The Gospel Center of It All
The Gospel Center of It All
Friday
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
— Ephesians 4:7-10 (ESV)
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
— 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (ESV)
— Ephesians 4:7-10 (ESV)
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
— 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (ESV)
Today's passage takes us back to verses 7-10, but with specific focus on the theological foundation for everything Paul has said about unity, diversity, and maturity. None of these realities would be possible without the finished work of Jesus Christ. Paul quotes Psalm 68: "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." Then he adds crucial commentary: Christ first descended before He ascended.
This descent-ascent pattern is the gospel in miniature. Christ descended from heaven's glory, took on human flesh in the incarnation, descended even further into death and burial, then ascended in resurrection and finally ascended to the Father's right hand. From that position of supreme authority, He poured out the Holy Spirit and distributed gifts to His church. Every blessing we receive flows from this descent-ascent pattern.
Why does this matter for our passage? Because apart from Christ's finished work, there would be no church, no unity, no gifts, no growth, no hope. We were dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to the world, the flesh, and the devil. We were objects of wrath, children of disobedience, without God and without hope. But Christ descended to where we were, took our sin upon Himself, bore the full weight of God's wrath at the cross, conquered death through resurrection, and ascended victorious.
The Scriptures alone declare that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God alone. Not our works. Not our religious performance. Not our moral improvement. Christ's righteousness credited to our account by faith. This is the foundation of everything. Walking worthy isn't working to earn salvation; it's the grateful response of those who've been saved by grace.
This descent-ascent pattern is the gospel in miniature. Christ descended from heaven's glory, took on human flesh in the incarnation, descended even further into death and burial, then ascended in resurrection and finally ascended to the Father's right hand. From that position of supreme authority, He poured out the Holy Spirit and distributed gifts to His church. Every blessing we receive flows from this descent-ascent pattern.
Why does this matter for our passage? Because apart from Christ's finished work, there would be no church, no unity, no gifts, no growth, no hope. We were dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to the world, the flesh, and the devil. We were objects of wrath, children of disobedience, without God and without hope. But Christ descended to where we were, took our sin upon Himself, bore the full weight of God's wrath at the cross, conquered death through resurrection, and ascended victorious.
The Scriptures alone declare that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God alone. Not our works. Not our religious performance. Not our moral improvement. Christ's righteousness credited to our account by faith. This is the foundation of everything. Walking worthy isn't working to earn salvation; it's the grateful response of those who've been saved by grace.
1. How does meditating on Christ's descent-ascent pattern affect your motivation for ministry and pursuit of maturity?
2. How might remembering the gospel daily change how you relate to other believers?
2. How might remembering the gospel daily change how you relate to other believers?
Lord Jesus, thank You for descending from glory to rescue me. Thank You for Your perfect life, substitutionary death, glorious resurrection, and triumphant ascension. Everything I have and everything I hope for comes from Your finished work. Help me to walk worthy of this calling, not to earn Your love but to express my gratitude. All glory to You alone. Amen.
Posted in Walking Worthy - Ephesians 4:1-16
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I look forward to reading your daily devotionals. It’s like the icing on the cake of your sermon. Please keep writing.