This sermon was preached at St Peter and St Paul Church, Langham on Sunday 24th November 2024. Christ the King Sunday.

Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1.4b-8; John 18.33-37

It’s so great to be a part of Langham. We have a loving and caring community, something that is not always easy to find. We also have an incredible church building. Before visiting Langham for the first time, I remember speaking to a friend who described Langham church as a ‘barn of a church.’ It’s a funny expression, but you get what he meant by it. Langham church is a huge building that is taller and bigger than most of the churches in Rutland. Part of the reason for this is that we are the home village of former Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury Simon De Langham. 

For all the challenges of looking after a big Grade 1 listed building, I know that we are very grateful to have our wonderful church. There is something awe-inspiring about the size of our church. This is no accident. Langham and many other churches were purposely built to be grand, larger-than-life structures. The grandeur, design and beauty of such large churches were intended to glorify God and remind us of how great God is compared to us. Not to put us down but to illustrate how much more mighty, powerful, and sovereign God is above all creation. 

Think of when you go into great churches. In our cathedral in Peterborough, or maybe other cathedrals – I remember being gob-smacked when I went into Liverpool Cathedral for the first time. Or perhaps when you have been inside our national landmark churches like St Paul’s or Westminster Abbey. Or maybe you have been to the great churches across the world, such as the Notre Dame in Paris, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, or St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. 

Earlier this year, when we were on holiday in Italy, Cecily and I visited the cathedral in Verona, and I was floored by its stunning beauty. Every wall was covered in stunning frescos and paintings, and the grand structures were built with the finest wood and painted gold. To top it off, it had the coolest double staircase pulpit I have ever seen. If Langham had a projector screen, please know that I would be taking you through a twenty minute PowerPoint presentation about how beautiful this church is. Sadly, we don’t have a projector screen. Oh, but if we did, you would be well and truly powerpointed (yes, I just made up that verb).  

These magnificent buildings and cathedrals point to an even more magnificent God. Standing in these inspiring buildings reminds us of how we are in the presence of an almighty God who towers over everything. A distinct favourite church of mine is Westminster Abbey. It is a stunning and incredible building. But more than just the building itself, I am astounded by the history within that building. Some of the most famous and significant people in our nation’s history are buried in the Abbey. Writers, scientists, politicians, activists, and countless kings and queens. Our locally celebrated Queen Edith and her King, Edward the Confessor, are also buried in the Abbey. There is so much history contained in one building. It has famously been the site for most English and British coronations for the past 1000 years. 

Think back to last year when we had the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey. The splendour and grand celebration that filled the Abbey. The King and Queen were clothed and decorated with some of the most expensive and distinguished jewellery in the world. Do you remember the awe and majesty as King Charles sat on King Edward’s ancient throne, where kings were enthroned for over 600 years, and the fanfare played as he was declared king? I remember watching it all on the TV, and it was the most incredible occasion I had ever witnessed.  

Now, you all know that I have a strong love of monarchy. I’ve never hidden. I recognise that my love of the monarchy is not shared by everyone, and that’s okay. But could you imagine what it must have been like to be there in the Abbey before the King? Don’t you think that it would have given you goosebumps to be in the presence of the King in all his splendour and glory? Think about this as I read again the words from Daniel we heard today: 

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.^[1]

In Daniel’s vision, he sees God on his throne. It’s even grander and more magnificent than our earthly thrones and courts. God’s clothing is pure white. His throne is aflame, and a stream of fire flows out from the presence of God. Thousands upon thousands are in his court, serving and attending to him. From God’s heavenly throne, he bestows all dominion, glory, and kingship on Jesus Christ. Jesus is the King of Kings who has dominion over everything, and his kingdom will never pass away. Oh, how glorious a sight! Would you even be able to stand in the presence of such a God and King? I think when Moses stood in the presence of God on Mount Sinai and he ‘bowed to the ground at once and worshipped.’^[2] That is how in awe he was at the presence of God. Moses was floored by the presence of God. 

I know not everyone in the UK is excited about having a king and queen. That’s fine. But are you excited, overwhelmed and blown away by King Jesus, the King of Kings, the one we have gathered before today to worship and adore? Are you in awe to stand before God, who sits on the eternal throne over all creation? Do you feel this when you stand in his presence? 

The reality is that we often don’t feel this way about Jesus. We have these grand church buildings that are intended to remind us of the majesty and glory of God, and yet we look at God as a distant figure in the clouds, a comfort blanket for when things are hard, or the on-demand miracle dispenser. Jesus came to earth in human form, not so that he could give some inspiring teachings or heal a few sick people. Jesus came to earth so that he could bring God to us and make a way for us to be in the presence of the king for all eternity. 

When Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king, Jesus said, ‘For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.’^[3] Jesus came into the world, so you may know he is the king. Not just know of him, like we know of King Charles. Jesus came so that we may know him intimately and know him in our hearts. To know him not at a distance but to be in his glorious presence. It would be amazing to be in the presence of King Charles, so imagine how great it would be to be in the presence of King Jesus. It’s a presence of fiery flames and glorious light in which we are not worthy to be, but still, Jesus calls us into his presence. 

Jesus, the King of Kings who sits on the glorious throne depicted in Daniel’s vision, says to each of us, ‘I count YOU as worthy. I choose you to dwell in my kingdom, live in my courts, and know the glory of my presence. You do not have to do anything to be worthy of my presence. Just accept the invitation I give you and come enjoy being in my presence.’

We are invited into the presence of the King. We are invited into his presence in this space here in our church building in Langham as we pray, worship, drink great coffee, eat delicious cake, and gather around his table. But God’s presence isn’t contained to these stone walls. God’s presence goes with us at all times as God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us. God’s presence is with us everywhere. Yet how often do we choose to enter into God’s presence in church on a Sunday but then leave God at the door when we walk out? We can go through our week unaware of God’s presence with us. Is this how you want to live your life? If so, that’s fine, but I would say that you are missing out. To be in God’s presence is to be in the presence of Christ the King.   

This Sunday is called Christ the King, and it’s the last Sunday in the church’s calendar, which restarts next week with the first Sunday of Advent. It is striking to me that on this last Sunday of the church calendar, we stop and remember that Christ is the King. That the whole purpose of being a church is to be caught up in the presence of the King. This is what life is all about. To dwell in the glory, joy, love, splendour and majesty of King Jesus forever and ever. This is what life is all about. The reason why we were created. To enjoy being in the presence of the King. 

I don’t want you to go out these doors after the service to the rest of the busyness and worries of your life and forget that God is with you. God is always with you. You are always in the presence of the King. And because you are in the presence of the King, you will always have the power and strength of King Jesus, who will see you through whatever you face in life. You have the love and joy of the King and creator of the whole world sustaining and nourishing you. I want you to know this, and I want you to let God’s presence transform your life. I want you to be caught up in awe to be in the presence of the King. I want you to find the spark of joy that comes from being in his beautiful splendour and glory. Jesus came into the world so that we may know that he is the king. We are invited into the presence of the King. Will you step into Jesus’ presence? 

To close, I want to read the lyrics to a song called ‘I Can Only Imagine,’ by Bart Millard. In this song, Millard imagines what it will be like to be in heaven in God’s presence for all eternity. I want you to consider the questions Millard is pondering and ask yourself: what will you do in God’s presence? What will you do in the presence of the King? 

Millard sings: 

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side.
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine. I can only imagine.^[4]

Amen. 

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^[1] Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 [NRSV]. 

^[2] Exodus 34:8 [NIV]. 

^[3] John 18:27 [NRSV].

^[4] © Bart Millard 2001, 2002 Simpleville Music.