The Cost of Calling Jesus Lord
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 In the name of Jesus. Amen. What do we mean when we say, “Jesus is Lord?” More specifically, what do we mean by the word: “Lord?” The word “Lord” in the New Testament is the Greek word Kyrios. In other words, in the translation of the Old Testament into Greek, Kyrios is the word used for the name of God. And so, when the apostles confess that Jesus is Lord (Kyrios), they are saying far more than that He is a good teacher, leader, or someone worthy of respect. They are confessing that Jesus is God. Now, stay with me. Things become even more interesting when we remember the world in which the New Testament was written. In the Roman Empire, “lord” was a title of authority and power. Kyrios became associated with the emperor himself. In other words, Caesar stood at the top of the political order, surrounded by honor and religious devotion. So to call Caesar “lord” was more than a polite title. It was a confession of loyalty and, at times,...
