The Ascended Christ

Thesis: Though the Spirit gives gifts to the church, it is not the focus. The focus should be on the giver of gifts - God.

Five reasons the text gives to focus on the Giver is that Spiritual gifts testify to :

1. Eternal Purposes of God

• Old Testament reference (v.8) shows gifting was always God's plan for Church

2. Incarnation of Christ

• Old Testament reference (v.9) ~ victorious King, ascending to throne to grant spoils (gifts) of war

3. God's Amazing Grace

• Eternal Purposes/Incarnation were to grant gift of salvation
• God of universe lowered himself by descending from throne to earth to grant gift to us

4. God's Great Victory

• His work conquered death and sin

5. The Preeminence of Christ

• All things were created through and for him (Colossians)
• We were formed for His glory (Isaiah)
• Gifts/Church are for the end of recognizing Christ on his throne

CONCLUSION: All activity by God's people, including the gifts they have, are to be used to proclaim Christ and put him on display.