The Head of the Church

Joe R. Price

Rome was dark as white smoke billowed from the stove pipe chimney. The Roman Catholic College of Cardinals had just elected a new pope. Like many others, I watched the television as the announcement was made that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (now known as Francis) is the new Pope, the Vicar (representative) of Christ on earth. Prior to the announcement, the band played a flourish as soldiers marched in rank to take their position in St. Peter’s Square. All eyes were fixed on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the curtains opened and out stepped a cardinal to announce the identity of the new pope or papa (father). Once the royal tapestry had been draped over the balcony, the new Pontiff in white array greeted and blessed the cheering throng (estimated to be 100,000). Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome, said a prayer and asked the crowd to pray for him before retreating to begin his reign as the head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church – inauguration mass to follow.

The Bible records a scene far greater and grander than any earthly venue, endorsed by God’s powerful presence, which Daniel was favored to see one night:

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13-14).

This visionary coronation of the Christ to reign over His kingdom took place when Jesus ascended into heaven following His resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:33-36). The apostle Paul not only affirmed the heavenly exaltation of Jesus, he also identified the kingdom of which Daniel spoke as the church of Christ:

“…according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:19-23).

Jesus reigns as the head of the church and dispenses every spiritual blessing to His body, the church (Eph. 1:23, 3).

God exalted Jesus Christ to be the head of the church. No Scripture acknowledges the Bishop of Rome as the head of the church of God. Christ has not shared His headship with anyone, nor will His rule be passed to another – including the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (Dan. 2:44). Jesus Christ, not Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is worthy “to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12). Let us honor and follow Jesus Christ. 

Top

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. Eph. 5:22-33: Marriage is the great illustration of the relationship of Christ and His church, Rom. 7:4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7.
2. Gospel obedience brings the sinner into this pure and holy relationship, Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 2:47; 2 Cor. 11:2.
3. Our text teaches Christ’s love for His church and the church’s respectful submission to Him.

I. CHRIST LOVES HIS CHURCH.

  A. Jesus Sacrificed Himself for His Church, Eph. 5:23; Lk. 19:10; Rom. 5:6-8; Eph. 1:7; Acts 20:28; Rom. 5:10.
  B. Christ’s Leadership (rule): Servant-leader, Mk. 10:45. Rom. 15:3; Phil. 2:5-8
  C. As Head, He Nourishes and Cherishes His Church, 5:23, 28-30; Matt. 28:18-20; Jno. 14:23; 5:21; 1 Ths. 2:19-20

II. THE CHURCH IS SUBMISSIVE TO CHRIST IN EVERYTHING.

  A. Subjection to Christ is Essential for Our Salvation, Eph.5:23-24 (Prov. 31:10-12, 28-30); Gal. 5:4; cf. Rev. 2:16.
  B. The Church is Faithful to Christ in Everything, Eph. 5:24; Col. 3:17; 1 Tim. 3:15.
  C. Submission to Christ (His Word) Expresses Our Faithfulness to Him, Ezek. 16:8, 9-14, 15-59 (32, 38, 59); 16:41-43. -Eph. 5:3-11 (walk in love), Eph. 5:10, 14 (walk in light), Eph. 5:19-20 (walk in wisdom).
  D. Submission to Christ Expresses Our Unity with Him, Eph. 5:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-18.

Conclusion

1. Christ commands the husband to completely love his wife and the wife to completely respect her husband, Eph. 5:33.
2. Marriage reflects the relation Christ has with His church, Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9; 22:17.

Top

The Bible and Original Sin (Part 2)

1. Part 1: We found that the doctrine of original sin and total hereditary depravity results from the doctrines of men and not the word of God.
2. God created man and woman without sin, but they chose to sin, and on the day the sinned, spiritual death entered the world (Rom. 5:12).
3. Physical death is a consequence of their sin which is faced by all, 1 Cor. 15:21-22.
4. Proponents of the doctrine of original sin (that we are corrupt, having a sinful nature and under wrath because of Adam’s sin) try to use the Bible to support their doctrine.
5. Part 2 looks at some of these attempts.

II. WHAT ABOUT THESE SCRIPTURES? DON’T THEY TEACH ORIGINAL SIN?

  A. Job 14:1-4: Job Mourns Life’s Brevity and Travail. Job 1:8

  B. Psalm 51:5: David was Surrounded by Sin from Conception. Psa. 51:1, 2, 3, 4, 7; Deut. 1:39; Psa. 58:3

  C. Rom. 3:10: No One is Righteous, (sinlessly perfect). Rom. 3:23

  D. Rom. 5:12-19: Death in Adam, Life in Christ.

  E. 1 Cor. 15:21-22: Body Dies due to Adam, and the Body will be Resurrected due to Christ. Gen. 3:19

  F. Eph. 2:3: By Nature Children of Wrath. Eph. 2:2; 1 Jno. 2:29

  G. Heb. 2:14-15: All Their Lifetime Subject to Bondage. Deut. 1:39; Rom. 7:9

Conclusion

1. The soul that sins will die, Ezek. 18:4, 20.
2. The sins you commit bring God’s wrath upon you.
3. But, God takes no pleasure in the death of sinners. Therefore, repent and live, Ezek. 18:30-32; Acts 2:37-38.

Top

Did you know March 14 was International Pi Day? That’s the number “Pi” (π), not “pie”. “Pi is an irrational number, meaning that the sequence of its decimal digits continues to infinity without repeating itself” (“Celebrate International Pi Day”, louisville.com). The first three digits of Pi are 3.14, so, each March 14 is Pi Day (which also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday). (Ibid)

       Pi reminds us of eternity. A number that has no end is at least half of the way to eternity. You see, eternity also has no beginning; it is timeless and boundless. Of God it is said, “Even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God” (Psa. 90:2; see Psa. 93:2; Micah 5:2). Eternal life is the reward of the faithful, while everlasting punishment is the fate of the wicked (Matt. 25:46). Life on earth is transient, momentary and brief (Jas. 4:14). The important question is where will you spend your eternity? (Read Romans 2:6-11 to find out.)

       Pi reminds us of the order of the universe. God’s creation has wondrous design. The order and design of the universe announce God’s glory and skillful work as our Creator (Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20). The mathematical precision of the physical world declares our Maker’s praise. We are not here by accident!

       Pi reminds us there are some things we accept by faith. The first 10,000 digits of Pi are online at http://goo.gl/4dk8H. There is simply no way my pea-pickin’ brain can grasp that number. But, there is enough evidence to convince me Pi is real. In a similar way, while we may only begin to grasp the complexities of the universe, we are compelled to believe God created it all (Heb. 11:3). What is even more astounding is that God has revealed Himself to us in His Son, Jesus Christ (Jno. 1:18). We can know God by knowing Jesus! “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jno. 14:9; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15). If you believe Pi is true, why wouldn’t you believe in God? 

Top
 

Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  03/18/2013