I BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
Ephesians 1:15-23; Hebrews 4:14-16
INTRODUCTION
This is the eighth in a series of sermons on The Apostles’ Creed. We find in it a series of 12 Biblical statements of what Christians have believed about the Trinity down through the centuries. Today, we will consider where Jesus went following His ascension: The answer has to do with the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ in Heaven.
I. I BELIEVE JESUS IS IN A POSITION OF POWER AND AUTHORITY.
1. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God.
(1) This position is the place of a king’s most trusted person.
(2) This position is the place of a king’s most powerful person.
(3) This position is the place of a king’s most honored person.
2. Jesus, the Son, has received authority from God, the Father.
(1) He has power and authority to rule over all things in this age.
(2) He has power and authority to rule over all things in the coming kingdom.
(3) He alone has authority over all things in the Church.
Following His resurrection and ascension, Jesus was given the position of prominence and power in the Kingdom of Heaven. He, and He alone, is the head of the Church—not the pastor, not the elders or deacons, not the congregation. Jesus is Lord—the glorious Lord of Heaven & earth! “He is Lord! He is Lord! He is risen from the dead, & He is Lord! Every knee shall bow; every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!”
II. I BELIEVE JESUS IS IN A POSITION OF INTERCESSION IN OUR BEHALF.
1. Jesus is our High Priest.
(1) We have a High Priest who is able to sympathize with us.
(2) He was tempted in every way, just as we are.
(3) Yet, He did not yield to temptation and sin, as we do.
2. Because of Jesus, we should come before the throne of grace with confidence.
(1) We receive mercy because He understands the strength of temptation.
(2) We receive grace in spite of our sinfulness because He understands.
(3) We receive help in our time of need because He understands how frail we are.
Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, understands our weaknesses. He understands the power of temptation. He understands and intercedes with the Father in our behalf. Our glorious Redeemer continues to work in our behalf to enable us to overcome sin and its devastating effects in our lives. “I was sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore. Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more! But the Master of the Sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters lifted me, now safe am I. Love lifted me. Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me.”
CONCLUSION
Jesus bought us out of bondage to sin and Satan. Now, He also intercedes for us every day when we come before the throne of grace and confess our sins. He stands ready to hear and forgive, to intercede in our behalf with the Father. I believe Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, in the position of power and authority. He is head of the Church, and we must seek His guidance in all that we do. He is Lord! Lord of the universe! Lord of all! But is He Lord of YOUR life? That is the most important consideration of all!
“Jesus, be the Lord of all! Jesus, be the Lord of all!
Jesus, be the Lord of all, the Lord of all my life!”
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