Exalt document
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This document outlines the four things God calls the church to do: belong, grow, serve, and share. It focuses on the first one, belong, which means connecting to God and each other as the church. It says the first letter in "belong" is E, for exalting Christ in everything. It gives biblical reasons to exalt Christ, such as that he is God, the creator, and head of the church. The overall message is that Christians should connect with each other by exalting and worshipping Christ as the central focus of the church.
Exalt document
- 1. Our Identity God calls the church to do four things: BELONG (connect to God and to each other as the church), GROW (pursue discipleship), SERVE (to be the hands and feet of Jesus), and to SHARE (fulfilling the great commission of bringing the gospel to the world). B.E.L.O.N.G. (Connecting to God and to each other as the church) E (Exalt Christ in everything) KEY VERSE: Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope, that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether in life, or by death. The first place anyone must begin is belief that the scriptures are inspired (God-breathed) and serve the purpose of preparing us for our purpose. All Scripture is God-‐breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16 People respond to Jesus by _________ 1. rejecting him as Lord and Savior. 2. finding him interesting and unique. 3. viewing him as historically significant (i.e. the impact of Christianity upon the Roman Empire and the European tribes). 4. categorizing him as just another teacher, prophet, guru, or holy man. 5. regarding him as a threat to world peace (The sole claim of Jesus as the only way for salvation makes many view Christians as intolerant, and, therefore, in conflict, with the global desire of world peace. 6. believe He is who He says He is (but there is not outward or inner conviction of that that belief. Remember, demons believe in Jesus-‐ more so than most people who claim to believe in Jesus. 7. surrendering to His Lordship. I. Some Reasons to Exalt Christ in everything A. I exalt Christ because He is God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
- 2. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom (Hebrews 1:3-8). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). B. I exalt Christ because He is Creator Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3). For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). C. I exalt Christ because He is Head of the Church And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy (Colossians 1:18). And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:22-23). D. I exalt Christ because He is THE Way, THE truth, and THE Life Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:5-7). E. I exalt Christ because He is Savior
- 3. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). F. I exalt Christ because He is LORD of lords and KING of kings They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 14:7) Being the LORD and KING of an eternal Kingdom, he extends a rich welcome to those who will follow him. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10-11). A strong defense is needed in order to have peace within a country. Jesus as the LORD and KING is strong enough to ensure eternal peace. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all (Acts 10:36). Jesus is not just a national, ethnic, or regional king. He is LORD and KING of everyone! For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:12). G. I exalt Christ because of His Superior Name Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs (Hebrews 1:4). We are baptized (immersed) into the name of Jesus (See “Baptism is essential for salvation” under B.E.L.O.N.G.) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
- 4. We gather in the name of Jesus. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). We ask in the name of Jesus according to the will of God And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14). II. Some Ways I exalt Christ A. In Worship In a loud voice they sang:“ Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:“ To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped (Revelation 5:12-14). B. Giving Him Honor Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:15-17). C. With my Attitude Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:4-7). D. In my Heart and Mind Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on
- 5. things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3). E. Through humble service I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:15-17). F. By bearing fruit This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:8). G. Through Transformation, becoming more like Jesus And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-‐increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). H. When I suffer for the cause of Christ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41). Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:1-5). I. In Everything And whatever you do, whether in words or deed, do it al in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).