+II. Our virtuous friends go not to Jesus only, but to the great and blessed society which is gathered round Him.+--The redeemed from all regions of earth. They meet peculiar congratulations from friends who had gone before them to that better world, and especially from all who had in any way given aids to their virtue. If we have ever known the enjoyments of friendship, of entire confidence, of co-operation in honourable and successful labours with those we love, we can comprehend something of the felicity of a world where souls, refined from selfishness, open as the day, thirsting for new truth and virtue, endowed with new power of enjoying the beauty and grandeur of the universe, allied in the noblest works of benevolence, and continually discovering new mysteries of the Creator's power and goodness, communicate themselves to one another with the freedom of perfect love. They enter on a state of action, life, and effort. Still more, they go to God. They see Him with a new light in all His works. They see Him face to face, by immediate communion. These new relations of the ascended spirit to the universal Father, how near, how tender, how strong, how exalting! Heaven is a glorious reality. Its attraction should be felt perpetually. They who are safely gathered there say to us, "Come and join us in our everlasting blessedness!"--_Channing._ Vers. 21, 22. _The Supremacy of Jesus_-- +I. Acquired by His resurrection power.+ +II. Places Him above the highest created intelligences and potentates.+ +III. Is expressed in a name that surpasses in dignity and greatness that which has ever been or can be celebrated in earth or heaven.+ +IV. Gives Him absolute control over all worlds.+--"And hath put all things under His feet" (ver. 22). Vers. 22, 23. _Christ the Head of the Church._ +I. The Church depends on Him for life, guidance, activity, and development.+--"Which is His body" (ver. 23). +II. He governs all things in the interest of His Church.+--"And gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church" (ver. 22). +III. The Church is a revelation of the greatness and glory of Christ.+--"The fulness of Him that filleth all in all" (ver. 23). Ver. 22. _The Headship of Christ._ +I. The extent of His headship.+--1. Over all worlds. 2. Over the whole human race. 3. Over the Church. +II. The subserviency of its administration to the interests of His Church.+--1. For the edification of His Church. 2. For its defence. 3. For its increase. +III. Its grounds.+--1. His merit. 2. His qualifications. Whom do ye serve?--_G. Brooks._ _The Headship of Christ._--The verse consists of two statements:--