Christ's Exaltation

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Philippians 2:9-11

Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:…

I. IN THE VERY FACT OF CHRIST'S EXALTATION THERE IS TO EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN A VERY LARGE DEGREE OF COMFORT. He has certain features of character which make it so.

1. He has a relationship with Christ, and therefore feels an interest in the success of His kinsman.

2. He has a feeling of unity in the cause. He shares the exaltation in some degree, seeing that he has sympathy with Christ's desire of promoting God's cause in the world. Every soldier feels honoured when his general is applauded for the victory, inasmuch as he has helped him to gain it.

3. The Christian knows that there is a real union between Christ and His people, now, therefore, that our Head is crowned he cannot, being so intimately interested, but rejoice. Christ is in heaven as our representative. The throne He occupies is for the Church whom He represents. In Him we, too, are exalted.

4. The Christian has surrendered his whole being to the work of honouring Christ, and therefore feels that in his Saviour's exaltation his whole desire is consummated. He cares not what happens to himself so long as he can say, "The Lord reigneth."

II. Another well spring of joy is found in THE REASON OF CHRIST'S EXALTATION. Because of —

1. His humiliation. The Christian need feel no pain in being humbled: the same joy is set before him as was set before his Lord.

2. His obedience. Let the Christian obey and he will win the same reward.

III. Another source of comfort is found in THE PERSON WHO EXALTED HIM.

1. Neither Christ nor the Christian are self-crowned autocrats; and the same hand that crowned Him will crown us. He, "King of kings," we "kings unto God and His Father."

2. Man never exalted Christ, but dishonoured and rejected Him — but God exalted Him. Believer, if all men speak ill of thee, think "the servant is not above his Lord."

3. Christ did not exalt Himself, nor can you in depression of spirits, humbleness of position, but God can and will.

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