The Lordship of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Are we saved simply by trusting the saving work of Christ, or must we recognize the Lordship of Christ to be saved? The debate has arisen because there is so much “shotgun” evangelism, and so few who profess salvation appear to have any understanding. We still must take a stand. We are saved by the saving work of Christ alone, but we should be moving converts quickly to an understanding of the Lordship of Christ. Thomas didn’t start out very well, but he quickly came to understand what it was all about.
I. Thomas’s doubt was inexcusable.
I. Thomas’s doubt was inexcusable.
A. He was absent when he should have been present.
A. He was absent when he should have been present.
B. He should have known—Christ had said enough.
B. He should have known—Christ had said enough.
C. He had rejected the witness of ten brethren that he should have trusted.
C. He had rejected the witness of ten brethren that he should have trusted.
II. Christ’s patience was unbelievable.
II. Christ’s patience was unbelievable.
A. He is totally tender with Thomas.
A. He is totally tender with Thomas.
B. He rebukes his unbelief:
B. He rebukes his unbelief:
1. He does so tenderly.
1. He does so tenderly.
2. He does so because he needed it.
2. He does so because he needed it.
C. He condescends to Thomas’s request and invites his touch.
C. He condescends to Thomas’s request and invites his touch.
III. Tremendous themes are unmistakable.
III. Tremendous themes are unmistakable.
A. He claims deity—Jesus Christ is God.
A. He claims deity—Jesus Christ is God.
1. He repeatedly claimed so in Scripture.
1. He repeatedly claimed so in Scripture.
2. Any other position is untenable.
2. Any other position is untenable.
B. He claims dominion—“Lord” in the sense of sovereignty.
B. He claims dominion—“Lord” in the sense of sovereignty.
1. He has the right to rule.
1. He has the right to rule.
2. The “Lord” owns His right to rule.
2. The “Lord” owns His right to rule.
C. He calls for discipleship—“Lord” in the sense of teacher, master.
C. He calls for discipleship—“Lord” in the sense of teacher, master.
1. A “disciple” is one who follows, learns from, or patterns after.
1. A “disciple” is one who follows, learns from, or patterns after.
2. A disciple must own Him as final authority.
2. A disciple must own Him as final authority.
D. He calls for devotion—sense of love.
D. He calls for devotion—sense of love.
1. It is not just because He is Lord.
1. It is not just because He is Lord.
2. It is because of what His Lordship provided.
2. It is because of what His Lordship provided.
E. He calls for deference—deals with response to Lordship.
E. He calls for deference—deals with response to Lordship.
1. I must submit to Him.
1. I must submit to Him.
2. I must submit to His authority.
2. I must submit to His authority.
IV. Powerful lessons are unavoidable.
IV. Powerful lessons are unavoidable.
A. It provides solid evidence of resurrection reality.
A. It provides solid evidence of resurrection reality.
1. This is the testimony of a doubter.
1. This is the testimony of a doubter.
2. Few things in history are as well authenticated.
2. Few things in history are as well authenticated.
B. It is a clear indication about His concern.
B. It is a clear indication about His concern.
1. It extends to individuals.
1. It extends to individuals.
2. It provides a caution to us.
2. It provides a caution to us.
C. There is an obvious lesson on the treatment of people.
C. There is an obvious lesson on the treatment of people.
1. Note His incredible patience with Thomas.
1. Note His incredible patience with Thomas.
2. It challenges our tendency to give up on people.
2. It challenges our tendency to give up on people.
D. It conditions our response to Him.
D. It conditions our response to Him.
1. We should respond the same.
1. We should respond the same.
2. The order of response should be:
2. The order of response should be:
a. First to His saving work.
a. First to His saving work.
b. Then to His Lordship.
b. Then to His Lordship.
Conclusion:
It is great that Thomas came to belief, but you can be greater than Thomas. Notice the message of verse 29. Is He your Savior? Is He your Lord?
Wood, C. R. (1994). Sermon Outlines on Great Doctrinal Themes (p. 13–14). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.