SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES

Ephesians 2:1-2 – “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.”

Ephesians 2:3 – “Among whom we also once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

Ephesians 2:6-7 – “And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Our God is a God of Divine Reversals – He can take what seems to be so broken, so lowly, so disappointing, and so shattered, and bring forth something so beautiful, so wonderful, and so glorious.

Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

2 Samuel 9:11b – “‘As for Mephibosheth,’ said the king, ‘He shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.’”

Psalm 113:7-8 – “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes – with the princes of His people.”

Without Christ, we are spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:1)

Without Christ, we are prisoners of the enemy and sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:2)

Without Christ, we are controlled by our flesh and walk in selfishness and self-centeredness. (Ephesians 2:3)

Without Christ, we are children of wrath, living under the judgment of sin. (Ephesians 2:3)

Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

Ephesians 2:6 – “And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:7 – “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

I AM SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST!

Hebrews 1:3b – “When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

How do we respond to this amazing declaration?

1. Give Honor and Glory to Jesus Christ

We have been brought from the lowest place of shame to the highest place of honor in Christ.

“We were hopelessly bogged in the muck of sin as the enemy’s slaves, but God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in a position of honor and power.” – French Arrington

Revelation 4:8b – “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Revelation 4:9-10 – “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne…”

2. Walk in Authority with Christ

“Believers share Christ’s position of authority at the right hand of God by virtue of their union with Christ.” – Faith Life Bible Study

Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

“The Lord said, ‘Because authority must be exercised for things to happen. Go and use the authority that you already have.’” – Carlos Anacondia

3. Live Higher in Christ

Colossians 3:1-2 – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Colossians 3:3 – “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Because we are seated in heavenly places in Christ, we want to live life from a higher perspective.

Because we are seated in heavenly places in Christ, we want to see life from a higher perspective.

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you share of a time you experienced a divine reversal from the Lord?

2. In what ways can you identify with Mephibosheth being brought to the king’s table?

3. Is it difficult for you to accept the declaration of Ephesians 2:7 that you are seated in heavenly places with Christ? Why or why not?

4. Have you stepped out in the authority of Jesus Christ? What happened?

5. How can you live higher in Christ in your daily life?