Exalted

You can come here Sunday morning and see words on the screen and try to sing or don't sing is not my song I like the old like the news if it's your business but I'll tell you this very clearly unless God reveals to your heart that you are here not worship me or a song for a type of genre you're here to worship Jesus Christ, you can sing about those words all day long you want to your favorite songs but it will not come from you is not the told is not the genres, not the feed itself heart is alive to a risen Savior was a call to just a portion of the upcoming message titled salt my pastor another shot of Clearview church North Carolina I Clearview community well for the way we love one another when we meet Christ visible reaching out your love for you to come visit us at 3485 Oxford Rd. or check us out online PC.org join us for the rest this morning to get alarmed when a series called mind reset Philippians chapter 2. Learn what that truly means when we say Jesus is seated on the right hand read the right hand of the father is very important because it does several things for us it it it gives us a model of how we should be. You see, humility comes before exaltation. It also gives us the courage to face life. If the one who died for me is now in charge of the entire universe that he who gave his life for me will also be there for me but something else. It also gives us a glimpse of what is coming for us. His exaltation is a glimpse of where we will be one day, as of this morning.

Our message is called exalted us in our series to Philippians chapter 2 starting in verse five. Let's all stand together for the reading of God's word and he should have.

This passage memorized by now.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, and as you know, the translation should be did not consider equality with God something to grasp something to snatch but he made himself of no reputation.

He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave of a slave and coming in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross is slaves ultimate punishment. What happened verse nine to camp here tonight this morning. Therefore, God the father also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven of those on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father before he prayed this morning. Question for all of us, including myself, is how do I see Jesus when I say the word of the name Jesus.

What comes to your mind. Do you see Jesus born in a manger. You see the little baby in the manger or do you see Jesus healing the sick, feeding the hungry walking on the waves or do you see Jesus bleeding and dying on the cross. What comes to your mind or do you see Jesus coming out of the great Jesus ascended or sometimes our favorite, which is fine Jesus coming again.

What comes to your mind is the right this moment, where is Jesus is exalted, he seated at the right hand of father which means he is in a 40 he is in total control and it changes the way we live. It changes the way we handle our problems. How do you see him this morning if you've never seen him, you can't see him unless you meet him you can recognize someone you've never met this morning my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes, because God has to open your eyes for you to see Christ exalted that you will receive him and be safe. Typically when Christians focus on what God has done for us or what Jesus more specifically, has done for us.

We tend to focus on a lot of other things and aspects about Jesus. For example, most people focus on the cross of Jesus is very important. This is the pinnacle of our faith.

This is why were here today is the cross of Jesus Christ. He gave his life as prophesied for us. There are some people who will focus more on the empty tomb of Jesus.

They are the resurrection Christians are always rejoicing all the power that is, that's okay. We do the same thing as well and it's the cross of Jesus and or it's the empty tomb. Jesus coming alive. Some people focus more on sort of the ascension, but more on his coming again so it's all about Jesus. One day coming back for his church and fulfilling the prophecies that have been given to Israel and so we tend to focus on these things across the crucifixion or the resurrection or the ascension or the coming again of Jesus. Unfortunately, there is one area that leaves or stays blank is held where is Jesus right now what's happening with him and when you say that where is Jesus.

We of course are quick to say. All I know where he is ease of the right hand of the father. He is there interceding for us and be quote Romans 834 but it says who is he who condemns it is Christ who died in furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us so we know the right stuff to say. But if we were truly honest.

Do you really believe that is that what preoccupied as you that my Savior, right this moment is up there and he has me on his heart. If you're really honest. Now you have to be really honest, we will say not really, I mean yeah I sort I know, but really truly when I think about Jesus. Where is he maybe somewhere beyond the clouds.

There is a chair like a throne and he is sitting, what is he doing. I guess time to time he prays for me. But as you see how how weak that vision is of Jesus on the on the throne. And yet that's how we are. We talk about it, but is safe distant truth. So this morning to talk about this.

Where is Jesus and what is he like right now because you see, to understand and to really believe this, you have to answer the question of his identity.

What is Jesus like right now because once we truly understand that and what it takes to understand that it will change the way we see Jesus.

Every single moment today so the identity is the question what is Jesus like right now. Notice have to do with Philippians chapter 2 go back to verse nine.

What is it say it says. Therefore, God has also inheres the keyword exalted him go.

Father has exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, what is that mean that he is exalted.

Does that mean that God the father has given God the son, a promotion by previously was down here he comes down. The cross is all right Angel bring out the books. Here you go, now you're promoted, how is that word that he has been exalted by the father will do understand that we have to ask a different question. The question is do this.

What changed. What changed in Jesus after he rose from the grave.

Because that's going to give us a clue of what exaltation looks like a many of y'all still with me which hands if you are lost, but the liars exit her name did to truly understand what this word means we need to ask the question what happened was we know how he was up to this point, but after this, he has been exalted.

The question is does the Bible tell us anything about the change in Jesus, was there a change in him after the cross, and after the great well yes and no. No. There is no change in him. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever, is not that now the person sitting on the tour was a whole different person know is he the same one so in a way no Jesus is the same. And yes there is a difference. There's a difference. Something changed is how do we know that to understand what change in Jesus before the cross and after the resurrection we have to go to the Gospels and see how the disciples reacted to Jesus when they saw him start with Mary Magdalene and Mary Magdalene was the one out of which I hope whom Jesus cast out demons and she was on the first ones at the grave to see how she can anoint the body of Jesus with the other women and she gets there and the tomb is empty the stone is rolled away. She runs to Peter and to the disciple whom Jesus loved, and said they have taken his body and so those two men run to the tomb. She comes back and there she is weeping and she sees two angels and ask the question why are you weeping in her answer is because they have taken the Lord and I don't know where he is and when she says those words, something happens, the sooner the is in his words, and either be on the screen in John chapter 20 in verse 14. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, not of someone you might say or it will. She was so overwhelmed with grief.

I mean, when you cry your eyes are all misty. You can see who is there and I were a lot of messages on that you know just Jesus and recognize him. She was overwhelmed the shock I mean somebody who has been brutally killed on the cross is standing before you, there's no way this is the same person. I don't think so either there's more going on.

We see in the next couple of examples must follow this story for just a few more moments she sees Jesus doesn't recognize him. And Jesus said to her, woman, why are you weeping are you seeking and she's supposing him to be the gardener archaeologist when the did some research.

Years ago, they found places where the ground was arable means that you could grow flowers and shrubs and things like that soapsuds is amazing how the Bible just holes together it in.

In truth, and so she supposing him to be the gardener of this little garden said to him, sir. If you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away. She still doesn't recognize she hears his voice, she sees his face, and she is still doesn't recognize until Jesus said to her. Mary, she turned and said to him, Rabbani, which is teacher.

She tries to touch him and he said no, no, I gotta go right now but go spread the word.

That's one incident that happens again on the road to Emmaus to disciples are walking and they are discussing among themselves about the things that have happened. How could it be that our master, he preached the truth and he loved people and they took him and unjustly crucified him. This doesn't make any said there were so many prophecies supposed to be fulfilled. But as their reasoning and traveling and walking. Luke chapter 24 tells us while they conversed in reason that Jesus himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were restrained. There we have the clue he said these men were not just overwhelmed with grief. It was not just that they were in shock and trauma. Their eyes were restrained and this this person whom they have seen all their those three years, and heard his messages and seen his miracles recognize him what happens. What did Jesus do what he began the greatest Bible study in the history of the world rife. He walked to the Old Testament and revealed to them who he was, in the things concerning himself.

Then they came to their destination and invited him to come in.

What happens when he comes in.

Now came to pass, verse 30, Luke 24 that he sat at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to them and the moment he does that gets what happens.

Their eyes were opened. You see a common element there disciples who should know their master, and yet their eyes were restrained until the master or does something, whether it's called her name or do this symbolic gesture and next thing you know, their eyes were opened. They knew him and he vanished from their sight you thing is because Jesus was no longer human, of course not, because later on he comes and does what he allows them to touch him, and he even eats food in their sites that he is not like his spirit. He did not become an angel. He is still a human being and yet they cannot recognize him suck. Something is not right but that's not the only incident here goes, 1/3 one, and to go back to John's Gospel, the disciples now led by Peter have decided to go fishing and the fish all night to catch nothing and when morning had now come.

John 21 verse four. Jesus stood on the shore and here we go again. Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Could it be that the fog was too thick. Could it be that they were still in fear, they were still in trauma. Of course not, because Jesus had already come to them. How many had already revealed that he was the Savior he had resurrected to this is no longer oh I didn't know he is. He was alive and yet they cannot recognize him at the banks of Galilee and what happens in Jesus instructs them to cast it on the right side of the boat and they did and they caught so many fish that they were not able to draw in the net and I listen to this.

This is as beautiful, verse seven.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, it's the Lord and in Peter Hart, those words he he put on the outer garment and he jumped into the sea and he swam to Jesus again.

You see what's happening here. This see him.

They don't recognize him. He is talking to them and telling them to throw the net on the right side to do it, put it in and at that moment, they pull it in its best. Jesus, the common element is this Jesus is showing himself to his disciples, but they are not recognizing them immediately. It's only after he communicates with them who he is, that they are realizing that it is him. You see, there is a change in him, but he has to open their eyes so they can see him for who he is now same Jesus and yet there is a difference in those eyes are open only when Jesus authorizes it real.

Getting this is a what exactly is the point. The point is this. There's a change in them. But God has to reveal it to their hearts before they see it and what is the change go back again to verse nine therefore God has also hears the word highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name that don't misunderstand that this is not that Jesus all the names he hasn't got some and give you another one. I will put some alphabets together a vowel or whatever. And now you have another name. This is not what's happening here but it says that he gave him unnamed. Listen to what he says in verse 10 that had that name of Jesus every knee should bow, of doors in heaven of doors on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father appeared very close attention to what am about to say this name. This name was given by God the father to God the son, not as a title but it was an official declaration that Jesus now is also the focus of our worship that his name every knee should bow and every tongue should confess previously it was our Savior. Now he also deserves my worship, but to get that God has to reveal it to you in a you can come here Sunday morning and see words on the screen and try to singer Don saying it's not my song I like the old hymns like the news is it's your business but I'll tell you this very clearly unless God reveals to your heart that you are here not to worship me or a song or a type of genre you're here to worship Jesus Christ, you can sing about those words all day long you want to your favorite songs but it will not come from your heart is not the tone is not the genre is not the bead it's the heart that is alive doing the risen Savior was exalted. Let the Holy Spirit of God.

Open your heart and you see that you're not here for any of this.

You're here to bow before the King of Kings and Lord of lords. All of a sudden everything fades away.

What is a say in verse 11. Go back there again.

It says, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, what are the second will save me from the screens to the glory of God the father means when you worship Jesus Christ, God the father than Senegal ever since he started that in died and stuff they don't worship me anymore. What is I put up the back of their it says to the global music. The father is pleased he is not jealous. He is not envious he is not resentfully set all good.

Keep raising my son.

I love it lift them up, glorify magnify making visible when you see Christ for who he is right now is not just you worship the change of it also gives you a model of how you need to be how you need to live where is Jesus right now. The Holy Spirit is open your eyes to see who he is.

He is at the right hand of the father, but for him to get to that position of authority, he had to go through this humility comes before exaltation. Peter says in first Peter 56 therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

The reason Paul is talking about all this is because he wants you to know how can you have the mind of Christ humble yourself before you can be exalted. James chapter 4 and verse 10 humble yourselves in the side of the Lord and he will lift you up. You cannot have the throne unless you've been through the cross, Jesus himself said in Matthew 2311 but he who is the greatest among you shall be your servant, and whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted God when you when you walk in this knowledge of where Christ is, right now it should lead you to humility. You should not be concerned about who is arrogant and who is full of themselves and whose pride used to spend your time you waste your time to figure out others.

Pride level. You should humble yourself and remind yourself I need to be humbled from exalted just like he is. You see when you stop seeing Jesus a man when you stop seeing Jesus. That's when you become judgment where is Jesus right now he is seated at the right hand of the father again. I'm saying this, please listen unless the Holy Spirit opens your eyes. You never see it only see Jesus on the cross. You only see Jesus coming out of the tomb, you only see Jesus coming one day.

But listen, if the Holy Spirit opens your eyes and you begin to see Jesus concretely setting on the throne. It changes the way you deal with problems because you know the same person who died for you is also in control.

This is what Paul says in Romans 833 who shall bring a charge against God's elect is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns it is Christ who died and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Listen to this verse 35 who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

How can I handle that bad news that I just received. How can I handle this mountain of a problem I'm facing when I can see my Jesus on the throne and I know that he gave his life for me. He will take care of me in this life is and what Paul says over here. He says in verse 38 from persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. No matter what happens today or tomorrow folks I know that the one who loves me enough to give his life for me is in charge something else. It does when I can see Jesus on the throne. It gives me a glimpse gives me hope, and hope. By the way is not just hope it works out.

Hope is a solid assurance of what's coming in the future. It gives us a glimpse of what's coming for us. Listen to first Clinton's 1547 not pay attention to this again these verses are not on the screen. I want you to hear them. The first man was of the earth talk about Adam Paul says the first man was all of the earth made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven who the second man, Jesus asked was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are heavenly. Here is my version, you can either focus on the dust or you can look up in the Holy Spirit has been opening your eyes, you cannot help but look up and see your Savior, your king sitting on the throne. The changes may change the way I treat as he's on the throne on me to change the way I deal with my problems. I will make you know just judges decisions haphazardly and and and crazy stuff and two people out of doing crazy stuff. No have to remember he's in control he's in charge. I don't take matters in my own but also gives me a solid assurance of where I'm headed.

I'm headed to me like thank you so much for joining us for this message. As humans we have a tendency to look down, focusing on ourselves problems people around us we understand what it means for Jesus to be exalted changes or focus lifts her eyes to the risen Savior gives us comfort and joy knowing that he's in charge of the entire nation go forward, ask God to help you look up and set your eyes on Christ.

For more information visit us online@clearviewb.org and for the sermons, notes, check out Pastor Shah's blog@allbutonshop.com