City Life Starter

I. The Word – 

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts‬ ‭2:36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

II. Reflection Questions

1. Compare and contrast the definition of Savior and Lord. 

2. What are some areas that you need to give God the position of Lord in your life. 

As a child I grew up in the church and always heard Jesus referred to my savior. Although it would be years until I would actually convert to Christianity, I would always look to God to save me from any mess I usually got myself into. It was not until college that I heard a gospel that introduced the concept of Lordship that helped me understand having a relationship with God, not solely on a selective basis, but as a biblical foundation meant to permeate the Christian life. 

In every superhero movie in existence the hero in the story saves countless people, most of whom continue after their life saving encounter grateful, but unchanged or worse ambivalent, because there is not a relational component required with the hero. Rather, it’s “their job” to save people. Like the wise Uncle Ben Parker said “with great power comes great responsibility”. Now while yes it is awesome Jesus, like our personal superhero, lowered himself from the power of the sun to be contained in a lightbulb to defeat an unbeatable enemy. It is not so we can rest in being “saved”; continuing un-phased or as an acquaintance. I would even go as far as to say (don’t hear what I’m not saying) knowing Jesus just as savior is easy. It’s free, requires little of us, it’s based on something already done, requires no real ongoing commitment (Jesus doesn’t need to die again no matter how much I sin), it’s like seeing Kevin Durant and telling him “he’s the real 2017 MVP.”

However, what about Jesus as Lord. Lord is defined as “someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler”. The most simplistic way I have heard it stated is “God is not interested in being Vice President of your life”. Look at the weight of who God is in Philippians 2:10-11 the use of the word “every” by definition is not limited in number. This is because he is Lord not just of who decides to define him as such, it is who he is. 

The catalyst to my conversion in college came when I realized to function as a Christian takes a relationship with God, and that relationship is a function of knowing Him as messiah and placing him as Lord (master, ruler, CEO, chairman, king, undisputed decision maker of your life). This fact moved obedience to God from something to do when I am older or if it’s something I felt like doing, to a biblical foundation necessary to begin to know and relate with an amazing God. 

III. Prayer – God thank you that you not only save us, but that you call us into relationship with you. Enable us to see you not just as our savior, but as our loving Lord. Empower us to surrender to you in every area of our lives and grow in Lordship and obedience. Amen