One Lord Series

ONE LORD

Scott Bayles, pastor

Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/28/2018

A three-year-old girl was listening intently to the children’s sermon one Sunday morning at her church. The minister explained that God wants everyone to get along and love each other. “God wants us all to be one,” he said. To which the little girl replied, “But I don’t want to be one. I want to be four!”

The little girl may not have understood it, but the preacher had it right.

On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus prayed a powerful prayer: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one…” (John 17:20-21 NLT). One is powerful number, especially in this context.

If you’re just joining us, we’re four weeks into a seven-week exploration of Christian unity. How can we experience the oneness Jesus prayed about? How can millions of believers from different backgrounds and walks of life, scattered all across the globe be one?

To help answer that question, the Apostle Paul provides believers with a series of seven “ones” that ought to bind us together in Christ-like unity. He writes, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV). This list of “ones” creates a solid foundation upon which all believers everywhere can experience true unity of spirit.

Three weeks ago, we started with the first item on the list: one body. Two weeks ago, we focused on the second tie that binds believers together: one Spirit. Last Sunday, we talked about the third unifying factor Paul mentions: one hope.

All believers share one glorious hope for the future—the hope of heaven. Within the canopy of heaven, we look forward to new, immortal resurrection bodies, to a home of righteousness where there will be no death or crying or pain, and to a glorious reunion with believers who’ve gone on before us, not the least of which is Jesus himself. This shared hope for the future binds us together.

Today, we’re going to examine the fourth one Paul lists: one Lord.

Of course, the one Lord Paul is referring to is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, the exact phrase “the Lord Jesus” appears over 100 times in the New Testament and over half of those come from the pen of Paul.

But of all the references throughout Scripture to the Lordship of Jesus, few are more meaningful and memorable than Philippians 2:5-11. If you have a Bible or an app on your phone, open it to Philippians 2. This passage not only identifies Jesus as Lord, but also explains why he is Lord and even hints at why his Lordship unites all believers. Here’s what it says:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord… (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV)

As I said, this passage not only tells us “Jesus Christ is Lord,” but also highlights several aspects of his nature that qualify Jesus to be Lord of all creation. First, we see that Jesus is heavenly.

• JESUS IS HEAVENLY

More to the point, Jesus is divine. Paul starts this passage, saying, “he was in the form of God and equal with God” (Philippians 2:6 GWT). The New Living Translation simple says, “he was God” (Philippians 2:6 NLT).

Since Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, the real identity of Jesus Christ has always been questioned by skeptics. It began with Mary's fiancé, Joseph, who was afraid to marry her when she revealed that she was pregnant. He took her as his wife only after an angel confirmed to him that the child she carried was the Son of God.

Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of God's Son: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). When the angel spoke to Joseph and announced the impending birth of Jesus, he alluded to Isaiah’s prophecy, saying, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’)" (Matthew 1:23). This did not mean they were to name the baby Immanuel; it meant that "God with us" was the baby’s identity. Jesus was God coming in the flesh to live on earth.