OKAY – let’s do this…
NOW – the title ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ is used 60 times in the New Testament...
3 times in Acts, 4 times by Peter, 2 times by Jude, 2 times by James and 49 times in Paul’s letters…
Here are just a few of those passages…
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
- Romans 5:1
We have what?
AND – in 1 Corinthians 15…
The great ‘Resurrection Chapter’ of the Bible, we read…
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 1:54-57
God gives us the victory over sin and death through who?
One more passage.
AND – this one was written by Jesus’ half-brother Jude, who if you recall, at one time thought Jesus was crazy and wanted to have him put away.
BUT – all that dramatically changed when his half-brother rose from the dead.
YOU SEE – when you believe in the Resurrection it lietrally changes everything.
OKAY – so here is what Jude wrote in his very short letter.
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. – Jude 1:20-21
What brings us to eternal life?
NOW – here is how we are going to attack our conversation today… BY – unpacking each part of this title one awesome word at a time.
• Lord – a title that speaks to His Authority
• Jesus – a name that speaks to His Mission
• Christ – a title that speaks to His Promise Fulfilled
Are you ready to do this! Me too.
But before we dive in, I think that it would be good for us to pray again…
Because – pray matters, pray works and because there will be some truths that everyone of us need to hear.
Do you believe that?
Prayer
Okay let’s do this!... MGCC – Jesus is…
I. Lord - This title speaks to His Authority
On that first Christmas the angel appearing to the shepherds in the fields said to them…
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. – Luke 2:11
NOTE – the angel did not say (‘a Lord’) but ‘the Lord.’
AND PETER – on the day of Pentecost, as he preached the Gospel of Jesus death and resurrection, said…
Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. - Acts 2:36
The word translated Lord, is the Greek word ‘kurios’ and is a word that is used throughout the New Testament,
like around 600 times.
NOW – it is not always used in reference to Jesus.
HOWEVER – when is talking about Jesus it is talking about the One who has all authority.
AS WE SAW – in the passage from Philippians 2 that we read earlier
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
– Philippians 2:10,11
MGCC – Jesus is LORD, He is the one in charge, the one who has all authority.
In Matthew 28, Jesus disciples are meeting Him in Galilee to receive their commission to make disciples of all nations.
AND BEFORE – He them this commission, He made it clear that He had the power and authority to give it.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” – Matthew 28:18
AND LISTEN – Jesus has all authority in our life, in your life, in my life, whether we acknowledge that authority or not.
GET IT?
LIKE – you may not think that the police have authority over you as you are cruising 10 miles over the speed limit on HWY 29… but once those blue lights come, you become instantly aware that they do.
THE SAME – with Jesus, but even more so.
In Hebrews chapter 4 after talking about how God’s word is living and active…
The writer says:
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:13
UNDERSTAND B/S – Jesus is Lord, He has all authority over every area of your life. Jesus has authority…
• Over our financial life - how you spend, save and give your money…
• Over our relational life - how you treat other people by your words and actions. What you do with hurt. How you use your tongue
Jesus has authority…
• Over our sexual life – do we avoid even a hint of sexual immorality, do we obey His word in regards to its teaching about sex before marriage?
• Over our Work life – do we do our job well, are we an example for Jesus
• Over our church life -
QUESTION – so how do you feel about Jesus being Lord over all of your life?
AGAIN – He is Lord, He is the one in authority, He is the one to whom we will one day give an account, whether we realize it or not…
YOU KNOW – as we (as you and I) look at our lives and consider the truth that Jesus is Lord, I think Jesus may want to ask us the same question He asked in Luke 6:46…
Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
– Luke 6:46
LIKE – why do you call me Lord, and…
• Refuse to forgive
• Use your tongue (or posts, tweets) to tear others down, rather than building them up
• Continue to commit sexual sins
• Treat your parents with such disrespect
• Hold to anger, rage, malice, gossip, slander
• Make no effort to make disciples
Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?
NOW – in Matthew 7:21, Jesus makes one of His most uncomfortable statements.
It has always been one that, frankly scares me… and in fcat, it should.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 7:21
QUESTION – do those 2 verses make you uncomfortable?
UNDERSTAND - there have been times in my life, in fact, more times than I care to admit, when I was living in some kind of disobedience to Him,
AND - I would start writing these familiar words in my journal… ‘Good morning Lord, I am here to meet with you.’
And then, I would almost immediately sense God say to me…
“Steve, hold on for a minute, do you really mean that?
That I am the Lord, the boss, the authority in your life?
Steve, why do are you calling me Lord if you are not doing what I say? Like do not call me that, unless you really mean it? It bothers Me that you call me Lord, when I am obviously not your Lord.”
AND LISTEN – Jesus is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all.
QUESTION – are there any areas of your life that are NOT under His Lordship?
AND LISTEN - I am pretty certain that we all to…
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23,24
AGAIN – I ask, are there any areas of your life that are NOT under His Lordship?
LISTEN – coming and surrendering your life to Jesus is a package deal… He is both Lord and Savior.
IN FACT – I don’t know if it means anything, but there are 4 times in Scripture Jesus is called, ‘Lord and Savior’ and He is never referred to even one time as ‘Savior and Lord.’
OKAY – just one more thing before we move on to the name Jesus…
UNDERSTAND – one the most important expressions in the New Testament is the 3 words ‘in the Lord’.
YOU SEE – this expression signifies that which is done…
• in the presence of,
• by the authority of,
• under the power of, and to the glory of Jesus.
What is the source of all instruction, faith and behavior for the Jesus-follower?
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. – 1 Thessalonians 4:1
UNDERSTAND – all that makes Jesus-followers distinctive from others has to do with the Lordship of Jesus.
What is the basis of strength and stability in the lives of God’s people?
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! – Philippians 4:1
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
– Eph 6:10
MGCC – we find power in the Lordship of Jesus
What is the motivation for Christians service?
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Our service is done in the power of the Lordship of Jesus.
What is the foundation for love and fellowship within the Body of Christ?
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
– 1 Corinthians 16:19
What hope do Jesus-followers have for the future?
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” - Revelation 14:13
What gives Jesus-followers the ability to smile in the face of death or to find joy in the most difficult of life’s circumstances?
Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. – Philippians 3:1
In His life, death and resurrection, Jesus has shown Himself to be master and sovereign over all things. Thus we must not be content with or dominated by the world’s lesser powers. We must, instead, believe, proclaim and live the truth that Jesus is Lord. – Rubel Shelly
Okay, let’s move on to the name…
II. Jesus - This Name Speaks To His Mission
When the angel showed up to speak to Joseph about Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, He said..
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
- Matthew 1:21
QUESTION – why were Mary and Joseph to give Him the name Jesus?
because he will save his people from their sins.
The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means…
Jesus = Joshua = Yahweh (God) is salvation or Yahweh saves.
NOW – Jesus was a very common name for Jewish boys when Jesus invaded our planet, in first century Palestine.
Probably because of its association with one of the great heroes of the Old Testament, Joshua the successor to Moses and the guy who finally led God’s people into the promise land.
HOWEVER – by the end of the first century the use of the name ‘Jesus’ became very rare.
YOU SEE – the Jews stopped using the name because it was so closely related to Christianity which they rigorously opposed and hated.
AND - Christians refused to use the name because they felt that no one should wear that name other than Jesus.
NOW – what I found really interesting in my studies for this conversation about the name Jesus, is the absence of its use.
LIKE – the only person we see in Scripture calling Jesus by His name is the thief on the cross.
AND – we only see Jesus using the name to identify Himself 2 times in Scripture and both occasions are after he had ascended back home to the Father.
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. – Acts 9:5
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” - Revelation 22:16
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21
UNDERSTND MGCC - saving people from their sins was and is the mission of Jesus.
LIKE – it is why He came… as He said when accepting an invitation to go to the house of Zacchaeus…
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. - Luke 19:10
Jesus is salvation and He came to bring it
AND LISTEN – He is the only way, the only path to experience salvation. AS - Jesus Himself said in John 14:6…
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6
In Acts chapter 4 Peter and John are brought before religious leaders in Jerusalem, because they had the audacity to heal a crippled guy the Temple.
“By what power and what name did you do this?”
AND THEN – we read…
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:8-12
QUESTION – just who needs this salvation that is only found in Jesus? ANSWER - everyone.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death… - Romans 6:23
Separation from God… and future punishment
FCFH – Mark 9 (3 times Jesus describes hell as a place, “Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”)
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
– Ephesians 2:1-3
OKAY – that’s the bad news… the really, really bad news.
BUT – praise God there is good news!
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
– Ephesians 2:4
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23
How do we get in Christ?
NOW - there is only one book in the bible where we encounter lost people finding salvation in Jesus.
The book of Acts.
AND – as we see lost people encountering the Gospel.
It always follows the same pattern…
We see people
- Hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
- Believing the Gospel
- Repenting of their sin and of being their own lord
- Confessing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God
- Being baptized into Christ.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:37,38
NOW – I want to share just one of the conversion stories that we find in the book of Acts…
When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this…
(He was reading Isaiah 53, where is talks 3about the Messiah being led like a lamb to slaughter)
The eunuch replied to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or another person?” So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.
As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water! What would keep me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing. - Acts 8:30-39 (HSCB)
The name Jesus speaks to the Mission of Jesus
To save people from their sins.
QUESTION – are you saved?
Have you responded to the Gospel in the same way we see people responding to it in God’s Word…
I will be here from 3-4 pm.
If you would want to be baptized into Christ today.
And I am always available to have this conversation with anyone at anytime…
how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. – Hebrews 2:3
YOU KNOW – I think one of the reasons people ignore this great salvation or keep putting off surrendering to it, is because they misunderstand God’s love and justice.
QUESTION...
What is the primary attribute of God...
His LOVE or His JUSTICE?
One word answers only.
Pick just one between these two.
Thanks
Love – 29
Holiness – 3
Neither/both – 5
Cross – 1
Can’t – 1
Justice - 1
Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about God's attributes of love and justice. Now, it probably was not the best worded question, but here is the thinking behind the question (that was sparked when I listened to some teaching by one of my college professors, Roger Chambers from his soteriology class)...
God's justice 'requires' the punishment of sin.
God's love desires our salvation (2 Peter 3:9 says that God wants everyone to come to repentance)
Okay are you still with me...?
Now, there is a concept about 'who is the king of the jungle' that says the king is the one for whom all must 'step aside.'
Again God's justice demands that sin be punished
God's love desires our salvation.
Question - when God's love and God's justice meet up on the path of a person's life who is not a Christian... who steps aside?
God's love and desire for that person to be saved or His justice, the punishment of sin?
Again, it was not the best worded question.
But I think it is worth wrestling with the idea of how God's love and justice interact.
I think we find it much easier to talk about God's love than we do His justice. I know that I do.
I mean, God's love is a much more appealing and palatable thing to talk, right?
Like, who wants to hear about a God who sees people as objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:3) and whose hands it is a dreadful thing to fall into (Hebrews 10:31).
You know, sometimes I think God's justice is treated like 'the uncle' we keep in the other room (when we have company) and would rather not talk about... or we feel like His justice is something we need to defend or apologize for.
Again, just some stuff I was thinking about and wrestling with.
I obviously do not have all the answers.
I really like this statement is Professor Chambers Syllabus, "How to preserve holiness and practice love is a problem fit for God."
And God handled it on the cross...
"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." - Romans 3:25,26
The title Lord speaks to Jesus Authority
The name Jesus speaks to His Mission
III. Christ - This Title Speaks To His Promise Fulfilled
But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:15,16
The Greek word Christos, that is translated Christ literally means ‘anointed one’ and was used in the Septuagint to translate the word Messiah.
SO – the Messiah in the OT and the Christ in the NT refer to the same person.
NOW – in the OT Messiah is always used in the context of the Messianic hope, where the use of Christ in the NT is in the context of His competed work and promise fulfilled.
NOW – in the OT there were 3 groups of people who were anointed… prophets, priests and kings.
To understand this concept, we need to have a knowledge of the Old Testament.
Basically when a person was called by God to fulfill a mission or ministry, they began their duties by first being anointed. God would have one of His servants go to the chosen person and they would pour a bottle of oil on their head and say ‘you have been called by God to fulfill a task or ministry.’
When the people saw this person being anointed with oil, they knew that this person was chosen and ordained by God. They knew that they were to be respected because their anointing qualified them for their office.
It is an interesting fact that, as you study the Old Testament, you will find that God never chose anyone to fulfill all three offices. No one was ever a prophet, priest and king at the same time. There were a few priests who were also prophets. There were kings that were also prophets. You can find a king that was also a priest. However, you will not find a person who was all three - prophet, priest and king.
But, there are prophecies in the Old Testament that spoke of a single person who would come and fulfill all three offices of God. There were prophecies that spoke of a person Who would be a prophet, a priest and a king.
This person - who would be all three - became spoken of as THE Messiah or THE Christ.
By the time of the New Testament, this anticipated person was simply known as the Messiah or the Christ. It had become the official title of this promised prophet, priest and king.
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power… - Acts 10:38
As God’s ultimate prophet Jesus was anointed to preach the Gospel and bring God’s final Word…
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
- Luke 4:16-19
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. – Hebrews 1:1,2
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” - Mark 9:7
As God’s ultimate priest Jesus was anointed to offer the perfect sacrifice…
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. – Hebrews 9:24-26
As God’s ultimate King Jesus was anointed to establish a powerful and righteous kingdom that will never end…
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” – Luke 1:32,33
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.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6,7
