lord Jesus Christ.
     • All other earthly kings rule for a limited time, but God promised that a King would come from David’s line who would reign forever.
     • Jesus Christ rules and reigns in the hearts of those who know Him as Savior.
   • Summarize: God promised to raise up a King from David’s descendants who will reign forever. That promised King is Jesus.
3. The COMING of the King.
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the words written on the board.
   • Tell them Psalm 89 spoke of the “Promise” of the King.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Psalm 45 to learn about the “Coming” of the King.
   • Read Psalm 45:3-5.
   • Ask: “What do these verses describe?” (a warlike and victorious king coming in great power, glory, and majesty).
   • Tell the class this victorious King’s coming is described in another passage.
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Revelation 19:11-16.
   • Explain that at His Second Coming, King Jesus will return to earth in great power, glory, and majesty; He will be victorious over all of His enemies.
   • Read Psalm 45:6-7.
   • Ask: “How did the psalmist address the King?” (as God).
   • Ask: “What does verse 6 say about how long His rule will last?” (forever).
   • Ask: “What do verses 6-7 reveal about the nature of His rule?” (it will be righteous).
   • Ask the students if these verses sound familiar.
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Hebrews 1:1-9.
   • Explain the following:
     • There is no question that Hebrews 1 is about Jesus Christ.
     • The New Testament writer, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clearly understood that Psalm 45 was a prophecy about Jesus Christ.
     • Earthly kings arise by “chance” through birth or military conquest, but King Jesus’ coming has been prophesied for thousands of years.
   • Summarize: Both the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal that the coming of King Jesus will be in great power, glory, majesty, and victory.
4. The DURATION of the King.
   • Direct the students’ attention to the word “Duration” on the board.
   • Ask: “How long will King Jesus’ kingdom last?” (forever).
   • Ask everyone to turn to Psalm 102, which tells us more about the duration of Christ’s kingdom.
   • Read Psalm 102:24-27.
   • Ask: “According to verse 24, how long are the King’s years?” (forever: throughout all generations).
   • Ask: “According to verse 25, what did the King do in the past?” (created the earth and heavens).
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Hebrews 1:10.
   • Tell the students the New Testament writer quoted this verse concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, because He is the Creator of everything.
   • Ask: “What does verse 26 say that proves King Jesus will last forever?” (He will still remain when earth and heaven are gone).
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Hebrews 1:11-12a.
   • Tell the class we should be good stewards of God’s creation, but we cannot save the earth; it will eventually get old and worn out, at which time the Lord will do away with it and create a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21).
   • Ask: “In contrast to creation’s temporary span of existence, what does verse 27 say about the duration of King Jesus?” (He never changes and He will never die).
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Hebrews 1:12b.
   • Remind the class that earthly kings rule for only a limited time, but the duration of Jesus’ kingdom is eternal.
   • Summarize: The duration of King Jesus’ rule reaches from eternity past and the creation of the universe to the endless reaches of eternity future; His rule will never
5. The SCOPE of His Kingdom.
   • Direct the students’ attention to the words written on the board.
   • Tell them thus far we have learned about the “Promise” of the King, the “Coming” of the King, and the “Duration” of the King.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Psalm 72 to learn about the “Scope” of His Kingdom.
   • Read Psalm 72:6-11.
   • Explain the following:
     • Verse 6 says the King will rule everywhere that rain falls.
     • That means He will reign over all the earth.
     • His reign will be marked by everlasting righteousness and peace (verse 7).
   • Ask: “According to verse 8, how far will the boundaries of His kingdom extend?” (everywhere: to “the ends of the earth”).
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, who will bow before King Jesus?” (lowly people in the wilderness and all His enemies).
   • Ask: “According to verse 10, who else will be subject to Him?” (wealthy kings).
   • Ask: “What does verse 11 say about the scope of His kingdom?” (all kings and all nations will be subject to Him).
   • Ask: “Does the fact that everyone will bow down to King Jesus sound familiar?”
   • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Philippians 2:9-11.
   • Tell the class the Bible makes it clear that one day everyone will bow before King Jesus.
   • Summarize: Earthly kings rule over a limited territory, but the scope of King Jesus’ rule is boundless and includes everyone.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read 2 Samuel 7:12-16.  Direct the students’ attention to the words written on the board.  Tell them that 3,000 years ago God made a “Promise” to David that there was “Coming” a King from among his descendants, and the “Duration” of that King’s rule would be eternal.  Tell them God also promised that the “Scope” of His kingdom would be worldwide.

Tell the class that many kings who were descendants of David ruled over Israel, but none of them was the promised King.  Ask: “When Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago, did He come to establish His earthly kingdom?” (no).  Explain that the first time Jesus came to earth He came as a sacrifice, not a king.  The Bible promises, however, that He is coming back one day to establish and rule over His kingdom.  The duration of that kingdom will be forever and its scope will reach all the lands and people of earth.

Ask: “All of that sounds wonderful, but what about the here and now?  It is obvious that evil men rule over much of the earth today.  Where is Christ’s kingdom now?”

Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Luke 17:20-21.  Explain that Jews in the First Century were expecting the Messiah to come as an earthly king to overthrow the Romans and establish a Jewish kingdom like that of King David.  Ask: “According to Jesus, where is the kingdom of God right now?” (it is within the heart of every person who has yielded his or her allegiance to King Jesus Christ).  Tell the students this explains the “Duration” and “Scope” of Christ’s kingdom: it extends throughout all the earth and it never ends.

Tell the class that everyone who knows Jesus Christ as Savior is part of His kingdom right now.  Ask: “Are you part of Christ’s kingdom?  Have you trusted Him as Savior so He can rule as King of your heart?”  Urge any who have never done so to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ this morning.

Ask: “If you already know Jesus, is it possible to push Him off the throne of your life and take control for yourself?” (yes).  Explain that even though Jesus is our King, we can live in rebellion to His rule.  Urge any who are already Christians to yield to Christ’s rule over their life.  Submitting to the rule of the King means obeying Him (1 Pet. 5:6).

Say: “If Christ is not ruling as King of your life, accept Him and yield to Him today.”  Voice a closing prayer of submission to King Jesus.

CONCLUSION: Tell the students if any of them placed their faith in Jesus this morning they should make that commitment public at the end of this morning’s worship service.