Cord #4: A Common Commitment – “one Lord” Series

We are basing this series on Ephesians 4:3-6, where Paul mentions seven “cords” that bind us together.

We’ve considered how we are part of the body of Christ; and how we share common communion with the Holy Spirit and having a common confidence in the hope we have in Christ. Today, we will consider the fourth “cord” that “binds us together.” We, as believers have a common commitment to the Lordship of Christ. (READ TEXT)

Paul says there are two ways we submit to the Lordship of Jesus.

1. Jesus is Lord of our eternal destiny – v. 6a

Unless you have submitted to Jesus Christ as Lord of your eternal destiny, you are not saved. When we are born again, it is because we’ve accepted Christ as the ONLY way to the Father. We can’t be saved unless we receive Christ Jesus as Lord!

“When our Lord appeared in human form in history the angel announced His coming in the words, ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:11). He cannot be divided. The Savior and Lord are one.” - Ernest Reisinger

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Acts 2:21 (NIV)

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” - Acts 16:31 (NIV)

“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:1 (NIV)

“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23 (NIV)

"If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” - Romans 10:9 (NIV)

Peter referred to the decision to acknowledge Christ as my only Savior as “obeying the Gospel” (1 Peter 4:17) because in trusting in Christ alone to save me, I submit to Him as Lord of my eternal destiny.

“Our relation to Christ is based on His death and resurrection and this means His Lordship. Indeed the Lordship of Christ over the lives of His people was the very purpose for which He died and rose again. We have to acknowledge Christ as our Lord. Sin is rebellion, and it is only as we surrender to Him as Lord that we receive our pardon from Him as our Savior.” - William Thomas

Is Jesus Lord of your eternal destiny? Are you trusting Him alone for your eternal salvation? One thing believers have in common is we have been born again by trusting in Jesus as Lord of our eternal destiny.

2. Jesus is to be Lord of our daily life – vs. 6-7

A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo, when his truck broke down. He eventually waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day the first truck driver got his truck fixed and drove into town and couldn’t believe his eyes! The second truck driver was crossing the road with the 500 penguins waddling single file behind him. He jumped out of his truck, ran over to the guy and said, “What’s going on? I gave you $500 to take these penguins to the zoo!” The man replied, “I did take them to the zoo. But I had enough money left over that I thought today I’d take them to the movies.” Needless to say, the second driver was confused as to what he was supposed to do.

Some Christians are a bit confused as well, when it comes to what they are to do now that they have been saved. Paul says that acknowledging Jesus as Lord is not only the key to determining my eternal destiny; but to determining the direction of my daily life.

“The Greek word, ‘kurios,’ can mean the teacher who has authority over disciples, the master who has command over servants, or the lord who has power over all. With Jesus, all three meanings apply.” - Joel Beeke (Seminary Professor)

Each of these meanings of “Lord” are mentioned by Paul as he speaks about how we should acknowledge Christ as Lord of our daily lives.

A. Christ is my Teacher, who has authority over me as His disciple therefore I am called to follow, being “rooted and built up in Him.”

Paul says that I must adopt the attitude, if my life is going to have a firm foundation and be structured in a way that is solid and worthwhile, Christ is the key to it all.

I need to really do believe John 15:5 to be completely true: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5 (NIV)

Therefore, I acknowledging His Lordship by seeking to follow Him, learn from Him, grow in Him, and become like Him.