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Relationship
between Christ & Men
CLEAVING
TO CHRIST.
Acts 11:23.
The following seven ways
will indicate how we can cleave to Christ:--
Ⅰ. By prayerful
dependence upon Him (Phil.4:6).
Ⅱ. By
being taught by Him (Matt.11:29).
Ⅲ. By
ready response to His word (John 14:21).
Ⅳ. By
whole-hearted surrender to Him (Rom.12:1).
Ⅴ. By
separation from the ungodly (2 Cor.6:17).
Ⅵ. By
living a life of faith upon Him (Gal.2:20).
Ⅶ. By
waiting for Him (1. Thess.1:10).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
ABOVE THE BELIEVER.
Ⅰ. As the Finisher of His
work on our behalf. “ After He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever
sat
down” (Heb.10:12).
Ⅱ. As the Conqueror over His
and our enemies. “ He might destroy him” ( Heb.2:14).
Ⅲ. As our High Priest
to
represent. “ To appear in the presence of God for us” ( Heb.9:24).
Ⅳ. As our Advocate
to
plead. “ We have an Advocate” ( 1.John 2:1).
Ⅴ. As the Firstfruits of the
harvest. “ Christ the Firstfruits” (1. Cor.15:23).
Ⅵ. As the Sun to warm. “ The
Lord God is a Sun” (Ps.84:11).
Ⅶ. As the Shield
to
protect. “ I am thy Shield” (Gen.15:1).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
BEFORE THE BELIEVER.
Ⅰ. As the Object of faith. “
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2).
Ⅱ. As the Light
to direct.
“He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness” ( John 8:12).
Ⅲ. As the Lord
to obey. “
If I then
your Lord and Master
have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash
one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Ⅳ. As Shepherd
to follow
.
“ My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me” ( John 10:27).
Ⅴ. As the Master
to serve.
“ Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am” (John 13:13).
Ⅵ. As the Prize
to win. “
For whom I have suffered the loss of all things
……that I may win Christ”
(Phil.3:8-14).
Ⅶ. As the Goal
to reach. “
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all
but one receiveth the prize?
So run
that ye may obtain” (1.Cor.9:24).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
BEHIND THE BELIEVER.
Ⅰ. As the Suffering One for
us. “ Once……He appeared to put away sin” (Heb.9:26).
Ⅱ. As the Pillar of fire
for light and protection. “ It was a cloud and darkness to them
but it gave
light by night to these” ( Ex.14:20).
Ⅲ. As the Voice
to direct.
“ Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee
saying
this is the way” (Isaiah 30:21).
Ⅳ. As the Beloved
to
encourage. “ He looketh forth at the windows
shewing Himself” (Solomon’s Song 2:9).
Ⅴ. As the Goodness and
mercy
to follow. “ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life” ( Psalm 23:6).
Ⅵ. As the Lord
to reveal. “
I heard a voice behind me” ( Rev.1:10).
Ⅶ. As our Rereward
for
separation between us and the world. “ The God of Israel will be your Rereward”
(Isaiah 53:12).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
BENEATH THE BELIEVER.
Ⅰ. As the Foundation on whom
we are built. “ For other Foundation can no man lay” (1. Cor.3:11).
Ⅱ. As the Way to walk in. “
I am the Way” ( John 14:6).
Ⅲ. As the Shoes of Peace
to
protect. “ Your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace” (Eph.6:15).
Ⅳ. As the Arms to carry. “
Underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).
Ⅴ. As the Shoulders to bear.
“ Layeth it on His shoulders” (Luke 15:5).
Ⅵ. As the Bosom to rest in.
“ Which also leaned on His breast” ( John 21:20).
Ⅶ. As the Staff to support.
“ Thy rod and Thy staff” (Psalm 23:4).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
BESIDE THE BELIEVER.
Ⅰ. As the Strength
to
uphold. “ I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” ( Isaiah 41:10).
Ⅱ. As the Companion
for
fellowship. “ Did not our heart burn within us
while He talked with us by the
way” ( Luke 24:32).
Ⅲ. As the Friend to counsel.
“ The sweetness of Truth
is com
He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
Ⅳ. As the Guide
to direct.
“ When He
the Spirit of Truth
is come
He will guide you into all truth”
(John 16:13).
Ⅴ. As the High Priest
to
succour. “ We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15).
Ⅵ. As the Comforter
to
cheer. “ He shall give you another Comforter
that He may abide with you for
ever” (John 14:16).
Ⅶ. As the Teacher
to teach.
“ He shall teach you all things
and bring all things to your remembrance” (
John 14:26).
CHRIST
FOR US.
Different
characters in which Christ appears for us in Heb. 9& 10
As the
Propitiation
to atone (Heb.9:12).
As the
Purifier
to cleanse (9:14).
As the
Mediator
to act (9:15)
As the Priest
to represent (9:24).
As the
Sin-Remover
to bless(9:26).
As the
Substitute
to suffer (9:28).
As the Saviour
to deliver (9:28).
As the Willing
One in obedience ( 10:5-9).
As the
Sanctifier
to separate (10:10).
As the
Sin-offering
to save (10:11
12).
As the Exalted
Man in glory (10:12).
As the
Expectant One
to triumph (10:13).
As the
Perfecter of His people (10:14).
As the
Fore-runner
to procure (10:19
20).
As the High
Priest
to represent (10:21).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
NEEDS US.
Christ needs
His people
now in this life
to accomplish His purposes.
He needs our
lips to preach His Gospel
as He told His disciples (Matt.28:19).
He needs our
hearts to perfume with His presence (Eph.3:17)
as He needed the tabernacle of old (Ex.25:8).
He needs our
company for fellowship. As may be gathered from His talk and walk with the two
disciples who were journeying to Emmaus (Luke 24:15).
He needs our
ear to reveal to us His secrets
as He did in the case of Abram regarding Sodom
(Gen.18:17).
He needs hands
to minister to the needs of others
as may be gathered from Matt.25:34-37.
He needs our
love to gladden Him
as is illustrated in His regard and pleasure in Mary
anointing Him with the precious ointment (John 12:3-7).
He needs our
obedience to glorify Him
as is shown in His commendation of Job to the devil
(Job 1:8).
He needs our
wills
to mould them
as is plainly expressed in His invitation to take His
yoke upon us (Matt.11:29).
He needs our
talents to speak for Him
as is represented in His appreciation of the workmen
of the tabernacle ( Ex.31:2
3).
He needs our
life to reproduce His own
as it may be observed from the apostle’s words in
Gal.2:20.
He needs our
praise to honour Him
as He clearly states in His words to the thankful
Samaritan leper (Luke 17:17).
He needs our
whole being
spirit
soul
and body
to sanctify
that like the temple of old
“every whit may utter His glory” (Psalm 29:9
m.).
Our need is
met
as we meet the need of Christ. The ass’s colt has been honoured for all
time in carrying Christ into Jerusalem. In like manner
those who honour God
are honoured by Him (Prov.4:8); those who give to God
receive from God (Luke 6:38); those who yield to
God
He yields Himself to them (Rom.6:13
14); those who obey God
have the power of God (Acts 5:32); and those who endure
for God have a crown of righteousness as a reward (2 Tim.4:7
8).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
OCCUPIED FOR US.
The activities of
the Lord Jesus
as He is occupied in His present service
is a fruitful
subject. Fruitful in more ways than one. It is fruitful because it reminds us
of His love in His present ministry for us; and of our love to Him
which
should be expressed in a similar way to His love to us.
Ⅰ. His heart is occupied in
His loving sympathy for us
as our Faithful Friend. “ He groaned in spirit and
was troubled……behold how He loved him” (John 11:33.36).
Ⅱ. His mind is occupied in
His constant thought of us
as our Divine Lover. “ He thinketh upon me” (Psalm.40:17).
Ⅲ. His eyes are occupied in
His watchful care over us
as our Vigilant Shepherd. “ Behold He that keepeth
Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).
Ⅳ. His hands are occupied in
His untiring labour for us
as our Unfailing Strength
“ I will uphold thee
with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).
Ⅴ. His ears are occupied in
His unceasing attention to us
as our Gracious Lord. “ His ears are open unto
their cry” (Ps.34:15).
Ⅵ. His lips are occupied in
His earnest pleading for us
as our Great High Priest. “ He ever liveth to make
intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Ⅶ. His feet are occupied in
His ministry for us
as our Sustaining Companion (Luke 24:15).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
OUR EXAMPLE.
“ Do likewise” (Judges 7:17).
Gideon bids his
men to look to him and to act as he acts
so that there may be united action.
When he blew his trumpet they were to blow theirs; when he brake his pitcher
they were to break theirs; and when he shouted they were to shout too. The Lord
Jesus also says to His followers
“ Look on Me and do likewise.”
Ⅰ. He bids us love as He
loves (John 13:34).
Ⅱ. He calls us to suffer
wrongfully as He suffered (1.Pet.2:20-23).
Ⅲ. He tells us to go out in
service
as He went (John 20:21).
Ⅳ. He directs us to deny
ourselves as He denied Himself (John 12:24
25).
Ⅴ. He commands us to
minister to each other as He ministers to us (John 13:14
15).
Ⅵ. He calls us to be humble
as He was (Phil.2:5-8).
Ⅶ. He demands that we should
walk as He walked (1.John 2:6).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
OUR HIDING PLACE.
Ⅰ. He is a safe Hiding
Place. “ A Covert from the tempest” (Isaiah 32:2).
“ Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man;
Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues” (Psalm 30:20).
Note the three
“ froms” in the above verses as showing that from which the Lord saves.
Ⅱ. He is a Sure Hiding
Place. “ In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the
secret* of His tabernacle shall He hide me: (Psalm 27:5).
Note the two “ Shalls.” There is no uncertainty.
Ⅲ. He is a Secret Hiding
Place. “ Thou art my Hiding Place; Thou shalt preserve from trouble” (Psalm 32:7). The word “ Hiding” in the above is rendered “Secret”
in some of the Scriptures before us
and is so given in 1. Samuel 19:2
which may be taken as an illustration.
Ⅳ. He is a Comfortable
Hiding Place. “ I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the
covert of Thy wings” (Psalm 61:4). The young birds find
the covert of the mother bird’s wings a place of comfort.
Ⅴ. He is Strong Hiding
Place. “ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
Note
it is the “Almighty” who is the Shelterer.
Ⅵ. He is a Secure Hiding
Place. “ Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield; I hope in Thy Word” (Psalm 119:114). He assures us in His Word what
He is
hence our security.
Ⅶ. He is a Communing Hiding
Place. “ O
my dove
thou art in the clefts of the rock
in the secret places
of the stairs
let me see thy countenance
let me hear thy voice
” &c. (Cant.2:14). The Lord is not a cold
hard rock in which we hide; He is a living Person
with whom we hold converse.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
OUR OBJECT.
Ⅰ. He is the Object of God’s
Counsels. “ I was daily His delight” ( Prov.8:30).
Ⅱ. He is the Object of the
Scriptures. “ Search the Scriptures……and they are they which testify of Me”
(John 5:39).
Ⅲ. He is the Object of our
Faith. “ Behold the Lamb of God” (John 9:38).
Ⅳ. He is The Object of our
Worship. “ And he worshipped Him” (John 9:38).
Ⅴ He is the Object of our
Life. “ Should not henceforth live unto themselves
but unto Him” (2 Cor.5:15)..
Ⅵ. He is the Object of our
Imitation. “ Christ also suffered for us
leaving us an Example” (1. Peter 2:21).
Ⅶ. He is the Object of our
Hope. “ Lord Jesus Christ
which is our Hope” (1.Tim.1:1).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
OUR SUBSTITUTE.
We must know
Christ “ for us” as our Substitute
before we can know Christ “ in us” as our
Strength
and before we can be with Him in the glory.
Ⅰ. Christ is the
God-appointed Substitute (Romans
5:8).
Ⅱ. Christ is the
God-approved Substitute (Eph.5:2).
Ⅲ. Christ is the
God-satisfying Substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13).
Ⅳ. Christ is the Protecting
Substitute from Divine wrath (1. Cor.5:7)
Ⅴ. Christ
as our
Substitute
places us in an unparalleled position (1. Thessalonians 5:9
10).
Ⅵ. As our Substitute
Christ
has procured for us unlimited blessings (Romans 8:32).
Ⅶ. Christ
in being our
Substitute
had a practical end in view (Titus 2:14;
1.John 3:16; 1.Peter 2:20; 1.Peter 4:1).
In all the
above Scriptures the words “ for us” will be found.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST
THE WAY.
Jacob’s ladder
is a type of Christ (John 1:51)
the only Way between
God and man. Christ is—
Ⅰ. An Opportune Way
for the
man in danger
even as the manslayer found the way to the city of refuge to be
(Deut.19:3).
Ⅱ. An Open Way
for He has
removed the barrier of sin away
by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb.9:26).
Ⅲ. An Original Way
for
there never was such a way opened as Christ has made by His death (Heb.10:20).
Ⅳ. An Omnipotent Way
as
they who walk in it find
for they are protected by the Saviour’s presence and
power (Isa.35:8
9 margin).
Ⅴ. The Only Way to God (John
14:6)
blessing
salvation
and usefulness (John 10:9).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
“COME.”
Note some of
the “comes” of Christ as illustrating the fullness and freeness of His Gospel.
Ⅰ. Regard. “Come down” (Luke 19:5).
Ⅱ. Rest. “ Come unto Me
and I will give you rest” (Matt.11:28).
Ⅲ. Refreshment. “ Come and drink” (John 7:37).
“Come and take” (Rev.22:17).
Ⅳ. Re-animation. “ Come forth” (John 11:43).
Ⅴ. Responsibility. “ Come after Me” (Mark 8:34).
Ⅵ. Reward. “ Cometh to Me shall never hunger” (John 6:35).
Ⅶ. Response. “ Come and see” (John 1:39).
Mr. Spurgeon
says of the last come
this is a “loving invitation
” and says
“ At the
beginning of the Gospel
Christ said
‘ Come and see;’ at the close
‘Come and
dine.’ The first is for babes in Christ
the second for strong men
”
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
COMMANDS
OF CHRIST.
There were many
commands that the Lord Jesus gave His disciples. The following seven peaks are
to be seen in the mountain range of His directions:--
Ⅰ. “ Repent” (Luke 13:3). Change of mind.
Ⅱ. “Believe” (John 3:16). Rest of soul.
Ⅲ. “Love” (John 13:34). Affection of heart.
Ⅳ. “Follow” (John 12:26). Walk of feet.
Ⅴ. “Abide” (John 15:4). Attitude of spirit.
Ⅵ. “ Tarry” (Luke 24:49). Pleading of faith.
Ⅶ. “Go” (Matt.28:19). Testimony of lips.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
COMMITTAL.
“ Glass
with
anxiety!” Strange expression this! What does it mean? These words accompanied a
parcel sent from Norway to England
and they were intended to indicate that the
sender feared
to indicate that the sender feared
from the fragile nature of
its contents
that some mishap might befall it.
Is there not a
lesson here for Christians? Might not some of us be rightly labeled—
“ Christians
with anxiety?”
In many
instances there is no need for a label
as anxiety is only too plainly stamped
upon the countenance
although the apostolic injunction is
“ in nothing be
anxious” (Phil.4:6
R.V.). Some obey this
command in certain circumstances only
while others reverse the reading
and
live as though they were to be anxious for everything. The Lord wishes His
children to carry their worries and anxieties to Him; and to leave them with
Him. Here are seven things which He bids us cast upon Him
or commit unto Him.
Ⅰ. Commit yourself unto Him. “ He is able to keep that which I have
committed unto Him against that day” (2 Tim.1:12). Paul deposited himself in the hands of the Heavenly
Banker; and
as the money in the Bank of England is kept safe in the strong
rooms within and by the guard without
so was the apostle
for he was kept by
the Holy Spirit within
and by the Lord who encamped round about him.
Ⅱ. Commit your soul unto Him. “ Wherefore let them that suffer
according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well
doing
as unto a faithful Creator” (1.Peter 4:19).
Suffering we shall have
but if we commit the keeping of our souls unto the
Lord in well doing
as the three Hebrew young men did
we shall
like them
but
lose our bonds
and gain the company of Jesus.
Ⅲ. Commit
your spirit unto Him. “Into Thine hand I commit my spirit” (Psalm 31:5). If the Lord has the control of our spirit
He will
control us altogether.
Ⅳ. Commit your way unto Him. “ Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust
also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).
If we commit our way unto Him
we shall never stray from Him.
Ⅴ. Commit your works unto Him. “Commit thy works unto the Lord”
(Proverbs 16:3). If the Lord controls
the works and the workers
there will be no clashing in the working.
Ⅵ. Commit your burden unto Him. “ Cast thy burden upon the Lord”
(Psalm 55:22). If the Lord is our
Burden-bearer
we shall be free to bear one another’s burdens.
Ⅶ. Commit your care unto Him. “ Casting all your care upon Him
for He
careth for you” (1.Peter 5:7). One John Careless
a
martyr
in writing to a friend
said
“Now my soul is turned to her old rest
again
and has taken a sweet nap in Christ’s lap. I have cast my care upon the
Lord
who careth for me
and will be careless
according to my name.” If we
cast all our care upon Him
He will take all care off us.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
FOUND.
Found by Him a
sinner (Matt. 13:44).
Found in Him a
saint (Phil.3:9).
Found of Him a
servant (11. Peter 3:14).
Ⅰ. Found by Him a sinner. This reminds us what we were
and what we
are in ourselves. When He found us we were guilty (Lev.6:5
margin) because we
had sinned; He found us as the woman did the piece of silver
dead and helpless
(Luke 15:9); He found us as the shepherd did the sheep
far sway from God
and
unable to get back (Luke 15:4-6); He found us in a desert place
that is
in
the world (Deut. 32:10); He found us asleep
unconscious of the danger we were
in ( Mattew 26:43); He found us like the fig tree
when He looked for fruit
nothing but leaves ( Matt. 21:19). But blessed be His name
He found us and
brought us to Himself
and we are precious to Him
as the treasure was to the
man who found it in the field.
Ⅱ. Found in Him a saint. This reminds us of what we are
that is being
in Christ
we are sanctified
accepted
and complete in Him; but it also
reminds us that being in Him
as a stone in the building
as a member of His
body
as a branch in the vine
the outward fact of this will be seen by the very
life of Christ being manifested in our life.
Ⅲ. Found of Him a servant. This reminds us of Him as the coming Lord
(see Luke 19:13) when He returns to reward His servants for work done for Him.
How careful we should be as to the material we are building upon the
foundation
and see to it that we are not building the wood of man’s intellect
the hay of that which is pleasing to the imagination of the fleshly man
or the
stubble of nothingness
giving no food to those to whom we go; but be careful
that we are building on the foundation
the gold of divine righteousness
the
silver of the atonement
and gold of divine righteousness
the silver of the
atonement
and the precious stones of the glory
for our work will be tried as
to its quality
not its quantity. If not successful
may we be faithful
servants—faithful in walk and work—then we shall receive the Master’s “ Well
done
good and faithful servant
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
GRACIOUSNESS
OF JESUS.
We do not
wonder at the gracious words that fell from Christ’s lips
for grace was poured
into them (Ps.45:2)
the grace of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40); yea
He was
full of grace and truth (John 1:14
16). “ His mouth is most sweet” (Song of
Solomon 5:16). His mouth is sweet for many reasons.
Ⅰ. Sweet
because
life-giving (John 6:63).
Ⅱ. Sweet
because supplying
(Song of Solomon 1:2).
Ⅲ. Sweet
because assuring
(Isaiah 58:14).
Ⅳ. Sweet
because sustaining
(Deut.8:3).
Ⅴ. Sweet
because comforting
(John 14:1).
Ⅵ. Sweet
because powerful
(Heb.4:12).
Ⅶ. Sweet
because searching
( Rev.1:16).
The words of
Christ are like oil upon the troubled waters
they bring calmness and comfort;
they are like bread to the hungry man
they bring nourishment and nerve; they
are like the warm spring
which causes nature to bud and blossom; they are like
an unfailing spring
ever fresh and full; they are like a salve to a wound
healing and soothing; and they are like honey for sweetness and satisfaction.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
“HIM.”
Ⅰ. Standing. “ In Him” (Ephesians 1:4).
Ⅱ. Trust. “ Upon Him” (1.Peter 5:7).
Ⅲ. Communion. “ With Him” (John 1:39).
Ⅳ. Safety. “ By Him” (Deut.33:12).
Ⅴ. Praise and Prayer. “ Through Him” (Heb.13:15
R.V.).
Ⅵ. Blessing. “ From Him” (Psalm 62:1).
Ⅶ. Service. “ For Him” (Luke 9:52).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
LIVING WATER.
Christ
as the Living Water may be viewed in relation to other thing to which He is
likened
as being its complement.
Ⅰ.
The Son of the Living God is its personification (Matthew 16:16; John 6:69).
Ⅱ.
The Living Bread is its nourishment (John 6:51).
Ⅲ.
The Living Christ is its security ( John 14:19).
Ⅳ.
The Living Word is its assurance (Heb.4:12; 1.Pet.1:23).
Ⅴ.
The Living High Priest is its joy (Heb.7:25).
Ⅵ.
The Living Stone is its foundation (1.Pet.2:4).
Ⅶ.
The Living Way is its privilege (Heb.10:20).
Ⅷ.
The Living Hope is its glory (1. Pet.1:3
R.V.).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
《Jesus My Lord》
INTRODUCTION
1. The expression "My Lord" is used but a few times in reference to
Jesus...
a. David wrote
"The LORD said to my Lord..." - Psa 110:1
b. Mary said
"...they have taken away my Lord" - Jn 20:13
c. Thomas said
"My Lord and my God!" - Jn 20:28
d. Paul wrote
"...Christ Jesus my Lord" - Ph 3:8
2. Yet it is important that every Christian...
a. Thinks of Jesus as "My Lord"
b. Appreciates what it means to have Jesus as "My Lord"
[To help us better understand what it means to have Jesus as "My Lord"
let's the title of our study ("Jesus
My Lord") and focus our thoughts
on each word
beginning with "Lord"...]
I. JESUS MY "LORD"
A. THE WORD FOR LORD IS USUALLY "KURIOS"...
1. Related to the word "kuros" meaning "power"
2. Variously translated "master"
"owner"
3. Describes one having "power" or "authority"
-- Certainly Jesus has such power or authority - cf. Mt 28:18
B. ANOTHER WORD FOR LORD IS "DESPOTES"...
1. From which we get the word "despot"
a. Today it is often used in a bad sense
b. E.g.
"a person exercising power abusively
oppressively
or
tyrannously"
2. Its primary definition is "a ruler with absolute power or
authority"
a. Used in reference to God - Lk 2:29; Ac 4:24; Re 6:10
b. Used in reference to Christ - 2 Ti 2:21 (Master); 2 Pe 2:1
(Lord)
-- Stronger than "kurios"
for it speaks of having "absolute"
power and authority
[Who has the power or authority to claim to be MY master
MY owner? The
Christian should answer...]
II. "JESUS " MY LORD
A. JESUS IS TO BE MY LORD...
1. As He Himself taught His disciples - Jn 13:13
2. The apostle Peter also proclaimed Jesus as Lord
a. To the Jews on Pentecost - Ac 2:36
b. To the Gentiles at Cornelius' home - Ac 10:36
3. The apostle Paul also proclaimed Jesus as Lord
a. By virtue of His death and resurrection - Ro 14:9
b. To Christians
Jesus is the only Lord - 1 Co 8:6; Ep 4:5
-- Jesus is the one who is our "kurios"
our "despotes" (our Lord
and Master)
B. THIS RULES OUT ANY OTHER "LORDS"...
1. Such as my self
a. I.e.
my own will - cf. Ga 2:20
b. No
we must deny self and follow Jesus as Lord - Lk 9:23-24
2. Such as my flesh
a. I.e.
my own fleshly desires - cf. Ga 5:24
b. No
we must crucify the flesh
and look to Jesus as our
example - Co 3:1-11
3. Such as the world
a. I.e.
anything outside my self which would lead me away from
the Lord - Ga 6:14
b. This would include such things as:
1) Work and family - Lk 14:15-24
25-27
2) Philosophy and traditions of men - Co 2:6-10
4. Such as our brethren
a. Certainly we are to submit to one another - cf. Ep 5:21
b. But some seem to fear their brethren more than they fear the
Lord!
1) E.g.
watch their language and conduct in the presence of
brethren
2) E.g.
attend services only to please the brethren
or get
them off their back
-- While we may submit to those in authority (e.g.
husbands
elders
government)
it is because we have made Jesus our "one
Lord" above all others!
[Many Christians live as though their self
their flesh
the world
or
their brethren were their "master" or "owner". It may help to avoid
this divided loyalty if we truly make...]
III. JESUS "MY" LORD
A. THINKING OF JESUS AS "MY" LORD...
1. Thinking of Jesus
not simply as:
a) "The" Lord
as easily professed by those who simply accept
Jesus intellectually
b) "Our" Lord
as often professed by those whose acceptance of
Jesus is influenced primarily by one's environment (parents
spouses
brethren
etc.)
2. Thinking of Jesus as "my" Lord"
a) Making it a more personal commitment to His authority and
power
b) Making it more likely that as individuals we will heed what
He says - Lk 6:46
-- Jesus will not be our true master and Lord unless we view Him
as "my" Lord!
B. ATTITUDE OF JESUS AS "MY" LORD...
1. Involves a disdain for the things of the world - cf. Ph 3:7-8
a. Such as popularity
prestige
family
b. Willing to suffer loss of these things if necessary
c. Consider such things as rubbish in contrast to our Lord
Jesus
2. Involves a consuming desire to know Christ - cf. Ph 3:8-11
a. To know Him personally
b. To know His righteousness
c. To know His power
d. To know His sufferings
3. Involves constantly pressing on toward perfection - cf. Ph 3:
12-14
a. Not complacent in one's service to Christ
b. Not satisfied with one's level of spiritual growth
c. Willing to leave the past behind
1) Neither glorying in past accomplishments
2) Nor wallowing in past failures
d. Reaching forward
pressing toward the goal
-- Paul's attitude demonstrates the attitude of one who has truly
made Jesus "my" Lord
the attitude of maturity as a disciple of
Jesus! - cf. Ph 3:15
CONCLUSION
1. Such is the attitude of one who really has made Jesus...
a. "My" Lord!
b. "My" Master!
c. "My" Owner!
2. What is Jesus to you...?
a. You might acknowledge Him as "the" Lord
b. You might join others in praising Him as "our" Lord
-- Have you submitted to Him such that you can rightly say
"Jesus
MY Lord"?
3. Jesus would have us accept Him as Lord...
a. For He has all authority
and expects us to observe what He
commands - cf. Mt 28:18-20
b. Yet He warned of those who profess His Lordship
but fail to truly
demonstrate it - cf. Mt 7:21-23
Are you doing the Father's will
and so demonstrating that Jesus is
truly "your" Lord?
──《Executable Outlines》