The Most Powerful Name in History

Jesus Christ Is Lord

Scripture References

Primary text

• Philippians 2

Other references

• Mark 3:11
• Matthew 7:21
• Ephesians 2

Overview

The message centers on the Creed’s declaration, “I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” Pastor Craig shows why the name of Jesus carries unrivaled authority, why culture works to diminish it, and why calling Him “Lord” demands complete allegiance. Using Philippians 2, the Apostles’ Creed, and personal testimony, he presses each listener to move from knowing about Jesus to truly knowing—and obeying—Him.

Context

This is week two of the series “The Creed.” The church stands to recite the Apostles’ Creed, just as believers have done since the second century, reaffirming foundational Christian truths before diving into the line about Jesus.

Main Points

The name above every name is under attack

• At Jesus’ name demons flee, people are saved, bodies are healed.
• Satan cannot erase that power, so he tries to strip the name of its honor, even turning it into a curse word.
• If the enemy can make us use the name carelessly, we will hesitate to call on it when we desperately need it.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

“Jesus Christ is Lord” — history’s most important and controversial claim

• Greek phrase: “Iēsous Christos Kyrios” = Jesus Christ is Lord.
• “Christ” is not a surname but the title “Anointed One.”
• In the Roman Empire, calling Jesus “Lord” was high treason because Caesar claimed that title; many still lose jobs, freedom, or life for it today.
• Rome’s power was temporary; Christ’s reign is eternal.

What you call someone reveals how well you know them

• Illustrations of Pastor Craig’s nicknames from acquaintances, friends, kids, grandkids, and Amy.
• Same principle with Jesus: titles like historical figure, teacher, or Son of God expose our level of relationship.

The Creed’s 12 verbs summarize the whole gospel

Conceived – born – suffered – crucified – died – buried – descended – rose – ascended – seated – come – judge.

• Humanity: conceived, born, suffered, crucified, died, buried.
• Divinity: conceived by the Holy Spirit, rose, ascended, seated, will come and judge.
• Shows Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Fully God, fully man

• Virgin birth: no inherited sin nature; able to live sinless.
• God stripped Himself of heaven’s glory to walk among us.
• Look at Jesus to know what God is like—He loves the broken, seeks and saves the lost.

Even demons recognized Him first

Scripture: Mark 3:11 — impure spirits fell and cried, “You are the Son of God.”

• The supernatural realm saw His lordship before many people did.

Knowing about Jesus vs. knowing Jesus

Story: Craig’s childhood garage picture of “blue-eyed Jesus,” nativity scenes, and guilt on car dates—head knowledge without relationship.
Story: In college, reading the Gospels and Ephesians 2 revealed grace, not works, leading to a life-transforming salvation.

• Jesus changed his identity, broke addictions, and became comforter, healer, and peace.

Living under His lordship

• True belief shows in behavior.
• Jesus’ piercing question:

  “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”

• Matthew 7:21 warns that not everyone who says “Lord” will enter the Kingdom—only those who do the Father’s will.
• Our obedience, generosity, purity, relationships, and witness reveal if He is truly Lord.

A bold public confession

• Early Christians declared the Creed before baptism, risking torture; today’s believers must confess Him openly.
• Salvation call: step away from sin, surrender to Jesus, and live for Him.

Key Truths

• The name of Jesus carries unrivaled authority in heaven and on earth.
• Declaring “Jesus Christ is Lord” expresses total allegiance, not mere religious sentiment.
• Jesus is simultaneously fully God and fully human, uniquely able to save.
• Intellectual belief without obedient action proves we do not truly know Him.
• One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Response

• Guard the name of Jesus; speak it with honor and faith.
• Examine your life for areas that contradict your confession and repent.
• Spend time in Scripture, community, and service to know Jesus more intimately.
• Boldly share your allegiance to Christ, whatever the cultural cost.
• Live daily as evidence that Jesus—not culture, government, or self—is Lord.

Closing

Pastor Craig pleads for honest self-examination: if Jesus is truly the Son of God and Lord of all, it must reshape everything we do. The enemy belittles His name, but believers exalt it, knowing that at that name demons tremble and chains break. A final invitation is given to surrender publicly to Christ’s lordship.

“At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig thanks the Father for becoming flesh in Jesus, praises Him for doing what we could not do, and asks the Spirit to empower believers to live fully under Christ’s lordship and shine His light boldly in the world.