Our Ascended Lord

Introduction

V1-3 Our conduct is to be in accordance with the HS

v4-6 Christ is our shared foundation

v7-10

Exposition

Ephesians 4:1–10 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Author: Paul

Audience: All the Saints

Content: Ch 4-we’re unified in our Savior

Context: Ch 4-6 Deals with the Conduct of the Church

Comparison: Psalm 68(Esp v. 18)

Unity vs Individuality? v7

Victory vs Defeat? v8

Ascending vs Descending vs Transcending v9-10

Application

Jesus descended to give us the gift of grace

Ephesians 4:7 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Ephesians 4:9 ESV

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

John 1:16–17 ESV

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Jesus descended to give us the gift of grace

Jesus ascended to give us the gift of the Spirit

Ephesians 4:8 ESV

8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

John 14:15–17 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Jesus descended to give us the gift of grace

Jesus ascended to give us the gift of the Spirit

Jesus transcended to show us the gift of eternal life

Acts 1:6–11 ESV

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus did not vanish, He did not return to the tomb, he ASCENDED into the heavenly realm where He remains until the day of judgement.