Jesus Is Lord

JESUS IS LORD

Philippians 2:5-11

INTRODUCTION: As we look at the world around us we often see chaos and confusion. On the surface, it appears at times as if God has abandoned this world to its own devices, which are completely out of control. This morning I want to declare unto you that man has not been left to his own devices and that God is on His throne. I want you to understand that Jesus Christ is in control and that as Philippians declares that He is Lord. When Philippians declares Him as Lord the word used is Kurios, which signifies as having power and authority; master, owner. Today know that Jesus Christ is the Sovereign Lord of All.

I. Jesus Christ is the Sovereign Lord over all of Nature’s Forces

A. Many feel that we live in a world where nature has turned topsy-turvy and that we live in a dying ecosphere.

B. Some years ago Omni magazine carried an article entitled "When God Plays Dice with the Universe: Connoisseurs of Chaos." The article described a new field of scientific inquiry. The basic premise is that there is randomness built into the universe. Not everything is as orderly or as mechanistic as has been assumed. Chance is a part of the universe and even if we had all the data, we could not always predict the outcome.

C. Planet earth is warming up faster than experts have expected, according to the head of a leading climate research institute. As a result, dying forests, expanding deserts and rising sea levels will wreak havoc on human and animal lives sooner than anticipated as global warming accelerates, said Geoff Jenkins, head of the Hadley Center for Climate Prediction and Research in the UK. World famous physicist Stephen Hawking says he’s worried runaway global warming could destroy human life on Earth. (http://eces.org/ec/globalwarming/impactsgeneral.shtml)

D. Regardless of what men think God is in control and Jesus Christ is Lord over all nature.

E. No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place. - Zeno (335-263 B.C.)

F. If God doesn’t approve, a fly doesn’t move. – Jewish Proverb

G. Mark 4:35-41 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. [36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. [37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. [38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? [39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? [41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

H. Jesus rebuked the wind and the storm by simply speaking. His mastery over the forces of the elements and the sea was and is absolute demonstrating that He is the Sovereign Lord of the universe.

II. Jesus Christ is the Sovereign Lord over all of the World’s Powers

A. Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

B. John 19:10-11 "Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

C. Proverbs 21:1 "The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it whither so ever he will."

D. All revolutions, from the beginning of the world to the end of it, are but the various parts of the same scheme, all conspiring to bring to pass that great event which the great Creator and Governor of the world has ultimately in view. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

E. 2 Chronicles 20:6 "And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? And rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?"

F. Nothing that happens in the world happens by chance. God is a God of order. Everything is arranged upon definite principles and never at random. - John Drummond (1851-1897)