Jesus – His Exaltation Series

Jesus – His Exaltation

Series: CREED: Truths that Unite

Brad Bailey – February 14, 2021

Intro...

Well... good morning Westside Vineyard family and friends.

It really is my privilege and pleasure to have this time to share with you. And I’m EXCITED to continue together in our series entitled Creed: Truths that Unite. In this series we’re engaging the central truths captured in the Apostles Creed. As I shared in previous weeks, The Apostles Creed is the oldest known and most widely accepted Christian creed. We might wonder why it’s called the Apostles creed. Well... the term apostle refers here to the unique position and commission of the twelve disciples of Jesus. And what was recognized was the unique trust and authority that was given to those who were firsthand witnesses of Jesus. Their testimony wasn’t second had speculation. While this Creed may not have been written by the twelve apostles... it dates back to a very early time in which it was clearly rooted in the undeniable truth they were united in declaring. [1]

And it is valuable to know, that this commitment to such firsthand apostolic authority is also what set apart what we know as the whole of the Scriptures...the Bible. The whole point of apostolic authority was a recognition that authority is rooted in a consensus of the firsthand sources...not in conjecture from second hand claims. The unique authority of the apostles was that which was direct ...not what developed. Every book of the New Testament had that mark of authority. So the creed is only a dynamic summary of the foundational beliefs. As many have described, “We believe far more than the statements of this creed...but we believe no less.” These are the truths that can center us, form us, and unite us.

So each week we are engaging one of the great truths declared in this creed ....truths that can center us, form us, and unite us. And each week we are starting by first having different members of the Westside Vineyard community read the creed... which we can say aloud as well by following the words we will put up. And today it’s my personal pleasure to welcome two lives who have served as remarkable pillars of support to my life...and to the ministry of this Vineyard community ... Dale and Stacia Ruby.[2]

[Creed read. See Note 2]

Thanks Dale and Stacia.

So we have come to the statement in the creed that could be considered the most pivotal and profound belief that is declared by the apostles... and joined in by all who believe. And it is this... that we believe Jesus... who the creed already recognized as the Christ...as God’s Son... as our Lord...that “On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father,”

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father...

There is a threefold declaration here...that he rose... ascended...and was seated. These three statements... each significant in themselves... are joined to speak of what has been referred to as the EXALTATION of Christ. Exaltation refers to being lifted up...to being elevated in recognition. That is what we is being recognized in these words. Let briefly consider the three phrases...and then what they say to us.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father...

This three part phrase begins with recognizing “On the third day he rose again;

“on the third day.” Having died on Friday afternoon, buried before sundown, the first day; Saturday being the second day; He was raised from the dead some time early on Sunday morning, the third day.

In the Old Testament we find a pattern of God doing big things on the third day. Redemptive things. Revelatory things. And yes, resurrection things.

The regathering of God’s people from the Babylonian exile is sometimes described as a resurrection (Ezek. 37:11–14). Hosea 6:2 describes the time frame of this resurrection:

Come, let us return to the LORD;

for he has torn us, that he may heal us;

he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

After two days he will revive us;

on the third day he will raise us up,

that we may live before him. (Hos. 6:1–2)

There’s the story of Jonah .... well known to many...how he was swallowed by a big fish.... eventually is released....and became an instrument of Nineveh’s salvation.

The author gives us the time frame for how long Jonah was in the fish’s belly: