Introduction:
It is always a good idea to start every study with a review of the past studies that have been covered- repetition strengthens conviction.
The Purpose
The purpose of this study is to convey what it really means to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. This is a crucial study because committing to the Lordship of Jesus is necessary for salvation, yet it has been quite “watered down” in our society today.
Today we are going to study what our response to the cross should really be and what kind of commitment God expects of us if we are to truly be his followers. This response and commitment can be summed up in one word- LORDSHIP.
What do you think it means to call someone Lord? It means they are the absolute master and ruler of your life; whatever they say, goes! Let’s look at some verses that talk about this.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very naturea] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very natureb] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
A great summary of Jesus’ life and death, culminating with the fact that he is Lord of all; that every knee should bow to him. He really cannot be savior without being Lord; the two go hand in hand as he is both. When one sees what an incredibly loving savior he is, it motivates them to eagerly accept his Lordship.
Q: What does it mean to really make him the Lord of your life?
A: It means to be in complete subservience to Jesus; to have his will and his word become the final authority in your life. It means to follow him and become a true disciple of his.
When Jesus walked the earth he taught about what it really meant to follow him and become his disciple. Let’s look at some of these passages and let him define his own Lordship. For outline sake, we will group these verses into a few specific areas over which He should be Lord.
I. LORD OF DOCTRINE
JOHN 8:30-32
30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- Real disciples hold to Jesus’ teaching over all else
- Over opinions, traditions, emotions, etc
JOHN 14:15, 23-24
John 14:15
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.
John 14:23-24
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
- Loving Jesus and obeying him go hand in hand
- What are the most difficult areas for you to obey Jesus’ words in?
II. Lord of Priorities
LUKE 9:23-26
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
- This is the commitment of a disciple
- Foundational heart of self-denial
- Same standard for everyone
- What areas do you think you will need to deny yourself in?
- (share examples from your life)
LUKE 14:19-26
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’
22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
- “Hate” is the comparative difference between two loves
- Everything is second to Jesus-people, things and self
- What would be the most challenging thing for you to give up?
III. LORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
MARK 9:43-49
43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where
“‘The worms that eat them do not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’c]
49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
- Jesus was serious about sin
- To make Jesus Lord is to adopt his radical indignation of sin
- What areas of your life would Jesus call you to “cut off”?
- (again, make sure you are sharing personally as well)
IV. LORD OF RELATIONSHIP
JOHN 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Jesus expects his disciples to love like he loved
- This is inspiring-to have others love you like that
- This is challenging-to love others like that
- What can you change to really love others like Jesus did?
V. LORD OF OUR MISSION
MATTHEW 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Jesus’ vision for the world is for true disciples to fill the earth
- His dream is for everyone to make him their Lord
- He calls those who are disciples to help others become disciples-this is the mission of a disciple.
MARK 1:16-18
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
- Jesus quickly communicated to his prospective disciples the mission he would later give them.
- Note their immediate and wholehearted response. Why do you think they responded in this manner
- What are some things you can change in your life in order to help others know Jesus?
CONCLUDING QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:
Do you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life? Why are you willing to do so? What are some things that must change in your life to reflect his Lordship?
