(February 28, 2025) Robert McQuillan challenges…

Matthew 7:21-23 is pretty scary — or ought to be if you’re half-hearted about following Jesus! Message Bible hits hard!—

 ‘Knowing the correct password – saying, “Master, Master,” for instance – isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience – doing what my Father wills. I can see it now – at the final judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, “Master, we preached the message, we bashed demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.” And do you know what I’m going to say? “You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You didn’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.”’

A graphic reminder that while God loves me unconditionally, my part is to honour His Son Jesus by serving Him not for my own ends but for His glory and the extension of His kingdom… however He wants to involve me.

Jesus must be seen as Lord… the boss. You see, He has this great problem, He thinks He’s the Master and therefore we must all kowtow to Him! Of course He’s right… He is Sovereign Lord and therefore has the supreme right to demand.

But… unfortunately,  we tend to forget this. We can want things our way, how we think they should be. So often we foolishly hold back from allowing Jesus to be Lord of our lives, career, job, business, family, home, future…

Oh yes, we like to think of ourselves as being self-dependent. Well, the reality is that even though we have a multitude of talents, as Christians we’re meant to be dependent on our Lord! Is this touching anyone’s heart? (Hey… I don’t claim perfection!).

1. Lordship Means Difference
Could there be some way in which we’re rebelling? Is there an attitude of ‘Well, I’m not doing that’ or ‘I’ll do it my way.’ If so remember that scripture describes rebellion as the sin of witchcraft (1Samuel 15:23)! Anyone into witchcraft? Hello? If you’re rebelling, you need to repent!

Rebellion is a lack of loyalty, not being on-fire for Jesus prepared to acknowledge Him as Lord, nor totally sold out to Him and His commands, prepared to die for Him. Rather, like Peter, we deny Him.

Jesus’ Lordship in the Christian’s life is what separates—

• Those growing in trusting Him and those who never let go of fears and inhibitions.
• Those rejoicing in hiccups as ‘Jesus is Lord over all’ and those bemoaning every upset.
• Those who see good in everyone and those who delight to criticise (Like that ever-criticising Bible-misquoting wife in YouTube’s Christian movie Hidden Secrets).
• The encouragers and the pullers-downers.
• Positive, Bible-believing Christians from negative lies-believing ones.
• True believers from hypocrites.
• Real Christians from phonies and hangers-on.

When editing a missions magazine years ago, I received this story about a little church in Eastern Europe. About one hundred people had gathered to worship Jesus when suddenly communist soldiers burst in brandishing submachines guns and calling people ‘the filth of the earth’ and ‘parasites ruining the glorious revolution.’ They shouted that the time had come to get rid of them, giving everyone sixty seconds to leave. Silence. About half the congregation rushed pell-mell to the doors, some left through the windows. (What would you have done, reader?).

Minute over, deep silence fell on the remaining congregation. Then the soldiers dropped their weapons and said, ‘Brethren, we have come to worship with you! But first, we had to be sure who are genuine Christians here by getting rid of those hypocrites!’                      

What separated whose that stayed from those who left— Lordship! The three-word question ‘Is Jesus Lord?’ is a challenge to all of us! Is He truly Lord of our whole life… or is He only Saviour, our meal ticket to heaven and home? There is a difference between calling Jesus Saviour and calling Him Lord. It’s a revelation!

2. Lordship Means Following
‘Lord’ is kurios— ‘supreme in authority.’ Simply put— Jesus is the absolute boss!

A renewed Peter proclaimed that Jesus had become ‘Lord of all’ (Acts 10:36). Even ‘Doubting Thomas’ recognised Jesus’ Lordship when He appeared before him. He instantly declared, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:28).

Philippians 2:10-11 declares that one day everyone, whether they like it or not, will bow the knee and acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus.

As Christians we should be acknowledging it now by allowing Jesus— in the words of an old chorus— to be the ‘ruler of our days.’

Lordship of Jesus means that we allow Him to truly have complete control over our mind, attitudes, speech, thoughts and future. It means—
1) Submitting to His will (John 14:15).
2) Placing Him first (Matthew 22:36-38).
3) Accepting responsibility and accountability (Matthew 25:14-30).
4) Doing His will (Matthew 7:21-24).
5) Obeying Him regardless of the cost (John 21:15-19).

Why? The old saying: ‘If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, then He’s Lord of nothing!’ Accepting Jesus as absolute Lord is a bit like throwing your life away as far you are concerned. It no longer belongs to you… Jesus bought it on Calvary and now has every right to mold you and use you as He desires for His kingdom.

Accepting Christ’s absolute right to rule our lives is foolishness to the worldly–minded— and even those Christians who themselves have not fully submitted to Jesus. But it meets with His approval and brings uncountable blessings. And enables you to bless others!

Heaven’s records are loaded with amazing stories of those that put Jesus first, calling Him Lord.

• William Carey, an English shoemaker, read Jesus’ Matthew 28:18-20 great commission and in the face of severe opposition and ridicule travelled to India, labouring for seven years before he had one convert. He translated the Bible into several languages and became ‘the father of modern missions!’
• Dr David Livingstone demonstrated his willingness to submit his abilities and life to the Lordship of Jesus as he pioneered the gospel throughout Africa.
• CT Studd, an all-star Cambridge cricketer, forsook fame and personal fortune and poured his life into missionary work, travelling by faith and total trust in the Lordship of Christ. 
• Jim Elliot and four other young men were murdered by the South American Auca Indians. Some people instantly criticised their attempts to penetrate that savage people with the gospel. But history records that many Aucas were to come to Christ and accept Him as Lord!

The world will always criticise what it doesn’t understand: ‘What a waste of time and lives.’ If you dare to stand up and be counted for Jesus and make Him Lord, you too will be criticised by workmates, family, bosses, even some foolish Christians. But your life will count in the kingdom as you touch countless others with the gospel of Jesus.

When the book of life is opened on judgment day, if there’s a column titled Faithful, Obedient and Submissive you won’t be found lacking!

Now you can’t be a Billy Graham— you can’t even be your pastor— but you can be you! I myself can only be me and Jesus wants you to be the you that you can be for Him! Have you found that ‘you’ yet?

3. Lordship Means Obedience
There are three kinds of Christians… those who—
1) Neither call Jesus Lord nor do what He says.
Jesus told a parable of three servants who were assigned tasks by their master. Sadly one couldn’t care less, wasted his time on earth and literally buried his opportunity to show his loyalty. He paid an awful price for his failure to trust.

Jesus called him ‘wicked, lazy … worthless’ and he was cast away with no rewards. A warning to all of us (Matthew 25:14-30). Discipleship is a serious business— you don’t mess with Jesus in following Him. You’re either a hot potato on fire for Him in His service or you’ll a cold fish lazing around achieving nothing.

2) Call Him Lord but don’t do what He says.
In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus asked a pointed question: ‘Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? Anyone who … obeys me is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. But anyone who hears …  and doesn’t obey me is like someone whose house was not built on solid rock. As soon as the river rushed against that house, was smashed to pieces.’

That parable about wise and foolish builders is scary too! What you build for Jesus lasts forever. How’s your ‘house’?

3) Call Him Lord and do what He says!
Jesus made an amazing statement in John 15:14: ‘You are my friends if you do what I command.’ Wow! Who wants to be the friend of Jesus? Then, call Him Lord and endeavour to obey Him. He promised that the burdens (tasks) He gives us will not be heavy (Matthew 11:30). Truth is that He carries the greater load— us.

And what ‘major loads’ has Jesus given us? Basically two— ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (John 13:34). But do we really love one another as deeply as Jesus desires? Do we acknowledge Him as Lord in our dealings others? Will we go the extra mile for someone, especially someone to whom we haven’t quite taken? Do we love and build up or pull down and discourage?

His other major commandment is Matthew 28:18-20, ‘Go into….’ Do we take those opportunities He gives us to witness with words of kindness, caring and concern? I think we all miss more than we hit! And so the church and the kingdom do not grow. (Note: I speak to myself here too!)

 Whatever He asks us to do, even giving a cup of cold water in His name, we should do it willingly in acknowledgment of His Lordship (Matthew 10:42). Note: We have the Holy Spirit to help us!

4. Lordship Means Acknowledgement
Firstly, allow the Holy Spirit to confront you on the following 10 issues with the question ‘Is Jesus Lord of my…
1. Total life?
If not, why not? What areas do I foolishly and selfishly hold onto for myself?
2. Attitude?
Is it one of indifference towards Christ’s commands? Also, is it one of constant moaning and negativity?
3. Tongue?
Am I always condemning or encouraging? Paul warns about foolish church people (Titus 3:10).
4. Home?
Do I honour Jesus in my home? Are there things that He has told me to get rid of and I haven’t?
5. Family?
Sunday only Lord? No daily Bible reading; prayers, saying grace, praying over one’s partner and kids…?
6. Career?
Do I dedicate my job to Him, use my God-given talents to please the boss? (And to please Jesus as well).
7. Finances?
Do I withhold tithing and supporting missions? Or joyfully submit all to Him (including my own needs).
8. Service?
How agreeably and humbly am I willing to serve Him? Grudgingly, always looking for pats on the back?
9. Worship?
Do I begrudge Him worship He deserves, when in fact He made me that I might praise Him (Isaiah 43:21).
10. Fellowshipping?
Do I treat my spiritual home? Casually— attend when I feel like it? And what about those He has given the awesome responsibility of caring for me. Do I ignore their concern and treat them dishonourably without a thought or prayer? What do I contribute to the growth of the kingdom?

The key is accepting the Romans 12:9-21Mge principles! Do read Paul’s description of Christians who call Jesus Lord. Verse 11 nails it! ‘Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fuelled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master.’

Secondly, don’t think that because we’ve attended church and read the Bible for years, or been to every seminar that ‘we know it all, have it all together’— we don’t. There are many that have done all these things and still don’t really know Jesus, or let Him be truly Lord.

Any who have failed need to come afresh to Him, asking forgiveness and saying with meaning, ‘Jesus, be Lord of my whole life. I’m sorry for holding so much of myself and my abilities back. I now yield everything to you. Help me, Lord Jesus.’

It’s a revelation, and a daily choice! Remember Matthew 6:33-34: ‘But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…’ Live by this choice! Then real blessings flow!

5. Lordship Means Challenge
Lordship is supposed to mean that your words and your walk are the same. If any of the following inscription speak to your heart this morning and show inconsistencies in your life, then it’s time for confession and change.

Note this inscription inside Germany‘s Lübeck Cathedral…
Ye call Me Master and obey me not,
Ye call Me Light and see Me not,
Ye call Me Way and walk not,
Ye call Me Life and desire Me not,
Ye call Me wise and follow Me not,
Ye call Me fair and love Me not,
Ye call Me rich and ask Me not,
Ye call Me eternal and seek Me not,
Ye call Me gracious and trust Me not,
Ye call Me noble and serve Me not,
Ye call Me just and fear Me not,
If I condemn you, blame me not.

Romans 8:1GNB, ‘There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus’ gives us peace by assuring us that there is no denunciation on those who are His, going His way, accepting His challenges, serving and obeying Him.

There’s one way to be sure— dying to self and accepting His absolute right to be Lord of your whole life. If this is your opportunity, don’t miss it… be on fire for Jesus!

______________________________________
Dr Robert and Pastor Maureen McQuillan’s links OnlinerConnect@gmail.com / Facebook.
______________________________________