18 Jun Lord of All
Last Sunday, Ronnie Morris preached the sermon: “The Eternal King,” from Hebrews 1-2:4. We were encouraged to anchor our hope in the eternal King, Jesus, because He is greater than all others, has defeated our greatest enemy, and His righteous reign has no end. To anchor our hope in Him, we must abide in His Word and proclaim His Word to others as His ambassadors.
Read: Matthew 26:57-68
This Sunday, Joel Smith will preach from Matthew 26:57-68, and we will consider the truth that Jesus Christ is Ruler of all. As you prepare for our Sunday gathering, let this devotional from John MacArthur lead you to further praise the name of Jesus and trust in His sovereign rule as Lord of all.
Reflect: “The Authority of Christ’s Name”
“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Philippians 2:9–11
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Christ’s name shows Him to be sovereign ruler.
The name “Lord” is a New Testament synonym for Old Testament descriptions of Yahweh (the Old Testament name of God), which show God as sovereign ruler. It signifies rulership based on power and authority. Though it was always evident that Christ was the living Lord, it was in His exaltation that He was formally given the name Lord—a title that is His as the God–man. On earth He was known by many names, but now He bears the name that is above every name: Lord.
Philippians 2:10 doesn’t say at the name Jesus every knee should bow, but at the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus immediately bestowed by the Father was “Lord.” It is not the name Jesus that makes people bow—that’s the name of His incarnation—but the name Lord.
That the name mentioned in verse 9 is Lord is confirmed by Paul’s allusion to Isaiah 45:21–23, which says, “Is it not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none except Me. Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” God said through Isaiah that He is sovereign—the Lord of all. That is what Paul was referring to when he said that every knee would bow and every tongue confess (or admit) that Jesus Christ is Lord. Only God is Lord.
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Suggestions for Prayer: In his prayer in Ephesians 1:17–23 Paul mentions that Christ’s name is above all other names (vv. 20–21). Use his prayer as a model when you pray for other believers.
For Further Study: Read the following verses: Luke 2:11; John 13:13; Acts 10:36; Romans 14:9–11; 1 Corinthians 8:6. What do they say about Jesus’ lordship?
“The Authority of Christ’s Name,” December 20th Devotional, in Strength for Today, by John MacArthur.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Let the Nations Be Glad,” by Matt Boswell
2. “Is He Worthy,” Arr. Shane & Shane
3. “Agnus Dei,” Arr. Passion
4. “Joy to the World/Our God Saves,” by Paul Baloche