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Jesus Is Lord

JESUS IS LORD

By George W. Sinquefield

Luke 14:25 through Luke 14:33 (KJV)
25And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

        Pay special attention to verses 27 and 33. Jesus is Lord and let us never forget that it is costly to follow him. But one has said, "Following Jesus costs more than anything, except not following him."

        I copied the following from a devotional booklet. "A publication of the Credit Union National Association entitled Everybody's Money makes the point that nothing s free. In an article stressing the need for consumer realism, the writer added up the actual cost of the Christmas gifts listed in the popular song "Twelve Days of Christmas.' The result is a lot less romantic than the song itself. All the gifts given in the name of love have their price. One pear tree was figured at $14, one partridge -- $15, two turtle doves -- $10, three French hens -- $36, four calling birds -- $140, five gold rings (14k) -- $1,000, six geese a-laying -- $1,260, and so on. At today's prices, the tab totaled $10,314.92.

        Being realistic about cost is also important in the area of Christian commitment. Jesus made this clear in Luke 14. He was not talking about what we must pay for material gifts. He had in mind the cost of being his disciple. That price may be harder to estimate, but it is just as real. The Lord implied that if it is overlooked, our Christian lives will be embarrassing and incomplete."

        Jesus is Lord and that means He has authority over others. It means He is Master or Ruler. The word Lord is mentioned 489 times in the New Testament. The word Savior is mentioned only a few times. Let us notice a few verses where Jesus is referred to as Lord. Matthew 8:5 through Matthew 8:7 (KJV) 5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Matthew 18:21 (KJV) 21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Luke 12:41 (KJV) 41Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? John 20:2 (KJV) 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Acts 2:36 (KJV) 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 4:33 (KJV) 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 10:36 (KJV) 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Philippians 2:11 (KJV) 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2 Peter 1:8 (KJV)
8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:14 (KJV)
14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.

2 Peter 1:16 (KJV)
16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)
18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Revelation 17:14 (KJV)
14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 19:16 (KJV)
16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 22:20 through Revelation 22:21 (KJV)
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I.   Jesus Is Lord And He Is Lord Before He Becomes Savior.

        One of the earliest confessions of Christian faith is in Romans 10:9.

Romans 10:9 (KJV)
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

        As the disciples cam to recognize Jesus as God revealed in the flesh they attributed to him the title "Lord." Jesus accepted this title from them. "Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well for so I am." After the resurrection Thomas said, "My Lord and my God." On the day of Pentecost Peter proclaimed, "God hath made this same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ."

        When Paul, know as Saul, met Jesus on the Damascus road, he accepted him Savior and also as Lord.

Acts 9:1 through Acts 9:6 (KJV)
1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

        Jesus was Lord to Paul from that moment. Jesus was no longer a name to be hated, despised, and persecuted. It was a name which is above every name and that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1 through Philippians 2:11 (KJV)
1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

        When Paul became a Christian he did not simply believe in Jesus as Savior. He confessed him as his Lord. Dr. Herschel Hobbs said, "Indeed can we separate the two? We talk of making the Savior of our souls the Lord of our lives, but note that He is the 'Lord Jesus'. He must be Lord before He can be Jesus or Savior. Saviorhood is no halfway station in the Christian experience in which we can decide whether or not we shall go on to his Lordship. It is the other way around. Before Jesus can be our Savior, we must recognize him as our Lord." The devil does not mind if a man's heart is divided, but Christ must have it all or none.

        Paul gave his life to doing what Jesus wanted him to do.

2 Timothy 3:6 through 2 Timothy 3:8 (KJV)
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

        A married couple was having problems and they went to their pastor for counselling. At one point in the counselling session the husband said to the wife, "I've given you everything you've ever asked for == a new home, a new car, all the clothes you can wear..." The list went on. When he had finished the wife said sadly, "That much is true. You have given me everything but one thing....yourself." One thing is certain and that is that Paul gave himself completely to Jesus as Lord of his life.

1 Corinthians 15:31 (KJV)
31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

        Paul meant by dying daily that he took up his cross and followed Jesus. That is precisely what Jesus said one must do to be a follower of his.

Matthew 16:24 through Matthew 16:25 (KJV)
24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

        Hear Paul as he talks about being crucified with Christ.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

        William Barclay, in his study of the book of Romans has this to say; "A Christian can have no master of God. He cannot give a part of his life to God and another part to the world. With God it is all or nothing. So long as a man has some part of his life without God, he is really not a Christian. The Christian is a man who has given complete control of his life to Christ, holding back nothing."

II.   If Anything Is Made Clear In The New Testament, It Is That Jesus Was Not After "Joiners".

        This is very plainly taught in Jesus dealing with the rich young ruler.

Luke 18:18 through Luke 18:23 (KJV)
18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

        I am convinced that many, many, lost people would gladly accept Jesus as Savior but they are not willing to let him be Lord in their lives. If they could have Jesus as insurance against the fires of hell they would receive him without hesitation. I've known preachers to use tall kinds of high pressure tactics to get joiners and the result was that many of them were lost. They had never made Jesus Lord of their lives. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convince a lost person of his lost condition and would lead him to Jesus.

John 16:6 through John 16:11 (KJV)
6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

        It is through his preaching of the gospel that lost people are drawn to Jesus. The gospel is the good news that Jesus came into the world to seek and to save those who are lost. He died on the cruel cross to pay our sin debt and many times He declared that when one realizes he is lost and he confesses his sin and asks for forgiveness, Jesus saves him and gives him everlasting life. In the gospel of John we are told 99 times that one is saved by believing on Jesus, by trusting him as Lord and Savior.

John 3:16 (KJV)
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:36 (KJV)
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:24 (KJV)
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:47 (KJV)
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

        We must ever remember, teach and preach the truth that Jesus must be Lord or He won't be Savior.

        A pastor tells of a woman who came during the invitation and said, "I want to dedicated a part of my life -- 2/3 or 3/4. I can't dedicate it all for God will tell me to do what I won't do." "What did you tell her?" he as asked. He answered, "I told her that God would not receive a part of her life -- she must surrender all to him and be willing to do what He asks."

        I remember a confirmed alcoholic who came to one of the opening meetings of a campaign and said to me, "Mr. Graham, I'm not sure there's truth in what you're saying, but I'm going to give your Christ a trial. If he works even a little bit the way you say he will, I'll come back and sign up for life!" That is not the way it works. One must come to Jesus willing to surrender all, willing to take up his cross and follow him.

        Dr. F. B. Meyer says that God dealt with him regarding his life and that he gave him the keys to his life one by one. Finally he stopped and said, "Lord that is all I can give you." The Lord said, "There is one more key. I must have them all if I am to use you." He surrendered the last key and God used him greatly.

        The old colored preacher, speaking on that occasion when Jesus stilled the storm when the boat was about to sink, "Many ships were on the water -- they were all in danger of being destroyed. They were all blessed when Jesus stilled the storm." The most important of all the ships was the Lord's ship. There are many ships sailing the ocean of life -- when the Lord's ship is right, all others will be right.

        Ownby in his book, The Christian and His Money says, "The great weakness in our half-hearted Christian world is that which many have deeply felt the influence of Jesus and are eager to pay him a fervent but sentimental tribute of appreciation, too often we have declined to make him the real Master of life in the most important realms of human relations."

        Dr. Ralph Grant, in his book The Way of the Cross tells, "In the old inquisition room in Lima Peru years ago men were tried for heresy in the presence of a large wooden statue of Christ. The man being tried understood that a nod of the statue's head meant he would e tortured on the rack. On the other hand a shake of the statue's head meant he would be given his freedom. The ecclesiastical judge pulled strings beneath the table and could manipulate the statue's head according to his will. Someone looking upon this statue said, "Poor Christ, how we have tried to make him approve our follies through the centuries." It is time we cease trying to make Christ approve our ways and begin earnestly seeking to conform to his way. It is time that we, like Paul, crucify self and let Christ live his life in and through us.

III.   Does He Have The Key To Every Area Of My Life -- Of Yours?

        The crest which John Calvin used as a seal presents a picture of a heart held in a hand extended to God and inscribed with these words, "My heart I give thee Lord, promptly and sincerely."

        The story is told by one of our earlier missionaries about the proud Indian Chief who became convicted of his sin under preaching of the gospel. He wanted the load of guilt removed so he offered the missionary his much prized wampum belt. When told that Jesus did not want this offering he went away sad, depressed. Later he returned and offered his gun and favorite dog. Again he went away sad. He returned again and offered his wigwam and family. The missionaries, seeing the struggle that was going on in his heart explained to him that the Savior could not accept these as a sacrifice for his sin. The old chief threw himself upon the ground with tears in his eyes exclaimed, "Here Lord I can do no more, please take poor Indian too." That is complete surrender and that is what our Lord requires if you are going to follow Him.

        My prayer is that you, if you haven't done so already will surrender all to Jesus now.