Bible Study # 12
The Lordship of Christ
Introduction
Jesus Christ was Lord and God before His incarnation (Psalms 110: 1; Luke 20: 41-44)
Why, then, does it say that God made Him Lord and Christ (Acts 2: 36)? God gave dominion over this planet to Adam (Genesis 1: 26- 28). The Bible teaches us that we are slaves of the one whom we obey (Romans 6: 16). Adam obeyed Satan, and consequently the devil became the “prince of this world” (John 12: 31;
14: 30). Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3: 8). He, being made sin, put an end to sin (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and by His death destroyed “him who had the power of death …” and delivered all those who were “subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2: 14, 15). Jesus of Nazareth was declared Lord by the Father, because as a perfect man He overcame and subdued Satan and his kingdom (Acts 2: 36; Phil. 2: 5-11). The gospel announces that “the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11: 15).
1. What is the extent of Christ’s dominion, and how many must confess that He is Lord” Philippians 2: 9-11?
Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth; 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2. What does it mean to be “Lord”?
In both Greek and Hebrew, the word Lord is used to refer to a person who deserves respect or is in authority. In Hebrew, God is called ‘Adonay’ (my Lord). In Greek the word Lord is ‘Kurios,’ which means possession of power and (Kurios) or authority.” It is a title that was used to address the master, the king, and everyone who exercised dominion over others. In the New Testament, Jesus is not called Lord as a title of courtesy. The apostles applied the word to refer to the Savior with the same connotation as the Hebrew term ‘Adonay.’ First as an invocation (John 20: 28) and second as a divine title (1 Corinthians 12: 3; Philippians 2: 9-11). When Lord is used in relation to God, it means that He is sovereign over creation and over history. Jesus Christ is our Lord because He created us (Colossians 1: 16 -18), because He sustains us (Hebrews 1: 3), and because He bought us with His blood (1 Corinthians 6:20).
3. For whom do we live now that we have been redeemed?
2 Corinthians 5: 14,15
“For the love of Christ constrains us, thinking this: that if one died for all, then all died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose again for them”
4. For what purpose did Christ die and return to life?
Romans 14: 7-9
“For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living”
5. Who is now the owner of my body and my spirit, and why?
1 Corinthians 6: 19, 20
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
6. From what sin must I guard my body, and why?
1 Corinthians 6: 13-18
“Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats; but God will destroy both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God, who raised up the Lord, will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not. 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For he says: The two shall be one flesh. 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 18 Flee fornication. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body; but he who commits fornication sins against his own body”
7. What should I seek and aim for in everything I do?
1 Corinthians 10: 31-33
“Whether, then, you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to Jews or to Gentiles or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but that of many, that they may be saved”
8. Now that we are servants of Christ, whom are we going to obey?
Romans 6: 16-22
“Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to anyone as slaves to obey him, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you were slaves of sin, you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered; 18 and having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms, because of the weakness of your flesh; for as you presented your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity, so now present your members to serve righteousness for sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free regarding righteousness. 21 But what fruit did you have then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and as the end, eternal life”
9. Why is it a contradiction to call Jesus Lord and not do what He says?
Luke 6: 46
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?”
10. As servants of Christ, in what manner should we serve our Lord, and why?
Colossians 3: 22-24
“Servants, obey in all things your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men; 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ”
