2005 Narnia Advent Series – “Narnia: The Golden Age of Narnia”
Colossians 1:13-14
Sermon preached at Curwensville Presbyterian Church – December 25, 2005 (Christmas Morning)

Prayer Introduction: This Christmas season the sermons have been highlighting some of the Christian truths illustrated in C.S. Lewis first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series – The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – which has been made into a great movie.

We looked at Aslan, the great Lion; illustrating Jesus who is called the “Lion of Judah. We then looked at the sacrifice of Aslan, which rescued young Edmund from the evil White Witch, illustrating how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ saves us from Satan. We celebrated the faith of the children of Narnia, illustrating how we must receive the kingdom of God like children. On Christmas Eve we saw the victory over the Narnian curse “Always Winter, Never Christmas” – a victory over sin and death which was accomplished for us in Christ; and the way we are like the Christmas Creatures of Narnia – receiving the gifts of the Spirit just as we receive gifts at Christmas time.

This morning we will close out this series by looking at the Golden Age of Narnia, which illustrates the truth of God’s Word in Colossians 1:13-14. But before we begin let’s pray…We pray now for the preacher in the pulpit. He is not worthy, but by your grace he is able. And so it is through Jesus Christ that we pray – Amen!

Sermon Introduction: Your green insert contains the quotations from the book, as well as the Scriptures, to which I will refer. But first I invite you to turn to Colossians 1:13-14 in your Bible. READ. This morning I would have you see this truth illustrated in The Celebration in Narnia and The Golden Age of Narnia..

I. The Celebration in Narnia

First I would have you see the Celebration in Narnia. The final chapter (entitled: The Hunting of the White Stag) tells us what happened after the battle in which Aslan and his army destroyed the Witch and her army – So the children sat on their thrones and scepters were put into their hands and they gave rewards and honors to all their friends, to Tumnus the Faun, and to the Beavers, and Giant Rumblebuffin, to the leopards, and the good centaurs, and the good dwarfs, and to the lion. And that night there was a great feast in Cair Paravel.

            Notice that it is the children who sit on the thrones, not Aslan; but, not for a moment, did they regard themselves as king over Aslan – but simply as king over Aslan’s Kingdom.

            At Christmas we exalt Jesus Christ as the King of Kings. We are simply the chosen human agents for God’s Kingdom. 1 Peter 2:9 says to the Christian Church, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

            Are we a nation unto ourselves? No, we are God’s people, His holy nation. Do we exalt ourselves? No, we declare His praises. Did we place ourselves in this position? No, we are a chosen people who have been called out of darkness into His wonderful light.

            As our passage from Colossians 1:13 says, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” Verse 12 calls it, “the kingdom of light.”

            What is this kingdom? Is it a reference to this world? Is it a reference to the future kingdom in heaven?

            Notice the verb tense in Colossians 1:13. “For he HAS rescued us from the dominion of darkness and BROUGHT us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” It is past tense; it has happened. We are now a part of the kingdom of God.

            However, the Bible also speaks of the future Kingdom of God that is still in heaven. What do we pray in the Lord’s Prayer? Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

            We live in a time period that is sometimes called the “Already, but Not Yet.” The Kingdom of God has already been established, but has not yet fully come.

            At Christmas we celebrate the “First Advent” of Christ – the “First Coming” of Christ – when Jesus as Christ established – or inaugurated – the Kingdom of God. And so it is that we are part of God’s royal nation, that we are a part of God’s kingdom.

            But Christmas is also a time of anticipation for the “Second Advent” – the “Second Coming” of Christ – when He will return in glory and bring the full consummation of His Kingdom.

            Jesus the Christ has “inaugurated” His kingdom and He will “consummate” the kingdom – we are currently in the “continuation” period of His kingdom.

Later in chapter 17 we read – But amid all these rejoicings Aslan himself quietly slipped away. And when the Kings and Queens noticed that he wasn’t there they said nothing about it. For Mr. Beaver had warned them, “He’ll be coming and going,” he had said. “One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down – and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you musn’t press him. He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.”

            Matthew 24:14 tells us, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

            The NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible has an excellent note to explain all of this – “God’s holiness and glory in his heavenly throne room are so overwhelming that all creatures there honor him with unqualified, voluntary service. On Earth, however, creatures rebel and refuse to acknowledge God as King, and evil kingdoms rise up to oppose his kingdom. The hope that Scripture presents from cover to cover is that this disparity between the heavenly throne room and the earth will one day be eliminated.”

            The Scriptures say, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11; cf. 1 Chronicles 16:31; Psalm 97:1-2). Indeed, that day is coming.

II. The Golden Age of Narnia

All of this is a bit hard to understand, but is so important in understanding all of what God reveals in the Bible. You have to understand this. And so I would have you see not only the illustration of the Celebration in Narnia, but also the Golden Age of Narnia.

Chapter 17 continues – And now, as you see, this story is nearly (but not quite) at an end. These two Kings and two Queens governed Narnia well, and long and happy was their reign.

            What are we supposed to do during this “continuation” period of God’s kingdom? What are we supposed to do in the “in-between” time of the “Already, but Not Yet”?

We are supposed to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom where it has not already been heard, and we are to govern the kingdom where it has been heard. In other words, we are to do out-reach and in-reach – missions and discipleship.

This is somewhat affected by our view of the end-times. The Post-Millennial view anticipates a “golden age” of the church – in which the church flourishes for a thousand years – followed by the return of Christ. This may or may not be what Lewis suggests in the book.

            By contrast, the Pre-Millennial view anticipates a continued decline in the church – and then Jesus will return and establish a thousand year reign.

The A-Millennial view says this is the church age. The church will have moments of decline and moments of success.

Right now, the Pre-Millennial view is popular in the U.S. because we are currently seeing a decline in commitment to Christ and His kingdom. However, Africa is currently seeing the wide-spread growth of Christianity. For the past 2,000 years the church has sometimes seen decline, but other times has seen growth. On the whole, the church has been growing steadily since Pentecost.

The Gospel is being proclaimed and received in places around the globe where it has never gone before. Parts of the Middle East are seeing many people receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – even though it means enduring harsh persecution.

You know how it is sometimes asked, “What about people living in caves in Africa who never hear the Gospel?” It is anticipated that within the next few decades – Africa may become the center of Christianity. And they may be asking, “What about people living in the suburbs in the United States?”

It is difficult to watch the decline of Christianity in the U.S. – but that does not need to continue; because the King has come – people can enter the kingdom of God right here, right now.

We may be on the verge of another Great Awakening of the church like we saw in this country in the mid 1700’s.

You know that there was a revival right here in the Curwensville Presbyterian Church that occurred in the Spring of 1898. The session minutes of June 16, 1898 record the end of a “Week of Prayer” services. June 16^th there was a baptism, reception of new members, installation of Anthony Hile as elder, and communion. It is recorded, “The service was marked by a deep solemnity and an unusual interest. One hundred and one communicants were present. Services were appointed for Monday evening.”

So the Week of Prayer became the week and one more day of prayer. But the next evening, Monday – June 17, 1898 it is recorded, “Immediately after the service Mr. Hile in accordance with the resolution of the Session placed before the people the matter and desirability of continuing the services. It was after some discussion, unanimously decided to continue the services so long as the Session might deem best. The general service was followed by a meeting of the Session for prayer and conference opened in the usual manner. From this date till the close of the meeting the Session continued in open session, meeting anywhere and everywhere – in the shop, in homes, with the sick, wherever men were seeking the way of life. Services were continued each night throughout the month. Night after night the interest deepend to the very close when on the 29^th the Session deemed it advisable to discontinue the meetings. Night after night, men and women, boys and girls, Fathers and Mothers praying for children and children praying for parents. Scenes were enacted never to be forgotten. Scenes hallowed by the very presence of the Holy Spirit.”

That was this church, with prayer services that began in this building. A week of prayer services that turned into three weeks of an incredible moving of the Holy Spirit.

Could this happen again? Why not?

Is this not Christmas? Are we not celebrating that King Jesus has come? Are we not celebrating that God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves? Do we not have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Is this not Christmas?

THEN MAY THE TRUTH SET YOU FREE – AMEN!