“Jesus is LORD!”

S‑1068 08/10/2008 13SAP/3A Hymns: (O) #354; (S) #377 1-4; L.S.; #377 5-10; #350; #314; (C) #348

Texts: Job 38-4-18; Romans 10:5-17; Matthew 14:22-33

Theme: “Jesus is LORD!” (Romans 10:9-10)

Armour, SD. SOLIE DEO GLORIA.

Question: “What does the word LORD mean to you?”

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for our meditation is from the book of Romans. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Rom. 10:9-10).

INTRODUCTION: Saints in Christ, if you were to ask a person who is Jesus? He/she might respond Jesus was a historical figure. He was a good person who lived a long time ago. Some might even say He was a figment of someone’s imaginations. Others might say He was a religious figure or a good teacher. Some might even dare to say, He was a prophet and performed many miracles.

Skeptics would say that Jesus was a fake or fraud; clown or a con-man; a rebel or revolutionary; a sinner and satan-filled, a martyr or a mad-man.

But this is not what Paul teaches us today. He declares that Jesus is the Lord of all Creation. And by confessing Him as Lord with our hearts and mouth, we shall be saved. Salvation comes to all who believe on the One whom God sent to die in our place.

However, we have no concept of what the Lord really means. In the first century it was a common thing to have lords over people. They understood this lordship. Many a people called on their masters as lord. Servants took care of their lords. Servants did what their Lord demanded and said. In the Middle Ages too, that term meant something.

But what does the lordship of Jesus mean today for us believers in light of “lordship” not fitting into today’s society, modern economy and social structures?  Today’s high-tech world with corporate CEO’s and governmental bureaucrats, congressmen, and president it is another matter. We don’t use that term often except in religious circles. We don’t know what that terms mean.

To be sure, this term is mainly reserved for us Christians (with some exceptions: I am sure some cults and even Satanists may use it for their superiors).  There is but one Lord Jesus, and that makes it unique.  Our honor and worship of Him is singular.  We give respect to all leaders and rulers in society.  But worship only to the One Lord Jesus Christ. 

As followers of the Lord, Jesus Christ, we take our faith into the world every day we go out to work, school, and play and everywhere.  Is there an acceptable place for sharing the lordship of Jesus to leaders in the secular world, even our bosses, family, friends and others?

That’s the most important question that you and I need to answer and answer it well. For the apostle Paul declares without any hesitation or fear, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”. Salvation is found in the truth of declaring Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This is the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that leads us to confess Him as our Lord.

This week, I was traveling to Sioux Falls to spend time with my family. As we approached junction 44 & 81 there was an 18 wheeler in front of us with these words emblazoned on it. JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, and below these words, were these other words, IS NOT A SWEAR WORD. Jesus Christ is Lord, is not a swear word.

How true. Jesus is the Lord of lord and King of kings. Without Him there is no salvation. Peter and John boldly confessed Him before the religious leaders of the day, saying: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other NAME under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Salvation comes through Him. Thomas on the second Sunday of the resurrection day made this great confession: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). And one day all people will stand before Him and speak the words of Philippians: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

By the power of the Holy Spirit we confess Jesus as our Savior and Lord whom God raised from the dead. I can with conviction know for certainty: Jesus’ death counted for me. His resurrection assures my resurrection. Because He lives, I also will live, body and soul in heaven some day. Through the working of the Holy Spirit you and I are moved to confess to the public and to everyone. Not because we have too, but because we want to. Not because we need to, but because it is a privilege and honor to introduce others to the Savior of our souls, JESUS OUR LORD.

Sine He is our Lord, we owe Him total obedience and allegiance. We bow to Him, worship Him, obey Him, fear Him, serve Him and love Him. As Lord we acknowledge His Words are true and everlasting. We hold on to these words for they are our life-line to heaven. We take these Words to heart realizing that in them we know that we are sinners, but Jesus is our Lord and Savior who came from heaven to redeem us, reconcile us to God and restore our broken relationship with our heavenly Father.

Who is Jesus? Some might say that He is a liar, lunatic, and loser. But we say He is our Lord. Some might say that He is a fraud or fake but we say He is the faithful Lord who paid the ultimate price on Calvary’s cross. Some might say He is a clown or a con-man, but we say He is the conqueror of death, hell and the grave. Some might say He is a rebel and revolutionary, but we say He is our heaven-sent Redeemer.

This Lord comes to us today in His Word and Sacrament serving us. He doesn’t force His lordship over us, but He gives us His love and life. He doesn’t mandate that we bow the knee to Him, but He invites us to come to Him with all of our love and heart; so that we might confess Him as the Lord of all creation.

Today, we stand in God’s house and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we cry out with Thomas, “MY LORD, and AND MY GOD!” Today, we speak of the Resurrected Lord who has conquered our enemies. Today, we boldly confess Him as the Lord and Savior of all mankind. Today, we proclaim that Jesus is the heaven-sent Rescuers. Today, we declare to the world that this Jesus is OUR LORD.

Isn’t wonderful that the Holy Spirit through the Word reveals to us, that Jesus is our Lord? Yes, indeed! Amen and Amen.

Now the peace of God…