Embracing True Lordship: Surrendering to Christ
Summary
Today’s focus is on the name of God, Adonai, which means Lord, Master, or Sovereign Authority. This name is not just a title, but a declaration of God’s right to rule and command in the universe and in our lives. To call God “Adonai” is to surrender our plans, our will, and our future to Him. Yet, Jesus warns us in Matthew 7 that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” truly means it—true lordship is shown in obedience, not just in words. It’s possible to use the right language and even do impressive things in God’s name, but if our hearts are not surrendered, we miss the point entirely.
Looking at Philippians 2, we see the ultimate example of surrender in Jesus Himself. Though He was God, He emptied Himself—veiling His divine glory, setting aside His authority, and even His intimate relationship with the Father—to become a servant for our sake. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross, and because of this, God exalted Him so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is not just a future reality; it’s a present invitation for us to bow our knees and confess Jesus as Lord today.
This surrender to Jesus as Lord should affect every part of our lives. It changes our posture—we fall before Him, emptying ourselves of anything that stands in the way of obedience. It changes our profession—not just our jobs, but our confession that Jesus is Lord, and our willingness to serve as He served, even when it costs us. And it changes our practice—how we live, what we do with our bodies, what we allow into our minds, and how we pursue God’s will for our lives. God’s will is our sanctification, our growth in holiness, and this is a lifelong journey, not a sprint. We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, trusting that God is at work in us.
Finally, we are reminded that living under the lordship of Christ means seeking to please God rather than people. The temptation to conform to the world or to seek approval from others is strong, but we are called to stand for truth, even when it’s unpopular. God is looking for men and women whose hearts are blameless toward Him, and He promises to strengthen those who are willing to stand.
Key Takeaways
- True lordship is demonstrated by obedience, not just by words. Jesus warns that many will call Him “Lord” but will not enter the kingdom because their lives do not reflect true surrender. It is not enough to use the right language or perform religious acts; what matters is a heart that yields to God’s authority in every area. [03:36]
- Jesus’ example of emptying Himself calls us to lay aside anything that hinders our obedience. He set aside His divine privileges, glory, and even His intimate relationship with the Father to serve and save us. In the same way, we are called to empty ourselves of pride, comfort, and anything that keeps us from wholehearted devotion to God. [11:35]
- Our bodies and minds are to be brought under the lordship of Christ. What we do with our bodies, what we put into them, and what we allow to occupy our minds are all areas where Jesus must be Lord. This means intentional choices about our habits, relationships, and thought life, seeking to honor God in all things. [16:11]
- Confessing Jesus as Lord is both a present reality and a future certainty. Every knee will one day bow, but we have the privilege and responsibility to bow willingly now, proclaiming Jesus as Lord with our lips and our lives. This confession is the foundation of salvation and the ongoing call to live for His glory. [21:12]
- Pursuing God’s will is a lifelong journey of sanctification, not a sprint. We are to work out our salvation with seriousness, knowing that God is at work in us. This journey requires perseverance, humility, and a willingness to stand for truth, even when it means standing alone. God promises to strengthen those whose hearts are fully His. [26:54]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - The Meaning of Adonai
[03:36] - The Danger of Empty Words
[05:10] - Construction Story: Calling Someone “Boss”
[08:10] - Surrendering Our Posture Before God
[09:45] - Jesus Emptied Himself: Three Ways
[11:35] - The Cost of Divine Humility
[12:58] - The Mocking of the True King
[15:17] - Honoring God with Body and Mind
[16:11] - Everyday Choices Under Christ’s Lordship
[18:54] - The Servant King: Jesus as Doulos
[21:12] - Every Knee Will Bow
[23:15] - Working Out Our Salvation
[26:54] - God as a Good Father in Our Growth
[28:24] - Pleasing God vs. Pleasing People
[30:38] - God’s Search for Blameless Hearts
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Lordship of Christ (Adonai)
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### Bible Reading
- 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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
- Philippians 2:5-13
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 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. In Matthew 7:21-23, what is the difference between those who call Jesus “Lord” and those who actually enter the kingdom of heaven?
[[03:36]]
2. According to Philippians 2:5-8, what specific actions did Jesus take to “empty himself” and humble himself?
[[09:45]]
3. What does Paul say is the result of Jesus’ obedience and humility in Philippians 2:9-11?
[[21:12]]
4. In the sermon, what three areas did the pastor mention that we should bring under the lordship of Christ?
[[15:17]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus warn that not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom? What does this reveal about the difference between outward actions and inward surrender?
[[03:36]]
2. How does Jesus’ example of emptying himself challenge our own attitudes toward pride, comfort, or control in our lives?
[[11:35]]
3. What does it mean to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” in Philippians 2:12-13? How is this different from trying to earn salvation?
[[23:15]]
4. The sermon mentioned the temptation to please people rather than God. Why is this such a strong temptation, and what are the dangers of living for the approval of others?
[[28:24]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that true lordship is shown by obedience, not just words. Are there areas in your life where you call Jesus “Lord” but struggle to obey him? What is one step you could take this week to surrender that area?
[[03:36]]
2. Jesus emptied himself of his rights and privileges to serve others. Is there something—like pride, comfort, or a personal goal—that you sense God asking you to lay down for the sake of obedience? What would it look like to “empty yourself” in that area?
[[11:35]]
3. The pastor challenged us to honor God with what we put in our bodies, what we do with our bodies, and what we allow into our minds. Which of these three is most challenging for you right now? What is one practical change you could make this week?
[[15:17]]
4. Confessing Jesus as Lord is both a present reality and a future certainty. How does regularly confessing Jesus as Lord (with your words and actions) shape your daily life? Is there a specific way you can make this confession more visible this week?
[[21:12]]
5. The sermon said that pursuing God’s will is a lifelong journey, not a sprint. Are you tempted to “burn out” or give up when growth feels slow? What helps you persevere in your walk with Christ?
[[23:15]]
6. The temptation to please people can keep us from fully following Jesus. Can you think of a recent situation where you felt pressure to please others instead of God? How did you respond, and what would you do differently next time?
[[28:24]]
7. God is looking for people whose hearts are blameless toward him. What does “blameless” look like in your context—not perfect, but fully surrendered? Is there an area where you want to ask God for strength to stand firm?
[[30:38]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person in the group to surrender more fully to Jesus as Lord, to give strength to obey, and to help them stand for truth even when it’s hard.
Devotional
Day 1: True Lordship Requires Surrender, Not Just Words
To call Jesus "Lord" is more than a title or a religious phrase; it is a declaration of surrender, granting Him authority, ownership, and absolute power over every area of life. Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. It is possible to do impressive things in His name and yet remain unknown to Him if our hearts are not truly surrendered. The difference between empty words and genuine lordship is obedience—letting Christ's authority shape our actions, motives, and desires. [03:36]
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
“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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you calling Jesus "Lord" with your lips but resisting His authority in your actions? What is one step of obedience you can take today to align your life with His will?
Day 2: Christ’s Humility Calls Us to Empty Ourselves
Jesus, though fully God, emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. He set aside His divine glory, authority, and the intimacy of His relationship with the Father to become like us and to save us. This radical humility is the model for believers: to lay aside anything that stands in the way of obedience to God, to prostrate ourselves before Him, and to surrender our plans, pride, and comforts. As Christ emptied Himself for us, we are called to empty ourselves for Him. [11:35]
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Reflection: What is one thing—an attitude, habit, or possession—that you sense God is asking you to lay down in order to follow Him more fully? Will you surrender it to Him today?
Day 3: Honor God with Your Body, Actions, and Mind
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord means honoring Him with what you put in your body, what you do with your body, and what occupies your mind. Not every urge or desire is from God, and not everything your body tells you to do should be obeyed. Instead, bring your physical habits, your relationships, and your thought life under the lordship of Christ. This means practicing moderation, pursuing purity, and filling your mind with what is true, noble, and praiseworthy. In every area, let your life reflect that Jesus is truly your Master. [16:11]
Romans 12:1-2 (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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Reflection: What is one practical change you can make today—in your eating, your actions, or your thought life—to honor Jesus as Lord over your whole self?
Day 4: Confessing Jesus as Lord Changes Our Practice
Confessing Jesus as Lord is not just a statement of belief; it is a commitment to pursue His will for your life. God’s will is your sanctification—your growth in holiness and Christlikeness. This journey is not a sprint but a marathon, requiring daily steps of faith, obedience, and perseverance. Even when you stumble, God is like a good Father, helping you up and encouraging you to keep going. As you work out your salvation with fear and trembling, trust that God is working in you for His good pleasure. [26:54]
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: What is one area of your spiritual life where you need to persevere or take the next step, trusting that God is working in you? How can you partner with Him in your growth today?
Day 5: Seek God’s Approval, Not Man’s
One of the greatest obstacles to living under Christ’s lordship is the desire to please people rather than God. When you seek the approval of others, you become their servant instead of Christ’s. God is looking for men and women who will stand for truth, even when it is unpopular or costly. He promises to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Choose today to live for God’s approval, not the world’s, and trust that He will support and empower you as you stand for Him. [30:38]
Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to compromise your faith or values to fit in or gain approval? What would it look like to seek God’s approval above all else in that situation today?
Quotes
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