Go! And Bow Before the Lord
Romans 14:11 (NLT): "For the Scriptures say, 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.'"
Introduction:
Today we continue our "Go! And..." series with a message titled: "Go! And Bow Before the Lord." This is a message not only about posture—but about the heart. It is about humility, surrender, repentance, and the ultimate glory of Jesus Christ. Every one of us, every human being, will one day bow before the King of kings and Lord of lords.
But the great question is this: Will you bow willingly now, in repentance and faith—or unwillingly later, when it is too late?
Let us look deeply into Romans 14:11 and allow the Spirit of God to move our hearts.
1. The Sovereign Lord Will Be Acknowledged by All
Romans 14:11 (NLT): "For the Scriptures say, 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.'"
Paul is quoting from Isaiah 45:23, where God declares His sovereignty.
Isaiah 45:23 (NLT): "I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me."
In Hebrew, the word for "sworn" is shava', meaning to take an oath or make a solemn promise. God Himself has made this oath!
The Apostle Paul reaffirms this truth in Philippians:
Philippians 2:10–11 (NLT): "That 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."
Every person you’ve ever known—every celebrity, every politician, every friend and foe—will bow before Jesus. We are not dealing with a theory or a fable—we are dealing with the unshakable truth of God’s eternal word.
Charles Stanley once said: "Obedience always brings blessing; rebellion always brings consequence."
As I reflect on that, I must ask: Why delay obedience when the King is calling?
Picture a stubborn child refusing to kneel, arms crossed in protest. But then the parent gently lowers them to the ground, helping them see the beauty of surrender. Friends, God does not delight in forcing us to bow—He invites us to willingly surrender.
2. Judgement and Accountability Are Certain
Romans 14:12 (NLT): "Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God."
We are accountable. The word for "account" in Greek is logos, which can also mean “a word, an answer, or explanation.” You and I will one day give an explanation to the Lord of glory for our lives.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT): "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body."
This is not a scare tactic—it is a sacred truth. Believers will be judged for rewards. Unbelievers will face the white throne of judgement.
John Piper wrote: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
When we bow before Him now, we find joy. But if we resist, we will miss the eternal reward of glorifying Him.
There once was a soldier who ignored his commanding officer’s repeated orders—thinking he knew better. In the end, his disobedience cost lives. Don’t wait until it’s too late to follow the orders of the Commander of Heaven’s Armies.
3. The Gospel Is Our Only Hope for Standing in That Day
Let us never forget the glory of the cross.
Romans 5:8 (NLT): "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
John 3:16 (NLT): "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
The cross of Christ is our only hope to be welcomed, rather than condemned, in that final day.
In Romans 14:11, the phrase "declare allegiance" is exomologeo in Greek, which means to confess, agree, and joyfully proclaim. One day, every tongue will joyfully or begrudgingly declare the truth that Jesus is Lord.
Will you confess Him with joy now or with regret later?
Tim Keller said: "The gospel is not just the ABC of the Christian life, but the A to Z of it."
Yes and Amen! The Gospel isn’t just your start—it’s your sustenance and your security.
4. The Call to Respond Today
Hebrews 3:15 (NLT): "Remember what it says: 'Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.'"
Today—not tomorrow—is the day of salvation.
Gospel Presentation:
Jesus, the sinless Son of God, lived the life we couldn’t live and died the death we deserved. He was crucified, buried, and on the third day, He rose again. He conquered sin and death and offers eternal life to all who repent and believe.
To repent means to turn—from sin and self, to God. To trust in Jesus as your only hope.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Friend, this is the promise of God. Eternal life. Grace. Forgiveness. But you must bow before the Lord now.
Conclusion: Go! And Bow Before the Lord
Go—and bow before the Lord. Not in terror, but in trust. Not in guilt, but in grace. Not in pride, but in humble adoration.
You will bow—so bow now, in love and faith.
Benediction / Final Exhortation:
As you go from here, may your heart be humbled, your spirit lifted, and your soul rejoicing. For our King reigns, and He is calling you to come, to bow, and to believe. Amen.
