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INTRODUCTION
This is Resurrection Sunday. The greatest day of the year. The truest fulfillment of Psalm
118:24 “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
This is the day Christ Arose. Christianity is all about Life and Victory. We celebrate
victorious life of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, Lord of lords.
Last week we studied the grand title “King of kings,” a title that only belongs to
the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the King of those who rule as kings. He is flowing with majesty
and royalty. Since He is the King of kings, we are to be the royal subjects.
I have a correction to make regarding last Sunday’s sermon “King of Kings.”
In trying to illustrate that the closest we American’s have come to having a king was
“Elvis.” Larry Ross kindly reminded that there is another king - he is still alive
“Richard Petty.” Greatest NASCAR driver, over 200 wins, and 7 at the Daytona 500,
retired 1992. Age 70. We American’s have two “kings.” Still there is only
one “King of Kings” and today one “Lord of Lords.”
This week the title “Lord of lords.” Jesus Christ is also Lord over those ruling
as lords. He is the master, the owner, and since He is the Lord of lords, and we are to be His
loyal servants. Revelation 19:11-16
1. Lord of Lords is a Title of Legal Authority
- Lord of those who rule as lords. Is no greater lord than Lord of lords.
- Scripture use “Lord of lords” always refer to deity, never a
human ruler.
- In OT in English 2 usages of word “LORD” = YHWH or Jehovah God,
“Lord” = Adonai, master. Interchanged. God is Lord of creation, Lord
of nation of Israel, Lord of the nations, the Lord to be worshipped.
- Deut. 10:17-21 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of
lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God...You shall fear the LORD your God;
you shall serve Him…He is your praise...”
- Psalm 136:3 “Give thanks to the Lord of lords, His lovingkindness
everlasting.”
- In NT “Lord” “kyrios” master. The disciples believed
Jesus was their master who stands above all human authority. Jesus was the object of
their faith, He had authority in prayer, shared God’s nature, worthy of
worship.
- Hebrews 1:8-10 - The son, Jesus is God, ruler, creator
- In John’s Revelation Jesus is clearly seen as Lord of lords Rev. 17:14;
19:16. Jesus has the final say in history. No other lord is higher than He.
QUOTE: Barnes: “...all the sovereigns of the earth are under His sway, none
of them can prevent the accomplishment of His purposes, and He can direct the
winding up of human affairs when He pleases.”
- The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is in charge of this universe and all history
as Lord of lords, thus Jesus must have our Loyal Allegiance...
2. Lord of Lords is a Title of Loyal Allegiance
- Since Jesus is Lord of Lords, He must receive our loyal allegiance.
- The resurrection declares the Lordship of Jesus - Romans 10:9
- Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He thus is Lord over His redeemed people with
the right to lead. “Lord” = victorious title.
- As Lord He has conquered sin and suffering, death and damnation.
- The name “Lord Jesus” found around 40 times in NT
- Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”
- The name “Lord Jesus Christ” found around 60 times in NT
- Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
- The name: “Lord Christ”- 2 xs Col. 3:24 “It is the Lord Christ
whom you serve”
- “Jesus is/as Lord” is an early creed of Christians 1 Cor.
12:3 Phil 2:11
- Followers of Jesus understood there was an absolute allegiance to Him, they KNEW He
was the Lord and their Lord. The Lordship of Jesus clearly grounded their faith. They
were to follow their leader, and it was a matter of life or death to declare
“Jesus is Lord”
ILLUS: Many Roman emperors used the term “Lord” = Augustus, Tiberius,
Nero = “Lord of all the World.” They were worshipped as God. The
Romans viewed worship of the emperor as the unifying factor that kept the empire
together. Ancient Romans had to declare “Caesar is Lord.” To refuse to
worship the emperor was treason. Christians couldn’t say this, and thus many
martyred. They knew only one LORD.
- When you say “Jesus is Lord” do you understand the meaning?
Absolute loyal allegiance and obedience.
QUOTES: “The Lord doesn’t want the first place in my life, He want all
my life.” Billy Graham: “Christ will not take 70% or 90% or
even 99%. He wants our all.”
- Think about it, when you call Jesus Lord, you are declaring your absolute allegiance,
you are claiming to be a faithful follower, a surrendered servant, an obedient one to
the King of kings, Lord of lords.
- “King of kings and Lord of lords” - those two titles together
speak doubly of the complete authority Christ Jesus must have in our life.
- Scripture often repeats for emphasis - a double, double emphasis.
ILLUS: We Americans don’t quite get these titles easily. In England the
Monarchy is made of Kings and Queens - royal authority Queen Elizabeth, someday
King Charles. But in the Parliament: The House of Commons, and the House of Lords
- upper elite chamber. Parliament is the legal authority.
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King of Kings
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Lord of Lords
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Royal authority
Divine Right
Allegiance out of respect to position
Sovereign Ruler
We are subjects
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Legal authority
Delegated Rights
Allegiance out of duty to the law
Appointed Ruler
We are servants
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- Jesus Christ has the royal authority, the divine right as the Incarnate God to be our
King of kings. Jesus Christ has the appointed right as the Son of God, the first born
of the dead, the Christ the Anointed One to be our Lord of lords. Of course, to the NT
reader in the Roman Empire, both titles clearly set the followers of Jesus apart. Let
us also see, that today Jesus is the highest authority, who we need to completely love
and serve. We are commoners who live in obedience to our Sovereign King and Lord.
CONCLUSION
Who is in charge You or Christ? Who sits on the throne of your life? Who calls the shots?
We have many potential masters: money, self, others, computers, cars, hobbies, sports,
job, farms, etc...
You need to answer one of two questions:
- Do you need to make a decision to repent of your sins and
receive the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ? If you
haven’t today is the day.
If you have - Rejoice, but the next question is for you…
- Do you need to make a decision of renewal and
recommitment for Jesus to be completely Lord of your life?
Don’t let this great day pass by with out a new decision, a new direction.
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