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The Exaltation of Christ

The document summarizes Paul's teaching on the exaltation of Christ from death to the highest place of authority and power in the universe. It notes that God raised Christ from the dead through his mighty power. Christ was then seated at God's right hand, placing him above all rule and authority. As the head of the church, Christ governs and directs believers, filling them with spiritual life from himself as the head fills the body.

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Grace Church Modesto
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257 views3 pages

The Exaltation of Christ

The document summarizes Paul's teaching on the exaltation of Christ from death to the highest place of authority and power in the universe. It notes that God raised Christ from the dead through his mighty power. Christ was then seated at God's right hand, placing him above all rule and authority. As the head of the church, Christ governs and directs believers, filling them with spiritual life from himself as the head fills the body.

Uploaded by

Grace Church Modesto
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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 right hand is the place of strength, honor, blessing,


and dominion (Ps. 110:1; Matt. 25:31ff 1.
a. God has no right hand, i.e., figurative speech.
b. No creature may sit on God’s right hand [Heb. 1: 13).
c. He has a divine nature and possesses the same almighty
power, so He is associated with Him in His rule.

d. 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 <Phil. 2:5-11>.
2

(iiil This is Christ’s coronation, the beginning of


His mediatorial reign.
(ivl A reign that is universal <Matt. 28:18>.
e This is further expressed by the following.

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. Above every name that is named [Phil 2 : 9 ) .


(il In context, every exalted title.
(iil Above prince, potentate, ruler, etc.

c. 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.

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.

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

B. 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. 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.

3. 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 fills all things in all.


a. He fills the universe.
b. His divine nature is omnipresent [1K 8:27; Ps. 139:7).
c. Christ creates, sustains, and fills the universe <Col.
1: 16, 17> 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.

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