250924 BITES to CHOMPs: Q23 How was Christ exalted?

Q23 How was Christ exalted? A23 Christ was exalted by His 1) resurrection, 2) ascension 3) sitting at the right hand of the Father 4). and imminent return to judge the world at the last day (Philippians 2:9)

Attention grabbing introduction: (LET THEM THINK AND RESPOND)

Two weeks ago we looked at how Christ was humiliated.

Ultimately we learned that in Christ’s humiliation He expressed His greatest love toward us. We also learn from this that sin is really really bad since the cost to pay it off is so great

Now for tonight I want to ask you all, did Christ stay humiliated?

If you need a refresher, the elements of Christ’s humiliation were: 1). His lowly birth under the Law, 2). enduring life's miseries, 3). absorbing God's wrath by becoming cursed on the cross until death, and 4). through His burial

He was massively humiliated, to be God and then become God Man and take all of this abuse is amazing!

But a logical question to ask is, "did Christ retain all of these aspects of His humiliation - did He stay humiliated?” No!!

He was only humiliated until He was resurrected. At that point He began to be exalted, elevated, magnified, given great power, assigned authority and dominion. He was glorified!

Question/Answer #1

So here is tonight’s question: Q23 How was Christ exalted? A23 Christ was exalted by His 1) resurrection, 2) ascension 3) sitting at the right hand of the Father 4). and imminent return to judge the world at the last day

Philippians 2:9 “Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,”

Breakdown of Terms from Catechism Question:

Resurrection - A return to life after having died

Exalted - The lifting up or raising on high of a person, in words or actions. The exaltation of Jesus Christ, first on the cross and then in his resurrection, provides a model of how God exalts the humble and obedient. God also humbles those who exalt themselves.

Ascension - Jesus’ transition from earth to heaven after His ministry, death and resurrection

Sitting at the right hand of the Father - symbolizes His exaltation and authority in heaven after His resurrection and ascension. It signifies Christ's divine sovereignty, active role in intercession for believers, and His status as King and Judge in fulfillment of biblical prophecy and doctrine.

Imminent - Something that is about to happen or likely to occur very soon, communicates a sense of urgency and immediacy

Judge - a person authorized to make decisions in legal cases, interpreting and applying the law to resolve disputes, administer justice and assign penalties

Ask if anyone has questions

Broader Context:

Philippians 2:5–8“Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Philippians 2:9–11“Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”

Ask if anyone has questions

Questions:

So why does this matter at all?

Christ was exalted and if we humble ourselves by submitting to Christ we will be exalted too!

Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Isaiah 2:17“The loftiness of man will be bowed down, And the men who are high will be made low; And Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day,”

There is a time in the Christian life for pain and humiliation and yet in faith we know that this is bringing about a sure reward - Christ modeled for us how we are to act and think

2 Corinthians 4:17“For our momentary, light affliction is working out for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”

1 Peter 1:6–7“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

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