The Exaltation Of Christ

The Exaltation of Christ (Ephesians 1: 19-23) Introduct ion: This morning we saw that Paul prayed that they might know God and His benefits. Tonight we want to look at Paul’s example of God’s power which He exercises towards you, namely that of the exaltation of Christ from death’s power to the place of absolute sovereign of the universe, and to realize that this same power has been and is at work in you.

I.

God Has Exalted Christ over All Authority.

A.

God Raised Him From the Dead. 1.

This is the first step of His exaltation. a. Christ suffered for our sins. b. On the third day, God raised Him from the dead.

2. God alone has the power to raise from the dead. a. Notice the accumulation of words: According to the working of the power of His might [v. 191. b. It expresses the highest form of power. c. No created being can raise the dead. d. Nor can one make alive those dead in sins and trespasses, except God alone. 3.

You also were raised with Christ. a. That same power raised you from spiritual death. b. When Christ was raised, it procured your resurrection as well [cf. 2 : 6 ) . (il A picture of what happened to you. (iil A pledge that the work will be accomplished.

B. God Set Him at the Place of Highest Honor. 1.

Raising Christ was only the first stage of His exaltation. a. God’s vindication of Christ [Romans 1:41. b. He was declared the Son of God by His resurrection. c. He was also exalted to God’s right hand.

2. The and a. b. c.

d.

right hand is the place of strength, honor, blessing, dominion (Ps. 110:1; Matt. 25:31ff 1. God has no right hand, i.e., figurative speech. No creature may sit on God’s right hand [Heb. 1: 13). He has a divine nature and possesses the same almighty power, so He is associated with Him in His rule. The God-man is exalted, not God the Son. (il The nature and extent of His reign demands the perfections of God [Ps. 2 : 7 - 8 ; cf. Heb. 1:3). (iil But His exaltation is based upon His work of mediation .

2

This is Christ’s coronation, the beginning of His mediatorial reign. (ivl A reign that is universal <Matt. 28:18>. This is further expressed by the following.

(iiil

e 3.

His authority greatly exceeds all other authority. a. Above all rule and authority, power and dominion. (il This could refer to angels ( 3 :10; 6:121. (iil Or Paul may be refuting Gnostic emanationism. (iiil Christ is exalted above every created being. (ivl Compare Daniel 7:13f. b.

c.

Above every name that is named [Phil 2 : 9 ) . (il In context, every exalted title. (iil Above prince, potentate, ruler, etc. In this age and the coming one. (il He is Lord of this age and the one coming. (ii 1 Together they mean ”eternally”. (iiil That is, His reign is not limited to this world, but He will also reign in the kingdom of God.

4. All things are subjected under His feet. a. Christ is not only exalted, but has dominion.

11.

b.

Nothing is excluded but God Himself <1 Cor. 15:27>. (il Psalm 8 : 6 : all dominion is given to man. (iil This is fully realized in the perfect man. (a) The first Adam was called to be God’s vice-gerent/co-ruler, but he lost it. (bl The second Adam as the Head of the New Creation wins back the sovereignty.

c.

In principle now, but finished at the consummation.

God Has Appointed Him as the Head of the Church.

A.

He is the Lord of the Church. 1. God gave Christ to the church as her head. a. Head over all, i. e., supreme head. b. The One who is the exalted Savior, the supreme ruler of the universe, is the head of the Church. 2. He is the one who governs and directs His church. a. Christ actively rules over His church. b. He does so by means of His officers. 3.

B.

He also as the head is the source of its life <4:15-16>.

The Church is His Body. 1.

Not merely the local church, but universal a. The church of the Old covenant. b. And the church of the New.

2. Christ is the head of His body.

3

a. A living metaphor. (il We are in living union with Him. (iil It is like a living organism. (iiil We draw life from Him as branches from the vine. b.

3.

Only true believers are true members of His body. (il The indwelling of the Spirit constitutes the church His body. (iil Only those in whom the Spirit dwells are members. (iiil The Spirit only is given to believers.

We are the fullness of Him. a. We are the complement of His mystical body. b. We are that which fills Him up, or makes complete His body.

c. As the body complements the head to complete the man. d. You, as the Church are the full expression of Christ in the world. 4. Who a. b. c.

fills all things in all. He fills the universe. His divine nature is omnipresent [1K 8:27; Ps. 139:7). Christ creates, sustains, and fills the universe cf. Eph. 4:10. (il There is no place which He is not. (iil He is present with every creature. (iiil All things consist and are upheld by Him. (ivl You are in union with God manifested in the flesh, who pervades and governs all things by his omnipresent power. (Vl The source of your life, therefore is inexhaustible and immortal. (vi1 Because Christ is your Lord, His church has the power and authority to overcome all opposition.

Conclusion: 1. Tonight we have seen the power of God manifested in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ. 2.

It is the same power which He exercised towards you when He raised you from your spiritual deadness.

3.

It is the same power which guarantees you the ultimate victory over death, hell and the grave.

4. This same power which saved you, will also keep you to the day of Christ, by His tender mercy and lovingkindness toward us in Christ. Amen. Let us pray.