Embracing Christ's Lordship: A Call to Surrender
Summary
On the night of June 5th, 1944, General Eisenhower’s simple command, “Okay, let’s go,” set in motion the largest military invasion in history. Yet, even that immense authority pales in comparison to the authority of God, who is called “Adonai”—the Lord of lords, the supreme commander over all creation. Throughout Scripture, God’s lordship is not just another title among many; it is a declaration of His absolute supremacy, unmatched by any earthly authority. The Hebrew plural “Adonai” is a plural of majesty, emphasizing the weight and grandeur of God’s rule. No one and nothing stands above Him.
This truth is not merely theological; it is deeply personal. While we all have “lords” in our lives—bosses, leaders, people with influence—God alone is the Lord of all lords. The New Testament reveals that Jesus is not only Savior but also Lord. The cross and the crown are inseparable. To know Jesus truly is to embrace Him as both Redeemer and Ruler. The early church proclaimed this boldly: Peter declared at Pentecost that God has made Jesus “both Lord and Christ.” Paul, in Philippians 2, describes how God exalted Jesus to the highest place, giving Him the name above every name, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
This reality has profound implications for our lives. Paul points to three responses: posture, profession, and practice. First, our posture—bowing the knee—reflects a heart of submission and humility before God. Bowing is foreign and even humiliating in our culture, but it is the biblical response to the Lordship of Christ. Second, our profession—confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord—must be more than lip service; it must flow from deep conviction and agreement with God’s truth. Third, our practice—living out our faith—demands integrity and consistency, not just when others are watching, but always, because God is always at work in us.
Working out our salvation “with fear and trembling” is not about earning God’s favor, but about allowing God, the master sculptor, to shape us into the likeness of Christ. The internal and external cannot be separated; true faith is both believed and embodied. The invitation is to let Jesus sit on the throne of our lives—not as a harsh taskmaster, but as a merciful and wise Lord who desires our best. This is not a one-time act, but a daily surrender, a continual stepping off the throne so that Christ may reign in every area of our lives.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Lordship Is Absolute and Unique
God is not merely one authority among many; He is Adonai, the Lord of lords, whose supremacy is unmatched and unchallenged. The plural of majesty in “Adonai” emphasizes that His authority is beyond comparison, and no earthly power can rival Him. This truth calls us to recognize that every other “lord” in our lives is ultimately subordinate to Him. Our allegiance and trust must be rooted in the One who truly reigns over all. [04:28]
- Jesus as Both Savior and Lord Cannot Be Separated
The cross and the crown are not two separate realities; to know Jesus as Savior is to know Him as Lord. The early church never divided these roles, and neither should we. Reducing Jesus to only a merciful Savior without embracing His authority as Lord diminishes the fullness of who He is and the transformation He brings. Our faith must hold together both His saving grace and His sovereign rule. [08:44]
- True Submission Involves Posture, Profession, and Practice
Paul’s call in Philippians 2 is holistic: every knee bows (posture), every tongue confesses (profession), and every life is transformed (practice). Bowing before God is an act of humility and surrender, confessing His Lordship is a declaration of allegiance, and living out our faith is the evidence of genuine transformation. These three cannot be separated; authentic faith is visible in both our hearts and our actions. [17:17]
- Working Out Salvation Is a Cooperative Process
We are called to “work out” our salvation with fear and trembling, not to earn God’s favor, but to allow His ongoing work within us to be expressed in every area of life. Like a sculptor revealing a masterpiece from marble, God chips away at everything in us that is not Christlike. Our intentionality and effort matter, but it is God who empowers and completes the work, inviting us to participate in our own transformation. [28:09]
- Integrity Before God Surpasses External Appearances
It is easy to act differently when others are watching, but God’s Lordship calls for integrity—living consistently before Him at all times. The temptation to separate the internal (heart) from the external (actions) is strong, but Scripture unites them. Our bodies, words, and deeds are meant to glorify God, and the question of who sits on the throne of our lives is answered not just in what we believe, but in how we live each day. [34:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Eisenhower’s Command and Human Authority
[04:28] - God as Adonai: The Supreme Lord
[06:13] - The Supremacy of God’s Authority
[08:44] - Jesus: Savior and Lord United
[12:24] - Philippians 2: The Name Above All Names
[15:16] - The Depths of Humiliation and Heights of Exaltation
[16:06] - The Universality of Christ’s Lordship
[17:17] - Posture: Bowing Before the Lord
[18:59] - The Humility and Vulnerability of Bowing
[20:11] - Profession: Confessing Jesus as Lord
[22:54] - Practice: Living Out Lordship
[24:43] - Working Out Salvation: The Sculptor’s Analogy
[28:09] - God’s Ongoing Work in Us
[31:14] - The Lordship of Jesus in Every Area
[34:02] - Integrity: Living Before God, Not Just People
[35:55] - The Danger of Separating Internal and External
[38:34] - Who Sits on the Throne of Your Life?
[40:37] - The Daily Invitation to Surrender
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Lordship of Christ
---
### Bible Reading
Philippians 2:9-13 (ESV)
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so 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.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 2:9-11, what does God do for Jesus, and what is the response of all creation to Jesus’ name?
2. In verse 12, what does Paul tell the Philippians to do regarding their salvation?
3. What does the phrase “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” mean in the context of these verses?
4. The sermon described three responses to Jesus’ Lordship: posture, profession, and practice. What do each of these mean? [[17:17]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul connect bowing the knee (posture), confessing with the mouth (profession), and living out faith (practice) as responses to Jesus’ Lordship? What does this say about the kind of faith God desires? [[17:17]]
2. The sermon said, “The cross and the crown are inseparable.” Why is it important not to separate Jesus as Savior from Jesus as Lord? What happens if we do? [[08:44]]
3. How does the analogy of the sculptor working on marble help us understand what it means to “work out” our salvation? [[24:43]]
4. Why is integrity before God—living the same way whether people are watching or not—so important in the Christian life? [[34:02]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to consider who is really “on the throne” of our lives. If you’re honest, is there an area where you are still holding onto control instead of letting Jesus be Lord? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? [[38:34]]
2. Bowing the knee is described as an act of humility and surrender. Have you ever physically bowed before God in prayer? If not, what holds you back? If yes, how did it affect your heart? [[18:59]]
3. Confessing Jesus as Lord is more than just words. When was the last time you publicly or privately declared Jesus’ Lordship over a specific part of your life? What was the result? [[21:15]]
4. The sermon talked about “working out” our salvation, not working for it. What is one practical way you can cooperate with God’s work in you this week—maybe by letting go of a habit, starting a new spiritual practice, or seeking accountability? [[24:43]]
5. Integrity means living for God even when no one is watching. Is there a place in your life where your actions don’t match your beliefs? What step could you take to bring your practice in line with your profession? [[34:02]]
6. The message said that following Jesus is a daily surrender, not a one-time decision. What is one daily habit or reminder you could put in place to help you “step off the throne” and let Jesus reign in your life? [[40:37]]
7. The sermon warned against seeing Jesus only as a Savior or only as a taskmaster. Which of these are you more prone to? How can you grow in seeing Jesus as both merciful Redeemer and wise Lord? [[39:26]]
---
Closing Reflection:
Take a few minutes in silence to ask God: “Who is seated on the throne of my life right now?” Invite Him to show you any area that needs to be surrendered, and pray for the courage to let Jesus truly be Lord in every part of your life.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus is Both Savior and Lord—Not One Without the Other
To know Jesus truly is to embrace Him as both Savior and Lord; the Bible never separates these two roles. Many of us are comfortable with Jesus as our merciful Savior, but we hesitate to submit to Him as Lord, the one with all authority over our lives. Yet, Scripture insists that the cross and the crown are inseparable—Jesus is not just the one who saves us from sin, but the one who commands our allegiance, obedience, and worship. To lower Jesus to only a Savior is to miss the fullness of who He is and what He calls us to. [08:44]
Acts 2:36 (ESV)
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Reflection: In what ways have you been content to know Jesus as Savior but resisted submitting to Him as Lord? What would it look like to invite Him to rule over every area of your life today?
Day 2: Every Knee Will Bow and Every Tongue Confess—The Supremacy of Christ
There is coming a day when every person—past, present, and future—will bow before Jesus and confess that He is Lord. This is not a matter of if, but when. The supremacy of Christ means that no authority, power, or throne stands above Him; He alone is Adonai, the Lord of lords. This truth calls us to humility and awe, recognizing that our posture before Him should be one of surrender and reverence, not pride or self-sufficiency. [16:06]
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Reflection: When was the last time you physically or spiritually bowed before Jesus in humble surrender? What keeps you from bowing your heart and life to Him today?
Day 3: Authentic Faith Is Seen in Posture, Profession, and Practice
True submission to Jesus as Lord is not just about outward actions or words, but a whole-life alignment—our posture (humility before God), our profession (confessing Jesus as Lord with conviction), and our practice (living out obedience in daily life). The Lordship of Christ is not satisfied with lip service or empty ritual; it calls for integrity, where what we believe is matched by how we live, even when no one else is watching. [22:54]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: Which of the three—posture, profession, or practice—do you find most challenging to align with Jesus’ Lordship? What is one step you can take today to bring that area under His authority?
Day 4: The Lordship of Jesus Demands Whole-Life Surrender
Following Jesus as Lord means bringing every area of life—our time, work, relationships, emotions, and decisions—under His rule. It is not about picking and choosing which parts of life to surrender, but about letting Him shape our character and priorities from the inside out. This is a daily, intentional process, not a one-time event, and it requires us to let go of control and trust that His authority is for our good. [32:39]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life—big or small—that you have kept off-limits from Jesus’ Lordship? How can you surrender that area to Him today in a tangible way?
Day 5: The Physical and Spiritual Are United in Our Worship
God calls us to honor Him not just with our hearts and minds, but with our bodies and actions. The Bible does not separate the internal from the external; our physical posture, spoken confession, and daily choices are all meant to reflect the reality of Jesus’ Lordship in our lives. We are invited to use every part of who we are to glorify God, recognizing that true worship involves both spirit and body, and that our daily lives are the arena where His Lordship is displayed. [37:17]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: How can you intentionally use your body and actions today to honor Jesus as Lord—whether in work, rest, service, or relationships? What would it look like to worship Him with your whole self?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 28, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?