He is Lord
Selected Passages
January 26, 2003
Morning Service
Introduction
When Queen Victoria had just ascended her throne she went, as is the custom of Royalty, to hear The Messiah rendered. She had been instructed as to her conduct by those who knew, and was told that she must not rise when the others stood at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. When that magnificent chorus was being sung and the singers were shouting "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth," she sat with great difficulty. It seemed as if she would rise in spite of the custom of kings and queens, but finally when they came to that part of the chorus where with a shout they proclaim Him King of kings suddenly the young queen rose and stood with bowed head, as if she would take her own crown from off her head and cast it at His feet.
-- J. Wilbur Chapman
Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all. - Augustine
Body
I. The Lord who saves – (Romans 10:9-10)
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
A. Jesus is the Lord of life
1. Jesus died to be your savior
a.) Jesus died a horrible death
1.) Jesus was humiliated: Jesus went through the a mockery of a trial, the mocking of the pagan Roman soldiers, the public display of His execution, the public rejection of those Jesus sought to serve and the ridicule of religious leaders.
2.) Jesus was tortured: Jesus was sent to be flogged, which was a series of severe beatings, the sport beating of a squad of Roman soldiers, forced to wear a crown of thorns and carry His own cross to the place of execution
3.) Jesus was crucified: Jesus was nailed to the cross, the cross was then dropped into the ground, He hung there for three hours and then had a spear ran through His side to be sure that He was dead
b.) Jesus died in your place
1.) Why would Jesus suffer such a miserable death? He died in your place and took the punishment that you rightfully deserved.
2.) Jesus died to demonstrate the boundless love of God. Jesus would rather died than be without you.
2. Jesus lives to be your Lord
a.) Jesus was raised from the dead
1.) We are called to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and that He was given endless life from God the Father.
2.) Christ has given us a living hope by dying the death that we earned and showing us life through an empty tomb
b.) Jesus is Lord
1.) The meaning of Lord
a.) Jews would have seen the term Lord as referring only to God. If a Jew believed in Jesus and claimed Him as Lord, they were saying that Jesus was God
b.) Gentiles would have seen the term Lord in a different way. Lord was applied to the emperor and was the source of total allegiance and loyalty. If a gentile believed in Jesus and claimed Him as lord, they were proclaiming their commitment and allegiance.
2.) The implications of Jesus being Lord
a.) Jesus is God. Jesus is fully divine and fully human. He is the bridge that spans the gap between God and humanity.
b.) Jesus deserves our full commitment. Jesus is the one who deserves our complete and total loyalty.
B. What you must do to be saved
1. The requirements of salvation
a.) You must confess that Jesus is Lord
1.) To confess means to make a public declaration of give evidence of belief
2.) The confession is more than just a mere knowledge of the mind but is a moving to a belief of the heart
b.) You must believe that He lives
1.) The simple fact is that the resurrection is the cornerstone of salvation and without it there is no reason for faith.
2.) We are called to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. It is His resurrection that gives us new life.
2. The results of your efforts
a.) Your heart brings justification
1.) Belief is the inward sign of the grace of Christ working in your life
2.) Justification is a legal term that communicates that a person has been made right with the accuser. Literally Christ gave Himself so we could be right with God
b.) Your confession brings salvation
1.) Confession is the outward sign of the inward grace of Christ working in your life. Literally it is the admission that you need Christ.
2.) Salvation is the act of being delivered from some type of difficult circumstance. Jesus has delivered those who believe in Him from the results and power of sin.
II. The Lord who is sovereign – (Philippians 2:9-11)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A. Jesus has been exalted
1. Jesus was exalted by God the Father
a.) The reason that Jesus was exalted
1.) Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth in the form of humanity. He left the glory of heaven for the filth of earth. He gave up His kingship to become a servant. He who was the creator became a part of creation
2.) Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death. Jesus followed the direction and plan of the Father even though it meant that He would have to die.
b.) The meaning of exaltation
Webster says that exalt means to raise high or to raise in rank, power or character. The Greek word that Paul uses means to exalt supremely. The literal understanding of all of this is that Jesus has been raised from His humble place as the dying servant to the greatest position as living Lord.
2. Jesus holds the highest place
a.) Jesus holds the ultimate authority
Since God has exalted Jesus supremely; we understand that Jesus has the ultimate authority in all of creation. Jesus has been given the leadership and charge over everything in all of creation.
b.) The implications of Jesus’ authority
There is no authority that is above that which was given to Jesus
There is no position that is above that which was given to Jesus
There is no power that is above that which was given to Jesus
Jesus is above and beyond everyone and every position.
B. Jesus is over all things
1. Every knee will bow
a.) The concept of bowing is one of both worship and submission. It is an act of giving personal praise and declaring submission of personal will.
b.) Examples:
Every person, mind and body will bow
Every belief, creed and religion will bow
Every man, woman and child will bow
2. Every tongue will confess
a.) Jesus will be proclaimed
Every person will declare that Jesus is Lord. Every single person living and dead will give the absolute, positive confession that Jesus is Lord!
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12
4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Revelation 15:4
b.) Examples:
Every nation, tongue and language will confess
Every race, color and shape will confess
Every king, leader and authority will confess
From the Adam to the last human alive. From the greatest to the weakest. From the richest to the poorest. From the Christian to the Muslim. From the most faithful to the most wicked. Everyone is going to bow and proclaim Jesus.
Conclusion
Jesus is Personal
Jesus is The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Jesus is the Son of David, the Son of Man, the Son of God. Jesus is the light of the world, the lion of Judah, the Good shepherd. Jesus is Immanuel – God with us, the Lamb of God, the suffering servant. Jesus is the one who was and is and is to come. AMEN!
Jesus is Powerful
Jesus is the Living water, the Bread of life, the resurrection and the life, the way the truth and the life Jesus is the Chief cornerstone, the capstone that was rejected and the Great I am. Jesus is Mighty God. AMEN!
Jesus holds position
Jesus is the great prophet, priest and king. Jesus is prince of peace and the wonderful counselor. Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ and the anointed one of God. Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lords.
Today we proclaim that Jesus is Lord!
