This scripture was key to two of the largest movements of Christianity (early Rome and the current explosion of Christianity in China).

When people confessed that “Jesus is Lord,” they weren’t just giving lip service. It was a confession of the heart that led to a lifestyle that was relationally contagious. This life-changing confession cannot be simply taught—it is born of the Spirit (John 3) and lived out. As the disciple-maker, we fan this flame to burn brighter so those around us can see it. Without this type of confession, there is no possibility of a movement.

The Israelites denoted the “Shema Yisrael” based on Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This statement came about in a polytheistic society, in which multiple gods were worshiped. When it was pronounced, it was a direct rejection of all other gods and a declaration of the fact that Yahweh was the one true God, who was Lord over all spheres of life: money, food, sun, earth, clothing, etc. This is why in the Torah, all aspects of life, not just the spiritual are linked to God (worship, work, health)—they all have significance to Him. Fast forward about 1,400 years to the time of Jesus and remember that the Jews were under Roman rule, which also was polytheistic in nature. Rome was into acquiring land and lots of it. It was through their use of the military, polytheism, and an idea called “Pax Romana” that they were able to conquer so much and keep everyone in line. In a brilliant strategy, the Romans would let people keep their gods (religion) and provide them with peace and stability (Pax Romana) if they would declare that Caesar was a higher god than any other in their collection.

Since religion was a fantastic way to manipulate loyalty, once a year a patron was required to go to his appointed spot (like our voting polls), declare “Caesar is lord,” burn some incense, and thus be declared “in good standing with the Roman government.”

History tells us that Christians would deny Caesar as lord by the thousands, and they would face death with “Jesus is Lord” on their lips.

This is why a movement began in this era and why another can rise in your sphere of life. Do you remember when you realized who Jesus was, before the influx of information? Before your head was full of theology and scripture and books? Do you remember what you said when your eyes were opened to the greatness of God? How far are you willing to take this confession, “Jesus is Lord?”

1) A way to grab this concept is to draw out all the aspects of life on a white board—money, work, church, parenting, sex, etc. and ask group members to identify two areas where Jesus is Lord and one where they would love freedom. From there you can easily move them into a Learning Circle moment.

2) When living with a "Jesus is Lord" mentality, it can become quite possible to go too far, forgetting that we all need a Savior. Jesus is always Lord AND Savior. Always leaning toward "Jesus is Savior" yields hyper-grace where sin is permissible. Leaning too heavily toward "Jesus is Lord" makes way for Pharisees who only see the letter of the law. It's a constant walk with the Spirit to stay balanced between grace and truth, Savior and Lord.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condem the world but to save the world through him.

John 4:42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; no we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

John 13:13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever- increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but no you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.