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I. THE DESIGNATION THE FATHER HERE GIVES TO CHRIST. "He is thy Lord."

1. This designation implies that there is a mutual relation between Christ and the Church: He is her Lord, and she His servant; He her King, she His subject; He her Head, she His member; He her Husband, she His spouse.

2. It implies His eminency in the Church. Whatever persons come into it He alone is Lord and Sovereign there.

3. It implies His sovereign power and authority in and over the Church. He is the sole Lawgiver to the Church (Isaiah 33:22). He is the great Speaker in the Church, to whom alone she owes the hearing of faith (Matthew 17:5). Yea, so large and extensive is His dominion, that it reaches to heaven, earth and hell (Revelation 1:18).

4. It implies that it is the indispensable duty of the Church, and every particular member thereof, to yield cheerful and ready obedience to the will of Christ in whatever He is pleased to command.

5. It implies that our Lord Jesus has the burden and care of the Church lying wholly upon Him.

6. It implies that He is God equal with the Father and Holy Spirit. "He is thy Lord," faith the Father to, the Church, "and worship thou Him."

II. Is WHAT RESPECTS JESUS CHRIST MAY BE CALLED LORD OF THE CHURCH.

1. He is so by the designation and appointment, of God the Father, who saith concerning Him (Psalm 2:6).

2. He is so in virtue of His own actual compliance with the Father's designation of Him to that charge (Psalm 40:6, 7; Isaiah 50:5).

3. Jesus Christ is the Church's Lord by purchase and conquest; He is her Lord-Redeemer, both by price and by power. He has purchased the Church at the costly price of His own precious blood (1 Peter 1:18).

4. He is Lord in and over the Church, as He is her Husband and she His spouse.

5. He is Lord in and over the Church by her own consent.

6. He is Lord of the Church, inasmuch as it is from Him that she expects, and is to enjoy the reward, when her service in this world is accomplished (2 Thessalonians 4:7, 8).

III. THE WORSHIP AND HOMAGE WHICH THE CHURCH OWES TO CHRIST AS HER LORD.

IV. USE.

1. For information.

(1) Hence, see that the Church is a highly dignified society.

(2) Is Jesus Christ Lord in and over the Church? Then we may see the sin and danger of usurping any of the prerogatives which belong to Him by adding to, or taking from, His institutions.

(3) Hence, see with what care and diligence the Church and every particular member thereof should, in their places and stations, strive together for the faith of the Gospel.

2. For trial and examination.

(1) What acquaintance have you got with Christ as your Lord and Redeemer?

(2) How are you pleased with the laws of Christ by which He rules His subjects?

(3) What think ye of Christ — of His person, of His love, His righteousness, offices and fulness; in all these He is truly precious to them who believe.

(4) Of what quality is your obedience to the royal law of Christ? Is it of an evangelical nature? Does it spring from faith in:Him, love to Him, and a tender regard to His authority displayed therein?

3. For exhortation.

(1) We exhort you who have been brought, by the power of grace to take Christ for your Lord, "to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of your Lord."(2) We exhort you who are strangers to Christ, and so in a state of rebellion against Him, to consider the woeful condition you are in.

(T. Bennet.)

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KJV: So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

WEB: So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.