Embracing Jesus: Lordship Over Suggestions in Faith
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound difference between viewing God's words as mere suggestions and recognizing them as commands from our Master. In our modern culture, the concept of a command is often foreign and uncomfortable. We live in a society where personal choice and autonomy are highly valued, and the idea of submitting to an authority, especially a divine one, can be challenging. This mindset is evident in various aspects of life, from relationships to politics, where the notion of having options and being in control is prevalent.
The heart of the message is the call to understand and embrace the weight of God's commands. It's about recognizing that Jesus is not just a Savior but also our Lord and Master. This distinction is crucial because it challenges us to move beyond a superficial faith that seeks only personal benefit. The New Testament emphasizes Jesus as Lord over 700 times, while the term Savior is mentioned far less frequently. This highlights the importance of acknowledging His lordship in our lives.
The debate from the past about accepting Jesus as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord reflects a desire to maintain control over our lives. However, this perspective misses the essence of who Jesus is. He is King Jesus, and His identity as Lord is inseparable from His role as Savior. Just as one cannot selectively choose aspects of a friendship, we cannot selectively choose aspects of our relationship with Christ. Embracing Jesus as Lord means surrendering our autonomy and submitting to His authority, trusting that His commands are for our ultimate good.
Key Takeaways:
1. Commands vs. Suggestions: In our culture, we often treat God's words as suggestions rather than commands. This mindset can hinder our spiritual growth, as true discipleship requires obedience to God's authority. Recognizing His commands as non-negotiable directives can transform our relationship with Him. [00:27]
2. The Illusion of Control: Our society values personal choice and control, often at the expense of submitting to authority. This can lead to a superficial faith where we accept Jesus as Savior but resist His lordship. True faith involves surrendering control and trusting in God's wisdom. [02:16]
3. Jesus as Lord and Savior: The New Testament emphasizes Jesus as Lord far more than as Savior. This highlights the importance of acknowledging His authority in our lives. Accepting Jesus as both Lord and Savior is essential for a genuine relationship with Him. [05:01]
4. The Inseparability of Jesus' Roles: Just as one cannot separate aspects of a friendship, we cannot separate Jesus' roles as Lord and Savior. Embracing His lordship means accepting His authority and commands, trusting that they are for our ultimate good. [06:06]
5. The Call to Obedience: Embracing Jesus as Lord requires a shift in mindset from autonomy to obedience. This involves recognizing the weight of His commands and submitting to His authority, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. [06:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Commands vs. Suggestions
[00:46] - The Foreign Concept of Commands
[01:31] - The Illusion of Control
[02:30] - Cultural Reflections on Authority
[03:32] - The American Way of Autonomy
[03:54] - Praying for Understanding
[04:13] - The Debate of Lordship
[04:47] - Savior vs. Follower
[05:01] - Emphasizing Jesus as Lord
[05:18] - The Logic of Control
[05:46] - The Inseparability of Jesus' Roles
[06:06] - Embracing Jesus' Identity
[06:24] - The Call to Obedience
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
2. Romans 10:9 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
3. Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the difference between viewing God's words as suggestions versus commands? [00:27]
2. What cultural attitudes towards authority and control are highlighted in the sermon? [02:16]
3. According to the sermon, how frequently is Jesus referred to as Lord compared to Savior in the New Testament? [05:01]
4. What analogy does the pastor use to explain the inseparability of Jesus' roles as Lord and Savior? [06:06]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to truly acknowledge Jesus as Lord in one's life, according to the sermon? [05:01]
2. How might the cultural emphasis on personal choice and autonomy conflict with the biblical call to obedience? [02:16]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that accepting Jesus as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord is incomplete? [04:47]
4. How does the sermon challenge the listener to reconsider their understanding of authority and submission in a spiritual context? [03:32]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you treated God's commands as suggestions. How did that impact your spiritual growth? [00:27]
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle with the illusion of control, and how can you begin to surrender those to God's authority? [02:16]
3. How can you practically acknowledge Jesus as both Lord and Savior in your daily decisions and actions? [05:01]
4. Consider a command from God that you find challenging to obey. What steps can you take to trust in His wisdom and submit to His authority? [06:24]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset of obedience rather than autonomy in your relationship with Christ? [06:24]
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to embrace Jesus' lordship more fully. What changes can you make this week to reflect that? [06:06]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize the importance of Jesus' authority in their lives? [03:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Commands as Directives, Not Suggestions
In a world that often values personal choice and autonomy, it can be challenging to view God's words as commands rather than suggestions. This mindset can hinder spiritual growth, as true discipleship requires obedience to God's authority. Recognizing His commands as non-negotiable directives can transform our relationship with Him. When we understand that God's words are meant to guide us, not merely advise us, we begin to see the depth of His love and wisdom. This shift in perspective allows us to align our lives more closely with His will, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful existence. [00:27]
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been treating God's commands as suggestions? How can you begin to view them as essential directives today?
Day 2: The Illusion of Control
Our society often values personal choice and control, sometimes at the expense of submitting to authority. This can lead to a superficial faith where we accept Jesus as Savior but resist His lordship. True faith involves surrendering control and trusting in God's wisdom. By acknowledging that our perceived control is an illusion, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's guidance. This surrender is not about losing freedom but gaining a deeper connection with the divine purpose for our lives. [02:16]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding onto control? How can you practice surrendering this to God today?
Day 3: Jesus as Lord and Savior
The New Testament emphasizes Jesus as Lord far more than as Savior, highlighting the importance of acknowledging His authority in our lives. Accepting Jesus as both Lord and Savior is essential for a genuine relationship with Him. This dual recognition challenges us to move beyond a superficial faith that seeks only personal benefit. By embracing Jesus' lordship, we commit to a life of obedience and trust, knowing that His commands are for our ultimate good. [05:01]
"And why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46, ESV)
Reflection: How do you currently acknowledge Jesus' lordship in your daily life? What changes can you make to deepen this acknowledgment?
Day 4: The Inseparability of Jesus' Roles
Just as one cannot separate aspects of a friendship, we cannot separate Jesus' roles as Lord and Savior. Embracing His lordship means accepting His authority and commands, trusting that they are for our ultimate good. This understanding calls us to a holistic relationship with Christ, where we do not pick and choose which aspects of His identity to accept. By fully embracing who Jesus is, we allow His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives, leading to a more profound spiritual journey. [06:06]
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Are there aspects of Jesus' identity that you struggle to fully embrace? How can you work towards accepting His complete role in your life?
Day 5: The Call to Obedience
Embracing Jesus as Lord requires a shift in mindset from autonomy to obedience. This involves recognizing the weight of His commands and submitting to His authority, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. Obedience is not about blind submission but about trusting in the wisdom and love of a God who desires the best for us. By choosing obedience, we align ourselves with God's purpose, allowing His guidance to lead us to a life of fulfillment and peace. [06:24]
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to shift from a mindset of autonomy to one of obedience to God's commands? How can this change impact your spiritual journey?
Quotes
I think we can go to churches hear a sermon and we listen to it the same way that we would listen to a therapist where the therapist gives you some suggestions and you decide whether you want to apply it or not rather than listening to it as commands from your master that's a big difference suggestions from a therapist or commands from your master. [00:00:00]
The concept of a command is very foreign to this generation just the thought of a command we're just not used to commands where we're just told something we don't have a choice we just have to obey I mean some of you have never felt the weight of a command depending on the home you were raised in everything's up for grabs. [00:00:41]
The concept of God in heaven and and thus saith the Lord has been lost in this generation and so it's hard when we read the scripture scriptures because we're just not used to the concept of a command from a master he said well I have a boss yeah but what if your boss asks you to do something you don't want to do you've got options. [00:01:21]
We put ourselves in a situation where I'm always in control no one can tell me what I have to do in any situation that's the way we want to live our life as Americans I I even remember it blew me away when uh when Trump was elected and I was watching the news and there were a bunch of middle school students parading with these signs that said not my president. [00:02:22]
We just want it so that we're in control and we always have a choice and no one is over us so I can get a bumper sticker that says not my speed limit you know it's just there's no rules for me and we love that that's the American way and um this idea of a king a master is so foreign to us. [00:03:15]
I'm praying I go God I want to understand that I want to feel the weight of God thus saith the Lord he commanded some something of me I remember when um when I was growing up and I I became a believer in the 80s and there was a debate that went on back then it's like okay the Bible says Jesus is Lord. [00:03:48]
We need to accept him as my Lord and Savior but then people started debating well do you have to accept him as your lord can I accept Jesus as my savior and not as my master can't I just believe that he died on the cross for my sins and then that I say okay I believe that and I go to heaven isn't following him like a second step that I don't have to take. [00:04:13]
I can just be a Christian who is not a follower and this really was the logic of a lot of people and it didn't make a lot of sense because you look in the New Testament and that word Lord Lord or Master is used over 700 times the word savior is only used about 20 and no one was asking well can I receive him as Lord and not as Savior. [00:04:47]
We want to stay in control we want to do what we feel like doing and we don't want someone else controlling that and so it was like a serious debate in my day of I know he calls himself Lord but can I have him as just Savior and it really makes no sense Jesus is Lord like that's who he is he he doesn't change. [00:05:23]
It be like you saying hey Francis can I be can you be my friend but I don't want you to be my Chinese friend okay how do I do that you know it's it's just that whole mindset of hey Jesus can you be my savior but can you I want to be in your kingdom but I don't want you to be king can you change that part no he's King Jesus. [00:06:01]
That's who he is he's the lord of the earth he's the Lord the head of this church that's who he is. [00:06:28]
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