God Chose the Head • Jesus went to the mountain to talk TO God (Luke 9:28) – He alone took on His heavenly glory (9:29, 32) • Moses & Elijah came to the mountain to talk WITH Jesus (30-31) – They spoke about His divinely appointed “exodus” (9:31) • God came to the mountain to talk TO/ABOUT Jesus (9:34-35) – The presence of the Lord overshadowed & enveloped (9:34) – “A voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory” (2 Pet. 1:17-18) • “This is My beloved Son!” (Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7) • “This is My Son, My Chosen” (Luke 9:35, ASV) God Commanded to Heed • God commands all men everywhere to “Hear” – Imperative verb – a command, not a suggestion – Present tense verb – requires ongoing, continual activity – Comprehensive verb – not a “hearing” test but a “heeding” test • The words means to “listen to, heed and obey” God Commanded to Heed • God commands all men everywhere to “Hear” • God specifies and restricts every man to hear “Him” – Specifying “Him” is both inclusive and exclusive – Jesus Christ and His Word alone must be OBEYED/HEEDED • • • • • • • His Word alone is the authoritative standard (Heb. 1:1-2; Col. 3:17) His Word alone is the standard of righteousness (2 Ti. 3:16-17; Heb. 5:13) His Word alone is the standard of judgment (John 12:48; Rev. 20:12) His Word/standard is infallible (Psa. 19:7; Jas. 1:25; Isa. 55:8-11) His Word/standard is unchanging (Mt. 24:35; Psa. 119:89; 1 Pet. 1:22-25) His Word/standard is unchangeable (Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18-19; Jude 3) When the cloud is lifted, “Jesus only” remains (Matt. 17:8; Luke 9:36) God Commanded to Heed • God commands all men everywhere to “Hear” • God specifies and restricts every man to hear “Him” • By commanding to “Hear Him” as Head, God commands: – – – – Do not follow the teachings of men (Gal. 1:6-10) Do not follow the traditions of men (Matt. 15:7-9) Do not seek to please men rather than God (1 Thess. 2:4) Do not put obedience to men over obedience to God (Ac. 5:29) • There are blessings for hearing/heeding Christ – Luke 11:28; Matt. 7:24-25; John 14:23; John 8:51; Heb. 5:8-9 • There are consequences for not hearing/heeding Christ THE Head of THE Church Is CHRIST! • • • • • • • • Christ is THE Head of THE church (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18)! God “nominated, voted and appointed” Him unilaterally! Christ is THE perpetual Head over ALL (Eph. 1:20-23)! There is NO HUMAN head possessing ‘exousia’ authority! There is only ONE Head with ALL authority (James 4:12)! There is, therefore, only ONE church/body (Eph. 4:4)! ALL we teach & practice MUST be authorized (Col. 3:17)! Christ is THE Head we MUST hear and heed (Acts 3:22)! Make Jesus THE Head of Your Life • Believe that He is God’s Son – John 20:30-31 • Repent from sin in your life – Acts 3:19 • Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 • Be immersed into Christ – Romans 6:3-4 – God will wash away your sins – Acts 22:16 – God will add you to His church – Acts 2:38-47 – God will write your name in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 • Hear and practice His Word faithfully – James 1:22-25