Jesus: The True Authority in a Chaotic World
Summary
The chaos of college move-out day, with its scattered belongings and emotional goodbyes, raises two simple but profound questions: Who is in charge here, and where are they? These questions, though sparked by a messy dorm, echo through our lives and our culture. In a world where authority is often viewed with suspicion and where everyone is encouraged to build their own “salad bar” faith, it’s easy to lose sight of what is essential and who truly holds authority. The early church faced similar confusion in a pluralistic society, and their answer was to return to the essentials—what we call the creeds, especially the Nicene Creed, which centers on Jesus’ identity, authority, and mission.
In the Roman world, authority was clear: Caesar was in charge, and everyone was expected to acknowledge him. But the early Christians were different. They refused to add Caesar to their worship, insisting that Jesus alone was Lord. Their faith was not a blend of philosophies or traditions, but a radical allegiance to a crucified and risen King. The question of who is in charge is answered not by the loudest voice or the nearest authority, but by the one who conquered death and ascended to the throne.
The ascension of Jesus is not just a strange story about someone floating into the clouds. In the language of the Hebrew Scriptures, clouds represent the presence and glory of God. Jesus’ ascension is his enthronement—he takes his place at the right hand of the Father, the control room of the cosmos. This is not abandonment; it is the fulfillment of his mission and the foundation of our hope. The early church sang hymns about this, celebrating the paradox that the King who reigns is the one who emptied himself, became a servant, and died on a cross.
This has profound implications for how we live. If selfish ambition and vain conceit are at the root of what’s wrong with the world, then the remedy is the way of Jesus: humility, valuing others above ourselves, and refusing to see life as a competition where we must win at others’ expense. The ascended King calls us to a new way of being—a community marked by self-giving love, where our need to be valued does not come at the cost of devaluing others. As we confess Jesus is Lord, we are invited to live out his story, lifting others up as he has lifted us.
Key Takeaways
- The world’s confusion about authority and meaning often leads us to seek clarity in the loudest or most immediate sources, but true authority is found in Jesus, who alone is enthroned above all powers. The ascension is not about Jesus leaving us, but about him taking his rightful place as King, reigning with a power that is rooted in self-giving love rather than domination. [12:48]
- The ascension of Jesus is deeply rooted in the imagery of the Old Testament, where clouds signify God’s presence and mountains represent spiritual ascent. Jesus’ journey “up” is not about distance but about enthronement—he is now at the center of all authority, fulfilling the hope of God dwelling with his people and ruling in justice and mercy. [21:43]
- The story of Jesus’ kingship is utterly unique: he becomes King not by conquering his enemies, but by surrendering to them, dying on a cross, and being exalted by God. This chiasm—descending into humility and suffering, then ascending to glory—redefines what true greatness and authority look like in God’s kingdom. [27:08]
- The call to follow Jesus is a call to reject selfish ambition and vain conceit, and instead to embrace humility and the valuing of others above ourselves. This is not natural to us; it requires honest self-examination and a willingness to let go of the ways we seek esteem, honor, or validation at the expense of others. [30:41]
- Our need to be highly valued is not wrong, but it becomes destructive when it interferes with our ability to value others. The way of Jesus invites us to find our worth in his love and to let that security free us to lift others up, rather than seeing them as threats or competitors. This is the shape of a community that truly confesses Jesus is Lord. [33:47]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Move-Out Day Chaos and Authority Questions
[05:33] - Pluralism, Syncretism, and the Early Church
[09:48] - Authority, Oppression, and the Erosion of Meaning
[11:16] - The Search for Reliable Authority
[12:48] - The Disciples’ Struggle and the Turning Point
[15:52] - Jesus’ Response: A Kingdom Beyond Israel
[17:25] - The Ascension: What Really Happened?
[18:52] - Old Testament Imagery and the Meaning of “Up”
[21:43] - Jesus Takes the Throne: The Control Room of the Cosmos
[24:05] - The Ascension’s Impact on the Disciples
[25:47] - The Chiasm of Philippians 2: The Shape of Jesus’ Story
[27:08] - The Uniqueness of Jesus’ Kingship
[30:41] - Selfish Ambition, Competition, and the Way of Jesus
[32:48] - Living the Mindset of Christ
[33:47] - Valuing Others and the Challenge of Ambition
[35:01] - Practical Applications: Family, Work, and Relationships
[36:50] - Confession, Prayer, and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
---
### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:6-11
(Jesus’ ascension and the disciples’ response)
- Philippians 2:3-11
(The humility and exaltation of Jesus)
- 1 Peter 3:21-22
(Jesus at God’s right hand, with all powers in submission to him)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 1:6-11, what are the disciples expecting Jesus to do, and how does Jesus redirect their expectations?
*(see [15:52])*
2. What is the significance of the cloud in the story of Jesus’ ascension?
*(see [17:25] and [18:52])*
3. According to Philippians 2:3-11, what steps did Jesus take in his journey from equality with God to being exalted?
*(see [24:05] and [25:47])*
4. In 1 Peter 3:21-22, what does it mean that Jesus is “at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him”?
*(see [21:43])*
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ mission, even after the resurrection? What does this reveal about their expectations of authority and power?
*(see [12:48] and [15:52])*
2. The sermon describes Jesus’ ascension as his “enthronement” rather than abandonment. How does this change the way we think about Jesus’ current role in the world?
*(see [21:43] and [24:05])*
3. Philippians 2 describes a “chiasm” or hinge in Jesus’ story: descending into humility and then being exalted. How does this pattern challenge common ideas about greatness and leadership?
*(see [25:47] and [27:08])*
4. The sermon says that selfish ambition and vain conceit are at the root of what’s wrong with the world. Why is humility and valuing others so difficult, even for Christians?
*(see [30:41] and [32:48])*
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon began with the question, “Who is in charge here, and where are they?” In your own life, where do you look for authority or direction when things feel chaotic? Is it the “loudest voice,” your own feelings, or Jesus?
*(see [12:48])*
2. The early Christians refused to add Caesar or any other authority to their worship. Are there “Caesars” in your life—people, ideas, or things—that compete with Jesus for your ultimate allegiance? What would it look like to let Jesus alone be Lord?
*(see [05:33])*
3. The ascension means Jesus is on the throne, reigning with self-giving love. How does this truth affect the way you approach your work, family, or relationships this week?
*(see [21:43] and [24:05])*
4. Philippians 2 calls us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” Can you identify a recent situation where your need to be valued or recognized led you to overlook or devalue someone else? What could you do differently next time?
*(see [30:41] and [33:47])*
5. The sermon suggests that our need to be valued is not wrong, but it becomes destructive when it keeps us from valuing others. Where do you see this tension in your own life—at home, at work, or in friendships?
*(see [33:47] and [35:01])*
6. The way of Jesus is to lift others up as he has lifted us. Is there someone in your life right now who needs to be encouraged, supported, or valued? What is one practical step you can take this week to lift them up?
*(see [32:48] and [35:01])*
7. The sermon ended with a prayer of confession about putting ourselves first and seeing others as threats. Is there a specific area where you need to confess this tendency and ask Jesus to help you live differently?
*(see [36:50])*
---
Close in prayer, asking Jesus to help your group live out his story of humility, self-giving love, and true authority.
Devotional
Day 1: Guarding Against Hollow and Deceptive Philosophy
In a world filled with competing ideas and influences, it is easy to blend elements from various philosophies and traditions into our faith, sometimes without even realizing it. The early church faced this same temptation, and believers were warned to be vigilant against being taken captive by teachings that are not rooted in Christ. We are called to continually examine what shapes our beliefs and practices, ensuring that our faith remains centered on Jesus alone, not on human traditions or the shifting values of culture. [04:00]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: What is one belief or practice in your life that you need to examine to ensure it is truly rooted in Christ and not just a product of culture or tradition?
Day 2: Jesus’ Ascension—The True King Takes the Throne
The ascension of Jesus is not just a mysterious event but a declaration that He is enthroned as the true King, reigning with authority over all creation. Unlike any other ruler, Jesus’ path to the throne was through humility, suffering, and obedience, culminating in His exaltation to the right hand of God. This moment assures us that Jesus is not absent or distant, but actively reigning and interceding for us, and that His kingdom is not limited by geography or time. [22:29]
1 Peter 3:21-22 (ESV)
"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to remember that Jesus is truly on the throne and reigning with authority today?
Day 3: The Humility and Exaltation of Christ
Jesus, though fully God, chose to empty Himself, taking on the nature of a servant and humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. Because of this radical humility, God exalted Him above every name, so that all creation would acknowledge His lordship. This pattern of descent and exaltation is not only the story of Jesus but also the model for how we are called to live—laying down our own ambitions and pride, trusting that God honors humility. [27:08]
Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Reflection: Where is God inviting you to practice humility or let go of your own advantage for the sake of others?
Day 4: Living Without Selfish Ambition
The remedy for what is wrong in the world—selfishness and vain conceit—is found in the call to value others above ourselves, looking not only to our own interests but to the interests of others. This is a radical departure from the way the world often operates, where competition and self-promotion are the norm. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to adopt His mindset, letting go of the need to always be first, and instead seeking to lift others up, even when it costs us something. [32:48]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally value and serve above yourself today, even in a small way?
Day 5: The Freedom of Being Valued by Christ
Our deep need to be valued and esteemed can sometimes lead us to see others as threats or competitors, but the gospel reminds us that our worth is already secure in Christ. Because Jesus valued us enough to give His life, we are freed from the endless competition for honor and can instead extend that same value to others. When we rest in the truth that Jesus reigns and loves us, we are empowered to love and lift up those around us without fear of losing our own significance. [36:50]
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Reflection: In what situation today can you let go of the need to prove your worth and instead rest in the love and value Christ has already given you?
Quotes
The foundational worldview of people who follow Jesus ought to be like the king who diminished himself to a cross. Apparently, Jesus who descends into his own death is the model for the way we're supposed to live with each other. That's a way different way to live in the world. [00:33:07] (20 seconds)
This king who ascends, his ascension, unlike any other ancient king in any other part of context, is a person whose story of ascension comes through a cross, through the execution by his own enemies. No other king has that story. This is how I became king. I gave myself over to my enemies. They killed me, and then God raised me back up. Nobody else has that story in the ancient world. This is a unique attribute of this particular king. [00:27:08] (27 seconds)
The ascension is about Jesus going to the throne. Jesus is going up to the control room of the cosmos, as it were, taking his rightful place, far from abandoning us or returning home. He's going to the place where he can do the most good for our world. [00:23:50] (15 seconds)
But what we get from this particular passage is that this is how we're supposed to live. This is how we're invited to live so long as Jesus is on the throne. If he's been lifted up, then we have some kind of mandate to lift other people up too. Who's in charge? Where is he? [00:36:23] (25 seconds)
For a lot of you, and this might be you too, the question you're asking is, is the Christianity that I'm seeing, or the Christianity that I'm looking for, or the Christianity that I thought I once knew, is that actually Christianity? Or to say it even more succinctly, is the Jesus that I'm looking for, the Jesus I'm hoping to find actually Jesus, or has it been obscured by a bunch of other stuff? [00:05:34] (20 seconds)
Chatbot
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