Christ the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1)
This sermon delves into the foundational truth that Jesus Christ is the sole head of the church, a doctrine established in Scripture and dearly defended throughout history. It invites listeners to grasp the implications of Christ's supreme authority and how it is manifested in the church today.
This sermon explores the non-negotiable truth of Christ's headship over the church, tracing its historical defense through the blood of martyrs and reformers. It clarifies that Christ exercises his authority through the accurate proclamation of God's Word, demanding the church's joyful obedience.
Overview
The sermon begins by establishing Christ's headship as a foundational truth for the church, one affirmed throughout Scripture. It is presented as both simple to acknowledge and profoundly important, warning that misunderstanding or denying this doctrine can destroy the church's integrity.
A significant portion of the sermon delves into church history, particularly the story of John Hus, a pre-Reformation reformer. Hus was martyred in 1415 for his 'radical views' that the church comprises all believers, the Bible's authority is supreme, and Christ, not the Pope, is the head of the church. This historical account highlights the immense cost at which this truth was upheld.
The historical narrative continues, connecting Hus's legacy to Martin Luther and the Reformation, noting that Luther himself was inspired by Hus. The sermon further illustrates the historical struggle for Christ's headship by referencing continuous Roman Catholic claims of papal supremacy, and conflicts with English monarchs and Scottish Covenanters, many of whom faced persecution and death for denying human headship in the church.
Finally, the sermon defines 'head' (Greek: *kephalē*) as governing, ruling authority, emphasizing that Christ's headship means he rules and governs the church. Drawing on Ephesians 1, it explains that God the Father exalted Christ far above all things and gave Him, who is Head over everything, specifically *to* the church. Christ exercises this headship when His Word is accurately proclaimed, urging the church to listen and obey.
Key points
- Christ being the head of the church is a fundamental and non-debatable truth for serious believers, repeatedly stated in New Testament passages like Colossians and Ephesians.
- John Hus, a pre-Reformation reformer, was martyred in 1415 for asserting that the church consists of all believers, the Bible is the supreme authority, and Jesus Christ is the sole head of the church.
- Martin Luther, inspired by Hus, continued the fight against papal authority, affirming Christ's headship, a battle that led to significant conflict and persecution throughout history, including the Scottish Covenanters.
- The Greek word *kephalē* (head), when referring to a person, consistently means 'governing, ruling authority,' not merely 'source,' as clarified by linguistic studies.
- Ephesians 1:17-23 reveals that God the Father raised Christ from the dead, seated Him at His right hand, placed all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as Head over all things *to* the church.
- Christ's headship in a church is exercised when His authoritative Word is accurately proclaimed and joyfully obeyed, rather than through human ideas or self-help approaches.
- Any ministry that replaces Christ's direct word with human insights or non-biblical teaching is seen as usurping Christ's headship and silencing His voice to the church.
In John MacArthur's words
“You may silence this goose, but there will come a swan you will not be able to silence.”
“To deny his place as king was to imperil their personal relationship to him almost as much as to deny his atonement.”
“God gave to the church for its head. The one who is head over everything.”
Outline
- I. The Foundational Truth of Christ's Headship
- A. A Simple Yet Essential Doctrine
- B. Scriptural Affirmation (Colossians 1:18, Colossians 2, Ephesians 1, Ephesians 4, Ephesians 5)
- C. The Peril of Denying This Truth
- II. Historical Defense of Christ's Headship
- A. John Hus: Martyr for Truth
- 1. Humble Beginnings and Education
- 2. Preaching in the Vernacular and Upholding Biblical Authority
- 3. Radical Views on the Church and its Head
- a. The Church is Made Up of All Believers
- b. The Bible's Authority is Higher than the Church's
- c. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church
- 4. Excommunication and Martyrdom (July 6, 1415)
- B. The Legacy of Hus: From Hussites to Moravians to Wesley
- C. Martin Luther: The Swan Continuing the Fight
- 1. Astonishment at Hus's Writings
- 2. Rejection of Papal Authority and Primacy
- D. Continued Roman Catholic Doctrine on Papal Supremacy
- E. English Monarchs and Royal Headship (Henry VIII, Charles I)
- F. Scottish Covenanters: Defying Human Headship
- 1. The St. Giles Cathedral Rebellion (Jenny Geddes)
- 2. The National Covenant (1638)
- 3. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) and London Baptist Confession (1689)
- 4. Persecution and Slaughter for Christ's Headship
- III. Understanding Christ's Headship in the Contemporary Church
- A. Modern Assaults on Christ's Headship
- B. How Christ Exercises His Headship
- 1. Through the Authoritative Proclamation of God's Word (1 Corinthians 2:16)
- 2. Rebellion Against This Principle
- C. The Consequences of Usurping Christ's Authority
- IV. The Meaning of 'Head' (Kephalē)
- A. Refuting the 'Head as Source' Viewpoint
- B. Wayne Grudem's Linguistic Study: 'Governing, Ruling Authority'
- C. Collateral Damage to Christ's Headship from Feminist Theology
- V. The Divine Source of Christ's Headship (Ephesians 1:17-23)
- A. God the Father's Sovereign Act of Exaltation
- B. Christ's Position: Far Above All Rule and Authority
- C. God Gave Him as Head Over All Things *to* the Church
- VI. Conclusion: Glory to Christ, the Head of the Church
Scripture references
- Colossians 1:18
- Colossians 2
- Ephesians 1
- Ephesians 4
- Ephesians 5
- 1 Corinthians 2:16
- John 17
- Ephesians 1:17-23
- Ephesians 1:20-22
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Insights
The simple truth of Christ's headship has been secured at great cost throughout history.
True church authority flows from Christ's voice, not from human opinions or accommodations.
God exalts Christ as head over all things, entrusting His church to His supreme rule.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's main argument about Christ's headship?
The sermon argues that Christ's headship is a foundational truth where He holds absolute governing authority over the church. This truth has been historically defended at great cost and is exercised today through the accurate proclamation of God's Word.
Who was John Hus, and why is he featured in this sermon?
John Hus was a Bohemian pre-Reformation reformer martyred in 1415. He is featured for his courageous stand on biblical authority and his assertion that Christ, not the Pope, is the head of the church, views for which he was burned at the stake.
How did the preacher connect John Hus to Martin Luther?
The preacher explains that Martin Luther was greatly influenced by Hus's writings and continued the same fight against papal authority. Hus's prophecy of a 'swan' who could not be silenced is seen as referring to Luther, the swan arriving over the 'dead body' of the bishop who condemned Hus.
What does the sermon say about the meaning of the word 'head' (*kephalē*)?
The sermon asserts that when 'head' refers to a person, it means 'governing, ruling authority,' not merely 'source.' It highlights a linguistic study by Wayne Grudem that examined 2,336 uses of the word, finding no other meaning when used of a person.
According to the sermon, how does Christ exercise His headship in a church today?
Christ exercises His headship in a church today primarily by speaking authoritatively through the accurate proclamation of His Word. Any deviation from expository, doctrinal teaching that prioritizes human ideas or cultural accommodation is seen as a rebellion against His authority.
What is the significance of Ephesians 1:17-23 in the sermon's argument?
Ephesians 1:17-23 is presented as a powerful text showing God the Father's love for the church by exalting Christ far above all rule and authority, placing all things under His feet, and then giving this supreme Head over all things specifically *to* the church as its leader.
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