GOD EXALTED JESUS FOR DYING  (Philippians 2:5-11)

1. Jesus is a great example of godliness (Phil 2:1-4,12-16), but much more than example.
2. Liberal theologians deny His blood atonement to make Him example and/or martyr.
3. But there was a very real legal transaction by His death and resurrection for the elect.
4. His incarnation and His crucifixion were His choices of incredible humility and service.
5. The Word of God, Who was unbegotten and underived Jehovah, joined human flesh.
6. His earthly life as a man, far below God and angels, was a servant without reputation.
7. He allowed a trial to proceed falsely accusing Him, and He died naked between thieves.
8. Obedience to death is incredible; it is voluntary submission, not accidental like soldiers.
9. It was no easy, quick death; it was a cruel, humiliating, painful, slow death of the cross.
10. See the transition here from Jesus’ humiliation to His glorification at God’s right hand.
11. Because Jesus humbled Himself greatly to humanity and crucifixion, God honored Him.
12. We rejoice in His resurrection, His ascension, His glorification, and also His coronation.
13. God gave Him more than just letters and syllables of “JESUS,” which He already had.
14. Jesus was His personal name; His titular names are Son of God (Heb 1:1-5) and Lord.
15. Do not take Paul’s words here too far, for God Jehovah is a greater name (I Cor 15:28).
16. God promoted the Man Christ Jesus over all created beings of any kind in the universe.
17. God the Father is glorified when the Son He loves and delights in is finally worshipped.
18. God the Father is glorified when all enemies of the Son are crushed beneath His feet.
19. This continued example of Jesus, even by His exaltation, fits the promises of scripture.
20. Jesus was put over the universe, as Psalm 8 with many crowns (Heb 2:5-9; Rev 19:12).

GOD HAD PROPHESIED EXALTING JESUS  (Isaiah 52:13-15)

1. Let us behold, or see and view, this great matter, similar to a Messianic psalm (Ps 45:1).
2. We understand Behold here for His prudence in obeying God’s plan for His death, and we can also understand the painful death crucifixion was. Pilate said, Behold the man!
3. Isaiah had introduced God’s Servant already to be known (Is 7:14; 9:6; 42:1-7; 50:4-9).
4. Prudence, which is use of wisdom in choices, was preeminently in our Lord (Col 2:3).
5. Jesus dealt prudently by a perfect record and reputation through life, requesting His apostles go free in Gethsemane, not seeking deliverance by angelic intervention, keeping perfect integrity on trial, maintaining great courage and faith at death, forgiving His murderers, continuing to obey God by honoring His mother while dying, etc.
6. He was exalted at His ascension with position and title (Acts 2:33,36; Eph 1:20-22).
7. He was extolled very greatly when He ascended into heaven (Revelation 5:1-14; 12:10).
8. He was elevated very high above all others (Heb 2:7-9; 7:26; Col 1:15-18; I Tim 6:15).
9. The “as … so” form of verses 14-15 shows how He sprinkled many nations – by His stupendous humiliation and suffering, which caused the astonishing dismay of many.
10. Many women wept and lamented for the Lord going toward Calvary (Luke 23:26-31).
11. Isaiah described deformity of features by grief in his life and the torture of crucifixion.
12. Visage. The face, the front part of the head, of a person; the face with reference to the form or proportions of the features.
13. His beard was pulled off; the soldiers hit His face; thorns were pounded into His head.
14. Jesus sprinkled many nations with His blood and the attendant blessings of grace, which were all consequences and rewards of His willing humiliation and sufferings. Carefully note the powerful “as … so” form of verses 14-15, indicating precisely how it was done.
15. This prophecy is first fulfilled in blood redemption of elect of every nation (Re 5:9-10).
16. The next greatest blessing by sprinkling of His blood is the Holy Spirit (Ezek 36:25-28; Jn 7:37-39; Acts 2:33-39; 5:32; 19:5-6; Eph 1:13-14; II Thess 2:13; Tit 3:5-6; I Pet 1:2).
17. The next greatest blessing by sprinkling of His blood is the gospel (Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; 16:25; Ephesians 3:5-6; 4:11-16; II Thess 2:13; Hebrews 9:14; 10:22).
18. Kings would be silenced by the glad tidings; they would greatly desire to hear the things.
19. King George II of England, hearing an early performance of Handel’s MESSIAH, stood in honor for the Hallelujah Chorus. King of kings! Lord of lords! Hallelujah!

GOD REWARDED JESUS FOR THE WAY HE DIED  (Isaiah 53:12)

1. First, observe the therefore, which begins this verse for the conclusion of the chapter.
2. Second, observe the glorious switch of the LORD God to the first person in this verse.
3. Almighty God would give Jesus honor, glory, and rewards for His wonderful work, similar to great monarchs and victorious generals receiving/giving rewards for success.
4. He gave Jesus a name above all other names – the Son of God (Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:1-5).
5. He told Him to sit at His right hand until He made His enemies His footstool (Heb 1:13).
6. He gave Him a rod of iron to rule over earth to share with His children (Rev 2:26-27).
7. He gave Him the Holy Spirit and great gifts of ministry for His church (Acts 1:4-5,8).
8. He gave Him the universe for His inheritance to share with joint-heirs (I Cor 3:21-23).
9. These honors and rewards were because of four special aspects of His death done well, which are the ones noted here but other noble aspects of His death are noted elsewhere.
10. He poured out His soul unto death, being His obedient choice to die by allowing Jews and Romans to cruelly torture and murder Him and give up His spirit voluntarily at last.
11. He was numbered with the transgressors, crucified between common thieves deservedly sentenced to capital punishment for the crimes they had committed (Mark 15:27-28).
12. He bare the sin of many, being the substitutionary sacrifice to God whereby He took the sins of His elect upon Himself and paid the full penalty of death though sinless Himself.
13. He made intercession for the transgressions, being the gracious way in which He asked God to forgive the ignorant murderers at the cross after they had crucified Him (Luke 23:34); He had prayed for Peter who would transgress against Him (Luke 22:32); and to this day He performs another phase of intercession for us (Rom 5:10; 8:34; Heb 7:25).
14. Jesus knew God would honor and reward Him for dying as He did, so He died nobly with future joy and pleasure in His mind (Psalm 2:6-8; 16:8-11; 110:1-4; Heb 12:1-2).
15. In addition to the four aspects of His death listed in our text here … Jesus gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate (I Tim 6:13) … endured the cruel death of the cross (Phil 2; Heb 12) … despised the shame of public nakedness (Ps 22:17-18; Heb 12: 2) … endured the contradiction of sinners (Ps 22:6-8; Heb 12:2) … and more (I Pet 2:21-24).
16. Being exalted to God’s right hand, God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit to give His church (Acts 2:33), which included gifts to His servants in His churches (Ps 68:18; Ep 4:8-11).
17. The death of our Lord was necessary to obtain the Spirit as an honor and reward for us.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit Promised  (John 7:37-39)

1. The N.T. began by John foretelling Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost (Mat 3:11).
2. He had told the woman of Samaria that He had living water for any asking (John 4:11).
3. Jesus promised believers would have rivers of living water from them (John 7:37-38).
4. The apostle John by inspiration explained this as dependent on Jesus being glorified.
5. Jesus glorified in heaven implies and includes His successful death and resurrection.
6. The death of our Lord was necessary to purchase such an honor and reward as the Spirit.
7. Jesus in John chapters 14-16 gave apostles detailed benefits of the coming Comforter.
8. The Holy Ghost had been given in limited assistance to men, but never like Pentecost.
9. The immortal, infinite, invisible, eternal Jehovah in us! With us! Making His abode!
10. The gifts of Pentecost are little compared to His many other ministries as in Ephesians.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit Expedient  (John 16:7)

1. Nevertheless here contrasts the Comforter coming with persecution and Jesus leaving.
2. The apostles were understandably fearful and worried about their future without Him.
3. While hard to believe, Jesus declared it to be truth that the Comforter would be better.
4. Conducive to advantage in general, or to a definite purpose; fit, proper.
5. The condition for the promise of the Spirit was Jesus glorified in heaven receiving gifts.
6. If Jesus did not leave, they would never have the superior presence/power of the Spirit.
7. The apostles after Pentecost were far better men in all respects by the Spirit’s presence.
8. They were pitiful with Jesus on earth with them; after Pentecost He was in them. Glory!
9. After Pentecost the apostles were wiser than Solomon as kingdom mysteries over trees; they were stronger than Samson; they had answers better than Urim and Thummim.
10. If He had stayed on earth, the great drama and gifts from God would have been delayed.
11. If He had stayed on earth, He would have been limited geographically, but not the Spirit.
12. The drama of God’s redemptive plan had greater Spirit blessing for us after Pentecost.
13. He did not leave them comfortless; He sent a superior Comforter for them (John 14:18).
14. Certain fulfillment of the Great Commission is one of the great N.T. facts and events.
15. Always trust God’s duties and promises over any ideas of your own for your own profit.
16. Men, if you will let me depart, I will send God’s presence and power in the Comforter.
17. Jesus explained the Comforter’s superiority several ways (John 14:25-29; 16:13).

The Gift of the Holy Spirit Realized  (Acts 2:33)

1. Therefore draws a conclusion from Peter’s long explanation for the spectacular events.
2. The Day of Pentecost is one of the great days in human history and plan of redemption.
3. The great events in heaven of honor and gifts to Jesus have clear proof and fulfillment.
4. The promise of honors and spoil to Jesus were fulfilled, and He further shared them.
5. Fifty days after Passover – three buried, forty proving His resurrection, seven in heaven.
6. Men had been separated from God after Eden due to their rebel sin (Genesis 3:23-24).
7. Men were limited with God in O.T. worship by Moses, his tabernacle, David’s temple; only the high priest, and he only once a year, could only visit with blood (Heb 9:6-8).
8. Think about God’s holy distance from men (Ex 3:5; Josh 5:15; Job 40:4-5; 42:6; Is 6:5).
9. Both Jews and Gentiles now have access into God’s presence by the Spirit (Eph 2:18).
10. But far more than that, both Jewish and Gentiles believers have God and Christ in them.
11. This drastically changed with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to heaven.
12. He sat down at the right hand of the LORD Jehovah to begin His work of intercession.
13. For His death, God rewarded Him with the highest honors and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
14. Note how Jesus Christ’s exalted position is for the benefit of the church (Eph 1:22-23).
15. Being exalted to God’s right hand, God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit to give His church (Acts 2:33), which included gifts to His servants in His churches (Ps 68:18; Ep 4:8-11).
16. He in turn gave that Spirit and the attendant ministerial gifts to His churches on earth, for God sent Him to Jesus for His bride, and we are truly His brethren and joint-heirs.
17. The Spirit in believers sheds abroad God’s love and leads them to cry, Abba, Father.
18. The unity with the Spirit is now so tight that coming is in two directions (Rev 22:17).
19. The twelve-fold ministries of the Holy Spirit in Ephesians should exalt this great gift.
20. God gives the Spirit to baptized believers that obey (Ephesians 1:13; Acts 2:38; 5:32).
21. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter after Pentecost (Acts 9:31). Think of the martyrs.
22. The promise of the Holy Spirit also included pagan Gentiles far away (Acts 2:39).
23. It is by the Holy Spirit we internally cry, Abba, Father (Gal 4:6; Romans 8:15-16).
24. It is by the Holy Spirit you can grow from glory to glory like Christ (II Cor 3:18).
25. The Holy Spirit helps prayer in content and fervency, both fabulous (Rom 8:26-27).
26. Assurance of God’s love for you and eternal life is by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
27. Joy is by Him – John in his mother’s womb or your joy (Luke 1:41,44; Rom 15:13).
28. Fruit, greater than gifts, is by the Spirit in you (Eph 5:8-10; Gal 5:16-25; II Pet 1:3).