Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Tonight’s Study, Session 25: Lord and Savior
Introduction: Christianity’s earliest confession of faith consisted of three short but incredibly powerful words: Jesus is Lord! The early Christians believed that the Father had placed Jesus by virtue of His death and resurrection, at the apex of time and eternity – higher than any power or person in the universe. Simply put, Jesus Christ is God! Jesus is also the only Savior of all mankind. His name is intimately linked to the God of the Hebrew Scriptures because it means “Yahweh Is Salvation.” Jesus is Yahweh come to earth. If you have ever pictured God as a distant wrathful Being, you will have to reconsider that portrait in light of Jesus Christ, who became one of us, God reaching out in mercy, God humbling Himself, God nailed to a cross, God rising up from the grave to show us the way home. Jesus, name above all names, glorious Lord, beautiful Savior!
Jesus is Lord!
Scriptural Context Where the Name Lord is Found
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
Understanding The Name
The Greek word Kyrios (KU-ree-os) is used in the New Testament to refer to an emperor, king, father, husband, or master. It can also translate three Hebrew names and titles of God: Yahweh, Adonai, and Elohim. When people addressed Jesus as Kyrios or “Lord” in the Gospels, they were often simply showing respect to Him as a rabbi or teacher, addressing Him as “sir” rather than acknowledging Him as the Lord God. But after His death and resurrection, the title “Lord” began to be widely used by believers in a more specialized sense.
The apostle Thomas, who first doubted the account of Christ’s resurrection, instinctively responded with a confession of faith, saying: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) when Jesus appeared to Thomas after His resurrection. Over time, the title “Lord” began to take on the characteristics of a name. As such, it clearly identifies Jesus with Yahweh, the covenant name of God in the Hebrew Scriptures. Of the 717 passages in which Kyrios (Lord) occurs in the New Testament, the majority are found in Luke’s gospel, the Book of Acts, and Paul’s writings. Believing in and understanding Jesus’ Lordship is key to our growing in our relationship with Him. When we submit to His Lordship, obedience becomes easier and more natural. We, through our actions, acknowledge Jesus as our only Lord God. Saying that we know Jesus as Lord is more than lip service. It is a total surrender of our will to follow Him and do His will. Jesus gave one of the sternest warnings to those who professed Him as Lord, yet continued in sin in Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Jesus is Savior!
Scriptural Context Where the Name Savior is Found
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Understanding The Name
“Jesus” was a common name in first-century Palestine, and it has been found on various grave markers and tombs in and around Jerusalem. To distinguish Him from others, Jesus is sometimes referred to in the Gospels as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the son of Joseph, Jesus the son of man, or Jesus the Nazarene. Later on, He is referred to as “Jesus Christ,” as though Christ is His surname. The name “Christ” means the “anointed one” or “chosen one.”
The name “Jesus” in the English is the equivalent of the Hebrew “Yeshua,” itself a contraction of the Hebrew name “Yehoshua,” translated “Joshua” in English Bibles. The name Joshua is the name containing Yahweh, the covenant name of God, a name so sacred it was considered too holy to pronounce. Both “Jesus” and “Joshua” mean “Yahweh is help” or “Yahweh is salvation.” Through the centuries, the church has affirmed the belief of the earliest followers of Jesus that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV).
The Interconnectedness of Lordship and Salvation:
While salvation is a gift received by grace through faith, it is also meant to transform the believer’s life, leading to a life of obedience and service to Christ. One cannot have Jesus as Savior from sin and not Lord of their life. Jesus is more than just a fire insurance policy to escape the fires of hell. He is the Lord who died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day. Because of His victory over sin, death, and hell itself, Jesus rightfully is Lord of all and the only Savior of mankind.
Putting It All Together – Let the Scriptures Speak:
Luke 2:11 – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Acts 2:36 – “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 16:31 – So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Romans 10:9 – that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Titus 2:13 – looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Conclusion: Accepting Jesus as both Lord and Savior is essential for a genuine conversion experience and for genuine Christian faith. This involves more than lip service to Christ as Lord and Savior, but an acknowledgement of His role in salvation from sin and also recognizing His authority and right to rule over one’s life. The office of Lord and Savior are inseparable in the Christian faith when it comes to believing on Jesus for salvation, it always has been and always will be!
Next Week, Session 26: Prince of Peace