The Hero Returns

The Year is AD 70. Titus a Roman general and his legions have defeated the Hebrews. The Romans are winners once again. the Hero returns home. .

“This war deserved a celebration. Romans loved seeing the Triumph, where the victorious Roman army marched in the city to show off the loot and captives. Now Titus could parade the city with his soldiers and his spoils of war, to show the fellow Romans how valiant he had been, and how successful this war was. To have a triumph granted by the Roman Senate, all he needed was to face 5,000 enemies of a foreign nation; he captured 50,000. Even more importantly, this war protected the honor of the Empire; this war ensured the supremecy of Roman power. If this would not get him a Triumph, nothing would. Of course, the Triumph of Titus was one of the greatest triumphs ever held.” https://depts.washington.edu/hrome/Authors/zihengxu/TheRomanTriumphofTitus/pub_zbarticle_view_printable.html

“Roman Senators, spoils of war (including the Menorah) and captured Jewish generals lead the parade; but that was but a minor part of what the citizens of Rome came for. They came out to cheer for their valiant sons and brothers, the shining future of the empire. "Here comes Titus the Imperator!" (Victorious general, HERO!) Citizens cried out as the great man's chariot finally appeared from Campus Martius. Clothed in toga made of purple silk, crowned with wreath embroidered in laurel, proudly, there rode Titus, the pride of Rome! The smile! The gestures! Citizens cried to cheer for him! "io triumph", "Io Triumph"! Welcome back! Valiant sons of Rome!” “The appearance of Titus and his soldiers marked the peak of the parade. Musicians blew their horns, dancers showed their moves, commoners cheered and yelled, and children chased after the chariots: this procession absorbed everyone; everyone loved this celebration.” “The Temple of Jupiter lay in front of the procession. Here the procession marched into a complete stop, and Titus offered two giant white bulls to Jupiter, thanking the God for watching over Rome.”

“In this canvas, the artist shows Titus returning to Rome in triumph following his capture of Jerusalem in AD 70. His father, Emperor Vespasian, clad in a white toga, leads the procession. Titus comes next, holding the hand of his daughter, Julia, who turns to address her father's younger brother and successor, Domitian. In the background is the Temple of Jupiter Victor. Among the spoils from Jerusalem is a 7-branched candlestick from the temple. Alma-Tadema depicted these events by drawing on classical sources, like the reliefs on of the Arch of Titus and on the latest 19th-century scholarship regarding everyday life in Rome.”

These Engravings (Fasti) were, it is believed, engraved in 18 BCE during the reign of Augustus, and may have been originally made to adorn the now-lost Arch of Augustus in the Forum. This would have effectively communicated that Augustus was the greatest of all triumphators. When awarded a triumph, the victorious general would don a special toga (toga picta) and lead a dazzling procession through Rome. He would enter the city through the Porta Triumphalis, likely located on the Campus Martius. He would then process around the city and through the Forum, before heading up to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill. There, sacrifices were made to the Roman’s chief deity in thanks.

Romulus for whom Rome is named was the first conquering leader for that people.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations The Bird

After his victory over Antony at Actuim, Augustus Caesar came back to Rome in triumph. Among the huge crowd who greeted him was a man who had a bird that he had taught to say, “Hail, Caesar victorious!” Caesar was impressed and bought the bird for a large sum. Then someone got Caesar aside and whispered to him that the man had another bird that was just as talented. The man was summoned and Caesar asked for a demonstration of what the other bird could do. The man demurred, but Caesar insisted.

When the bird was produced it said, “Hail, Antony victorious!”

Paul sees Jesus as the conquering Hero in this chapter. Jesus defeated sin, death, and Hell and then He ascended into Heaven and showered His people with several gifts.

Theme of chapter 4 is: “In Christ, We are United.” Unity and Diversity.

Ephesians 4:3–4 AV

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Ephesians 4:11–13 AV

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

UNITY is the theme of verses 1-6 and then DIVERSITY is the theme of 7-16.

Being united is a beautiful thing.

Being diverse is a beautiful thing.

Differences can make anybody and any group Stronger and more effective.

Ephesians 4:8 AV

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Psalm 68:18 AV

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

David wrote Psalm 68. He knew about victory parades.

Systematic Theology 5. Errors in Quoting or Interpreting the Old Testament

The words in Hebrew are probably a concise expression for “thou hast taken spoil which thou mayest distribute as gifts to men.” Eph. 4:8 agrees exactly with the sense, though not with the words, of the Psalm.

David was a Hero. People celebrated him.

1 Samuel 18:6–7 KJV 1900

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.

Jesus Won the battle for LIFE in Order To Give LIFE To Others.

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Eight: Let’s Walk Together (Ephesians 4:1–16))

The picture here is of a military conqueror leading his captives and sharing the spoil with his followers. Only in this case, the “captives” are not His enemies, but His own. Sinners who once were held captives by sin and Satan have now been taken captive by Christ. Even death itself is a defeated foe!

Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update (Ephesians 4)

HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES… Christ conquered Satan and all that had conquered us.

Paul said in the first verse of this chapter, I am captivated, am a prisoner of Jesus Christ…

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians (B. The Cultivation of Unity (vv. 7–16))

If there were any of his own soldiers whom the enemy had previously captured, the victorious king would bring them back and parade them before the home crowd. These were often referred to as recaptured captives—prisoners who had been taken prisoner again by their own king and then given freedom. It was a great honor to release these captives. David pictures God ascending to heaven after having been victorious against his earthly enemies and freeing those who had been captive to the forces of evil.

The victory of Jesus is the lead story into the “HOW and WHY”: God gave us Spiritual Gifts.

What is the ascending and descending?

Jesus descended to the earth in the incarnation and into the earth when He died and was buried in the tomb!

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: New Testament ( 2) The Gift of Christ. 4:7-12.)

Some take this to be a reference to the death of Christ and his so-called descent into Hades. It seems more likely, however, that it is simply referring to his coming down from heaven. He descended into the lower parts which consist of the earth—genitive of apposition (cf. Jn 3:13). 10. Far above all heavens. Cf. Heb 4:14.

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 4

By descending into the depths and ascending above all, He entered upon His function of filling the whole universe, in virtue of which function He distributes gifts to men.

Jesus Returned to Heaven the Hero, giving Gifts to His People.

He imparted the Holy Spirit to the Christian following His ascension.

John 15:26 AV

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 14:26 AV

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:7 AV

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

You Can Be a Hero To Someone Today When Your Share the Gifts God Has Given You.

What did Jesus Give Us?

1. He Gives Grace.  7

My Favorite Illustrations A View of Grace

We may see a person as an alcoholic, a bum, and a human wreck destroyed by sin. God sees not only what we are but what we may become by His forgiving grace.

Ephesians 2:8–9 AV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We are saved by grace.

We serve God by grace.

1 Corinthians 15:10 AV

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

We are sanctified by grace.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 AV

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

2. He Gives Gifts. 11-14

“Every one of us” have received gifts by God’s grace. (Verse 7).

The Sign Gifts (Apostles and Prophets) have expired since we have the Bible and Holy Spirit.

Evangelists are around today.

Pastors and Teachers (Combined in this text) are around today.

6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths (Pastoral Gifts)

A pastor recently noted in his resume that his spiritual gifts were: preaching, serving and exhortation.

When the typist set the type, however, she typed his gifts as: preaching, serving and exhumation (digging up dead people). Maybe some churches could use that second set of gifts!

1 Corinthians 12 includes many spiritual gifts.

Romans 12:6–8 AV

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ministry = serving, helping.

Teaching = gift of giving instruction.

Exhorting = encouragement.

Giving = an ability to give unusually more.

Ruling = administration, organization.

Mercy = a merciful heart. Glad to show pity, mercy, and unconditional love to others and their situation.

There is great diversity in a church. Different people, ages, economics, education, and spiritual gifts. Strength and unity in our diversity!

We use our spiritual gifts to serve other people to help them grow spiritually.

If we do not use our spiritual gifts, we become spiritually stagnant ourselves!

You could be a spiritual hero to someone else today.

Hero’s do not serve God with their spare time.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Leftovers

Leftovers are such humble things,

We would not serve to a guest,

And yet we serve them to our Lord

Who deserve the very best.

We give to Him leftover time,

Stray minutes here and there.

Leftover cash we give to Him,

Such few coins as we can spare.

We give our youth unto the world,

To hatred, lust and strife;

Then in declining years we give

To him the remnant of our life.

- Source unknown

He Gives Grace.

He Gives Gifts.

3. He Gives Growth. 15-16

These Diversity of Gifts are Combined with the Goal of the Lord and that is Spiritual growth in us as individuals and as His collective people.

Are you a growing Christian?

What are your “Strides” like in the Christian life?

Are you becoming more like Jesus?

Can you speak the truth in love?

Are you able to whether the stormy seas of life in this emotionally charged, spiritual depraved, and morally lacking world?

Are you a TEAM PLAYER?

Every part of this body can be working in unity to edify others and glorify God.

Are you helping others grow spiritually?

“Love” must be the motivation.

WHY DID HE GIVE THESE GIFTS???

Ephesians 4:16 AV

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

To make an increase in the body - the people who are edifying itself (one another) in love.

He gave these gifts so we could follow his example and give the same gifts to others.

Jesus Returned to Heaven the Hero, giving Gifts to His People.

What does this mean to us? We use what God has given us to serve other people.

“Worship, walk, win” is not just a slogan, it is the road map of our spiritual formation.

1. Are you sharing grace with others?

2. Are you serving with your spiritual gift?

3. Are you growing spiritually?

Jesus Returned to Heaven the Hero, giving Gifts to His People.

You Can Be a Hero To Someone Today When Your Share the Gifts God Has Given You.

RESPONSE:

1. Are you sharing Grace with others?

2. Are you serving with your spiritual gift?

3. Are you growing spiritually?