Podcast-Feed8th November 2009 - Dave Harper - Seated With Jesus In Heavenly Places
Dave continues our study on Ephesians looking at Ephesians 2:6 – “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”.
Christ has sat down at the right hand of the Father having triumphed over all rulers and authorities through the cross (Col 2:15). He now waits for the time when all his enemies become his footstool. The war is won, some battles are still being fought but the outcome is certain. We are seated with him in heavenly places and share in his victory and his authority. We are ‘in Christ Jesus’ and are united with him. We are no longer in Adam but in Christ and what happened to Him happened to us spiritually.
Practical implications are:
1 Personal. There is a place of rest for us who are invited to sit down with Him in the heavenly realm. We have confidence to approach the throne of God and here we find fellowship with Jesus, we can lean into him and know our position in the spiritual realm. From this place we find courageous faith that acts from knowing we are no longer of this world but our citizenship is in heaven and Jesus is Lord. Prayer finds fresh faith when prayed from this perspective of Christ’s victory and our authority can be legitimately exercised in prayer.
2 The church is commissioned to GO and it is time to refocus our vision on the mission.. Salvation belongs to Him who sits on the throne and with the Lamb (Rev 7:10) so we are working with him in seeking to save lost people.
Let us see upcoming events as part of our focus to win lost people
· We have a Charity Ball on Nov 21st which is a great opportunity to have some fun and bring some friends into an easy environment. Winning people is a process and they need some good experiences of church having fun. Money raised is for the work in Lesotho started by Peter
· We are giving hampers to the poor living in Carl’s flats in Derby (Faith Hope and Enterprise). Mark Haworth worked with these guys
· Carol Service on Dec 20 at 4pm where the theme will be Remember the Poor with carols and traditional things but a clear theme with encouraging testimonies and videos of working with the poor locally and in Zimbabwe and Ghana
Please see these as an opportunity to get back to business! Encourage everyone to be there and bring others.
3. Entering into the arena of fortune telling in one way or another is to stray into enemy territory and one from which we need to be freed once we become Christians. Dave told Gill’s story of depression and suicidal thoughts on becoming a Christian because of past involvement with occult activities. Deut 18:10-12 is the scripture that gives a list of such activities and helps bring people to confession whilst 1 John 1 gives a great basis to believe for forgiveness and freedom for all who have strayed. Confession and forgiveness with thanksgiving will free people.
QUESTIONS:
Are you convinced that you share in Jesus’ victory over all rulers and authorities as you sit with Him in heavenly places?
Read the quote below and ask for a response – is this your understanding of our position as those in Christ Jesus?
“We are organically a part of Christ. As a part of him, when He conquered the forces of darkness and left them disarmed and paralysed before He arose from the dead, we who believe were participants in that victory. When He snatched the keys of death and hell from Satan and burst foth from that nether abyss, we were sharers in that triumph. When he ascended up on high and took His seat in the heavenlies, we were exalted with Him. Because Satan and all the hosts of hell are beneath His feet, they are likewise beneath our feet. When he defeated Satan it was our victory. He did not conquer Satan for Himself. The entire substitutionary work of Christ was for his Bride-elect, the Church. We have been given the authority.”
‘Destined For The Throne’ by Paul Billheimer. p90
What are the implications for our Christian life and attitudes?
Please do seek to encourage owning the Charity Ball that Karen Errett is pulling together. It’s our event not someone else’s.
Listen now! (0:45min / 12MB)