“That’s My King! Do You Know Him?”
S. M. Lockridge (born Shadrach Meshach Lockridge, March 7, 1913 – April 4, 2000) was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, a prominent African American congregation located in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993. He was known for his preaching across the United States and around the world.
Lockridge was born in Robertson County, Texas, the oldest of eight children and the son of a Baptist minister. A graduate of Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, he worked for two years as a high school English teacher. In 1940 in Dallas, he felt led to preach. In 1941 he married Virgil Mae Thomas (they had no children).
In 1942, he accepted his first pastorate at Fourth Ward Baptist Church in Ennis, Texas. In August 1952, he was named pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego where he served until retiring in 1993.
During Lockridge’s tenure at Calvary Baptist, a predominantly African American congregation, his ministry reached more than 100,000 people. He preached at crusades, revivals, religious rallies, and evangelistic conferences around the world.
He also served in key regional, state and national positions with the Baptist Church, including being elected the first president of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.
He held doctorates and numerous honorary degrees and was often sought as a public speaker, even after he retired in 1993. He served as guest lecturer at numerous schools and universities and on the faculty of several others, including the Billy Graham School of Evangelism.
Lockridge was active in the civil rights movement, and under his leadership Calvary Baptist hosted several of its leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson.
He is well-known for a six-and-a-half minute description of Jesus Christ, known as “That’s my King!” for Lockridge’s repeated refrain.
My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews—that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel—that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.
He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.
Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible.
I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.
He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then . . . Amen!
Rev. S. M. Lockridge
What an awesome, passionate description of our Savior. I never tire of listening to this. “I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable!”
owesome I never tire to read this many times over
JESUS Christ.. is truly the KING and MY KING too
hadnt heard but once,seVEral years ago on tv,i had hoped i could have recorded it but couldnt i remember trying to describe the message to others, its been a hard road to travel as we sometimes go threw the fires and learn in every aspect of life who this jesus is, what jesus is and what jesus means to us, somehow theres a divine annointment on this message of truth,it makes me tremle,stand and knee,it makes me cry in gratitude,yet smile and rise my hands in joy,the mixtuure of heart/ body/ mind and spirit coming together all at once is awesome! it restores my strength/ joy/ and hope! its stirs my soul and brings forth a flood of praise that overflows. communion and blessings! surrenderence again/ a new song! MY SAVIOR LIVES /MY SAVIOR DIED/ HES ALWAYS THERE FOR ME! (pray and be patient with one-another/ may the church stop its division within its walls and let love have its PERFECT will be done……)
Lockeridge’s style of preaching reminds me of Anne Graham Lotz’s.
Amen and amen, Bro. Lockridge.
May I recommend an excellent book, Jesus the Christ, by James E. Talmage.
Truly a blessing and very inspiring.Iread it over and over again. May the. Lord bless his word.Amen
nd I still listen to it frequently as a refreshing tool for my ministry. God is Good!
Major Ellis
THIS WAS A GREAT BLESSING TO ME . GOD BLESS YOU.MY BROTHER.
Thank God for this tremendous man of God.He is a blessing to mankind.
Wow that’s my King. The Lord my rock, rocks my world.
I Know Him now, and Hope to Know Him like that indescribable description..
I know him; that’s my KING
He’s my king, and to all who believes in and accepts Him So we all need to bow down and praise Him
Awesome words!!!
I want to cry, shout, run,…
Some things you see and hear are quickly dismissed as ” just something”. That’s My King is not one of those things. Very inspirational; it sticks like glue for the “true” believer. Thank God for the author, Pastor Lockridge. Thank GOD for “Our” King, JESUS CHRIST!!!!
Thrilled to have found this on the net..I heard it ages ago and had it on tape at one time. Last night that lovely voice came into my mind as I lay thinking about HIM, my Saviour, and decided to look for it. My pc has no speakers at the moment but I will have some soon.
What a testimony to Jesus is this. For someone who finds articulation quite difficult, it is inspiring, the Holy Spirit poured out on Dr Lockridge that day !! I know Him ! Thank God!!
I First heard Dr. Lockridge when I was a part of the California State Convention. HIs gracious manner and Stately leadership spoke volumes. He preached with power then and continued to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord. Years later when I heard the message That’ My King! Do You Know Him? I realized that God was still using Dr. Lockridge. to bless saints with the Word of God. I am so glad that I know Jesus. Don’t you wish everyone did?
What an awesome description of an awesome King! I first heard this message a few years ago, but I never tire of hearing it.
It should be printed and handed out to passers by as a tract, because so many folk out there don’t know who Jesus is. They have been deceived into believing He was simply a good man, a prophet of sorts, but they have no idea that, to quote Dr Lockridge,
“He always has been and He always will be…….He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!”
How awesome it would be if everybody knew Him.
That is truly my KING!!! I want to share this with everyone esp. my brothers and sisters in our Lord! Praise HIM forever and ever and ever eternally!!! Can I get an amen?
I con never get my King off in my heart, and this discription of my King is for all generation, I can raed it over and over and over and over and over and over untill I got an approval AMEN from my spirit.
that’s my king, how awsome to know that he is indiscrible ,incomprehenistible, invinciable and irresisable, there is no one before him and there will _definately no one after him .
Praise the Lord ,thank you Dr Lockridge for this wonderful sermon.
Wow this is the best description by a human being that I have ever had.Yes he is indeed MY KING.God bless this man f God and all his generations to come wow
This was truly a blessing to me, I cant stop reading it and playing the video on YouTube.
After all the description about our perfect lord Jesus, towards the end he writes he’s undescribable this is so true. our lord is everlasting!!!!!!!!!
As I have listened to S.M. Lockeridge’s message several times, and each time is as fresh as the first. Unfortunately, when “That’s My King” is transcribed some words are changed or omitted. One that stands out is “He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology.” His actual words are not historic theology, rather TRUE theology. I feel that those who only read the written transcript misses out on so much more than what is encompassed within the 60 plus minute sermon. No words changed or omitted.
This description is awesome,it brings a mixture of joy and confidence in my heart,may the lord greatly reward my brother.Jesus my king,you cant impeach him and he wount resign,do you know him
“That’s My King” by SM Lockridge – Our pastor played this in church and it was absolutely moving. How can I get a copy of video to play at home.
This was the most moving and clear description of our Lord Jesus that I have ever heard! We need to hear or read this everyday! My Pastor played this for our congregation yesterday. It was awesome!
Mine o mine, after watching and listening to this yesterday, I boosted into prayers in tears. THAT’S MY KING! And yet HE is greater, bigger and more than all the descriptions above! THAT’S MY KING!
What an awesome description of the risen saviour do you know Him? That is my King
Incredible and a very Personal Testimony of who really Christ is in my life. Heard the same for the first time this Dec 2016!!!
I heard this on the radio a couple years ago and was left in awe of who God is. I was moved by it tremendously and wanted to hear it again. Then I heard it again At a Chris Tomlin concert in Phoenix Arizona recently. Tears covered my face more and more as I heard it. By the end of the hearing I was absolutely filled with the presence of God. I don’t know how to describe it. Thank you Lord for Pastor Lockridge for being obedient to God’s calling.
That’s my king!!!
I love him, I adore him!!
You are always in my mind.
Truly the Lord Jesus is the King of Kings! Thanks to one of the best black preachers in Houston, Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/, I really have learned to accept Jesus as the king of my life! Preaching His divinity totally makes me realize that he loves all of His creation so much!
I am blessed and trilled at this powerful poem ” My King”
The words used are just Okey to our own understanding in adoring My King.
Praise be to JESUS.
O what a king!My king the king of the ages. The Lord Jesus Christ!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDYH40UVUsk – This message set to music