Podcast Summary: North Point Community Church
Episode: The Last Kingdom, Part 2: Reclaiming the Plotline
Host: Andy Stanley
Release Date: January 26, 2025

Introduction: Reclaiming Jesus’s True Identity

In the second installment of "The Last Kingdom" series, Andy Stanley delves deep into the true identity of Jesus Christ, challenging contemporary perceptions that often reduce Jesus to various roles and functions. Stanley begins by addressing listeners who may feel disconnected from Christianity, emphasizing that the Jesus they might not resonate with is different from the Jesus known by the apostles and early followers.

“If you’re not a Jesus follower... the Jesus that Matthew and John knew... is not the Jesus that James, the brother of Jesus, grew up with” (00:45).

Section 1: The Misrepresentation of Jesus

Andy Stanley criticizes how both the church and modern society have diminished Jesus’s identity by confining Him to roles such as a sin forgiver, best friend, or a source of comfort in emergencies. He argues that this reduction strips away the essence of who Jesus truly is—the Christ, the King.

“When we reduce Jesus to a function or a role, we can’t help but lose sight of who he is... the services he performed.” (10:30).

Stanley emphasizes that Jesus was not merely a teacher or a comforter but the anointed king sent to establish God’s everlasting kingdom.

Section 2: The Lost Meaning in Translation

A significant portion of the sermon focuses on the historical translation of the Gospels and how it impacted the understanding of Jesus's true role. Stanley explains that the Greek term "Christos," meaning "anointed one" or "king," was transliterated into Latin as "Christus." This transliteration carried over into English as "Christ," inadvertently transforming it from a title into a name, thereby diluting its original meaning.

“The Vulgate became the official Bible of the church from the 4th century all the way through the 17th century... Christ became instead of a title, it became a name.” (25:15).

Stanley asserts that this loss in translation has led to a widespread misunderstanding of Jesus's mission and identity.

Section 3: Jesus as King in the New Testament

Andy Stanley meticulously examines the portrayal of Jesus across the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—to illustrate that Jesus was consistently depicted as a king, not just through His teachings and miracles but through His very identity and mission.

• Matthew: Begins with the genealogy of Jesus, emphasizing His royal lineage. Stanley highlights that Matthew's Gospel portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning a king from David’s line.

  “This is the birth of Jesus Christ Jesus, the anointed one. This is the story of the birth of a king.” (35:50).

• Mark: Stanley points out that Mark’s Gospel, sourced from Peter’s eyewitness accounts, stresses the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, signifying Jesus’s active reign.

  “He’s the King. He proclaimed and taught the Kingdom. The kingdom has come near because the King is here.” (45:20).

• Luke: Emphasizes the angelic announcements and the recognition of Jesus as the Son of the Most High, reinforcing His divine kingship.

  “He will reign and his kingdom will never end.” (55:10).

• John: Stanley underscores John’s purpose in writing the Gospel—to convince readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, thereby affirming His authority and eternal reign.

  “I wrote this so that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” (1:05:30).

Throughout these examinations, Stanley maintains that the New Testament consistently presents Jesus as the sovereign King whose authority surpasses all earthly and heavenly realms.

Section 4: The Significance of Recognizing Jesus's Kingship

Recognizing Jesus as the Christ has profound implications for believers and the world. Stanley discusses how this acknowledgment transforms personal lives, communities, and nations by aligning them with the values and governance of God's kingdom.

“When men and women embrace the values of the king, that piece of real estate gets better and those families get better and those communities get better and those nations get better because he’s the king.” (1:15:45).

He challenges listeners to move beyond superficial understandings of Christianity and to embrace Jesus's comprehensive authority and transformative power.

Conclusion: An Invitation to Embrace the Kingdom

In his concluding remarks, Andy Stanley extends a heartfelt invitation to listeners to reconsider their relationship with Jesus. He urges those who are not yet followers to see Jesus in His true royal capacity and to accept His invitation to participate in His everlasting kingdom.

“If you aren’t a follower of Jesus... you should at least consider accepting his invitation to follow. Because his kingdom has come and in the end, his will will be done.” (1:25:30).

Stanley reiterates the certainty of Jesus's ultimate authority and the universal recognition of His kingship, encouraging believers to live out their faith in ways that reflect the values of the kingdom.

Prayer: Seeking Divine Perspective

The episode concludes with a collective prayer, where Andy Stanley leads listeners in asking for divine assistance to internalize and embody the principles of God's kingdom. The prayer emphasizes the need for a heart transformation that aligns with Jesus's reign.

“...pray that it would seep down out of our minds and into our hearts and into our emotions, that it would become the filter through which we see the world and the people in the world...” (1:30:00).

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as the Christ: Beyond roles and functions, Jesus is the anointed King whose authority encompasses heaven and earth.
2. Impact of Translation: Historical translations have altered the original understanding of Jesus’s identity, transforming "Christos" from a title to a name.
3. Biblical Consistency: The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as King, emphasizing His mission to establish and reign over God's eternal kingdom.
4. Transformative Influence: Embracing Jesus's kingship has the power to transform personal lives, communities, and societies.
5. Call to Action: Listeners are invited to deepen their relationship with Jesus by recognizing and submitting to His sovereign authority.

Note: Due to the continuous nature of the transcript, the timestamps provided are approximate and serve to illustrate the progression of topics within the sermon.