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SERIES: Walking in Joy SUBJECT: Exalting Christ READING: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 Text: Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should , of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; Introduction: The Mind of Christ we are instructed to embrace was the willingness come down from glory to embrace the human experience and ultimately to lay down His life for a lost 1 and dying human race. As we see this evening God has a great prospect for those who humble themselves to accomplish God’s work; that is exaltation. I. During His earthly ministry Jesus introduced several paradoxes; a. A paradox is defined as a seemingly self-contradictory declaration but is in fact true. b. There are several interesting paradoxes found in the Bible. As John Wesley said, “Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and then I will show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God.” c. Here are a few of Jesus’ paradoxical statements: 2 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:39 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Mark 10:31 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:14 As these last two paradoxes teach when we come down to serve God God will exalt us as he did here with His son! II. ”Now the mind of God the Father is to glorify Christ. In the following points will see how God exalted His humble His Son in seven (God number of perfection) steps upward. 3 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name [Phil. 2:9]. a. Here is the first step up: The supreme purpose of God the Father in this universe today is that Jesus Christ be glorified in the universe which He created and that He be glorified on the earth where man dwells, where man rebelled against God. b. The size of the earth is just under 8,000 miles in diameter compared to our energy source which is the sun which is 864,950 miles across makes us by comparison a relative small orb! c. The thing that makes this little earth significant and important is i. It is the only life bearing planet! 4 ii. It is the home to the only creatures who have been created in God’s image! iii. And perhaps most of all it is the only place in the vastness of space where the Son of God died for the people created in God’s image! d. Astronomers tell us that we are a little speck in space, and if our little world were to be blotted out, it wouldn't make any difference to the universe. i. I would vehemently disagree because this planet is the battle ground of good and evil, and the universe is being held together for the singular purpose of demonstrating that good will always triumph over evil! 5 ii. The thing that has lent dignity to man and has caused him to look up into the heavens and sing 1. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; 2. Praise Him, all creatures here below; 3. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; 4. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Is the fact that Jesus Christ came to this earth and died on the cross for him. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him." III. Now the second step: "and given him a name which is above every name." 6 a. The next time you hear someone take His name in vain, think of this. i. God intends to exalt that name that you use as a curse word and drag in the mud. ii. Its utterance as a word of blaspheme proves the wisdom of a sign sister Cooley and I saw in a little country store in the mountains of Oregon; “Profanity is the futile attempt of the feeble mind to express itself forcefully!” iii. The name of Jesus Christ will be exalted above the names of all the great men of this world and above the names of all the angels in glory. 7 b. That name above every name is Jesus Jesus, Jesus Sweetest name I know! IV. The third step of Christ's exaltation. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, a. Jesus means "Savior." Before His birth in Bethlehem, the angel said, "...thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). b. Now notice the reference to prophecy: "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matt. 1:22-23). 8 That prophecy was made by the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament and there He was God with man. c. There is here in our text a prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled! But beloved it is coming and He is waiting because there is a host of folk dead and alive who have not bowed but one day they will! And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according 9 to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 d. There before that throne kneeling before Jesus will every human soul gathered from their hiding place throughout history and at at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; V. Now notice the fourth step of His exaltation: "Of things in heaven." One third of those spirit beings who followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God, those who from then until the end beyond the end of millennial kingdom and the end of time will be gathered to hear their final damnation! 10 VI. And the fifth step: "And things in earth" there before the throne all those who lived through the millennial kingdom rebelling at Satan’s final loosing will be there on bended knees! VII. And the sixth step: "And things under the earth." a. Death and hell the dwelling place of the departed unsaved souls are the final remnant of all creation whose names were not found in the book of life. b. There they will humbly kneel before Jesus! VIII. Here now is the seventh and final step of Christ's exaltation: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Phil. 2:11]. 11 a. Every tongue shall "confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." b. That doesn't mean that every tongue will confess Him as Savior. c. It is interesting that even in hell they must recognize the lordship of Jesus, which will, I think, increase their anguish. d. A word of caution is in order here. Be very careful about calling Jesus your Lord if He is not your Lord. i. He made the statement that many would call Him Lord, Lord, and even perform miracles in His name, yet He will say, "I never knew you" (see Matt. 7:21-23). ii. Before one calls Him Lord and rests on their assessment 12 only may want be assured by the spirit of God and word of God that it is more than rhetoric. Conclusion: These thoughts are reminders that Jesus is more much more than many, even many professing Christians think Him to be! If He is your Savior, then you can become obedient to Him as your Lord. Anyone can sing the words on the pages of the song book which say; "What a Friend we have in Jesus." But living it takes a real commitment to God. A commitment that reflects Jesus’ words in John 15:14; "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Invitation: How about you beloved friend? If you have the mind of Christ then your life and your words will exalt Christ! 13 14