Embracing the Lordship of Christ in Our Lives
Summary
The Lord has called us to recognize Him not only as Savior, but as Adonai—our supreme Lord and Master. Just as the supreme allied commander’s word set armies in motion, God’s authority is infinitely greater, commanding all creation by His word. The name Adonai, found throughout Scripture, is not just a title but a declaration of God’s ultimate authority and majesty. While human authorities may be called “lord” in various contexts, when Scripture refers to God as Adonai, it is the plural of majesty, signifying His unrivaled supremacy and dignity. He is the Lord of lords, the One to whom every other authority must ultimately bow.
This truth is not abstract; it has profound implications for our lives. In Philippians 2, we see that Jesus has been exalted to the highest place, given the name above every name, and that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is not just a future event but a present invitation. We are called to bow our knees now, to submit every part of our lives to His lordship—not just in word, but in posture, profession, and practice.
Bowing before the Lord is more than a physical act; it is a posture of the heart, a surrender of our will and our defenses. It is an act of vulnerability and trust, acknowledging that we are not our own masters. Our confession that “Jesus is Lord” must be more than words; it must be a declaration that aligns our hearts, our mouths, and our actions. True discipleship does not compartmentalize faith, but brings every area of life—our time, work, relationships, emotions, and even our hidden moments—under the authority of Christ.
Obedience to Jesus as Lord is not about earning salvation, but about working out what God has already placed within us. Like a master sculptor, God is shaping us into the likeness of Christ, and our role is to submit to His ongoing work, not just when others are watching, but in the unseen corners of our lives. The lordship of Jesus is not harsh or abusive; it is merciful, patient, and kind. He calls us to surrender not to enslave us, but to set us free to live as His redeemed people, reflecting His glory and blessing those around us.
Key Takeaways
- The name Adonai reveals God’s absolute authority and majesty, far surpassing any human power or title. Recognizing God as Adonai means acknowledging that every aspect of creation, and every part of our lives, is under His sovereign rule. This is not a theoretical truth, but a reality that demands our reverence and submission. [07:14]
- Bowing the knee to Jesus is both a physical and spiritual act of surrender. It is not enough to merely honor God with our words or outward actions; true submission involves a heart posture that yields control, vulnerability, and trust to Him. The alignment of our heart and body in worship reflects the depth of our surrender. [22:26]
- Confessing Jesus as Lord is more than reciting a creed or giving the right answer in church. It is a declaration of agreement with God’s truth, a public and personal acknowledgment that Jesus has the right to rule every part of our lives. This confession must be genuine, flowing from a heart that truly believes and a life that consistently reflects His lordship. [28:35]
- Obedience to Christ is not about performing for others or compartmentalizing our faith. God calls us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, allowing Him to shape every area of our lives—even the hidden and mundane moments. True discipleship is marked by integrity and intentionality, living under Christ’s authority whether or not anyone else is watching. [38:14]
- The lordship of Jesus is not oppressive, but merciful and kind. While He is the supreme authority, He does not wield His power to crush us, but to lift us up, heal us, and make us whole. Submitting to Jesus as Lord is not about losing freedom, but about finding true life and purpose in relationship with the One who loves us perfectly. [46:47]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Financial Update and Invitation to Generosity
[03:51] - D-Day and the Power of Command
[07:14] - The Meaning of Adonai: God’s Supreme Authority
[11:24] - Adonai vs. Human Authority
[14:08] - Jesus: Both Savior and Lord
[18:27] - The Exaltation and Humiliation of Christ
[20:09] - The Call to Bow the Knee Now
[22:26] - The Posture of Surrender
[25:34] - Reverence and the Reality of Bowing
[28:35] - The Weight of Confessing Jesus as Lord
[30:52] - Integrating Heart, Mouth, and Life
[33:57] - Working Out Our Salvation
[38:14] - Obedience in the Seen and Unseen
[41:18] - Bringing Every Area Under Christ’s Lordship
[46:47] - The Merciful Lordship of Jesus
[48:00] - Invitation to Surrender All
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Lordship of Jesus—Adonai
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### Bible Reading
Philippians 2:9-13 (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. 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.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 2:9-11, what has God done for Jesus, and what is the response of all creation to Jesus’ name?
2. In verse 12, what does Paul urge the believers to do, and how does he describe the manner in which they should do it?
3. The sermon described the meaning of the name “Adonai.” What does “Adonai” communicate about God’s authority compared to human authority? [[07:14]]
4. What is the difference between bowing physically and bowing in the posture of your heart, as described in the sermon? [[22:26]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The passage says every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. What does it mean that this is both a future event and a present invitation for believers? [[20:09]]
2. The sermon talked about “working out your salvation with fear and trembling.” How is this different from “working for” your salvation, and what does it look like in daily life? [[33:57]]
3. Why is it important that our confession that “Jesus is Lord” is not just words, but comes from a heart that truly believes and a life that reflects His lordship? [[28:35]]
4. The sermon said that Jesus’ lordship is not oppressive, but merciful and kind. How does this understanding change the way we approach surrender and obedience? [[46:47]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to bring every area of our lives—time, work, relationships, emotions, even hidden moments—under the authority of Jesus. Is there a specific area you tend to keep separate from His lordship? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? [[41:18]]
2. Bowing the knee to Jesus is described as both a physical and spiritual act of surrender. Have you ever physically bowed in prayer or worship? If not, what holds you back? If so, how did it affect your heart posture? [[22:26]]
3. When you say “Jesus is Lord,” do your actions and decisions throughout the week match that confession? Can you think of a recent situation where your words and actions were not aligned? What could you do differently next time? [[28:35]]
4. The sermon used the image of God as a master sculptor, shaping us into Christ’s likeness. Are there areas in your life where you resist God’s “chisel”? What would it look like to trust Him more in those areas? [[33:57]]
5. The message warned against compartmentalizing faith—giving Jesus only a part of our lives. What are some practical steps you can take to invite Jesus into the “hidden” or “mundane” parts of your daily routine? [[38:14]]
6. The sermon reminded us that Jesus’ authority is not harsh, but merciful and freeing. How does this truth encourage you to approach Him with your struggles or failures this week? [[46:47]]
7. Think about someone in your life who might need to see the kindness and mercy of Jesus’ lordship. How can your posture of surrender and obedience be a blessing or witness to them this week? [[46:47]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for hearts that are fully surrendered to Jesus as Lord, asking God to reveal any areas that need to be brought under His authority and to help each person trust in His mercy and kindness.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus is Exalted as Lord Above All
Jesus Christ has been highly exalted by God, given the name above every name, and is seated in the highest position of authority, far above all rule, power, and dominion. This reality is not something we are waiting for, but a present truth: Jesus is Lord over all creation, and there is no power or authority that surpasses Him. As the supreme Lord, He is worthy of our worship, reverence, and total submission, calling us to recognize His unmatched greatness and to respond with awe and humility. [18:27]
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: In what area of your life do you struggle to acknowledge Jesus’ authority? What would it look like to truly honor Him as Lord in that area today?
Day 2: Bowing the Knee—Posture of Surrender
Bowing before Jesus is more than a physical act; it is a posture of the heart that communicates surrender, vulnerability, and reverence. To bow the knee is to lay down our defenses, to stop fighting or fleeing, and to place ourselves wholly at His disposal, recognizing His lordship over every part of our lives. God desires not just outward gestures, but an authentic alignment of our hearts and bodies in humble submission, inviting us to examine whether our inner posture matches our outward actions. [22:26]
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: When was the last time you physically or symbolically bowed before God? How can you intentionally align your heart and actions in surrender to Him today?
Day 3: Confessing Jesus as Lord—Profession of Faith
Confessing Jesus as Lord is not merely reciting words, but making a heartfelt declaration in agreement with God’s truth, uniting what we believe in our hearts with what we profess with our mouths. This confession is a public and personal acknowledgment of Jesus’ authority, and it is meant to be genuine, not just a ritual or a response to social expectations. God calls us to bring together our internal faith and external confession, boldly and sincerely declaring Jesus as Lord in every sphere of our lives. [30:52]
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs to hear your confession of Jesus as Lord? How can you share your faith in a sincere and meaningful way this week?
Day 4: Living Under His Lordship—Practice of Obedience
Submitting to Jesus as Lord means bringing every aspect of our lives under His authority, not just in public or when others are watching, but especially in the private, unseen moments. True discipleship is not compartmentalized; it is a wholehearted, all-in response that seeks to obey Christ in our time, work, relationships, emotions, and daily choices. God is continually at work within us, shaping us into Christ’s likeness, and calls us to cooperate with Him by living out our faith with intentionality, integrity, and reverence. [41:18]
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: What is one “compartment” of your life you have kept separate from Jesus’ lordship? What step can you take today to surrender that area to Him?
Day 5: The Lordship of Jesus is Merciful and Good
Jesus is not a harsh or abusive master, but a merciful and gracious Lord who stoops down to lift us up, inviting us to experience His kindness and love even as we submit to His authority. While He calls for our total surrender, He does so not to oppress, but to free us from sin and lead us into true life and blessing. We are invited to trust in His goodness, to let go of legalistic or fearful views of His lordship, and to serve Him with joy, knowing that His rule is always for our good and His glory. [46:47]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Reflection: Are you carrying a view of Jesus’ lordship that feels burdensome or harsh? How can you open your heart to experience His mercy and kindness as you follow Him today?
Quotes
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