What do you call Him?

What you call someone says a lot about how well you know them.

It’s true in everyday life—and it’s true when it comes to Jesus.

Some call Him a good teacher.
Some say He was a historical figure.
Some admire His wisdom, His compassion, His example.

But then there are those who call Him Lord.

And that changes everything.

Because calling Jesus “Lord” isn’t just a nice religious phrase—it’s a declaration of allegiance. It’s saying, You are over everything in my life. My choices. My priorities. My direction. My heart.

That’s why this simple line from the Apostles’ Creed—“I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord”—is both powerful and, honestly, a little unsettling. It asks something of us.

It asks everything of us.

I think back to my own journey. As a child, I knew about God—but I didn’t know Him. My understanding was shaped by distance, confusion, and a sense that God was far away and hard to reach.

And then I met Jesus.

Not just in stories. Not just as a baby in a manger or a picture on a wall—but as the One who sees, who loves, who moves toward broken people with grace instead of condemnation.

That’s when everything shifted.

Jesus didn’t just forgive my sin—He changed my life.
He became my peace when I was overwhelmed.
My comfort when I was hurting.
My healer when I was broken.

He became Lord.

And here’s the honest question for all of us:

Who is Jesus to you?

Not just what do you say—but what does your life say?

Because Jesus once asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”

Those words are meant to wake us up—not shame us, but invite us deeper.

To move from knowing about Him…
to truly knowing Him.

Because when Jesus is Lord, it doesn’t just change what you believe.

It changes how you live.

So today, maybe the question isn’t just What do you believe?

Maybe it’s this:

What do you call Him—and do you really mean it?

What do you believe?

Have you ever noticed that when life gets hard, your beliefs suddenly matter a lot more?

When you’re anxious… when you’re hurting… when there’s more month than money… when someone lets you down… you quickly discover what you’re really standing on.

So let me ask you a simple question: What do you believe?

Because what you believe about God shapes everything about you.

It shapes how you see yourself.
It shapes how you treat people.
It shapes how you handle disappointment.
It even shapes the direction of your life.

That’s why we’ve started a new series at Amberlea called The Creed. We’re taking a look at the Apostles’ Creed — an ancient declaration of faith that Christians have been speaking for centuries.

Now I know what some people might be thinking: Why study something ancient when we’re dealing with very modern problems?

Fair question.

But here’s the truth: in a world full of confusion, shifting opinions, and whatever-the-latest-social-media-trend-is, we need something solid to stand on. The Creed reminds us of the unchanging truth about who God is.

It begins with these powerful words:

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”

Those few words say so much.

They remind us that God is Father — personal, loving, close.
But He is also Almighty — powerful, sovereign, able to do what we cannot.

A God who is only powerful might feel distant.
A God who is only loving might feel limited.

But our God is both.

He is the God who holds the galaxies in place… and the Father who knows your name.

That means when life feels overwhelming, you can pray:
“Father.”
Because He cares.

And you can pray:
“Almighty.”
Because nothing is too big for Him.

The early Christians declared these words even when it could cost them their lives. Their faith wasn’t just a ritual — it was their foundation.

And that raises the same question for us today:

What do you believe?

Do you believe in a God who sees you?
A God who walks with you?
A God who can make a way when there seems to be no way?

I know what I believe.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in the God who keeps His promises.
I believe in the God who restores what is broken.
I believe in the God who sent His Son, Jesus, so we could truly know Him.

And I believe that when we build our lives on that truth, everything changes.

Because in the end, what you believe about God shapes everything about you.

Don’t Forget to Remember… God Is in Charge

Sometimes we forget the simplest truths.

Last week in worship we talked about the disciples forgetting the bread—even though Jesus is the Bread of Life. This week we remembered something else we often forget: God is in charge.

In Mark 5 we see two desperate people whose lives collide at the feet of Jesus: Jairus, a synagogue leader with a dying daughter, and a woman who had been suffering for twelve long years. On the surface they couldn’t be more different. One is respected and named. The other is anonymous and marginalized. One likely has resources and influence. The other has spent everything she had on doctors.

But life has a way of evening the playing field.

Sometimes life hits us with things our money can’t fix, our friends can’t fix, and our strength can’t fix. Moments when all we can do is throw up our hands and say, “God, I don’t know what to do… but surely you do.”

Both Jairus and this woman pushed through the crowd to get to Jesus. They were desperate. And desperation has a way of opening doors that complacency keeps shut.

But one moment in the story really stands out.

When Jesus arrives at Jairus’ house, people are already mourning. They laugh when Jesus says the girl is not dead but sleeping. The atmosphere is thick with doubt and disbelief.

And what does Jesus do?

He puts them out.

Before the miracle happens, Jesus clears the room.

It makes you wonder if sometimes the miracle isn’t just about what God wants to bring in, but also about what needs to be pushed out.

Maybe this is a season not just to tell your miracle to “get up,” but to tell some things in your life to get out.

Fear — get out.
Anxiety — get out.
The lie that God has abandoned you — get out.
The voice that says nothing will ever change — get out.

Because the truth is this: God has authority.

In the middle of chaos, in the middle of waiting, in the middle of watching other people receive miracles while you’re still praying for yours—God is still in charge.

And when your faith is connected to His authority, something powerful happens.

So today, whatever you are facing, don’t forget to remember:
God has the final say.

And that is very good news.