Outline and Audio Sermons:
Dr. Walter D. Huyck Jr. D.Min.
www.thischristianjourney.com

How To Use This Outline

 

The Post Ascension Ministries of Christ

Ephesians 1.20-23

 

[Have you ever thought about the post resurrection and post ascension work of our Lord Jesus Christ?  We know from Scripture that after Jesus Christ was physically resurrected that He then physically ascended into heaven.  The Bible states,] 

[Acts 1:7-11 ⁷ And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ⁹ And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹ Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. ]

[So that’s where our Lord Jesus Christ is today.  He’s in heaven, and from other scriptures we know that today He is seated on the right hand of God the Father, Almighty.  But why is He there?  And what is He doing?] 

[Some might mistakenly think that our Lord is kind of sitting there looking off into the vastness of space, thinking about the latest, greatest celestial hot rod, looking forward to the next heavenly drag race from Pluto to Jupiter; completely aloof to the affairs of mankind or this mortal earth.  But the Bible paints a very different picture of the post resurrection work of our Lord Jesus Christ.] 

In the Bible we discover, 

A.     Jesus’ Ascended Position (Eph 1.20-23; 4.15; 5.23; Col 1.18) [– Notice Jesus Authority from this text.  In this position we see Jesus in,] 

1.      [His Exaltation (vs 20-21; Philip 2.9-11; Matt 24.4-14)] 

[Ephes. 1:20-21 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:]  

[According to this scripture and many others like it Jesus truly is higher than the highest and greater than the greatest.  The wise will take heed of these revelations and will show the highest regard and respect toward our ascended Lord.  This passage reveals that the Lord Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  The right hand depicts a position of great power and authority.  In this seat our Lord has the complete power of the Kingdom.  Only God the Father has more authority and Power than the Lord Jesus Christ.] 

[But look again, Paul also wrote, “. . . Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Just what is Paul trying to express when he wrote this? Perhaps Paul himself can best explain his words.  The Bible states,] 

[Philippians 2:9-11 ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ]

[Paul is expressing the absolute nature of the exaltation of our Lord and His preeminent authority.  Every other authority will ultimately bow to the absolute authority of the King of kings, our Lord Jesus Christ.] 

[Someone might say, “But look around you preacher!  Does it look like your Lord Jesus Christ is in control?”  But don’t you know, oh vain skeptic, that my Lord prophetically spoke of  the sate of things in these last days.  None of our contemporary rebellion and denials were over looked by my Lord Jesus Christ.”]

[Matthew 24:4-14 ⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. ⁵ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. ⁶ And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows. ⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. ¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. ¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. ¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.]

[Don’t mistakenly believe that our world’s culture and godlessness is an indication of a lack of authority and sovereignty on the part of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is highly exalted and He does reign on high.] 

2.      [His Jurisdiction (vs 22) - A second mistake often made by vain minds in our day is the tendency to think that our Lord’s jurisdiction is restricted.  Notice what this Scripture states is the Jurisdiction of our Lord Jesus Christ.]   

[Ephesians 1:22 ²² And hath put all things under his feet, . . .]

3.      [His  Representation (Eph 1.20-21)] 

[Ephesians 1:22-23 ²² . . .  and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.]

[Ephes. 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:]  

[Ephes. 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.]  

[Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. ] 

B.     Jesus’ Ascended Priesthood (Heb 4.14-16; 7.25; 1 Tim 2.5; Heb 2.18) [– He is the High Priest for His people.  A Priest speaks to God for His people.  In His Priesthood Jesus is our,] 

1.      [High Priest – The high priest was the one who actually entered the presence of God, once a year, to make an atonement for the people.  But our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ stands continuously in the presence of our Heavenly Father for us.  He is always there speaking with God on our behalf, working to our benefit and good.  The bible says,] 

[Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ] 

2.      [Intercessor – As our eternal high priest our Lord Jesus Christ serves as our intercessor.  The Bible states,] 

[Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. ] 

[Intecession - ἐντυγχάνειν (Gk) - Ἐντυγχάνω is thus a many-sided word; it belongs primarily to the conceptual world of the ruler’s court (cf. the occurrences in 1-2 Maccabees; further texts in BADG s.v. 1), where accusations against another and where requests on behalf of another are made with the hope of receiving a hearing (see also Bauernfeind 243). The narrower theological usage of the verbs in Romans 8 and Hebrews 7 take on their meaning from this background.^[1] ] 

[Hence an intercessor takes on the idea of an attorney in a court room representing and appealing for those he is representing.  Therefore, the role of our high priest the Lord Jesus Christ is to stand on the right side of our Heavenly Father appealing on our behalf.] 

3.      [Mediator – As our High priest Jesus is also referred to as our Mediator.  The Bible says,] 

[1 Timothy 2:5 ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;]

[Mediator – μεσίτης (Gk) - A mediator, one who mediates between two parties (Gal. 3:20). Ascribed to Christ (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Sept.: Job 9:33); to Moses (Gal. 3:19). In Paul’s language, mesítēs is one who unites parties or who mediates for peace (1 Tim. 2:5). Christ is thus called the “mediator” because in man’s behalf He satisfies the claims of God upon man (Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). It is he who, with reference to mankind, mediates or guarantees for them a new and better covenant, and with reference to God, appears as High Priest (Heb. 7:20–22). What the Epistle to the Hebrews divides into two elements, the high priesthood and the mediatorship of Christ, Paul represents as blended in the mediatorship (1 Tim. 2:5).^[2] ] 

 [Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. ] 

[A Mediator negotiates the peace between two parties.  It is through our Lord Jesus Christ that we find our peace with God.  One can almost hear Almighty God, who is perfectly just saying, “The penalty must be paid, justice requires it.”  To which Jesus pleads, “The penalty has been paid, my blood proves it.” Jesus is the mediator for our peace with God.] 

C.     Jesus’ Ascended Preparation (John 14.1-3; Rev 21.1-5) [- He is the preparer of a place for us, Jesus said,] 

[John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.]  

[Our Lord has been true to His promise.  The Apostle John was given the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and in it he describes, to the utmost of human ability, the glorious, precious place that is prepared for all those who will confess and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  Of this place the Bible reveals,] 

[Revelation 21:1-5 ¹ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. ² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. ⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. ⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. ]

[Having prepared this incredible place our Lord Jesus Christ now offers this place to all who will receive it.  Will you enter into this glorious place prepared by the Lord Jesus Christ as a part of His ascended work?] 

D.    Jesus’ Ascended Power (John 5.26-29; Rev 20.11-13) [- He will raise the rebellious, that reject Him and His offer, for appropriate judgment.  For those who refuse to acknowledge and accept the gracious love gift of our Lord and Savior there is another place prepared for them in the coming resurrection.  The Bible reads,] 

[John 5:26-29 ²⁶ For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; ²⁷ And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. ²⁸ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, ²⁹ And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. ]

[Notice the incredible ascended power of the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is coming a day when all who have ever lived will be resurrected.  There have been volume’s written over the debate about whether there will be one, two, or more resurrections.  Perhaps this debate is best resolved by saying that for every human being there will be one resurrection.  Those who are saved will be physically resurrected for eternal blessedness and bliss; we often refer to this as eternal life.] 

[But the lost will be resurrected as well, in the sense that they will also be physically and eternally resurrected one might say they will have eternal life as well.  Therefore it is correct to say that all people will experience everlasting life or an everlasting existence.  However, the lost will be physically resurrected to experience everlasting damnation, or everlasting death and torment.  The Bible refers to this as the second death,] 

[Revelation 20:11-13 ¹¹ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.]

[It has been often and accurately stated that they who are born once must die twice.  They that have been born twice must die once.  The new birth provided by our resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus Christ alone can rescue you from the eternal damnation that will be your undeniable lot should you end this mortal life without Christ.] 

[Does the Lord Jesus Christ want you to experience everlasting damnation?  No He does not!  He tarries His coming in hopes that you will hear the gospel message and receive the free gift of everlasting life offered only through His shed blood.] 

E.     Jesus’ Ascended Promise (2 Tim 4.1; 1 Cor 3.11-15; 2 Cor 5.10) [- The Lord Jesus Christ will reward His people.  The Bible declares,] 

[2 Timothy 4:1 ¹ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; ]

[We have just looked at the Ascended Power of our Lord and considered the Judgment of the dead unto everlasting damnation.  But there is another judgment that will precede the judgment of the lost and it precedes that judgment by 1007 years.  This is none other than the Bema of Christ or the Judgment Seat of Christ.  This is where the saved will be judged and rewarded for their faithfulness in serving our Lord Jesus Christ in His ascended glory.  The Bible states,] 

[1 Cor. 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ] 

[The Bible also says,] 

[2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. ] 

[Those who loose sight of the ascended glory of our Lord and fail to faithfully serve in our Lord’s kingdom as good and faithful steward’s will suffer great loss at the Bema Seat of Christ.  Our Lord is faithfully watching His ambassadors and He will hold each of us accountable one day.  Are you faithfully serving, as those who will give an account to their Lord?  Be diligent my brothers and sisters keep yourself unspotted from the world (James 1.27).  Keep yourself prepared as a Bride for her Bridegroom (Rev 21.2).  Be found as a faithful and watching steward (Luke 12.42) for our Lord is tending to His ascended promise and one day we will all stand upon His glorious Bema.] 

F.      Jesus’ Ascended Prominence (Rev 19.11-16; 20.1-4) [-  Our ascended Lord will one day soon rule this world with undeniable authority.  The Bible declares,] 

[Revelation 19:11-16 ¹¹ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ¹² His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. ¹³ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.]

[Revelation 20:1-4 ¹ And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. ² And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, ³ And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. ⁴ And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.]

[The Millennial reign of our Ascended Lord will mark the point when our Lord’s ascension becomes our Lord’s redemption of all of His creation.  He will resume His reigning authority over all of His creation for all eternity to come.  Our Ascended Lord will reign for 1000 years on this earth and then for all eternity on the New Heaven and New Earth.  Our resurrected and ascended Lord will reveal His prominence and those who are His will live in His glory and blessedness for all eternity to come.  Will you live with Him?]

 

 

CrossRoads Baptist Church, April 12, 2009, Evening