There Is One Lord Series

Alba 4-16-2023

THERE IS ONE LORD

Ephesians 4:5

This morning's message is entitled “There Is One Lord” from Ephesians chapter four, verse four.

What if you had a boss that demanded that you check in with him every ten minutes, no matter what? What if he required it even if you were in the middle of other important work?

What if he demanded it whether you were at the office or at home? What if he required it even if you were trying to spend a few minutes relaxing in the back yard? What if he demanded it even if you were having a meaningful conversation with a loved one?

What if I told you that many people already have that boss: their cellphone. They say on average, people check their cellphones 85,000 times a year. That averages out to just over once every 6 minutes out of every 24 hours.

It is strange, isn't it, what things we will allow to control us? We often rebel at the idea of being made to do certain things. But then we allow ourselves to be captivated by things of minimal value in the long run.

Yet I think that most of us would have to admit that there are many things that exercise more control over us than they should, even if it is not cell phones.

So if that is the case, it would be wise for us to take a closer look at what it is that we are putting first in our lives. And as Christians, we need to ask if Jesus has any part in the daily actions and decisions we make. Because the Bible says that Jesus is Lord.

In fact, the title ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ is used 60 times in the New Testament. We become used to referring to Jesus that way, just assuming that those words are simply a description of our Savior. But each word has a special meaning.

His name is Jesus, which means Jehovah Saves, or Jehovah is Salvation. Remember when the angel told Joseph that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he should, “call His name Jesus, (why?) for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Jesus = Savior.

And Christ is the title for Jesus. Christ means Messiah, “the anointed one”. For centuries, the Hebrew people looked for and longed for the Messiah.

Remember how after Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well, she ran and told the people in town, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. (So what did she say about Him?) Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:9)

She was calling Jesus the Messiah. And He is! Even the angels proclaimed at Jesus' birth, “Unto you is born this day... a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

The third word that describes Jesus is, that He is “LORD”. There are several things that tells us about Jesus. The first is that He is divine. “Lord” is used in the Old Testament to describe God the Father 6,111 times (NKJV).

And in the New Testament, “Lord” is found 653 times, alternately referring to either God the Father or Jesus. To call Jesus “Lord” is to acknowledge that He is divine, that He is God in the flesh, Immanuel.

After Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the grave, He met with the apostles. The first time Thomas wasn't there. Then a week later Thomas was present, and Jesus appeared.

Offering Thomas the evidence of hands that had been nailed to the cross and a side that had been pierced by the centurian's spear, Thomas had to acknowledge who Jesus is.

His words in response were these: “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28) He knew that he was in the presence of divinity.

I John 4:15 tells us that, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”

But there is even more implied by calling Jesus “Lord”. Because that is an acknowledgment that He has authority over us. How much authority does He have? What did He say?

He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Mathew 28:18). I would say that is fairly complete, wouldn't you?

If indeed Jesus has all authority in heaven and in earth, that necessarily implies that 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 demonstrated His power by His miracles, showing His authority even over nature.

That is not surprising because Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”