Si Kristo na Bumaba upang Magligtas at Umakyat upang Maghari

Introduction

Ephesians 4:7–10 “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)”

Let’s pray!

Ang Title po ng mensaheng ito ay “Si Kristo na Bumaba upang Magligtas at Umakyat upang Maghari”

Last week, sa ating pag-aaral, nakita po natin na si Kristo ay mapagbigay at kanyang binigyan ang miyembro ng Church ng iba’t ibang kaloob. Na lahat ng Christian ay binigyan n'ya ng ministry, ng serving grace, ng mga kaloob, mga spiritual gifts.

Natutunan natin na bawat miyembro ay may ministry. Lahat ng miyembro ay may iba’y ibang kaloob upang makapag serve sa church. Lahat po ng nakatangap ng saving grace ay meron din pong natangap na serving grace.

Binigyan diin natin kung ano ang mga katotohanan at kahalagahan ng spiritual gifts para sa ikalalago ng Iglesia, at ano yung mga maling kaisipan patungkol dito.

Nag bigay linaw din po tayo na ang talento at ang spiritual gifts ay magkaiba. Lahat ng tao merong talento na ipinagkaloob ang Lord, common grace po yan. Ngunit, ang Espiritual na kaloob ay ibinigay lamang sa mga anak ng Diyos, sa mga Christians, at ang purpose po nito ay maluwalhati ang Diyos sa pag gamit natin nito para sa ikalalago ng Iglesia.

Hindi lang mapagbigay si Kristo, pangalawa, S’ya rin ay nagtagumpay. Ayun yung kadahilanann kung paano nagkaroon ang bawat miyembro ng Iglesia ng mga kaloob. Bilang patunay, nag back up si Paul ng supporing passage n'ya sa Ps. 68, kung saan ginamit ni Paul yung imagery ng isang King na nanalo sa digmaan, after manalo nito at bumalik paakyat sa kanyang trono, pinarade nung king yung mga kalaban n'ya na nang bihag, nang alipusta, nang alipin sa mga tao n'ya. At sa pag akyat n'ya sa kayang trono, yung mga nakulimbat ng mga soldier n'ya sa digmaan, yung gold, yung mga hayop na alaga ng kalaban and yung mga slaves ay inihandog sa Hari bilang pag gunita sa kayang kadakilaan. And in return, the King gave gifts back to the people of His kingdom.

That's how Paul directly applied Ps.68 to Jesus as he summarized that Psalm.

Psalm 68:18;35 “You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that Yah—God—may dwell there… O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and might to the people. Blessed be God!”

We see the reality of Ps. 68 in Jesus Christ. Si Kristo yung Haring nag tagumpay, laban sa mundo, sa kasalanan, sa kamatayan at kay satanas. At S’ya rin yung Haring nag bigay ng iba’t ibang kaloob sa Kanyang tao.

Interestingly, yung Ps.68 ina-awit yan ng mga Jewish during the festival ng pentecost. During that event, inaalala and sine celebrate nung mga Jewish yung pag akyat (pag-ascend) ni Moses sa Mt. Sinai, kung saan ibinigay sa kanya ng Diyos yung 10 commandments and ibinigay ni Moses yung commandments sa Israel.

And that’s a foreshadowing of something greater that is to come, and we realised that nung sinabi ni Peter sa Acts 2:33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.”

John Stott explains, ‘As Moses received the law and gave it to Israel, so Christ received the Spirit and gave him to his people (church) in order to write God’s law in their hearts.’ This may also suggest the difference between the law and the gospel: the law, through Moses, demands obedience that God receives from us; the gospel, through Christ, gives salvation to us on the basis of what he has given to God, namely, perfect obedience on our behalf.

That’s why in verse 8, Paul pointed na si Christ yung ultimate fulfillment nung OT na ‘yan.

Ephesians 4:8 “Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.””

Now, we will be focusing on vere 9 and 10.

Si Kristo ay bumaba - Bakit nga po ba bumaba kinakailangan pa na bumaba dito ni Kristo? Paano nga po ba nag tagumpay si Kristo upang bigyan tayo ng kaligtasan at mga kaloob?

Si Kristo ay umakyat - Gaano po kataas yung tinaas ni Kristo? Bakit nga po ba kailangan bumalik ni Kristo sa Langit?

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Si Kristo ay bumaba - Bakit nga po ba bumaba kinakailangan pa na bumaba dito ni Kristo? Paano nga po ba nag tagumpay si Kristo upang bigyan tayo ng kaligtasan at mga kaloob?

Bakit nga po ba bumaba kinakailangan pa na bumaba dito ni Kristo? (Share the Gospel here, 1. We have broken the law of God, 2. We have failed to love Him, 3. We have rebelled against Him, 4. We have fallen short of His glory.

5. We deserve to be condemned, to be destroyed, to be punished for all eternity.

6. But the good news is, ipinadala ng Diyos Ama ang Kanyang Anak, si Kristo ay bumaba dito sa lupa, and ayan yung pag ninilay nilayan natin ngayon.

Paano nga po ba nagtagumpay si Kristo sa kanyang pagbaba upang tayo ay maligtas?

Ephesians 4:9–10 “(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)”

Usually pag may nakikita tayong parenthesis sa Bible, ito ay tanda na yung author, meaning si Paul ay magbibigay comment regarding sa Psalm 68. Verse 9-10 serve as Paul’s commentary sa verse 8. Kung saan mas pinaliwanag n’ya kung ano yung pinag daanan ng ating tagapagligtas at paano S’ya nag tagumpay, umakyat sa Kanyang trono upang mabigyan tayo ng mga kaloob.

in verse 9, sabi ni Paul, yung umakyat, s’ya yung bumaba. Bakit mahalaga na sinabi ni Paul na si Jesus Christ ay bumaba muna bago S’ya umakyat?

Nangangahulugan lang po na bumaba si Jesus dahil galing S’ya sa Langit at S’ya ay bumaba dito sa mundo. and in verse 10, after bumaba ni Jesus dito S’ya ay muling umakyat sa kaitaas taasan.

Yung little word na inadd ni Paul na nag descend si Christ is actually a big deal.

Kasi kung hindi s’ya bumaba, ibig sabihin hindi s’ya galing sa Langit, ibig sabihin taga earth lang si Jesus, tao lang s’ya, hindi S’ya Diyos, and the reason na nag ascend s’ya kasi na promote s’ya o nag level up kaya ginawa s’yang diyos. And that’s actually a big issue sa church history kasi some people believe that.

That’s actually a heresy na tinatawag na Adoptionism, meaning Jesus was merely a man who was later exalted or promoted to be a god. It denies the Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus is God. Eto yung tinuturo ng Liberal Protestantism, and some cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses, mormonism, yung saint latter day saints and yung Iglesia ni Kristo, which deny Christ’s eternal divinity.

Si Kristo po ay hindi tao lamang na naging diyos. Si Kristo po ay Diyos na nagkatawang tao. Yung pag descend po ni Christ affirms that Jesus is God.

Now, yung sunod na tanong is a little bit harder, saan eksaktong nag descend o bumaba si Kristo?

Throughout the History ng church, theologians are debating kung saan nga ba mismong bumaba si Kristo.

Some says na sa Hades, kagaya ng kino confess natin nicene creed. Na nag descend si Jesus sa Hell. Most people in church history actually believe this dahil sa influence ng Apostle and Nicene creed.

Some says na yung yung pagbaba ni Kristo ay hindi sa Hell, yung descend is referring only sa incarnation N’ya na S’yang nagkatawang tao, pinako sa crux at inilibing. Most theologian in our current era believe this.

So saan nga po ba yung tamang interpretation? There’s only one correct interpretation. And I could be wrong. But I will explain the 2 views so you can decide on your own.

A. Yung mga nagsasabi na si Jesus ay nag descend sa hell dito sa Ephesians, they believe during the burial and before the resurrection, si Jesus daw ay pumunta sa Hell (not referring to impyerno), sa Hades o Sheol, that word is a neutral word it just simply means the place of the dead. Hades o Sheol is divided into two, Abraham’s Bosom o yung tinatawag natin na Paradise, then yung other side non is yung place of torment. Nung napanalo daw ni Jesus yung laban N’ya sa mundo, sa kasalanan, kamatayan at kay satanas, dineklara ito ni Jesus sa Hades at isinama N’ya pabalik yung mga saints of the old (Sila Abraham, David at iba pang naniniwala sa Diyos paakyat sa Langit kasama na yung thief on the cross) At dineklara din ni Hesus ang kanyang pagkapanalo sa mga taong nasa place of torment para i condemn sila kabilang na dito yung isang kasamahan nila sa Cross na nag mock sa kanya.) Yung mga sikat na theologian na naniniwala dito ay si John MacArthur, si Charles Swindol and si Kuya Mark.

B. Yung Pangalawang view naman ay yung descend ay referring sa incarnation ni Christ. Eto yung pagbaba ni Jesus sa lupa nung nagkatawang tao s’ya hanggang sa ilibing S’ya.

The Greek grammar decides the meaning

In Greek, this phrase can be read as a genitive of apposition, which means the second phrase explains the first. So it would mean: “the lower parts, that is, the earth.”

In English, when we say “the city of Manila,” ibig sabihin yung city is referring sa Manila

In the same way, “the lower parts of the earth” ibig sabihin yunh lower part is referring sa Earth

John 3:13 ““And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”

John 8:23 “And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world.”

Paul isn’t talking about Jesus going under the earth, but rather coming down to the earth — to live among us.

The Context decide the meaning

In Connection to (v.8) Paul quotes Psalm 68, has no connection sa underworld.

We also see in verse 10 the contrast, the proper contrast is heaven and earth not heaven and underworld.

Yung mga sikat na theologian na naniniwala dito sa second point ay si R.C. Sproul, John Piper, Martyn Lloyd Jones and so Kuya PJ.

I lean toward the second view. I do believe that the first point is biblical, I just don’t see that Ephesians 4:9 is the right passage to support it. If we choose a different passage like 1 Peter 3:18-20, maybe I will consider yung first point.

Now this is my leaning, I can change when someone can convince me with plain reason and explanation sa Scripture that my interpretation is wrong. But this is the interpretation that I see faithful to the text. Nevertheless, those who differ sa interpretation ko sa verse 9 is still a brother in Christ, on my sight they are in error and on their sight I am on error, theologians have debated for so long. We will know what the meaning of this passage pag nasa Langit na tayo. But right now, this is my leaning. That yung descent is referring to Jesus incarnation upto His burial.

But the point dito sa verse 9 is bumaba si Kristo. S’yang nagkatawang tao, namuhay ng perpektong buhay na hindi natin kayang ipamuhay at S’ya ay namatay sa kamatayan na dapat tayo ang namatay. S’ya ay inilibing. Ayun yung descent ni Christ.

Hindi lang nag bumaba si Kristo, S’ya ay nagpakumbaba!

But could there be any greater descent than for God to become a human baby? For the Creator to lie dead in a tomb? Let’s just pause and dwell on this mind-boggling thought for a moment: God became a baby. The transcendent Son of God, adored by angels, through whom every star was made, while remaining fully God, lowered himself to the status of a fetus growing in Mary’s womb. Can you fathom it?

Para mas mabigyan ko ng diin ‘to, I want you to think na kayo yung nag design at gumawa nung basahan na inaapak apakan. Can you think na maging basahan ka? Hindi mo iisiping maging basahan.

That’s why it’s beyond our comprehension that God would enter the time that He created, He will enter into the world that He created, live among the people that He created, the people that choose to rebel against Him. Just come to think the Humility of Christ.

We can go even further.

Jesus could have beamed down as a full-grown man; instead, he was born as a baby.

He could have at least been born in a palace; instead, he was laid in a manger where animals fed.

He could have been rich or a prince; instead, he was born into poverty to become a carpenter.

He could have been born in a city (such as Rome, or at least Jerusalem); instead, he was born in rural Bethlehem.

Just consider it! The most important moment in history, the event that triggered the redemption of the whole world, the union of Creator and creation—and almost nobody knew. God limited the revelation of angelic rejoicing to a few rural shepherds, while all the important people of the world went about their business. “The world was made through him, yet the world did not know him” (John 1:10).

Now bear in mind,

the one who was sleeping in the manger was the same one who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3);

even while he nursed at Mary’s breast, it remained true that “in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17).

He was baby and Lord all at once.

The juxtapositions of the Christmas story are mind-boggling: filling the heavens, yet swaddled tightly

holding every atom in place, yet clinging to his mother

sustaining the fiery stars, yet crying and needing Mary’s comfort

adored by the angels, yet sleeping amongst the donkeys

Again, you might think that when God did this, it would at least have made the headlines! This was the most significant turning point in the history of created reality.

Yet there was no parade.

No livestream.

No Kings, No governors, just a few rural unnamed shepherds as the angels sang their herald.

When I contemplate kung paano bumaba at nagpakumbaba si Kristo, I am ashamed of times I try to be noticed. Who am I to draw attention to myself when God himself took the hidden road?

Application:

At Work

• We want recognition for every small contribution — we feel bad when someone else gets the credit.

• We work hard not only to serve well but to outshine others or prove we’re better.

• When corrected, we defend ourselves quickly instead of humbly receiving feedback.

• We desire titles, promotions, or praise more than quiet faithfulness.

• We volunteer for visible roles but avoid hidden, humble tasks.

At Home or in Relationships

• We help others para magkaroon sila ng utang na loob satin.

• We want to be served more than we want to serve. (Even pag huhugas ng plato nag tuturuan pa)

• We secretly think others are less spiritual or wise than we are.

Even in the Church

• We desire to be seen as mature or gifted, rather than truly being humble servants.

• We compare ministries or preachers, thinking ours or our group is more important.

• We crave affirmation after serving, instead of being content that God sees.

On Social Media

• We post to be noticed or praised, not just to share — counting likes and views becomes our measure of worth.

• We post an image of success, joy, or spirituality to impress people rather than glorify God.

• We seek validation through comments — if there’s little response, we feel unappreciated.

What is the cure? The cure is to see the Humility of Christ. Study the humillity of Christ. Ponder kung gaano kababa yung pagpapakumbaba ni Kristo upang iligtas tayo at magtagumpay laban sa mga kalaban na nag bihag satin.

In His eartly life, Jesus associated himself with the broken, sinners, with the tax collector, prostitute. He came to those rejected and outcast of the society, He taught them, He feed them, He love them, He healed them, He share the good news to them. He call them to repentance and He call them to believe in Him.

See the Humility of Christ, How he suffered, he was betrayed by His by his friend. Iniwan s'ya ng mga disipulo n'ya. Itinangi ng malapit n'yan kaibigan, pinagtulungan ng mga religious leaders. He was slander, sinampal, dinuraan, ginulpi, pinagtawanan, nilait. Binastos ng mga Roman Soldier. Hinubaran, ipinag sigawan na s'ya ay ipako sa krus.

He is not just forsaken by His disciples. He was forsaken by God upon the cross. He shed His blood, He died and He was buried.

Look, hindi lang bumaba si Kristo, lubusan s'yang nag pakumbaba.

Bakit? Para tayo ay magkaroon ng kaligtasan, para yung mga rebeldeng gaya natin ay magkaroon ng kapatawaran at buhay na walang hanggan.

This is the Gospel pattern na nakikita natin, that the way up is the way down. Humiliation before Exaltation, The Thorns before the Triumph. The Cross before the Crown. The Grave before the Glory. The Descent before the Ascent.

That’s the very reality na nakita nating ginawa ni Christ as Paul shows us yung pag descend ni Christ in:

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.”

Now, we go to the last point.

Si Kristo ay umakyat sa kaitaas taasan-

Ephesians 4:10 “He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)”

Hanggang saan ang tinaas ni Kristo? He ascended far above all the heavens. 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. God 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.”

The Humility and the Ascension of Christ is to the Glory of God the Father!

The Ascension of Christ proclaims as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

The Ascension of Christ informs us about our hope. Since Jesus has left this world, our hope is not here.

Third, we realize the spiritual resources available to us now because Jesus has ascended into heaven and sits enthroned at God’s right hand. Jesus has spiritual resources to give that we greatly need: power to believe, strength to overcome temptation, grace to love and to serve. This was the point of his discussion with the disciples on the night of his arrest. He was talking about going away and they were troubled. Jesus told them, ‘It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you’ (John 16:7). Jesus was, of course, talking about the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was in the world he walked with the Twelve disciples, teaching and instructing them. But now that he has ascended and has sent the Spirit, Jesus lives in his disciples—millions of us—and he is not merely speaking words into our ears but by the Spirit’s power is transforming us into his image (2 Cor. 3:18).

That is the power available to all of us because of the Spirit whom Christ sends to us from heaven and for whom we should pray. Since Christ has ascended in triumph, as Paul emphasizes in these verses, the Christian life has a supernatural character. We do not rely on techniques and mere human effort, but on power that comes through obedience to God’s Word. This is Paul’s emphasis all through Ephesians; the power of Christ is the key to the Christian life.

Ano ba yung goal ng pag-akyat N’ya? So that He might fill all things.

Jesus is in heaven that he might now fulfill all the promises and predictions of Scripture. He sends the Holy Spirit to fill us with his power and presence. He also works through us by the gifts that he gives—and this seems to be Paul’s particular point—so that he might fulfill his plan of history in the building of his church

Challenge:

One of the most neglected truth in the Gospel is the Ascension of Christ. Christ is in the heaven right now, He is our great hight priest who non-stop interceeding for us, He is our advocate who defend us against the condemnation that satan is bringing. And right now, He is soverignly ruling and empowering His people.

Now, as we see in Colossians 3:1–4 “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.”