Encountering And Submitting To Christ

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship.

Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org

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Encountering and Submitting to Christ

By Greg Johnson

June 3, 2007

Being a Christian is all about submitting to the Lordship of Christ. First we have to have a genuine encounter with the glorified Christ. After encountering Him we submit to His Lordship.

Isaiah chapter six of God’s Word shows us how the prophet Isaiah progressed from encountering the glorified pre-incarnate Christ to submitting to His Lordship. May we not only encounter the glorified Christ, but may we always submit to His Lordship. May we decrease so that He can always increase in us.

ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST

God’s Word says (Isaiah 6:1-4 NIV) "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. {2} Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. {3} And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." {4} At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke."

Isaiah had a genuine encounter with the glorified Christ. The Apostle Paul had a genuine encounter with the glorified Christ on the road to Damascus as describe to us in Acts chapter nine. John had an encounter with the glorified Christ as described to us in Revelation chapter one. It’s important to realize that we do not serve a babe in a manger or a savior on the cross. We serve a glorified Christ. It’s of utmost importance to realize that a genuine encounter with the glorified Christ is life changing. It is impossible to come in contact with the glorified Christ and stay the same.

RECOGNITION OF SIN

(Isaiah 6:5 KJV) "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

When we come in contact with the glorified Christ, we recognize that we are sinners and need cleansing that only He can give. In His presence is holiness. When we come into His presence we recognize our unworthiness. We confess our sins to Jesus and cleansing takes place. God’s Word says (1 John 1:8-9 NIV) "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

ATONEMENT FOR SIN

(Isaiah 6:6-7 NIV) "Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. {7} With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.""

The live coal on the altar signifies that a sacrifice was being offered for sin pointing to what Christ has done for us on the cross of Calvary. Christ willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins. The Christ that we serve is the Christ after the cross, the resurrection and the ascension back to the throne. We serve the glorified Christ who has made the sacrifice to atone for sin. As we accept the atoning work that Christ accomplished at the cross and as we confess our sins to Him, He cleanses us. Praise His name!

SUBMITTING TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

(Isaiah 6:8 NIV) "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!""

First there is the encounter with Christ. The encounter uncovers our sinfulness. Confession of sin is made, forgiveness is given and atonement is received. Next comes service. A follower of Christ submits to the Lordship of Christ and looses his will for the will of Jesus. Not only does a follower of Christ receive Him as Savior, but they make Him the Lord of their life. They obey His Word and His will for their life. They live to make a difference in others as Jesus leads them. They continue the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, praise God today for your personal encounter with Jesus Christ. God has drawn you to Jesus because of His love for you. Jesus has cleansed you from sin. Jesus has called you to continue His ministry of making a difference in people’s lives. Continue to submit to Jesus’ lordship. Continue to minister at the point of need. Continue to point people to Jesus so that they can have a life changing encounter with Him and enlist in His service until He comes.