Embracing the Lordship of Jesus in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: Surrender to Divine Authority

True faith in Christ involves a complete surrender to His lordship, a yielding of our personal desires and plans to His divine authority. This surrender is not passive; it is an active and ongoing commitment that shapes every decision and action. It means trusting in Jesus' wisdom and guidance, even when it conflicts with our own understanding or desires. It is a daily practice of saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done," and it requires humility and a willingness to be led by the Spirit. This surrender is not a loss of freedom but the path to true liberation, as we align ourselves with the Creator's perfect design for our lives.

"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." - Romans 10:9

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits? [49:33]

Day 2: Daily Practice of Submission

Submission to Christ's lordship is a journey that requires daily attention and intentionality. It is not enough to declare Jesus as Lord once; believers must continually seek to align their thoughts, actions, and intentions with His will. This ongoing process involves listening for His voice in every situation, studying Scripture to understand His heart, and being willing to make adjustments in our lives to stay on the path He has set for us. It is through this daily practice that believers grow in their relationship with Christ and experience the fullness of life He offers.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

Reflection: How can you create a daily routine that prioritizes listening for God's direction and aligning your actions with His will? [26:05]

Day 3: Transformation Through Lordship

The transformative power of Jesus' lordship is profound. When believers allow Christ to reign in every aspect of their lives, they experience freedom from the burdens of sin and shame. This transformation is not just about personal improvement; it is about becoming a vessel through which God's grace and victory are displayed to the world. As believers submit to Jesus' authority, they find their true identity and purpose, and they are empowered to live in the victory that Christ has already won on the cross.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Reflection: In what ways has the lordship of Jesus transformed your life, and how can you share this transformation with others? [45:52]

Day 4: Readiness to Serve Reflects Submission

A believer's readiness to serve is a clear indication of their submission to Christ's lordship. Just as the owner of the donkey in Scripture did not hesitate to give up his possession for Jesus' use, so must believers be willing to offer their time, resources, and talents when called upon. This willingness to serve is not based on convenience or personal gain but on a deep commitment to obeying God's call. It is in serving others that believers truly demonstrate their allegiance to Christ and their trust in His provision and guidance.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10

Reflection: What are the gifts and resources you possess that you can offer in service to God's kingdom, and how can you make yourself more available to respond to His call? [06:50]

Day 5: Standing Firm Against the Enemy

Recognizing Jesus as Lord is essential for standing firm against the enemy's deceptions. The enemy seeks to undermine believers' faith by tempting them to doubt God's word and character. However, by maintaining a posture of submission to Christ's lordship, believers can safeguard themselves against these attacks. This steadfastness is not only defensive but also enables believers to grow stronger in their identity as children of God, equipped to carry out His will and reveal His love to the world.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11

Reflection: What specific lies or temptations of the enemy do you need to stand against, and how can you actively rely on the truth of Jesus' lordship to overcome them? [22:01]

Sermon Summary

In our walk with Christ, we must come to the profound realization that Jesus is not merely a figurehead or a distant deity; He is our Lord, and this lordship demands our complete surrender. The essence of our faith is encapsulated in the declaration that "Jesus is Lord." This is not a mere theological statement; it is the bedrock of our existence as believers. To live under the lordship of Jesus is to relinquish control of our lives, to be at His disposal, ready to respond to His call, whatever the cost may be.

We often approach Scripture as a guide for living a good life, but this perspective falls short of its true purpose. The Word of God is not a manual for self-improvement; it is a roadmap for aligning ourselves with God's will, for becoming instruments through which His divine purposes are fulfilled. We must be prepared to traverse both the valleys and the hilltops of life, following wherever He leads without reservation.

The lordship of Jesus is not a concept to be taken lightly. It is not enough to see Him as a teacher, a healer, or a savior if we do not first acknowledge Him as Lord. Without this acknowledgment, we are susceptible to the temptations of the enemy, who seeks to strip us of our divine identity and purpose. When we fail to submit to Christ's lordship, we carry the burdens of sin and shame that He has already conquered on our behalf.

Our willingness to serve is a testament to our submission to Christ's lordship. Just as the owner of the donkey in the Scriptures willingly gave up his possession for the Lord's use, we too must be prepared to release whatever we hold dear when Jesus calls upon us. Our readiness to obey, to give, to go, and to serve is the true measure of our commitment to His lordship.

As we embark on the journey of discipleship, we must continually examine our hearts to ensure that we are fully submitted to His lordship. It is only when we are under His authority that we can truly be used by God to reveal Jesus to others. Our identity as believers hinges on our recognition of Jesus as Lord, and it is through this recognition that we find freedom and purpose.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 21:2-3 (ESV) — > "Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.'"

2. Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
> "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

3. Genesis 3:1-5 (ESV)
> "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?' And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’' But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'"

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Observation Questions

What specific task did Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 21:2-3?
According to Colossians 1:16-17, what is the significance of Jesus in creation and sustaining all things?
In Genesis 3:1-5, how did the serpent's question to Eve differ from God's original command, and what was the result of this interaction?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose a donkey for His entry into Jerusalem, and what does this symbolize about His lordship? [04:07]
How does recognizing Jesus as the creator and sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:16-17) impact our understanding of His authority in our lives?
What can we learn from the way the serpent tempted Eve in Genesis 3 about the importance of acknowledging God's lordship in our lives? [21:14]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to give up something important to you. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [06:50]
In what ways can you daily practice submitting to Jesus' lordship in your thoughts, actions, and decisions? [26:05]
How can you ensure that you are not just seeing Jesus as a teacher or savior, but truly acknowledging Him as Lord in every aspect of your life? [24:24]
Identify an area of your life where you struggle to relinquish control. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Jesus' lordship? [40:56]
Think of a specific resource or talent you have. How can you use it to serve God's purposes, similar to how the owner of the donkey responded to Jesus' need? [06:50]
How can you guard against the enemy's attempts to undermine your recognition of Jesus as Lord, especially in moments of doubt or temptation? [22:01]
What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's will, as revealed in Scripture, rather than using the Bible merely as a guide for self-improvement? [26:05]

Sermon Clips

- "Those who don't embrace the lordship of Jesus will not let their donkey go. The Lord has a need and he sends these two disciples and then the owner willingly gives up his donkey." [06:50](Download)

- "If you're not willing to fulfill the call then you may not be ready to receive the encounter. Are you in a place where you're willing to give up your life, resources, gifts if the Lord calls you today?" [08:37](Download)

- "The very first theological statement in the church was 'Jesus is Lord.' To live in Jesus as lord it's going to cost you your life if you submit to him." [26:05](Download)

- "If he's not your lord he can't be those things and the enemy is going to bring you temptation that is going to make you surrender to the lordship of Satan." [27:31](Download)

- "When Jesus is just your savior and not your lord, you're carrying the Donkey, you're carrying all the sin, you're carrying all the burden." [45:09](Download)

- "If we would just acknowledge Him as our Lord and savior, you can put shame down as you'll realize it's been conquered, you will put the guilt down because you know it has been redeemed." [46:36](Download)

- "God needs us from a place of wanting to have us. He doesn't lack anything, but man, he wants to be with you and me." [01:11](Download)

- "Satan doesn't receive God as lordship but he does something else in that moment not only does he not say Lord the Lord God he plants a seed and the very next thing that spoke is from Eve and she also took out the Lord." [20:24](Download)

- "If Believers, they're non-believers and they choose to turn their life around and submit, they will not be thrown in the Lake of Fire and they can get out of that situation if they accept Jesus Christ their lord and savior." [19:35](Download)

- "The Lord needs what you have because he created you so he could work through you to accomplish what he needs. That's what you're here for." [42:39](Download)

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