"The Disciple's Master"

The issue of authority…there’s something inside each of us that doesn’t like it. Many of you were in the military. You don’t get to question authority, do you? And, if you do, you don’t last very long. Without some authority, everything breaks down into anarchy. There’s no rules. Everyone just does whatever seems “right” to them.

Everyone has a “lord” or an authority over their life. Obviously, I’m not just talking about the government or police…everyone single one of us - every human - submits to a governing authority in our life - one that directs/dictates our morality, our choices, etc.

THE PROBLEM OF USING THE SAYING, “SAVIOR AND LORD.” We know what that means, but it creates a pretty unbiblical separation. I’m going to go out on a limb, here, and say that Jesus won’t be one or the other. It’s not an either/or thing. It’s a both/and. Think about it...

Matthew 19:

Matthew 19:16–22 ESV

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 19:16–17 ESV

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

Matthew 19:18–19 ESV

He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 19:20–22 ESV

The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

He wanted Jesus as Savior - not Lord. Remember Peter in ?

Acts 10:13–14 ESV

And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

The Lordship Test - what dictates my decision making?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CHRIST TO BE LORD?

Full Submission to His Authority

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

The verb is imperative - it is a choice...”set apart” Christ.

Romans 14:9 ESV

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

In one of the Napoleonic wars, Lord Nelson defeated the French navy. The defeated admiral brought his flagship alongside Nelson’s vessel and went aboard to make his surrender. He approached Nelson smilingly, with his sword swinging at his side. He held out his hand to the victor. Nelson made no response to this gesture but said quietly, “Your sword first, sir.” Laying down the sword was a visible token of surrender.

“Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms.”

–C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Recognition of His Ownership

Acts 10:36 ESV

As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

“We are his by creation, and we are his by purchase. Now we are His by self-surrender.”

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” ― Abraham Kuyper

Our house - nothing is “yours.” It’s all mine. I’m just letting you use it.

Unquestioning Obedience

Luke 6:46 ESV

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

“Obedience from the heart is the true and unmistakable evidence of the reality of Christ’s lordship in our lives. Disobedience vitiates all our professions of loyalty. Our performance speaks more loudly than our professions. The test is not what I say but what I do.”

Back to Peter - two words that never go together “No, Lord.” Either he is Lord of all or not Lord at all.

"Alexander the Great, one of the greatest military generals who ever lived, conquered almost the entire known world with his vast army. One night during a campaign, he couldn't sleep and left his tent to walk around the campgrounds. As he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty - a serious offense. The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was, in some cases, instant death; the commanding officer sometimes poured kerosene on the sleeping soldier and lit it. The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him. Recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man feared for his life. "Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?" Alexander the Great asked the soldier. "Yes, sir," the soldier responded in a quivering voice. "Soldier, what's your name?" demanded Alexander the Great. "Alexander, sir." Alexander the Great repeated the question: "What is your name?" "My name is Alexander, sir," the soldier repeated. A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, "What is your name?" A third time the soldier meekly said, "My name is Alexander, sir." Alexander the Great then looked the young soldier straight in the eye. "Soldier," he said with intensity, "either change your ways or change your name."

1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

It is only by the power of the HS