Page Two: “The Head of the Church” 4/21/13
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So, when Paul says “I am an Apostle of Jesus Christ,” he believes that his entire life was lived beneath the Head. Turn with me to Galatians chapter one.
Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)…” (15) “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:…” When it comes to your life today; where you live; your work responsibilities; your home, your children, your place of ministry in this world – all this falls under the realm of your Head, Jesus Christ. Jesus, as your Head, has had His eye and His hand upon you since your birth. Now, let me add just one more thing here. There are those who say that if you believe this; if you believe that God has had His hand upon your life from the moment you were born, then you have no will of your own. And the answer to those who say such is this. Look at the worldwide flood. Was the LORD Head over all in the days of Noah? Of course He was. Yet, most of those alive at that time had no willingness to let Him be their Head. And fortunately for us, Noah did. First, then, 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. The Apostle Paul wrote this word to the Ephesian Church. Ephesians 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, |
(20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
(22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,…” Paul, in order to convey the majesty and magnitude of the position Jesus holds, uses this word “Head.” The Headship of Jesus encompasses everything in the universe. In other words, He’s head of the universe. When Jesus completed His task here on earth, He went to the cross, died, was buried and then rose from the dead. Now, as the Resurrected Savior, Jesus sits at His Father’s right hand as Head over all principality rulers, each and every ruler, all might, every dominion, and over every name in the universe; and not only in this world, but in the world to come. The Biblical teaching that Jesus is Head over all applies to all men everywhere; all kingdoms, all dominions, etc. No one is exempt from Christ’s Headship. Look again at verse twenty-two. (22) “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,…” Because of the work of Calvary and because He rose from the dead, Jesus is now seated at His Father’s right hand with everything under His feet. He’s Supreme Commander. He’s got Supreme Authority over all things. Jesus is the One Who is in total control. If Jesus could heal, He’d be counted as a great healer. If He could perform miracles, He’d be counted a miracle worker. If He could teach, He’d be counted as a great teacher. If He could raise people from the dead, He’d be counted as the One Who has power over life and death. But if He could rise from the dead, He’d be counted as the Head of the entire universe. He’s the Ultimate Authority. |