Jesus As Lord

I. JESUS IS LORD WHETHER WE ACKNOWLEDGE IT OR NOT:

1. Who is Jesus anyway (Colossians 1:15-18)?
   • How much did you decide about yourself (when to be born, in what country, to which parents, your color, gifts, attractiveness)?
   • What then are you able to control?
2. What is Jesus like (Philippians 2:1-11)?

II. WHY DO PEOPLE NOT ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS AS LORD?

1. He may ask us to do something that we do not want to do.
   • Of course He will, or there would be no issue involved.
   • What did God ask the following people to do?
     • Abraham – Genesis 12:1-4; 22:1-10.
     • Moses – Exodus 3:1-4:17.
     • Jesus – Mark 8:27-33; 14:36.
   • What does it mean to deny yourself (Luke 9:23)?
2. We think we know what is best for our lives.
   • A child left to himself will kill himself.
   • We think that things change once we are mature.
     • Adults left alone also hurt themselves.
     • We hire policemen to watch over us, and then have the audacity to say that we know what is best for our lives.
3. We are not sure that God has our best interests at heart.
   • If God wanted to harm us, imagine what He could do.
   • You might say that He does not want to get involved in our lives, but it is ridiculous to say He wants to hurt us.
   • You can’t argue that Jesus does not want to get involved in your life.
     • This is the whole issue of lordship.
     • What does Jeremiah 29:11 say to you?

III. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS AS LORD? (Matthew 6:9-13)

1. “Our Father,” not “My Father.”
   • The disciple must identify with people where they are.
   • The disciple has never “arrived” – he is a learner and a pilgrim.
2. “Hallowed be Thy name.”
   • Jesus did not pray for His name to be hallowed.
   • Lordship means surrendering your name. (Are you out to make a name for yourself?)
3. “Thy kingdom come.”
   • God’s desire is to rule on Earth as He rules in heaven.
   • Are you seeking to build His kingdom?
4. “Thy will be done.”
   • Do you seek after the will of God (John 5:30)?
   • So, for God’s will to be done, we must actively seek His will.
5. “Give us this day our daily bread.”
   • An attitude: all that I have comes from and belongs to Jesus.
   • Why is your life not even your own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)?
6. “Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors.”
   • Do I really want God to forgive me the way I am forgiving others?
   • This involves the receiving and giving of forgiveness.
7. “And do not lead us into temptation.”
   • Even into situations where we will be tempted.
   • Are you willing to surrender questionable things (Romans 14:21)?
8. “Deliver us from evil (or, the evil one – John 17:15).
   • Are Christians able to fight their own battles (2 Chronicles 20:15)?
   • What five actions must we do for God to deliver us from the evil one (James 4:7)?

IV. WHY JESUS WANT US TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS LORDSHIP (Isaiah 46:9-10)?