1. LORDSHIP AND RECOGNISING HIS RIGHT

When we meet in fellowship, an obvious anointing inevitably comes upon the worshipful singing of "He is Lord, He has risen from the dead and He is Lord". In affirmation and delight the words are personalised to "YOU are Lord, You are risen from the dead and YOU are Lord". The anointing can be explained by the fact that the Holy Spirit takes special delight in the declaration that "Jesus is Lord".

Through the Holy Spirit's proclamation in Isaiah 9:6-7, we learn of a child to be born and a Son given, whose right to Lordship is undisputed:

Isaiah 9:6 "... And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The angel's proclamation at the birth of Jesus, announced His mission to be "a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11 ). The Lord came to become our Saviour. Amazing grace! The Saviour is coming again to be King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15 ). The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus of Nazareth who is Christ the Lord. He demonstrated His Lordship as supreme. He is Lord over disease (Luke 8:43-48 ). He is Lord over demons (Luke 8:35-36 ). He is Lord over nature (Matthew 8:23-27 ). Lord of the Sabbath day (Luke 6:5 ), and Lord over death (Luke 7:12-15 ).

The words "Jesus is Lord", expressed the faith of the early believers. They proclaimed with the power of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ was their Master and King, and they spread the gospel of His kingdom. To the crowds at Jerusalem Peter boldly proclaimed his Master's Lordship (Acts 2:36-37 ). He gave the same glorious assertion to the first Gentile converts (Acts 10:34-36 ). This was the triumphant message of Apostolic preaching that affected the lifestyle of believers who turned their known world upside down, which actually means, right side up. When the apostle Paul preached Jesus Christ as Lord in Ephesus, there followed a dramatic fivefold evidence that Jesus was Lord indeed (Acts 19:17-20 ).

	Fear fell on them all.
	The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
	Many believed and confessed their sin.
	Many brought their occult books and burned them. The burning was very expensive - valued at 50,000 pieces of silver, probably amounting today close to 10,000 dollars. What a victory for the Lordship of Christ!
	The Word of God grew mightily and prevailed.

When we accept the Lordship and Rulership of Christ, we are no longer conforming to this world - we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds and are proving as a result, what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of our Master and Lord (Romans 12:1-2 ). No one can really own Jesus as Lord without getting remarkably changed, and living under His Lordship will bring constant change. The Lord will not fail to administer the necessary discipline to our lives (Hebrews 12:5-10 ). Neither will the Lord's Spirit fail to change us into the likeness of Jesus as we go on,

2 Corinthians 3:18 "... beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, ..."

There is no doubt that others will quickly see the change brought about by our acceptance of Christ's Lordship.

During the early years of my ministry I found myself ministering at a Conference in Lancashire, England. The second day a brother in the Lord came to me and introduced himself, saying: "Is it really you, David? David Griffiths?" Then he mentioned my father's name. "Yes, he is my father," I replied. "Well," he said, "I stayed with your people some ten years ago." I remembered him - at that time I was living in rebellion against my parents and the Lord. Then the brother said: "I thought I was right in believing you were Harold's son, you have changed so greatly I could not be sure." He continued: "Not physically, I now see. No, it is something else." Then he hit the nail right on the head. "It is your living in close relationship to your Lord - that is what has changed you so remarkably." That so touched my spirit I could not reply. A lump had come into my throat and tears stung my eyes. What wonderful grace that the transforming power of my Lord in me could be recognised by another.

The day will come when,

Philippians 2:10, 11 "... every knee should bow, ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, ..."

Acceptance of His right to Lordship over our lives, presents the means for the manifestation of His Kingship and kingdom here and now, for others to experience and see.

In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul uses the recurring phrase "in the Lord". It is an expression that speaks of our behaviour, our conduct and our responsibility in connection with His Lordship. In succeeding chapters we shall examine and apply in a practical way, this expression, "in the Lord".

Submission to Him as Lord is not merely singing or speaking about it, it means revealing that rulership in our behaviour and obedience. The child of God has been delivered from the curse of the law and from the doom of sin, and the slavery of Satan, by acceptance of Christ as Saviour. The person who has been born again is under new management when he accepts Jesus as absolute Lord and Master. This acceptance of His right to rule is the secret of true success in Christian living and witnessing. It is a recognition on our part that it is to be,

Luke 22:42 "... not My will, but yours, be done."