AJ Pence said, “Some that I respect and others no reason to respect.” One thing I have learned for sure, the boss is always the boss. He may not always be right, but he is still the boss. I just do what I'm told to do!
Let's turn our attention and thoughts to our spiritual life. It should and does affect all of our lives.
1. When we say “Boss”, we say we recognize authority. Philippians 2:9-11
2. The Greek word Kyrios, for Lord means:
a. Boss
b. Owner
c. Master
3. In the Christian life, Jesus is either all or nothing.
4. Jesus asks a question, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
5. Jesus does not accept a half-hearted attachment.
a. Many of His followers were willing to give their lives.
b. John 11:15-16; Thomas
c. John 13:37; Peter
6. Jesus demands more than applause and approval.
a. The requirement of lordship is obedience to the authority of Christ.
b. There can be no halfway consent to his commands.
c. Jesus is Lord of all, or not Lord at all.
I. Areas of Obedience to the Lordship of Christ
1. Obedience influences your career. Luke 9:23
a. Mark 1:17-20; these men left all and followed Jesus.
b. Even in seemingly failures. John 21 (after Jesus’ death, these men return to fishing.)
c. Any occupation can be his service.
d. The real question is “who selects the career?”
e. The place of his choosing, you can be sure your life will be fruitful. 1Peter 1:1; acts 8:1-4.
2. Obedience affects your emotions.
a. Jesus commands, “love your enemies.”
b. Lordship affects not only acts but attitudes also. Meekness: controlled by the spirit of another.
3. Obedience to lordship releases your possessions. Mark 10:28-30
a. Your property is not your own.
b. You are a steward. A manager for another.
c. Matthew 6:19-21
4. Obedience to lordship purifies your choices.
a. It should be the will of God.
b. Only God knows our future.
II. Reasons for Obedience to the Lordship of Christ
1. The lordship of Christ is really a question of management.
a. Who controls your life?
b. A business will thrive or fail depending on its management.
2. Reason #1, Jesus knows and cares about your life and its temptations.
a. Hebrews 2:18
b. Hebrews 4:14-16
3. Reason #2, Jesus understands the pressures of service. John 13:12
4. Reason #3, Jesus understands poverty.
a. 2 Corinthians 8:9
b. He never owned His own home.
c. Philippians 4:10-12
d. Luke 12:15-34
5. Reason #4, Lordship of Christ avails itself in the house of death.
a. At that hour I want to say, “I did its God’s way.”
b. Hebrews 9:27
III. Responses of Obedience to the Lordship of Christ
1. Trust God’s leadership without fully understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6
a. Acts 8:5; 26-39; Philip the Ethiopian.
b. Abraham did. Genesis 12 & 22
c. Noah did. Genes 6:22
2. John 2:5
a. Knowing and understanding what God wants is not enough. We must obey if we want the blessing.
b. Matthew 7:24-27
c. James 1:22-23
3. You can refuse to obey. John 6:60-68
4. Life is an investment. We need a master.
a. Jesus qualifies in every area.
b. Don't learn too late. Sometimes we listen to the wrong master. 1 John 2:15-17
