The Lordship of Christ – Part 1
1 Peter 3:15a But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
I. We know that Jesus is savior, but he is also Lord.
AC 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
A. We all think of Jesus as savior and we know the benefits of salvation – Savior speaks of the priestly role of Jesus.
B. Lord speaks of the kingly role of Jesus.
II. The Lordship of Christ is expressed in the Kingdom of God.
A. We know that there will be a literal 1000 year reign of Christ and at that time the lordship or dominion of Christ will extend over the whole earth.
B. But do we have to wait until then to come into the kingdom – and to begin experiencing the benefits of the Kingdom?
III. Even now the Kingdom of God can be experienced in our lives.
A. Jesus commanded us to pray for the expansion of the Kingdom in the Lord’s prayer.
Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
B. The Kingdom is currently advancing on the earth and some are laying hold of it.
Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
C. This is true, because there is not only the literal, 1,000 year physical kingdom of Christ, but the kingdom of Christ that is in our hearts.
Luke 17:21 nor will people say, `Here it is,’ or `There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."
D. The Bible declares that we are already in the Kingdom of God.
Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
E. We are citizens of heaven & ambassadors of the Kingdom.
2 Corinthians 5:20a We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.
Although ambassadors remain in a foreign country, they are not subject to the Laws of that country. Insomuch as Jesus Lordship extends, we cannot be affected by the laws governing this world.
IV. The extent of Jesus Lordship is over everything!
A. Nature (physical):
MK 4:41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
B. Spiritual:
MK 1:27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."
C. Now. We already understand that in the future Jesus will have the authority—but he also has the authority in the present age—Jesus rule is not only future—but now!
Ephesians 1:20,21 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
V. In the end his universal Lordship will be enforced.
PHP 2:10 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.
All of physical (earth) and spiritual (heaven) will one day acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
VI. Now we have the option to voluntarily come under his Lordship.
A. By coming under his Lordship we reap the benefits of his Kingdom.
B. The Lordship of Christ is freedom from sin.
Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
Before acknowledging the Lordship of Christ—it doesn’t mean you weren’t under any control. We were under the control of sin.
C. Lordship is protection. When we come under Jesus’ Lordship, we come under his protection.
PS 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. :2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Satan quoted this chapter to Jesus to try to get Jesus to give in to Satan—however, this protection comes as a result of the Lordship of Christ.
D. It’s all about surrender.
Example: Caught in the middle of a war—when we finally surrender, we experience the protection of the one to whom we surrender. (Gulf War I)
E. The enemy will still try to attack us—and circumstances will still come… but they can’t touch us where it really matters. They can’t harm us where it’s really important.
F. When we submit to the Lordship of Christ—we come under the covering… the banner… of the Lord Jesus Christ.
ISA 11:10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.
The promise is rest! However, even in the midst of this troublesome world—our souls can rest, because we come under the Lordship of Christ. That is why so many times, David was able, in times of great trouble, have peace and sing the praises of God. Because he knew that he was under the blessing of the Covenant with God.
When we submit to the Lordship of Christ, we walk in the blessing of the New Covenant—it doesn’t matter what the enemy tries to throw our way—because we are covered with the blood of Jesus—nothing can harm us.
