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Sunday, August 2, 2015

The Practical Considerations of The Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ


Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Introduction
When we speak of Sovereignty, we are referring to God's comprehensive control over all peoples, places and times. God exercises His Sovereign authority both directly and secondarily through the wills of his creatures, historical events and the course of creation itself. As theologian Abraham Kuyper once noted: "there is not one square inch of creation that Christ does not pronounce: 'mine'!" Jesus Christ repeated states that He is equal in authority and being to the Father who is God (John 8:58; 17:3). Scripture affirms such statements. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the visible expression of the invisible Father and is One with Him in nature and essence. Hence Jesus Christ the Son is eternal, God in human flesh, forever praised with the Father and the Spirit (Romans 9:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-4) 

The Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ over this creation is affirmed and uncontested (Colossians 1:16-18). Moreover, that Sovereign authority is specifically concentrated over the progress and victory of His church in fulfilling her mission prior to His return (Matthew 24:35). Whenever we read of Jesus being the Head of the church, that is another way of expressing His Sovereignty over her (Ephesians 5:22-25). Such power wielded by Jesus Christ gives authority to whatever commands He gave to His apostles for the church throughout the ages. 

Whenever we consider the foundations laid down by Jesus Christ for the church and the Christian, we typically look to three main chapters in Matthew that outline the church's mission. Without the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ behind each one of these chapters, there would be no way the church could exist and function. 

1. The Great Concern Jesus has for the holiness of His church. Matthew 18

2. The Great Commandment or Jesus' command for Christians to love God and their neighbor. Matthew 22:37-39

3. The Great Commission or the mission of the church to go into all the world and make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20

Practical considerations of the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ
None of these three great chapters would be possible to carry out apart from Christ's Sovereignty working in and through the church by the Spirit and the Word. These observations underscore the practical realities of the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ. Apart from the credited righteousness of Jesus Christ, there would be no way believers could be declared holy nor have the power source to live holy lives. In like manner, without the love of Jesus Christ Sovereignly given to his church, the people of God could not be a loving people. Then finally, apart from Jesus Christ's Sovereign Lordship over the Great commission, evangelism would have no guarantee of success. By the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ's Sovereign Lordship makes holiness, love and missions not only a possibility, but a robust reality for the Christian today. May we enjoy and rejoice in the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ!