Discovering the Heart of God Part 14 Lordship

1. Discovering the Heart of God Part 14 Lordship

2. Introduction Last week we started to look at the Lordship of God. We call Jesus the “Lord Jesus Christ”, but what does that mean? Do we really mean that Jesus is our Lord? Do we live a life that reflects that Lordship?

3. Lordship Defined The word “Lord” is a powerful word with multiple layers of meaning. It speaks of one who owns or possesses an object. It can refer to the Master and slave relationship. The word “Lord” also refers to the one who possess authority. It was a term used for the Emperor of Rome or a King.

4. Lordship Displayed God’s Leadership is characterized by a Shepherd’s heart. He leads His people. Look at Israel in the wilderness or Jesus with His disciples. God leads by example. He does not call others to do what He is unwilling or unable to do. God’s actions are characterized by sacrificial love to obtain what is best for His children. God’s leadership is characterized by extravagant grace.

5. Lordship and Dominion Man was given dominion over Creation. To have dominion means to rule or bring order to something. Man’s rule is not based in his own self or ability. Man’s rule extends from God’s. Man’s call is not to rule in his own selfishness, or for his own ends. We rule in God’s place as stewards who will one day give an account of what we have done.

6. Lordship and Dominion We exercise dominion in several ways. Creation – Adam was to tend and nurture the garden. He was able to use it, but not to abuse it. He was to care for it (ordered) and to expand the garden by bringing order to the chaos outside the garden. Remember that Creation belongs to God. We are the stewards who watch over, nurture, and protect it until Christ returns.

7. Lordship and Dominion We exercise dominion in several ways. Family – Proverbs is filled with exhortations to parents. Though there are verses with regard to discipline, there are many more that speak to the importance of teaching God’s principles by example. We were drawn to God by His love and holiness, we must be the same. We are to be shepherds not despots. Ephesians 6:4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

8. Lordship and Dominion We exercise dominion in several ways. Business – One must reflect God’s will and character in the business world as well. We are all filled with disgust with the greed and corruption of Wall Street. The results of this greed almost brought our country to ruin. God is looking for Christian Businessmen who will lead and reflect Him in the marketplace. Ephesians 6:9And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

9. Lordship and Dominion We exercise dominion in several ways. Church– The church is part of God’s great kingdom. Pastors are known as Shepherds who are to lead, watch, and care for the flock. Pastors and the rest of leadership are to mirror by example what it means to be a follower of Christ. Each believer is to exercise their gift over the domain that they are given. We each are to reflect God’s love and character to those we work with.

10. Lordship and Dominion We exercise dominion in several ways. Ourselves – We need to bring order to our private worlds. We must exercise dominion over our own thoughts and actions. We exercise this through our possessions (we posses them, they should not posses us). Taking care of the things entrusted to us by God with a willingness to pass them on to others in need as God directs.

11. Lordship and Dominion Leaders let me encourage you that we exercise authority only as far as we live and operate in His. If we are unwilling to yield an area or areas of our life to God, than we cannot properly lead others in these areas. Yet this has characterized Christianity and the church. The world sees us as hypocrites when we expect them to change, but we turn and do the same things. Let us take the task of removing the beams from our eyes so we can help others take the splinter from theirs.

12. Lordship and Dominion Godly leaders use relationship to impact others. We are all leaders. People will follow you to wherever your life is going! Where are you leading? Godly leaders lead as God leads us. Let us dedicate ourselves to being Shepherds and not dictators!

13. Lord, Lord … Listen to the warnings of Christ Luke 6:46-49“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

14. Lord, Lord … Listen to the warnings of Christ Matthew 7:21-23“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

15. So What… All true authority extends from God, therefore we need to make sure we reflect God’s authority properly. Consider your own sphere of influence, and consider how the things you learned challenged or encouraged you to live differently. Share what you learned with a friend.