The Resurrection & Exaltation of Jesus Christ Eph 1:19-23 I. Introduction A. If you ve been with us the past 2 ½ years, we ve been studying the book of Ephesians 1. One of Most Christ-centered books in NT 2. Resurrection Sunday perfect TIME to go back and REMEMBER what God did for us in Jesus Christ B. Today Resurrection Sunday - IS TAUGHT in Eph 1:19-23 - God s power MANIFESTED in JESUS CHRIST S RESURRECTION & EXALTATION C. The Greatest display of God s power is 1. NOT on the beginning of Christ s life! a) Conceived by the Holy Spirit b) Born of the Virgin Mary 2. NOT on the Middle of Christ s life! a) Sinless Life b) Suffering at the hands of men 3. BUT is on the DEATH and RESURRECTION and RESULTS to follow D. Resurrection Sunday is the MOST IMPORTANT DATE in ALL HUMAN HISTORY 1. Our God who came TO DIE for SIN and was RESURRECTED because HE WAS VICTORIOUS and now we can have victory too. 2. yes - Jesus CAME to SUFFER and DIE. 3. Jesus CAME NOT for those who think themselves healthy BUT for the SICK, DOWNTRODDEN. 4. Jesus CAME for SINNERS to DIE 5. And WHILE we were HIS ENEMIES HE TOOK OUR SIN AND NAILED it to the CROSS 6. SO that WE MIGHT be RECONCILED with GOD 1
7. Made RIGHT in our RELATIONSHIP with GOD. 8. REMEMBER that EACH and EVERY SIN you commit IS ENOUGH to have sent Jesus to that cross. 9. He DIED and ROSE SO THAT HE COULD SOLVE OUR SIN PROBLEM. 10. That is the story of Resurrection Sunday to us! E. Let s Look at JESUS CHRIST from the SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE today 1. Who is this Jesus Christ, SPIRITUALLY? 2. WHY do we need a SAVIOR SPIRITUALLY? 3. TO what END was the WORK of this SAVIOR SPIRITUALLY? 4. TODAY Look at these from the perspective of the POWER GOD MANIFESTED in JESUS CHRIST so that WE can call HIM LORD, and SAVIOR, Jesus Christ! a) = POWER of God to CARRY OUT the PURPOSE of GOD IN CHRIST b) =POWER FAR GREATER (1) THAN our SIN (2) THAN SIN and DEATH itself (3) THAN ANY OTHER POWER c) This SAME power can / does SAVE US too! F. Today: Study Power of God that CARRIED OUT the Purpose of God TO RESURRECT & EXALT Jesus Christ SO THAT you can KNOW GOD MORE FULLY BE MORE ASSURED of your SALVATION AND LIVE GODLY because of WHAT God DID FOR YOU 1. Magnitude of the Power of God 2. Manifestations of the Power of God To Christ G. TURN TO Passage to read Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who 2
II. believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. But FIRST: Who is Jesus Christ? 3 Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, A. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, = Jesus Christ is the SON OF GOD! 1. He is the Word made Flesh (John 1:14) who dwelt among us.=the Son of God became fully human. a) He is forever the God-Man b) ETERNALLY Fully God + Fully Man B. who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 1. Jesus Christ IS the MEANS of EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING from GOD 2. NOTICE EVERY, ALL, 100% - IOW 3. He is the ONLY way to God a) I am the WAY, the truth, and the light no one comes to the Father BUT through ME! C. IF you do NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST and COME to the FATHER THROUGH HIM, 1. THEN you DO NOT HAVE ANY SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS from GOD 2. YOU DO NOT have HEAVEN after death - eternal life.
III. 4 D. He is the ONLY name by which you can be saved from your sins Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. E. AND Ephesians 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 1. NOT only is EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in Jesus Christ 2. BUT ALSO God s PURPOSE a) FOR ALL HISTORY / FOR ALL THINGS b) Is to SUM THEM UP IN CHRIST! 3. =God s GOAL / OBJECT is TO ARRANGE ALL THINGS UNDER the AUTHORITY of HIS SON! 4. sum up = TO UNITE UNDER ONE HEAD = JESUS CHRIST! F. So, who ROSE from the DEAD on this day over 2000 years ago? 1. The Son of God a) IN WHOM is EVERY SPIRITUAL blessing from God b) IN WHOM God has FOCUSED ALL THINGS to come under the AUTHORITY of Jesus Christ. 2. There is NOTHING MORE than Jesus Christ for you! Why was Jesus born? What was His Purpose? A. Summary: His PURPOSE was to come to EARTH and PURCHASE US back from slavery to sin ( the LOVE GIFT His Father had given Him) SO THAT an ETERNITY with GOD and CHRIST could be given to them so that they could worship and adore Jesus. B. How does Paul say it?
Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 1. chose / predestined = God gave Christians to Christ. 2. Those given are destined to be CHRIST-LIKE (holy, blameless), ADOPTED SONS of God. 3. This is the FIRST of EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in Jesus Christ! C. How did Jesus Christ PURCHASE this GIFT? Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. 1. With his blood on the cross 2. And so he BOUGHT us BACK from slavery to sin. 3. Q: Why did we have to be bought back? a) God: The wages of sin IS DEATH (Rom 6:23) b) We have all sinned (Rom 3:23, 5:8) c) We cannot solve our own sin problem (1) We are DEAD (Eph 2:1) (2) We are HELPLESS (Rom 5:6) 4. SOMEONE had to DIE to PAY for SIN a) IT couldn t be us b) SO God sent His SINLESS SON, who could pay the price for us. 5. Do ALL men / women get this redemption forgiveness of sins? NO! a) Paul doesn t talk about that here b) BUT IF you are willing to acknowledge that YOU CANNOT SOLVE your SIN PROBLEM with God 5
(1) You CANNOT make yourself RIGHT with God (2) CANNOT EARN a right relationship with God (3) FALL infinitely short of God s standard of right and perfect c) AND knowing that, TURN to CHRIST who OFFERS His payment of sin for you AS A FREE GIFT (1) Who says I died because as God I knew that you could not fix your relationship with me (2) I died so that I could offer my payment for sin in your place (3) AND I do offer it to you FREE! Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. d) THEN, having (1) GIVEN up on Your ability to fix your relationship with God (2) ACCEPTED Christ s GIFT to PAY for you (3) THEN You can have the eternal life with God and NOT have to eternally pay for your sins! D. What was the Result for those who accept the gift He offers what is eternal life? Ephesians 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God s own possession, to the praise of His glory. 1. Result is that WE BECOME PART of God s LOVE GIFT to HIS SON 6
IV. 2. Literally, we have been obtained as an inheritance a) = We are God s possession, His inheritance b) He gives us to His Son, Jesus Christ, as a gift. 3. that ALSO MEANS we are given an INDESCRIBABLE inheritance ourselves! a) Peter called it imperishable, undefiled, never to fade away b) = ETERNITY with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit (1) IN Glorified BODIES = CHRIST-LIKE in EVERY RESPECT (2) Completely holy and blameless (3) BEYOND pain, suffering, sin, tears, (4) BASKING in the light of the GLORY of GOD (5) In a new heavens, new earth, new Jerusalem! (6) And much more that we cannot describe today! E. Why did Jesus die and was resurrected? 1. To PAY for our sins- be our substitute 2. To pay for us and then OFFER us a FREE GIFT a) Gift = His payment on our behalf = He as a SUBSTITUTE for us in DEATH for SIN. F. And, if we accept that free gift, we are part of the Love gift to God s son and have an indescribable inheritance! How did God Carry out His Purposes ALL that I just described? A. WITH POWER LOTS of POWER -POWER UNMATCHED in heaven and on earth! B. Let s Look at that Power 1. Magnitude of the Power of God 2. Manifestation of the Power of God To Christ C. Magnitude of the Power of God (v.19) 7
Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 1. Paul uses FOUR DIFFERENT WORDS to try to DESCRIBE THE MAGNITUDE of God s POWER! a) power = dunamis = root for dynamite (1) Focuses on HOW MUCH power (2) = CAPACITY, AMOUNT of POWER (3) Abbott-Smith = Potential Power b) working = energia = root for energize (1) Abbott-Smith = operative power (2) =Active power, power in Action c) strength = kratos = general word for strength = often used for physical power or might use when referring to human use of God s power (1) Not as specific as the first two! d) might = isxus = another general word (1) Abbott-Smith = synonym to all of the above! e) What is Paul doing here? (1) Repetition = EMPHASIS = here = emphasizing the MAGNITUDE of God s POWER (2) Word variance = emphasizing the COMPLETENESS of the surpassing greatness of His power (a) You name the kind of power and GOD HAS it EVEN GREATER than anything else in the universe! (b) Paul NOT SPLITTING HAIRS (i) Not the DIFFERENCES in POWER (ii) BUT the SIMILARITY by just USING all the POSSIBLE words! (3) Total number of times these FOUR words appear in Ephesians = 12 times 8
(a) This book is ABOUT THE POWER OF GOD in JESUS CHRIST! (b) And in US! Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (i) 3 uses right there! For us! 2. if that is the MAGNITUDE of God s POWER, let s SEE HOW God put it to use in JESUS CHRIST! D. Manifestation of the Power of God to Christ! Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 1. A couple of thoughts a) NOTICE what Paul doesn t focus on here! (1) The BIRTH of CHRIST OR The PERFECT, SINLESS LIFE of CHRIST! (2) Are they not important? NO! (3) They are NECESSARY but are the MEANS to the ENDS! (4) Everything was focused on GETTING CHRIST (a) TO THE CROSS As a Man (b) To DIE for SIN AND THEN BE RAISED. b) Paul talks about THREE manifestations / uses of the Power of God toward Christ! (1) V.19 God s power when He RAISED Him [Christ] from the dead =Power to Raise Christ from the Dead = RESURRECTION POWER 9
(2) V.19-21 God s power seated Him at His right hand far above = POSITION POWER (3) V.22 God s power put all things in subjection under His feet = LORDSHIP POWER (4) V.22 God s power gave Him as head over all things to the Church = HEADSHIP POWER (5) Why does Paul talk about all of this power? (a) For our SECURITY in CHRIST (b) OUR ASSURANCE (c) AND for OUR RESPONSE (i) To LIVE in that POWER (ii) We too HAVE God s POWER but often don t live like it! (6) Look at all this power 2. Power to Raise Christ from the Dead = RESURRECTION POWER v.20 which He brought about in Christ, when He RAISED Christ from the dead a) Greek: which He brought about in THE Christ. (1) =Raised THE MESSIAH, THE SAVIOR from the dead (2) Emphasizing WHO JESUS is! b) when He RAISED Him from the dead (1) Literally raised Christ from being a DEAD CORPSE. (2) We know that ONLY Jesus HUMANNESS DIED on the cross. (3) Jesus DEITY didn t die (a) God didn t die (b) God cannot die. (4) raised from the dead = Christ s HUMANITY raised from the dead! (a) His human body 10
(b) His human soul RAISED from the dead (c) FULLY ONE with HIS DEITY c) BL: God alone has power over Life and Death. 11 Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand. (1) God alone IS LIFE (John 11:25-27) John 11:25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (a) Jesus GIVES LIFE because HE IS LIFE (b) Jesus GIVES RESURRECTION because He IS LIFE. d) Scripture often reminds us that God raised Christ from the dead SO THAT we can be ASSURED that He will RAISE US who believe in Him. (e.g. Paul uses that as an argument in Rom 4:24). 3. Power to Put Christ at His Right hand = POSITION POWER v.20 and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. a) seated is LITERAL! b) seated at His right hand = HIGHEST position of HONOR and AUTHORITY c) Do you remember what happened in the Gospels concerning this? Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, What do you wish? She said to Him, Command that
in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left. 22 But Jesus answered, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They said to Him, We are able. 23 He said to them, My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father. 12 d) Who ALONE has THE POWER to determine who sits at the right hand of God? GOD! e) God RESERVED that position for CHRIST (1) BECAUSE it is the POSITION of HIGHEST SUFFERING ( are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? ) (2) HIGHEST HONOR to Christ who GAVE THE MOST! (3) The SINLESS LAMB who TOOK on the SINS of the WORLD (4) He alone is WORTHY to have GOD the FATHER BESTOW the POWER OF THE POSITION of the RIGHT HAND of God! f) And WHAT does it MEAN to be seated at the right hand of God? 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (1) far above = SUPERIORITY (not way up high above!) (a) = HIGH POSITION of SUPERIORITY! (2) TWO parts HERE of SUPERIORITY (3) ONE FAR ABOVE EVERYTHING in the SPIRITUAL realm (all angels) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,
(4) TWO FAR ABOVE EVERY PERSON and every name that is named, (a) Phrase refers to ALL names (angels and people) but since ANGELS were the focus of the first phrase (b) GREATEST EMPHASIS here is ON ALL HUMANS (c) = Same thing Paul told the Philippians Philippians 2:9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, (d) Then Paul adds (5) not only in this age but also in the one to come. (a) Phil 2:9 Christ ALREADY has THE NAME which is ABOVE EVERY NAME (b) BUT Paul ALSO adds in the one to come (c) This adds the reminder of v.10 (i) ALL THINGS will be SUMMED UP IN CHRIST (ii) Phil 2:10 EVERY knee will bow to this name! g) This is great assurance to believers! (1) Christ is seated at the right of the Father NOW (2) THERE is AN AGE to COME WHEN, (a) All things will be united under Christ (1:10) (b) God will take His inheritance (1:14) and (c) God will demonstrated the riches of His grace in the saints (2:7) (i) By redeeming those He has sealed (4:30) (ii) Received the spotless Church (5:27) (iii) Reward believers (6:8) 13
4. Power to make Christ LORD over all things = LORDSHIP POWER 14 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, a) = OTHER SIDE of THE COIN of seated far above b) God (1) Raised Christ from the Dead (Resurrection Power) (2) Seated in Him Position of POWER and AUTHORITY (3) AND put ALL THINGS under His Lordship! (4) Give the POSITION of AUTHORITY (5) AND Now the RIGHT to EXERCISE that AUTHORITY! c) Very LITERAL PHRASE! (1) Put in subjection = ARRANGE UNDER militarily (a) Same word- wives submitting to husbands (2) Phrase ASSUMES Christ s victory (3) Phrase used in OT referring to ALL ENEMIES in subjection under His feet! (4) all things = ALL things ALL CREATION! (5) under His feet = OT military practice of putting your foot on neck of a defeated enemy! d) So- Paul has covered both sides of Christ s Position (1) Christ is At the RIGHT Hand of the Father the position of POWER and HONOR (a) far above = FAR SUPERIOR to ALL creation (2) AND EVERYTHING is in SUBJECTION to HIM (3) ALL DONE by POWER of GOD for HIS SON (4) BASED on HIS PERFECT WORK on the CROSS! 5. Power to make Christ head of the church = HEADSHIP POWER v.22 and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. a) Paul now FOCUSES in on God s POWER manifested in Christ
b) SPECIFICALLY (1) God gave Christ TO the CHURCH AS HEAD of the CHURCH -WHICH is HIS BODY (2) Here we begin to see the BODY metaphor for the CHURCH E. Looking back now OBVIOUS PROGRESSION 1. RESURRECTION, then SEATED at Right Hand of God 2. ALL things put in subjection to Christ 3. Finally, Christ is given to the CHURCH as the head of the church which is His body! F. Paul has begun to SHOW how GOD s POWER is making GOD S PURPOSES come to FRUITION to make them REAL in HISTORY. V. So, What is RESURRECTION SUNDAY? A. = Most important part of God s plan to save men from their sins B. BEHIND Resurrection Sunday is the UNSURPASSING GREATNESS of God s POWER C. Christ s Resurrection was PLANNED in ETERNITY PAST 1. MOST IMPORTANT TASK for JESUS CHRIST - to Go to the CROSS -To die for our SINS D. BEHIND Resurrection is the GREAT ASSURANCE 1. Of GOD s PLAN (v.3-14 in weeks past) 2. OF GOD S POWER as seen today E. The GOOD NEWS of Resurrection Sunday is that CHRIST ACCOMPLISHED His FATHER S PLAN 1. SO TODAY, RIGHT NOW 2. SITS at the RIGHT HAND of the FATHER 3. FAR above FAR SUPERIOR IN POWER to ALL CREATION 15
4. WITH ALL things SUBJECT to HIS RULE 5. AND He is OUR HEAD of the CHURCH on earth F. IF you DO NOT KNOW Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR, please talk with me after the service and let me talk with you G. Now, also, let us go to communion and REMEMBER WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE! 16