Page Four: “The Head of the Church” 4/21/13
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This is the same teaching as we found in the second chapter of Colossians.
Colossians 2:19 “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God [grows with a growth from God].” Now, it’s true that the LORD is, in essence, the Primary Head of State. You could also say the Jesus is a Head like you might be the head of your company or maybe when you’ve been asked to lead a particular program; you’d be called the head of that program. In our Church we have some people who are “Ministry Heads,” which mean they are in charge of a specific area of our ministry. And yes, the LORD is the final authority both in your life and in the life of His Church. But this term Head includes one more simply wonderful thing. As Head of the Church, Jesus does only and always what is beneficial to His body. He nourishes is so that it can be edified (built up) on love in order that it be fully knit together and thereby increase with the increase of God Himself. Folks, what is Jesus doing today? He’s nourishing His body and knitting it together so that it can increase and thereby accomplish His blessed will. We are here today growing up in Him. Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:…” First, Paul saw his place in the Church only because he saw himself under the headship of Jesus Christ. Second, Jesus is the Head of all things. Third, Jesus is the Head of His Church. Fourth, since Christ is your head, the control factor of your life is His peace. Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” |
God’s gift of peace comes to those who let Christ’s word dwell richly in their hearts. As your head Jesus supplies you with His own peace as a rule. Rule = “operate as an umpire.” As an umpire, the LORD’s peace is provided to you to control your heart when trouble, strife and conflict attempt to invade it.
You see, your Head, Jesus Christ, controls your heart as you submit to His Headship over you. Here’s the same principle Paul taught to the Church at Philippi. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” His peace is likened to an umpire who has to rule when there is a doubt as to who’s right and who’s wrong. We’ve all been to a game when the umpire makes his ruling. And oftentimes we reject his ruling. Yet, the umpire’s decision stands. Why? Because he’s the umpire. Your Head, Jesus Christ, blesses you with His peace when you too have conflict and a decision has to be made in life. How many times have you been in a situation where you had to make a choice to do what was right or to yield to a temptation? And how did you proceed? You see, in moral choices, (and a whole lot of our every day choices are moral choices), the LORD, as your Head, has a gift for you that will certainly help you. That gift is His peace. Everyone I know wants to know and enjoy peace. But everyone isn’t interested in allowing the peace of Christ to enable them to make good choices. Folks, your Head is the One Who wants with all His heart for you to enjoy His peace. Why then, do you so often proceed to make decisions and engage in things that do not lend themselves to a peaceful heart? The obvious reason is our selfish and sinful nature. We simply think we know better than our Head. So we act accordingly. |