Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19950903.htm

THE DOCTRINE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Part XII: The Present Work Of The Son Of God
  1. Introduction
    1. If Jesus arose from the dead, the believer may wonder WHY He didn't stay around on EARTH where it would be more edifying to see the risen Lord firsthand! WHY did He go back to heaven?!
    2. Understanding the present work of the Son of God answers this question and opens a door of understanding and appreciation for what God is doing in the believer's experience on the earth right now.
  2. The Present Work Of The Son Of God.
    1. As the Second Adam and New Creation, Christ in heaven currently supplies eternal life now and one day, an eternal body for every believer on earth, 1 Cor. 15:45; 2 Cor. 5:17.
    2. As the Head and Body of Christ, Jesus in heaven currently supplies leadership, direction, nurture and spiritual gifts for effective service to believers on the earth, Col. 1:18, 24.
    3. As the Great Shepherd of the Church, Christ now leads and cares for believers on earth and superintends over the human shepherds in its earthly local churches for the spiritual benefi t of His people, cf. John 10 with 1 Peter 5:1-4,5-7!
    4. As the Vine supporting believers who are branches, Jesus equips us to be spiritually productive through prayers offered on the earth, cf. John 15:1-8.
    5. As the Chief Cornerstone of the stones of God's spiritual house, the church, Christ gives life and security to the Church on earth, cf. 1 Cor. 3:11; 1 Peter 2:4-8.
    6. As the High Priest of a kingdom of believer-priests, Christ has manifold ministries through the Church:
      1. As our High Priest, Christ offered a sufficient sacrifice to the Father for our sin, Heb. 8-9.
      2. As our High Priest, He intercedes for our sins and for our human weaknesses, He. 7:25 and Rom. 8:34.
      3. Since Christ serves as our High Priest, we believers on earth have the following priestly ministrations:
        1. Every Christian can offer up to God the living sacrifice of His body for God's service, Rom. 12:1.
        2. Every Christian can offer the sacrifice of praise acceptable to the Father, 1 Pet. 2:5,9; He. 13:15.
        3. Every Christian can offer the sacrifice of acceptable good works to the Father, He. 13:16.
        4. Every Christian can offer of his earthly possessions for God's use, He. 13:16. This sacrifice must be done (1) systematically; (2) regularly (1 Cor. 16:2); (3) proportionately to how God has blessed one materially (1 Cor. 16:2); (4) sacrificially (2 Cor. 8:2); (5) with an attitude of liberality (2 Cor. 9:6,13); (6) cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7) and (7) trusting God to supply his own needs (2 Cor. 9:8).
        5. Every Christian can offer intercession to God: this can be (1) his own personal needs (Phil. 4:6-7,19); (2) the needs of others in Christ (Ep. 6:18) and for (3) the unsaved (Rom. 10:1). This should be a continual practice, 1 Thess. 5: 17.
    7. As the Spiritual Bridegroom of His Bride, the Church, Christ is preparing a place for the Church in the New Jerusalem (John 14:1-3) and is preparing the Bride for heaven by maturing it on earth, Ep. 5:25-33.
Lesson: It was necessary for Christ to return to heaven instead of staying here on the earth so that (1) we might NOW enjoy eternal life and hope of an eternal body, that (2) we might be led and nurtured and equipped with supernatural gifts for effective service while in this life, that (3) we might be properly shepherded on earth regardless of dangers to the contrary in today's earthly church situations, that (4) we might be productive in our prayer lives on earth, that (5) we might enjoy practic al security from spiritual opponents while on the earth, that (6) we might enjoy forgiveness of sins with its restored fellowship with God, and each of us enjoy a rich priestly ministry on earth, and that (7) we might be readied and a place readied for us t o dwell forever in the presence of our Heavenly Father! He HAD to return to heaven -- it was in our best interests!