Jesus Christ, Our Lord | Apostle’s Creed | Isaiah 40:28-31
-
Introduction: More Than Just Fans
It’s not every Sunday a pastor gets heckled by the choir—but that’s just part of life’s joy and challenge! As a proud Florida Gator, sometimes it’s a tough week for our teams. Yet, moments like these remind me of the difference between being a spectator and being a participant. You see, in the game of faith (as in football), there’s a huge difference between being a fan in the stands and a player on the field.
Fans can watch from afar, critique plays, even imagine how they’d do things differently. But players and followers—those who commit—must place themselves under authority. For the Christian, Jesus isn’t looking for admirers. He’s calling us to be followers.
The Difference Between a Fan and a Follower
One key thought I want us to grasp: Following Jesus means His teachings actively change how we live, think, and act. It’s easy to appreciate Jesus’ words about forgiveness, loving people, and serving others—until we’re called to do something that challenges us. That’s when we negotiate, rationalize, or protest, “But God, my situation is different!”
This is where the Apostles’ Creed becomes real in our lives. The Creed isn’t just historic words—it’s a personal confession. Each line asks: “What would change about my life if I truly believed what I just said?”
Unpacking the Creed: “In Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord”
Jesus: The name means “the Lord saves.”
Christ: Not a surname, but a title meaning “Messiah”—God’s promised King.
Lord: A title that moves Jesus from a distant figure in history right into the center of our lives.
If Jesus is our Lord, we relinquish control. It’s not just about Sunday mornings—it’s about every part of our lives.
Who Is Jesus?
Mark 4 gives us a powerful image: Jesus asleep in the boat during a storm. The disciples—seasoned fishermen—are terrified. When Jesus calms the storm with a word, the disciples shift from fearing the storm to fearing the One who commands wind and waves.
This moment points back to Old Testament teachings the disciples would have learned—only God can calm the seas. Suddenly, they realize: Jesus is not just a teacher but God in the flesh, Lord over all creation.
John’s gospel puts it plainly:
“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”
Jesus did not begin at Bethlehem—He is the eternal Son, come to dwell with us as both truly God and truly human.
The Cost and Courage of Calling Jesus “Lord”
Being a follower is not always easy. Take Thomas, who doubted until he saw the risen Christ’s wounds. His confession—“My Lord and my God”—came only after personal encounter. Or take Polycarp, the aged pastor, who chose loyalty to Christ over his own life, even blessing his captors.
History and Scripture remind us: Confessing “Jesus is Lord” is an act of supreme allegiance. It shapes our courage, our gentleness, and our willingness to be changed—even when the cost is great.
Another example is Saul (Paul). Convinced he was right, Saul persecuted Christians until Jesus met him on the Damascus road. Paul’s transformation teaches us that sometimes, it’s not more conviction we need—but willingness to admit, “I was wrong.” Jesus, as Lord, has the authority to correct, redirect, and repurpose our lives for His glory.
The Lordship of Christ Changes Everything
Jesus does not become Lord when we finally obey; He is Lord—yesterday, today, and forever. Our journey is about learning to live in light of that unchanging truth.
When we allow Jesus on the throne of our lives, it affects our decisions, our treatment of others, our courage, and our willingness to extend forgiveness. The people we’ve talked about—Thomas, Paul, Polycarp—they all show us different fingerprints of Jesus’s lordship: trust, transformation, courage, and surrender.
Reflective Challenge: Because Jesus Is Lord, I Will…
Let’s finish the sentence together:
Because Jesus is Lord, I will __.
Return to a difficult conversation?
Right a wrong?
Make a hard decision or extend forgiveness?
Ask the Holy Spirit for help. Lordship isn’t proven by words alone but by the changes Christ makes in our lives. Over time, those closest to us should see the difference—not just hear us talk about it.
Grace for the Journey
We don’t obey perfectly. That’s why we need God’s grace. The apostle Paul’s instructions about the Lord’s Supper remind us:
“The Lord Jesus, the night he was betrayed, took bread…”
Even as everything seemed to unravel, Jesus remained sovereign—laying down His life willingly. When we come to the Lord’s Table, we come to a King who knows us, loves us, and pursues us with mercy we could never earn.
We can be honest about our failures, trust in His forgiveness, and ask the Spirit’s help to follow Jesus, our Lord and King—not just in this moment, but in every aspect of our lives.
Let’s live out the truth of Jesus Christ, our Lord—more than words, let’s make it our way of life.
-
Opening Prayer
Begin your group time by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion, to open hearts and minds, and to deepen understanding of Christ’s lordship.
Warm-Up Questions
Share a recent experience when you followed someone else's direction or authority. How did it feel, and what made it difficult or easy?
What stands out to you when you hear the words "Jesus is Lord"?
Scripture Focus
Mark 4:35-41 — Jesus calms the storm
John 1:1, 14 — "In the beginning was the Word... and the Word became flesh"
Acts 9:1-19 — Saul’s encounter with Jesus
Revelation 19:16 — "King of kings and Lord of lords"
Sermon Reflection
1. Fan or Follower?
The conversation focused on the distinction between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower:
“He is not interested in fans. He is not interested in people who simply admire Him, who admire His teachings. He says clearly throughout His ministry...I’m interested in followers. Come follow me.”
Discuss: What do you think is the difference between admiring Jesus and following Him?
2. Authority of Jesus
A key theme that emerged was the authority of Jesus over all creation, as seen when he calmed the storm. Only God himself could do what Jesus did.
Reflect: Why is it important that Jesus is both fully human ("his exhaustion is real") and fully divine ("his authority over the wind and waves")?
3. Jesus as Lord
The discussion explored the implications of calling Jesus "Lord":
“If Jesus is truly our Lord, that means we are no longer running our lives, but He is.”
Discuss: What does it practically look like for Jesus to “sit on the throne” of our everyday lives?
4. Costs and Challenges of Obedience
Several points were raised, including the difficulty of obedience when it challenges our preferences:
“It’s really hard to hear Him say something that goes against what we’ve already decided...”
Question: Can you think of a time when following Jesus meant you had to do something difficult or contrary to your own desires?
5. Confession and Correction
One concept discussed was the willingness to be corrected by Jesus, as in the story of Saul’s conversion.
Reflect: Why is it hard to admit, "I was wrong"? How does Jesus’ lordship invite us into humility and change?
6. The Example of Polycarp
The story of Polycarp illustrates allegiance to Jesus even under threat, and the transformative impact of lifelong discipleship:
“A lifetime of serving Jesus... had shaped his courage, helped him become a more generous, more loving, a more selfless person.”
Discuss: In what ways does living under Jesus’ lordship change how we treat friend and foe alike?
Personal Application
The preacher challenged: “Because Jesus is Lord, I will _.”
Take a moment: Each person in the group complete this sentence in their own words.
Share (if comfortable): What is one area where you sense God inviting you to place Jesus more fully on the throne of your life? What step will you take this week?
Prayer Focus
Confess any areas where you struggle to give Jesus authority.
Pray for courage and the Holy Spirit’s help to align every area of life with Christ’s lordship.
Invite God to help your group become people “quicker to listen, more willing to admit when they are wrong, and better prepared to act on what Jesus says.”
Closing Thought
The discussion highlighted that Jesus’ reign is not contingent on our obedience, but our flourishing depends on living in light of His lordship. Lordship should “leave fingerprints on our lives... the people closest to us should come to experience that difference, not just hear us talk about it.”
Let’s go and live so that Jesus’ lordship is evident not just in our words but in all we do.