With Ultimate Authority Series

1. Review: The last few weeks have been a series on "Behold the Man" -- words that Pilate spoke as he presented Jesus to the people.

* We have seen our need to see him for who he is.

* Last week we looked at him from the Father's perspective as He declared of Jesus, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."

* Today we will look at how Jesus sees himself -- the One with authority.

2. Famous Last Words

A person's last words are important. We hang on to the dying words of those closest to us. We pass on the final words of great leaders for the next generation. It's as if we are waiting for them to sum everything up in a few final statements.

Some are celebrated:

* Nathan Hale (1755-1776) -- "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

* Stonewall Jackson -- "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."

Some are ironic:

* Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. (1883-1939) actor -- "Never felt better."

* Union General John Sedgwick (1813-1864) -- "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist-."

Some are quirky:

* Marie Antoinette, Queen of France (1755-1793) -- "Pardon me, sir." (on stepping on the foot her executioner) J

Some are humorous:

* James Rogers -- "Why yes, a bullet proof vest." (When asked before his firing squad, "Any last requests?")

* Writer Oscar Wilde, died November 30, 1900 saying, "Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."

Some are Powerful:

It is Jerome who tells the story of the last words of John. When he was dying, his disciples asked him if he had any last message to leave them. "Little children," he said, "love one another." Again and again he repeated it; and they asked him if that was all he had to say. "It is enough," he said, "for it is the Lord's command."

3. Among the last words of Jesus before his ascension to heaven: Matthew 28.16-20

I. Jesus Has Been Below Us

A. God Always Comes from Above to Below

1. Sinai (God came down; Moses went up)

2. New Heaven and Earth

B. Jesus Came Down to Be:

1. Servant of All --Mark 10.42-45

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

a. Contrast with the world

b. He is not an imitation or adaptation of the world

c. He is illustrated with the Towel -- John 13

d. There is power in the servant-leader who says come, not just go

2. Shepherd of His Sheep -- Luke 19.10; cf. Ezekiel 34; Luke 15

3. Sacrifice for Sin (into the earth/tomb; Matthew 28.1)

a. Animal sacrifices and feasts (First Fruits) pointed to Jesus

b. He went into the tomb in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12.40)

II. Jesus Is Above Us (28.17-18)

Who Is In Charge?

In August 1994, a Korean Air jet skidded across a rain soaked runway and rammed a safety barricade while landing in Cheju, Korea. All 160 passengers escaped safely just moments before the plane exploded into flames.

What was the cause of the accident?

According to news reports, the pilot and the co-pilot had gotten into a fist fight... over who was in charge of the landing controls. Shouldn't that have been covered in the flight manual!!!

The main point is, no one knew who was in charge. That led to confusion and disaster.

A. He is Exalted by God -- Philippians 2.8-10

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

B. His Place at the Right Hand of God -- Acts 2.22; Hebrews 7.25

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

C. He Has Paid the Price and Can Direct Our Steps

1. Go (or, as you go)

2. Make Disciples