"Christ, upon the theater of His glory"

"In the Psalms, it is said, “Thou hast ascended, on high, and led captivity captive, and received gifts for men.” In my text it is said, “He ascended on high, and led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Though Christ be spoken of as God in the 68th Psalm, wherein he was incapable of receiving gifts, yet it was in a mystery and prophecy that he should be in that state and condition wherein he should receive them, and receive them that he might give them; as in Acts 2:32. When he was exalted on the right hand of God, and received the gift of the Spirit, he then gave it out unto men.

"What is all this great preparation now for? what is it the apostle ushers in upon this theater of glory? Nothing less than the giving of ministers unto the church. “He ascended up on high, and led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” What, I pray? Some to be pastors and teachers. There is a greater glory in giving a minister to a poor congregation, than there is in the installment and enthroning of all the popes, and cardinals, and metropolitans, that ever were in the world: let their glory be what it will, Christ is upon his theater of glory in the communication of this office and these officers.

"Wherein, will you say, is this glory? You see no beauty, no comeliness in it: no more did the unbelieving world in the person of Christ, nor ways of Christ…saith our apostle, “It had no glory in comparison of the ministry of the Spirit. This is a glory that doth excel,” 2 Corinthians 3:10. The reason why we see not the glory of it is, because we are carnal. It is a spiritual glory. God himself presides over the work of this day. “I will place my tabernacle with them, and I will walk with them, and be their God,” Leviticus 26:11, 12. If we are the church and tabernacle of God, God walks among us this day; Christ is among us by his special presence. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” Matthew 18:20. And much more may his presence be expected in so great a transaction of his authority as this we are now engaged in.

"The holy and elect angels are present with us, to give glory to the solemnity. Hence our apostle charges Timothy, chapter 5:21, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. and the elect angels, that thou observe these things. Why before the elect angels? Because they are present as witnesses in the collation of authority from Christ. Thou hast thousands of witnesses more than thou seest; there are more eyes upon thee that thou takest notice of ; — God is present, Christ is present, the elect angels are present. These things are the true and faithful sayings of God. Here, then, is glory and beauty, in that it is not only a gift, but an eminent gift.” -- John Owen, ordination sermon, January 23, 1673.

I want to thank all who gave of their time, opinions, and especially prayer over the past couple of months. The entire ordination process was a learning experience from writing my confession of faith, to the formal examination, and finally the installation Sunday night. It is both sobering and exhilarating to be serving our Savior as one of his undershepherds at Clearcreek Chapel. Christ the Overshepherd has been very gracious to me indeed.

I solicit your prayers as I enter a new chapter of ministry with the people of God at Clearcreek Chapel, especially the northeast flock in which I'll be serving.

In the service of the One Who is my Portion,

Pastor Chad Richard Bresson