ONLY CHRIST

1 Timothy 6:14-16

We have in verse sixteen what is typically called a doxology.

It is a type of prayer that is intended to offer praise to God.

But you will notice that the Word of God doesn’t merely blurt out the praise.

There is a “build up” to the doxology and even a message after the doxology.

I think very often what we think is praise to God is shallow and heartless, 

• Partly because we don’t do anything to prepare ourselves for praise and 
• Partly because our praise doesn’t lead to anything life changing

Preparation for the doxology begins at the end of verse fourteen when Christ’s name is mentioned.

The Word of God then gives at least three doctrinal truths that can only belong to God.

Jesus Christ,

*I. IS COMING

Vs 14b-15a

“…until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Which in His times He shall shew…”

I see three things about Jesus’ coming:

A. That it is recognized

“…the appearing of…

The word “appearing” means manifested. 

It is visible.

Revelation 1:7

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

When He comes in the clouds to gather the believers (at the rapture) only those who are believers will hear and answer.

But when He comes to establish His kingdom at the end of the Tribulation Period, every eye shall see Him.

• Those saved during the Tribulation
• Those who have rejected Him too

When Jesus ascended into heaven the disciples watched as he was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 

Then two angels came to them and said He would “so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”

• Bodily
• Visibly
• Gradually

B. That it is organized

“…in His times…”

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

Notice that it says “times”, not “time”.

God knows the exact: 

• Year
• Month
• Day and
• Hour

When Christ will appear.

C. That it is authorized

“…He shall shew…”

This is the plan of God the Father. There is nothing about the appearing of Christ that is left to chance or circumstance. 

• It is all planned and
• It is all good.

Jesus Christ, 

*II. IS KING

Vs 15

“…who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords;”

A. He is the only Potentate

The word potentate means “can do”.

It speaks of His power and authority.

Jesus is King because Jesus can.

*B. He is the King of kings

Notice the upper case on the first King and the lower case on the second.

The word translated king comes from a word meaning the base or the foot.

The principle here is that Christ has foundational authority.

The authority to rule begins with Him.

It is also why most kingdoms are family dynasties.

A king is not a king because he was elected to it, he is a king because he either won it or was born into it.

There are kings – but Christ is the foundation of all authority.

*C. He is the Lord of lords

Notice again the upper case on the first King and the lower case on the second.

The word lord speaks of one who owns.

He has authority over what He possesses.

Lords in this world owned land.

Some of them owned lots of land.

Jesus Christ is the Creator and possessor of all the earth.

*Christ has authority to rule over us:

• Because of His power
• Because of His heritage (patrimony) and
• Because of His possession

Jesus Christ, 

*III. IS CREATOR

Vs 16

Who only hath immortality…

Not only is He immortal, but 

• He possesses immortality and
• He delivers immortality

It might be said of humanity that we never cease to exist. Even the unsaved man will “live in death” forever in the Lake of fire.

The saved man has been given eternal life and will live with God forever in the new heaven and new earth.

Though it is true that we will never cease to exist:

• We have not always existed and
• We only have life because it was given us

We are created

Only He is Creator.