Christ: Past. Present. Future

Christ:

Past. Present. Future.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phi 2:5-11)

I. Suffering Servant

a. Nature of His condescension

i. Perhaps not humiliation to be in human body

1. He still has one

2. Limitations and infirmities

3. His glorified body is greatly improved

ii. Humiliation to:

1. Lay aside glory

2. Be associated with sin – like unto sinful

3. Suffer for sin

iii. The Word became flesh

1. Christ revealed to man who God is and who we should be

b. Christ our example in all things

i. Other’s oriented

No Responsibility

A young man applying for a job as usher in a theater was asked by the owner, "In case of fire, what would you do?" "Oh, don’t be concerned about me," was the reply. "I’d be able to escape immediately."

1. In love

2. In praying

3. In forgiving

a. 7 times in a day

4. In humility

a. He was poor

b. He held no titles

c. In dependence upon Father

d. He was not above ministering to children

ii. Obedient

1. In His death

iii. In His resurrection

1. We shall be changed

2. Glorified

3. Mary weeping at tomb…she knew a Suffering Servant but He had become…

II. Sovereign Savior

a. He reigns!

i. His exaltation

1. We participate

a. Ruling and reigning

b. He saves!

i. Extent of invitation

ii. Preserves us

1. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (Joh 10:28)

iii. Intercessor

1. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:25)

III. Severe Sentencer

a. Prophecy foretells wickedness preceding His return

Omnipotence Questioned

A Bible class teacher asked, "Is there anything God cannot do?"

There was silence. Finally, one lad held up his hand. The teacher, disappointed that the lesson’s point had been missed, asked resignedly, "Well, just what is it that God cannot do?"

"Well," replied the boy, "He can’t please everybody."

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (2Ti 3:1-4)

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

(Mat 24:12)

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luk 18:8)

b. Prophecy foretells abasement and punishment of mankind

i. God’s response to unthankful and proud men

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev 6:15-17)

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Rev 19:11)

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15)