Not many people have a problem with these descriptions of Jesus.  However, if you ask people about one of Jesus’ claims — one that is fundamental to his teachings — then it’s a different story.  Jesus claimed to be the promised Redeemer of Israel,  the Son of Man…Son of God, the King of everything forever, God himself.  This is what most people do not accept:

• The Messiah
• The Forever-King
• God in Flesh

The essential identity of this historical, moral person who taught many great things and became a religious leader is grounded in his claim to be the Messiah — the Christ.  This is what people have a problem with both non-believers and believers alike.

Non-believers are not comfortable adding “The Messiah” or “God in Flesh” titles to Jesus’ resume.  The trouble is that because of Jesus’ claim to be divine, the designations they comfortably accept are not valid options.  How can Jesus be a great teacher if one of his fundamental claims is in reality utter lunacy?  How can Jesus be a moral man if one of his basic teachings is a lie?  Jesus is either a lunatic or a liar — to use C.S. Lewis’ famous categories — if he is not Lord.

Believers, of course, acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord.  However, we have a difficult time putting our full-trust in God’s King of Everything.  Talk is cheap.  “Faith” that does not reflect the Lordship of Jesus over every dimension of our lives is not real faith.  To say that Jesus is Lord requires that we live it in our thinking, passions, actions, relationships, family life, work life, and everyday living.  Jesus is either Lord of all, or not at all!

Commit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus in all of your life.  Yield one specific area of your life to Jesus today.  Draw near to Jesus and experience his power in victory over selfishness and sin.  Follow hard after Jesus and become more like him in thinking, character, and action.

Look at the sermon slides from Sunday’s message below, and familiarize yourself with answers to this week’s questions:

• Aren’t all religions essentially the same?
• Isn’t it arrogant to claim that Christianity is the only true religion?
• Isn’t Jesus simply a great teacher

God will strengthen your faith — your step into the light — and give you confidence as you “give a defense” of “the hope that is within you.”  Watch out, though.  God might just use you to talk about your faith with others!