Jesus as Exalted King
By Chap Bettis

We have been looking at photographs of Jesus over the past three weeks.

· Three weeks ago we saw him as healer, compassionately desiring to heal those brought to him. The implication is that Jesus is concerned about your healing.

· Two weeks ago, we saw his as seeker, faithfully seeking out the lost prisoners of war. There is more rejoicing in heaven’s house over one prisoner of war recovered than of 249,000 soldiers obeying their orders.

· Last week, we saw Jesus as victor over death. His earthly ministry had been vindicated. He rose from the dead victorious.

· This week, we look at one last photograph to help us know Jesus more intimately. Jesus as King. Unfortunately, evangelicals often miss meditating on this picture. As a result we are poorer for it.

· The reason we must look so closely at this photograph is because it was one of last pictures of Jesus he himself wanted us to see. And if it is a true photograph, not retouched by human hands, then it has huge implications for how we understand the world.

· What does this photograph show?

Acts 1:1-12

Jesus was exalted. v.9

· Notice with me that Jesus does not just disappear. He doesn’t talk with them for forty days and then say see you later. This is my goodbye party. This happens forty days later - May 29th year.

· Instead, the Bible says, he was taken up before their eyes. Notice the passive tense. The Father took Jesus up.

· This ascension appearance was just as deliberate as the resurrection appearances. It was designed to convince the disciples of something. But of what? Returned to glory.

Jesus had predicted his ascension and his return to glory.

· John 6:62, 14:2,12, 16:5,10,17,28 17:5, 20:17 (Mt. 26:64, Luke 22:69)

· He had predicted his return to glory and prayed for his return to glory.

· This change the way they looked at the world.

· But what was this ascension designed to prove?

Jesus is exalted currently. Acts 2:31-36 v. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God

· If the historical fact of the resurrection proves that Jesus is victor over death,

o then the ascension proves that Jesus is man - king over this world.

· Ps 110 - The Lord (Father) said to my Lord (Jesus) sit at my right hand.

· What does exalted to the right hand of God mean.

o Theologians call this the seating (or session) of Jesus. The ascension was designed to prove that Jesus would be brought up into heaven and seated at the position of authority and power.

o To sit on a throne at the ruler’s right hand was to occupy the position of executive ruler on the monarch’s behalf.

o This ascension and rule of Christ was a sure hope of those early Christian.

· Phil 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

· Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

· Huge implications –

o Doesn’t matter who sits in the oval office of the White House – Jesus the man is on the throne of heaven.

o As Christians, we tend to look down at our circumstances rather than up to the risen exalted Christ.

· Don’t let the fact that you did not see this event occur affect your belief.

o Many Iraqis did not see Hussein fall, but they know it to be a true fact and act in accordance with it.

o We cannot see germs, but know their existence to be a true fact and act in accordance with it.

o The ascension proved that Jesus was seated in a position of authority in heaven.

Why was he exalted?

We could say that Jesus starts new works of service on our behalf.

· He poured and pours out the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:; John 16:7;

· He receives gifts for his people. Eph 4:8-11

· He is preparing a place for us. John 14:2

· We have a sympathetic high priest who intercedes for us. Rom 8:34, Heb 9:24

· Because of our mystical spiritual union with him, we are actually seated with him.

· But I want to highlight what I believe to be the primary ministry.

Third, Jesus was exalted to rule.

· We speak of our country pre 9/11 and post 9/11. An event that happened on that date changed our mindset.

· But even more important, was VI day. Victory in Iraq day. When the old kingdom was pulled down and a new one set up. I hope Iraqis will look back with joy on that day as a day to change the rule of Saddam to the rule of law and democracy.

· Jay Garner has been appointed to rule over Iraq. The military victory gives him the authority. Now he is there to take the rule of law to all places in that country.

· Likewise, the exaltation of Jesus now starts fulfilling the prediction of Daniel

o Daniel 2:31-35 That a rock would strike the statue that represented the four kingdom. Then that rock would become a huge mountain and fill the earth.

o Alexander, Caesar, and Hannibal conquered the world but they had no friends. ... Jesus founded his empire upon love, and at this hour millions would die for him. ... He has won the hearts of men, a task a conqueror cannot do. -- Napoleon Bonaparte, Leadership, Vol. 7, no. 1

o Eph 1:19ff seated him at this right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every titles that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.

o Eph 1:22 God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

o What these verses are saying is that Jesus was exalted over everything and everything placed under his feet for the church, his body,

o Some people are very adept at criticizing the bride of Jesus.

· Others say they love Jesus but have no love for the one that Jesus loves, the church.

· At times the church is treated like the dog that made the news this week, hit by a car, shot in the head to be put out of its misery, taken to animal control freezer for two hours – only to be discovered alive.

o All the while, Jesus kingdom is primarily established through his church. Everything is being placed under his feet for his bride, his body, his fullness - the church.

· Sidebar – One of the biggest value conflicts our church has with older Christians who come in is on the view of the church. Many people view the church as a rundown, out of date, backwards, boring, necessity that God inflicts upon his children.

o What Jesus says, the NT shows, is the church is the primary cup that holds the kingdom.

· Not our meeting on Sunday, but our meetings, our community. Through the public and private preaching and study of the word. Through counseling and helps and a myriad of other ministries, the church is the only institution in the world that can change hearts. Jesus is ruling right now to put his enemies underneath his feet through the church.

o Implication? We are to be a prevailing church not a predictable church.

· We need to see the world as God sees it. Find where we fit into that plan of building the kingdom and organizing our life around God’s plan.

Jesus has deputized you to take his rule everywhere.

· Mt 28:18 – All authority has been given to me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations.

· Jesus is ruling behind all these things to establish his kingdom through his church.

o When we speak to people, we are seeking to take the rule of Christ to their hearts.

o When we work on sin, we are seeking to take the rule of Christ to the far reaches of our heart.

o We sing Reign King Jesus Reign over all the peoples of the earth. Le the whole earth be filled with the glory of the Lord, let the people come let them bow before you. That song is a prayer to take the rule of Christ to everyone and everywhere.

· The US has appointed Lt Gen Jay Garner to oversee the reconstruction.

o There are no doubts still pockets of resistance. And he cannot be everywhere at the same time so he has delegated his authority to others.

o There is a new mayor of Baghdad, the new govt just laughs. He has no authority.

Jesus Christ is the currently ruling King. He is your Savior. He has appointed you to extend his reign, his kingdom, primarily through the church.

If you have any questions, comments or observations, please call Chapman Bettis at 401 727-2367 or John Riley at 401-453-5550 or email at johnr@cornerstoneri.com