Understanding The Bible |
Is
Jesus "Lord" of Your Life?
By Dr. Glen Clifton
1.
Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘LORD, LORD,’ and not do the things which I
say?” Luke 6:46 Paul wrote: “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus
the LORD, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” II Corinthians 4:5
If I asked you… ”Do you believe in the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ?” I’m sure your
answer would be “Yes.” But, if I asked you, “Is Jesus LORD of all you are and
have?,” some might be upset.
Sometimes our church sings, “Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him LORD of
all.” We crown him with our lips, but will not make him LORD of our lives.
Someone has said, “the word “LORD” is one of the most lifeless words in the
Christian vocabulary. Bible scholar A.T. Robertson said that the LORDSHIP OF
CHRIST is the touchstone of our faith. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan has called
it, “the central verity of the church.”
Just what is the significance of the term “LORD JESUS?” To find the answer to
this question we must examine the BASIC meaning of “LORD,” and the CHRISTIAN
meaning of “LORD,” and the meaning of “LORD JESUS” to your life... and mine!
“LORD JESUS” WAS
THE FIRST CONFESSION OF THE EARLY CHURCH
“if you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus (that Jesus is LORD) and
believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved.” Romans 10:9
When a new GENTILE believer said “Jesus is LORD,” he meant that Caesar was no
longer his god. When a JEWISH believer said “Jesus is LORD,” he meant Jesus IS
GOD!
Polycarp, possibly the first pastor/elder of the church at Smyrna, mentioned
in Revelation 2:8, because he would not say that Caesar was lord…was put to
death. He said, “How shall I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” They tied
him to a stake and burned him alive. A martyr for Jesus Christ, his LORD!
Early Christianity demanded a clean break with the world, the flesh and the
devil. It was Christ OR Caesar….Christ OR the world. Today we have lowered our
standards to accommodate to many ideas and idols. Our churches are filled with
baptized pagans who are too sold out to the world to love the LORD Jesus. We
call Him LORD an hour or so each Sunday, but during the week we live like we
don’t acknowledge Him.
When the Apostle Paul used this word LORD, it was a word that had an “everyday
meaning” for his readers. The word LORD meant “owner,” “boss,“ or “master” of
property or slaves.
In the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament, the word “LORD” was
used to translate the Hebrew name “JEHOVAH,” which was used of the true God.
For instance, Psalm 23:l, “The LORD is my shepherd,” reads literally, “JEHOVAH
is my shepherd.” The O.T. word LORD was used to render the words “Adon” or “Adonai,”
used by the Jews to avoid pronouncing the holy word “JEHOVAH”. Early
Christians in the Roman Empire understood the meaning of “LORD” against this
rich background of religious meaning.
“LORD JESUS” IS
THE AUTHORITATIVE CONFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN
“Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls
Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is LORD except by the Holy
Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:3
Today, we have created an artificial distinction between trusting Jesus as
SAVIOR and confessing Him as LORD. Easy “believism” has led us to tell people
to “just trust Jesus in your heart,” while not being at all concerned with
“making Him Lord of our lives.”
HEAR ME: Salvation is NOT a smorgasbord with a variety of things we can
accept or reject. It is NOT a cafeteria line where we can just take “Jesus as
SAVIOR,” and pass-up taking Him as “LORD.” Many today, as in Jesus day,
believe in Him, or about Him, but are unwilling to follow Him with their
lives.
LISTEN: No man can willingly and knowingly take Jesus as Savior and
reject Him as LORD, and be saved. Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe on
the LORD Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31 Notice in this
verse, Paul presented all three names of Jesus as LORD, MASTER and MESSIAH
(Christ). He would not have the jailer take Christ as Savior, and think about
His LORDSHIP at some later time. We have only ONE OPTION: we can receive the
LORD OR reject Him.
We sing: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” How
foolish then to say, “nobody is going to tell me what to do, OR how much to
give.”
LISTEN: Paul said, as a Christian, I am no longer my own, I have “been
bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus. I am now to glorify God in
my body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20.
I became a Christian as a boy in a rural South Texas town. I trusted Jesus as
my Savior. I didn’t understand what LORDSHIP meant. But, when I understood
that I belonged to Jesus, I knew I was under new management. You may say you
do not understand it. LISTEN: I don’t understand all about electricity either,
but I’m not going to sit in the dark till I do!
There is a cheap, easy “believeism” that does not believe. There is a
“receivism” that does not receive. This easy-grace movement is leading many
into churches, but NOT delivering them from sin and judgment, and to a new
life in Christ.
DO YOU REALIZE that the word “SAVIOR” is found ONLY twenty-four (24) times in
the New Testament, while the word LORD is found four hundred, thirty-three
(433) times? WOW!
The GREAT COMMISSION (Matthew 28:19-20) commands us to “make disciples.” A
Christian is a BELIEVER first, then a DISCIPLE, then a WITNESS. Jesus said,
“If you continue (abide) in My Word, you are my disciples indeed.” John 8:32
The reason we have so many “believers” and so few “disciples” is - most
haven’t continued in His Word. Our churches are filled with Biblically
illiterate people. Amen OR Oh, me?
Someone has rightly pointed out: that too many are singing: “Standing on the
Promises” but they are just really “sitting on the premises!” Unwilling to
make a commitment to Jesus or His church. Why is it so hard for us to find
real leadership in the church today? Where are all the teachers, the
musicians, those willing to serve on committees? Why do so many struggle with
tithing and other types of support for the church?
Where are the soul-winners? … the witnesses?
Eternal life is a gift of God, but remember, it cost God His only begotten
Son….at a terrible price. Salvation is FREE to you, but it WASN’T CHEAP to God
the Father.
REMEMBER: Our LORD is after DISCIPLES, and not mere “JOINERS.” Jesus
lost some of His best prospects on this very issue. Remember the Rich Young
Ruler? What a catch he was. He had morals and money, but he was unwilling to
commit.
HEAR ME TODAY: Don’t take this lightly. The first words out of the
mouth of that church hating, Christian persecuting Saul was: “Who are you
LORD? LORD, what will you have me to do?” He began by confessing Jesus as His
LORD! Acts 9:5,6
Unbelieving Thomas cried, “My LORD and my God.” John 20;28. Oh, yes, Thomas
became a real witness. He carried the Gospel to Persia, Parthia, and to India.
While in India, he was tortured, run through with spears and burned to death.
And some of you are worried about what someone will think of you if you talk
about your relationship with the LORD Jesus.
My Bible knows nothing about this easy-grace whereby we confess Jesus as
Savior, but are unwilling to confess Him as LORD. The New Testament teaches
not only FAITH in Christ, but FOLLOWING Christ…..THAT’S LORDSHIP!
“LORD JESUS”
WILL BE THE WORLD’S FINAL CONFESSION
Paul wrote that one day, “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Friend, LISTEN: It is NOT a matter of WILL YOU confess Him as your
Savior and LORD, but WHEN will you confess Him? You can do it TODAY and be
saved from you sins, or you WILL do it from beyond the grave…and it WILL BE
TOO LATE! In the not too distant future, “every tongue will confess Jesus as
LORD, in Heaven, on Earth, and under the earth.”
QUESTION: Is Jesus your LORD? Is He the LORD of your life, your body,
your thoughts, your temper, your time, your plans, your pocketbook, your
recreation, your church life?
LORDSHIP covers everything. Oh, and it is NOT BONDAGE. IT IS REAL FREEDOM, for
“where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 Yes,
we are free to do everything that is good and right. I urge you today….to make
JESUS LORD OF YOUR LIFE!
When you confess Jesus as Savior, God places His Spirit within you. I
Corinthians 6:19,20. Also, to the Church at Corinth, Paul wrote, “No man can
say that Jesus is LORD, except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 It is
NOT simply a matter of just saying the words, “Jesus is LORD.” These words
must be an outward expression of a deep conviction of your soul.
The Holy Spirit’s roll in this world is to reveal, to teach, and glorify
Jesus. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; John 16:5-14. Just as the Holy Spirit breathes
life into the printed pages of the Bible…..He will breath life into your soul
as the truth “Jesus is Lord” is written in your soul.
ILLUSTRATION: Several years ago one of our most famous rock stars was
arrested for possession of illegal drugs. He said, “It’s when authority won’t
let me do what I dig. I’m against anything that interferes with my individual
freedom. As a non conformist, I do what I want to do. No one can tell me what
to do.” Well, I’m sorry, but you can’t be saved with that attitude. JESUS HAS
ULTIMATE AUTHORITY…..NOW AND FOREVER! AMEN!
Will you let the Holy Spirit do this for you today? Hear God’s wonderful Word
again…..“If you will CONFESS with your mouth the LORD Jesus, and BELIEVE in
your heart that God has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one BELIEVES unto righteousness and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10;9-10
If you will do that….YOU WILL BE SAVED!!! Then, and then only will you
understand the LORDSHIP OF JESUS. “For the scripture says, Whosoever believes
on him shall not be ashamed (disappointed)” Romans 10:11
Years ago BILLY GRAHAM was scheduled to speak at a major University behind the
IRON CURTAIN. The University was 90% Communist controlled. They planned a
demonstration to disgrace and humiliate the AMERICAN EVANGELIST. The Graham
group PRAYED. Some didn’t want to go. “Yes, we’re going,” Graham said, “we may
be fools but we’ll be fools for Christ’s sake.”
Before he spoke, a black woman from NIGERIA was to sing. Wearing a beautiful
tribal robe and bearing TRIBAL SCARS, she began to sing her witness for
Christ. Students began to scream and jeer and howl. They threw songbooks on
the stage at her. When CLIFF BARROWS started to help her down, she
refused….and KEPT ON SINGING. One said, “For a moment she looked like STEPHEN
being stoned to death.
Her song was:
"I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
since I found in Him a friend so kind and true;
I would tell you how he changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus…”As the woman sang, they witnessed a MIRACLE. With tears streaming down her face, the crowd grew quiet. When they witnessed her SINCERITY, a hush moved across the group. When she finished you could have heard a pin drop.
GRAHAM came to the pulpit and without preaching, gave the invitation to accept Jesus as LORD and Savior. 327 PEOPLE came forward. They had seen the glow of Christ upon her head. Once owned by TRIBAL LORDS…NOW she was bought and owned by the LORD JESUS.WHAT ABOUT YOU? ... IS JESUS YOUR LORD?
Copyright 2006, Dr. Glen
Clifton
Used by permission
"IS
JESUS 'LORD' OF YOUR LIFE?"
by Dr. Glen E.
Clifton
1. Dr. Clifton preached this sermon at King's Baptist church in Vero Beach, Florida in Preached at King's Baptist Church in Vero Beach, FL, August 6, 2006 where he as been serving as Interim Preacher for about 6 months. Dr. Clifton and his wife Dee, have been retired to Florida for 4 years. He has been kept busy preaching up and down the Treasure coast since he moved here. He can be contacted for speaking engagements at (772) 336-3992.
Clifton, Dr. Glen E., Brief Biography
082406