Pastor Rockwell / THE MAJESTY OF OUR SAVIOUR

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

 

THE MAJESTY OF OUR SAVIOUR

THE MAJESTY OF OUR SAVIOUR, Ephesians 1:20-23. Now we learn from Paul what is behind the benefits we have from God.

  1. THE PLACE OF CHRIST, vs. 20. Ephesians 1:20 (KJV), “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (see also, Hebrews 8:1). Jesus being at the “right hand” of the Father, places Him in the current role he functions, being the High Priest for us. It says in Hebrews 3:1 (KJV), “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 2:17 (KJV), “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Note the following scripture which discusses Jesus Christ as the “High Priest.” Hebrews 4:14-15; 5:10; 6:20; 7:26; 9:11-15.
  1. God Raised Jesus from the Dead, Ephesians 1:20. This verse provides the information many overlook. God raised Jesus from the dead. This is confirme d in: Acts 2:23-24 (KJV), “23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33, 37; 26:8; Rom. 10:9; Gal. 1:1; Col. 2:12; Heb. 11:19; 1 Pet. 1:21). We dare not overlook what is said in 1 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV), “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” We must remember that our salvation is based on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Look at Romans 10:9-10 (KJV), “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Two things must take place. One, “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” Two, “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:15-21 (KJV), “15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
  2. Seated at God’s Right Hand, Ephesians 1:20. Not everyone understands the present responsibility of Christ after the resurrection and ascension. This verse states God “set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:20b). Being at the right hand of God had, even has a prominent position in the affairs of man. The phrase occurs 167 times in the Bible. Of these, 123 are found in the Old Testament and 44 in the New Testament. It says in Hebrews 8:1 (KJV), “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” This verse connects the “right hand” with the “high priest.” This was prophesied in Psalm 110:1, 4 (KJV), “1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool;” “4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is currently functioning as our “high priest” and this is an important function. As High Priest, Jesus has several functions. One, He prays for us according to Romans 8:34 (KJV), “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” There are two functions of Christ in this part of the study. He is our “mediator” and “our intercessor.” It is not trite to say that “He cares for you!” There is one phrase that needs consideration and that is “heavenly places” (vs. 20c). It is considered that “at the right hand” is a statement of sovereignty, or authority. This phrase, “heavenly places” is found only in Ephesians and occurs in Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10. It says that we “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). It says in Ephesians 6:12, that Satan occupies “high places.” This is why it is important to consider the statement that “Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1) is a statement of sovereignty.
  1. THE POSITION OF CHRIST, vs. 21. Ephesians 1:21 (KJV), “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.” He is known as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). This designation is in a passage that we want to explore. Look at 1 Timothy 6:13-16 (KJV). “13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” A couple of things we should take note of. One, it says, “Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” That was just before the crucifixion when Pilate had examined Christ and even asked a question or two in John 18:33-40. The first question Pilate asked Him is in vs. 33 where he asked, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Jesus’ reply is interesting in John 18:34 (KJV), “Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate then replied with two questions: 1) vs. 35, “Am I a Jew?” He explained that Jesus’ own people brought Him there. Then he asked, 2) “What hast thou done?” Jesus’ reply is in John 18:36 (KJV), “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Basically, Jesus is telling Pilate that He is not a threat to the Roman government nor to Pilate’s authority. If you read John 18:28-32 it is evident the Jewish leaders had already tried and convicted Jesus, and they conveyed that to Pilate. The problem they had was that they had no authority to put a person to death. Yet, it is interesting that some 50 days later they had no problem stoning Stephen who had confronted them with their actions of seeing that Jesus was crucified. This exchange suggests they were trying to place the blame of execution on the Roman government. When Pilate inquired of Jesus if He was a king (John 18:37), Jesus’ replied in John 18:37 (KJV), “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Jesus knew His destination, yet the Jewish leaders had no clue. Even some of the disciples had a hard time with some of the things He taught them. Jesus’ ministry in eternity will be as King of kings and Lord of lords. This is His final office to hold. He was a “servant/Saviour,” then, a “sacrifice,” finally a “Sovereign King.” We dare not overlook who Jesus Christ is.
  2. THE POWER OF CHRIST, vs. 22-23.
  1. He Will Have Complete Dominion, Ephesians 1:22 (KJV), “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” This point is similar to the previous point. Jesus Christ is going to be the “Absolute Ruler.” This was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV), “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Compare Philippians 2:9-10 (KJV), “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.” (See: Luke 1:32-33).
  2. He Will Have Care and Control of the Church, Ephesians 1:22-23 (KJV), “22 And hath put all things under his feet, 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.” John Phillips makes an interesting observation about the phrase “And hath put all things under his feet.” He says, “There is something gloriously appropriate in these words from Ephesians 1:22, since men once pierced His feet. Christ will put His feet on the necks of His enemies and the earth will be His footstool.” When the Apostle John had a vision of Christ he made an observation of what he saw in Revelation 1:15 (KJV), “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Brass is a symbol of “judgment” as seen in the Tabernacle. The “altar” was made of brass and that was where the animals were sacrificed and is called the “brazen altar” (Exod. 39:39), and all the instruments used at the altar were made of brass. When John saw Jesus feet “like unto fine brass” suggests that all judgment will be assigned to Jesus Christ. The phrase here, “. . .and gave him to be the head over all things to the church” (vs. 22) does not say that Jesus is head over the church but over “all things to the church.” The church is His “body” (vs. 23) and that is a different relationship. Jesus said that the husband was “head of his wife, even as Christ is head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body” (Eph. 5:23). The man being “head of the wife” (Eph. 5:23) is to be as Jesus was head of the church. Look at Ephesians 5:25-27 (KJV), “25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” To say that Jesus is to be “head” of the church means He will take better care for it than one can imagine.