The Lordship of Jesus Christ is the heart of the gospel. Yet this is the very truth that most professing Christians deny. All professing Christians say that Jesus is Lord, but they do not understand the meaning of the word. And when the meaning of the word 'Lord' is explained to them, they get upset, even angry, and accuse God's preachers of being too dogmatic and say we carry the subject a little too far. Brethren, the Greek word for 'Lord' is Kurios. It means 'supreme in authority'; 'controller'. Jesus Christ is Lord of all. All things are under His feet. He upholds all things by the word of His power. He works all things after the counsel of His own will. God the Father has highly exalted Him: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. That simply means that Jesus Christ is in sovereign control of this whole universe and everything in it. Even the devil and all the fallen angels have to get permission from Him before they can do anything. That's what the Word of God teaches. Is that going too far? Absolutely not! If anything, we don't go far enough. John the Baptist said, 'A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven' (John 3:27). Those who take John 1:12 out of context need to lay that to heart. The early New Testament church believed that God was not only in control of all things, but that He predestinated all things before time began. Acts 4:24 - 30 gives a record of how the people of God prayed. In that prayer they confessed before God that all those who hated Christ, Jew and Gentile alike, did just exactly what God predetermined would be done. Is that going too far? God predestinated us unto the adoption of children (Ephesians 1:5). God predestinated us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Is that going too far? Everything that happens to us, painful, stressful or otherwise, God has predetermined for our good (Romans 8:28). Is that going too far? Paul and Silas didn't think so. When they were thrust into the inner prison, with their feet in the stocks and blood still oozing from the whipping they had just received, they sang praises unto God. They didn't know the Philippian jailer, and members of his household, were God's elect. But they knew that God had a reason for the pain that was inflicted upon them. They were right where the Lord Jesus Christ determined they would be and they praised God for allowing them to suffer for Christ's sake. This is what the word 'Lord' means. Jesus Christ is in control of all things because He is God Almighty. If we confess Him as 'Lord', and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved. Jesus Christ, by Himself, purged our sins when He died for us. His blood has removed every stain and through this man, the God-man, is preached the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things (Acts 13:39). 'Jesus is Lord of all'. Once again, this is the heart of the gospel. Bow down to Him, or perish.