How did 1 John 4:4 minister to you this week?

1. Definition of Lordship:

• 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 - the Lordship of Jesus Christ is the daily submission and surrender of our entire self to the authority and leadership of Jesus, recognizing His sovereign right to rule over us. (Colossians 1:18).

2. What is Jesus' plan for His disciples:

• Luke 9:23 states the heart of discipleship.
  • Deny yourself - Putting the Lord and others first; refusing to live my life to please myself.
  • Take up your cross daily - Submitting our will to the will of God. Luke 22:42.
  • Follow me - Following Jesus and no one or nothing else. Matthew 4:19; 1 Peter 2:21.
• The whole principle of Lordship is the removal of self off of the throne of one's life, and the invitation to Jesus to sit on the throne and rule, trusting Him to do what is best for us.
• The battle of submission: two reasons why people do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord of their life.
  • We're afraid God may ask us to do something we don't want to do.
  • We are not sure that God has our best interest at heart. Jeremiah 29:11.

3. How do I know if Christ is Lord of my life?

• We show our love for Jesus by obeying His commands. John 14:15, 21, 23.
• We must read the Word of God, see what God's will is for our lives and then we must do it. James 1:22-25.

4. What is the blessing of putting Christ first in my life?

• 1 Peter 3:15-16
  
• Romans 12:1-2
  
• Romans 6:22
  

The Lordship of Jesus Christ is the most crucial issue of any Christian's life. We are all aware of those around us who are reaping in their lives the by-products of their lack of obedience. Jesus has our best interests at heart. We must give Him our entire life and we must live only for Him daily. Only then will we experience the full life that He has promised us. As we continually confess Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives, we are assured of true faith living in our hearts. (Romans 10:9-10)

Notes/Questions

Assignments: Read Romans 7 and 8, memorize Matthew 16:24, and pray for one another.