Christ's Descent and Ascent: Our Role in His Reign

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Descent and Ascent: A Cosmic Plan

Christ's descent and ascent are central to His plan to fill all things. His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension enable Him to bestow gifts upon His people, equipping them to participate in His reign. This filling is not just about His divine presence but involves the active participation of His body, the church. The descent and ascent of Christ are not merely historical events but are pivotal in His plan to fill all things. Before His incarnation, Christ, as the eternal Son of God, already filled all things with His presence and power. However, His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension have a specific purpose: to fill all things through His body, the church. This filling is accomplished as He gives gifts to His people, enabling them to share in His rule and reign. [02:16]

Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV): "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in Christ's cosmic plan today by using your unique gifts within your community?

Day 2: Diversity of Gifts: A Measure of Christ's Grace

The diversity of gifts among believers highlights the unique role each person plays in the body of Christ. Each gift is a measure of Christ's grace, given for the purpose of building up the church and extending His rule. This diversity is essential for the church to function as the fullness of Him who fills all in all. The passage emphasizes that each believer is uniquely graced with gifts according to Christ's measure, underscoring the diversity within the body of Christ. This diversity is not a mere accident but a deliberate design to ensure that the church can effectively carry out its mission. Each gift, whether seen as large or small, is vital for the church's growth and the extension of Christ's influence. [00:33]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: What unique gift has God given you, and how can you use it to build up your church community this week?

Day 3: Christ's Authority: Victory Over Principalities

Christ's victory over principalities and powers through His ascension establishes His authority over all creation. As the head of the church, He exercises His rule through His body, empowering believers to share in His authority and extend His influence. The same Jesus who walked the earth, died, and rose again is now reigning in heaven, and through His ascension, He fills all things. His ascension signifies His victory and His authority over all dominions. He is seated at the right hand of God, and as the head of the church, He exercises His rule through His body. [06:40]

Colossians 2:15 (ESV): "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and live under Christ's authority in your daily decisions and interactions?

Day 4: Sharing in Christ's Rule: A Call to Reign

Believers are called to share in Christ's rule, to judge angels, and to reign over all creation. This calling challenges us to view our gifts and roles within the church as part of a grand cosmic plan, preparing us for greater responsibilities in the age to come. We are not just passive recipients of grace but active participants in Christ's reign. This understanding challenges us to view our gifts and roles within the church not as small or insignificant but as part of a grand cosmic plan. Our faithfulness in small things is preparation for greater responsibilities in the age to come. [09:08]

Revelation 5:10 (ESV): "And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Reflection: How can you begin to see your current roles and responsibilities as preparation for sharing in Christ's eternal reign?

Day 5: Faithfulness in Small Things: Preparation for Greater Responsibilities

Our faithfulness in small things is preparation for greater responsibilities in the age to come. We are being prepared to reign with Christ, to share in His authority, and to extend His influence throughout the universe. This perspective encourages us to view our current ministry as significant and impactful. The understanding that our current faithfulness is a preparation for future responsibilities should inspire us to be diligent and committed in our present tasks. Every small act of service and obedience is a step towards being entrusted with greater roles in God's kingdom. [11:15]

Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."

Reflection: What small act of faithfulness can you commit to today, knowing it prepares you for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Ephesians 4:7-10, we delve into the profound mystery of Christ's descent and ascent, and its purpose in filling all things. Each believer is uniquely graced with gifts according to Christ's measure, emphasizing the diversity within the body of Christ. This passage draws from Psalm 68:18, illustrating Christ's triumph over principalities and powers, and His bestowal of gifts upon humanity. The same Jesus who walked the earth, died, and rose again is now reigning in heaven, and through His ascension, He fills all things.

The descent and ascent of Christ are not merely historical events but are pivotal in His plan to fill all things. Before His incarnation, Christ, as the eternal Son of God, already filled all things with His presence and power. However, His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension have a specific purpose: to fill all things through His body, the church. This filling is accomplished as He gives gifts to His people, enabling them to share in His rule and reign.

Christ's ascension signifies His victory and His authority over all dominions. He is seated at the right hand of God, and as the head of the church, He exercises His rule through His body. The church, as His body, is the fullness of Him who fills all in all. This means that believers are not just passive recipients of grace but active participants in Christ's reign. We are called to share in His rule, to judge angels, and to reign over all creation.

This understanding challenges us to view our gifts and roles within the church not as small or insignificant but as part of a grand cosmic plan. Our faithfulness in small things is preparation for greater responsibilities in the age to come. We are being prepared to reign with Christ, to share in His authority, and to extend His influence throughout the universe.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ's descent and ascent are central to His plan to fill all things. His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension enable Him to bestow gifts upon His people, equipping them to participate in His reign. This filling is not just about His divine presence but involves the active participation of His body, the church. [02:16]
2. The diversity of gifts among believers highlights the unique role each person plays in the body of Christ. Each gift is a measure of Christ's grace, given for the purpose of building up the church and extending His rule. This diversity is essential for the church to function as the fullness of Him who fills all in all. [00:33]
3. Christ's victory over principalities and powers through His ascension establishes His authority over all creation. As the head of the church, He exercises His rule through His body, empowering believers to share in His authority and extend His influence. [06:40]
4. Believers are called to share in Christ's rule, to judge angels, and to reign over all creation. This calling challenges us to view our gifts and roles within the church as part of a grand cosmic plan, preparing us for greater responsibilities in the age to come. [09:08]
5. Our faithfulness in small things is preparation for greater responsibilities in the age to come. We are being prepared to reign with Christ, to share in His authority, and to extend His influence throughout the universe. This perspective encourages us to view our current ministry as significant and impactful. [11:15]
** [11:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction to Ephesians 4:7-10
[00:33] - Diversity of Gifts
[00:48] - Christ's Ascension and Psalm 68:18
[01:04] - The Descent and Ascent of Christ
[01:19] - Knowing Christ Through the Gospels
[02:05] - Purpose of Christ's Descent and Ascent
[02:30] - Prayer for Understanding
[03:11] - Christ's Pre-Incarnate Influence
[03:45] - Triumph and Gift Giving
[04:42] - Filling All Things Through the Church
[06:00] - Christ's Authority and Rule
[07:22] - The Church as Christ's Body
[08:06] - Sharing in Christ's Rule
[09:22] - Parable of the Talents and Reigning
[10:45] - The Cosmic Plan of Christ's Reign

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:7-10
- Psalm 68:18
- 1 Corinthians 6:3

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Observation Questions:

According to Ephesians 4:7-10, what is the significance of Christ's descent and ascent? How does this relate to the gifts given to believers? [00:16]
How does Psalm 68:18 illustrate Christ's triumph and the bestowal of gifts upon humanity? What imagery is used to convey this message? [00:48]
In the sermon, it was mentioned that Christ's ascension signifies His authority over all dominions. How is this authority described in Ephesians 4:10? [06:00]
What role does the church play in Christ's plan to fill all things, according to the sermon? How is this connected to the concept of the church as Christ's body? [07:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the diversity of gifts among believers reflect the unique role each person plays in the body of Christ? Why is this diversity essential for the church's function? [00:33]
The sermon suggests that believers are called to share in Christ's rule and reign over all creation. What does this mean in practical terms for a believer's life? [09:08]
How does the concept of being prepared to reign with Christ challenge our view of our current roles and responsibilities within the church? [11:15]
In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to view their gifts and roles as part of a grand cosmic plan? How does this perspective impact our daily lives? [10:45]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the gifts you believe you have been given. How can you use these gifts to actively participate in Christ's reign and extend His influence in your community? [04:59]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in small things as preparation for greater responsibilities. What small responsibilities are you currently entrusted with, and how can you be more faithful in them? [11:15]
Consider the diversity of gifts within your small group or church. How can you encourage and support others in using their unique gifts for the building up of the church? [00:33]
The sermon mentions the idea of reigning with Christ and judging angels. How does this future promise influence your current perspective on leadership and service within the church? [09:08]
How can you cultivate a mindset that views your current ministry as significant and impactful, even if it seems small or insignificant? What steps can you take to align your perspective with the grand cosmic plan described in the sermon? [10:45]
Identify one area in your life where you feel called to extend Christ's influence. What practical steps can you take this week to begin making an impact in that area? [04:59]
The sermon challenges us to view our roles within the church as part of a larger cosmic plan. How does this perspective change the way you approach your involvement in church activities and ministries? [10:45]

Sermon Clips

To each one of us, all Christians, individually, grace was given according to the measure. It's all different. We're all very different, and God measures things out differently, created a measure of Christ's gift. Therefore, it says in Psalm 68:18, we looked at that twice, when he ascended on high, he took captives captive, he gave gifts to men. [00:22:00]

The one who descended is himself the very one who ascended. In other words, the Christ who is reigning today in heaven and who is giving grace to all of his people is the very same Jesus who walked on the earth, died for sinners, rose again. We can know him as we know him in the gospels. [00:72:40]

Do you think that Christ, the eternal Son of God, could not have filled all things without coming, without descending, and ascending? Surely he could have, in one sense. Surely he did. His influence filled all things, his control filled all things, his power filled all things, his presence filled all things before he was incarnate as the Son of God. [00:172:48]

The very one who descended is the one who ascended and in ascending took captives captive, destroyed the principalities and powers, got himself a church, a body, and he's giving gifts to men, and thus he ascended with that triumph having happened and that process underway of pouring out grace and gifts upon his body, the church. [00:209:04]

The giving of gifts to men, the giving of grace to every believer, is the accomplishment of his ascent, and the accomplishment of his ascent is for the purpose of filling all things. Do you not then think that the sense in which he fills all things is through the body of Christ by giving gifts to men? [00:296:80]

God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. So now he's descended, and he is ascended, and he is sitting in triumph and rule at the right hand of God, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion whom he's taken captive. [00:346:72]

The church is his body. The head is the ruler. The head accomplishes its will through its arms and legs and feet and hands, its body. If he's gonna fill, he'll fill by means of the influence of his body, the work of his body, the rule of his body, the reign of his body, the judgment of his body. [00:407:19]

God, in descending and ascending, got a body for his son because he means for the son to fill all things by fitting his body with his grace and power so that we, in sharing in his grace and power, share his rule and his fullness. [00:480:40]

If we endure as Christians and maintain the faith, we will reign with him. What does that mean? Have you ever thought through what does it mean to reign with Christ? What are we reigning over? Well, we're reigning over the universe. We're reigning over everything. [00:510:00]

A well done good servant because you have been faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities. And the second came in saying, Lord, your meaner, amount of money, has made five millions. I've been a good steward, and the Lord says to him, you are to be over five cities. [00:569:04]

Jesus doesn't say, hey, I'm the ruler here, I rule all the cities in the age to come. No, he doesn't say that. He says, I share my rule, I share my rule, and when I share my rule, I fill all things through my body because they are the extension of my self, my reign, my wisdom, my power, my judgment. [00:601:519]

So maybe you have thought of your gifts and the gifting of the church in a very small way, like what little thing can you do in the church, and I encourage you, the day is coming when not only will you do a faithful little ministry like he says in Luke, faithful and little, you're going to be put in charge of a galaxy someday. [00:657:92]

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Christ's Descent and Ascent: Our Role in His Reign

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Descent and Ascent: A Cosmic Plan

Day 2: Diversity of Gifts: A Measure of Christ's Grace

Day 3: Christ's Authority: Victory Over Principalities

Day 4: Sharing in Christ's Rule: A Call to Reign

Day 5: Faithfulness in Small Things: Preparation for Greater Responsibilities

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Christ's Descent and Ascent: Our Role in His Reign

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