Embracing Our Authority as Co-Heirs with Christ

 

Summary

In our journey as Christians, we are reminded of the profound truth that we have been seated with Jesus Christ in heavenly places. This is not just a future promise but a present reality. Jesus, who died on Friday and rose on Sunday, has been given all authority by His Father. This authority is not just for Him to wield alone; He shares it with us, His followers. When we align ourselves with the will of God, we are invited to partake in this divine authority. This should stir excitement within us, knowing that we are not merely passive observers in the unfolding of history but active participants empowered by Christ.

The authority of Jesus is not something we have to wait to experience in heaven; it is available to us here and now. This is a call to action, to live out our faith with the understanding that we are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in His authority. It is an invitation to deepen our relationship with Jesus, to know Him more intimately, and to operate in the power He has given us. This is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that can transform our lives and the world around us.

Let us move beyond merely thinking about this authority and make it a reality in our daily lives. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of His authority in our lives, impacting our communities and the world. This is an exciting journey, one that calls us to step out in faith and embrace the authority that Jesus has graciously shared with us.

Key Takeaways:

- Shared Authority with Christ: As believers, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, sharing in His authority. This is not just a future promise but a present reality that empowers us to live out our faith with confidence and purpose. [00:13]

- Active Participation in God's Will: Our alignment with God's will allows us to operate in the authority of Christ. This means we are not passive observers but active participants in God's plan for history, equipped to make a difference in the world. [00:29]

- Experiencing Authority Now: The authority of Jesus is available to us now, not just in the afterlife. This challenges us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that we have been empowered to bring about change in our communities. [00:45]

- Deepening Relationship with Jesus: To fully experience the authority of Christ, we must deepen our relationship with Him. This involves knowing Him more intimately and allowing His power to work through us in our daily lives. [01:07]

- Transforming Thought into Reality: It's not enough to merely think about the authority we have in Christ; we must make it a reality. This requires faith and action, stepping out to embrace the power and responsibility that comes with being co-heirs with Christ. [00:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Seated with Christ
- [00:29] - Sharing in Authority
- [00:45] - Present Reality of Authority
- [01:07] - Deepening Relationship with Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:6 - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
- Matthew 28:18 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'"

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "seated with Christ in heavenly places"? How does this relate to our daily lives? [00:13]
2. What is the significance of Jesus sharing His authority with us, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:29]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between knowing Jesus and experiencing His authority? [01:07]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "seated with Christ" challenge traditional views of authority and power in the Christian life? [00:13]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can actively participate in God's will through the authority of Christ? [00:29]
3. How might the idea of experiencing Jesus' authority now, rather than waiting for the afterlife, change a believer's approach to their faith and community involvement? [00:45]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you felt powerless. How might understanding your shared authority with Christ change your perspective or actions in that situation? [00:13]
2. Identify an area in your community where you feel called to make a difference. How can you step out in faith, using the authority Christ has given you, to impact that area? [00:29]
3. Consider your current relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take to deepen this relationship and experience His authority more fully in your daily life? [01:07]
4. Think about a decision you need to make. How can aligning with God's will help you make that decision with confidence and purpose? [00:29]
5. What practical actions can you take this week to move from merely thinking about your authority in Christ to actively living it out? [00:45]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to embrace their shared authority with Christ and make a positive impact? [00:13]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt like a passive observer in your faith journey. What changes can you make to become an active participant in God's plan? [00:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Sharing in Christ's Authority
In our spiritual journey, we are reminded that as believers, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, sharing in His authority. This is not merely a future promise but a present reality that empowers us to live out our faith with confidence and purpose. Understanding this shared authority should inspire us to engage actively in our faith, knowing that we are equipped to make a difference in the world. This authority is not something we have to wait to experience in heaven; it is available to us here and now. This truth calls us to action, to live out our faith with the understanding that we are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in His authority. [00:13]

Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace the authority you have in Christ to make a positive impact today?


Day 2: Active Participation in God's Plan
Our alignment with God's will allows us to operate in the authority of Christ. This means we are not passive observers but active participants in God's plan for history, equipped to make a difference in the world. As we align ourselves with God's will, we are invited to partake in this divine authority, which should stir excitement within us. Knowing that we are not merely passive observers in the unfolding of history but active participants empowered by Christ, we are called to step out in faith and embrace the authority that Jesus has graciously shared with us. [00:29]

1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV): "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's plan today, using the authority He has given you to influence your community?


Day 3: Experiencing Authority Now
The authority of Jesus is available to us now, not just in the afterlife. This challenges us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that we have been empowered to bring about change in our communities. This is an exciting journey, one that calls us to step out in faith and embrace the authority that Jesus has graciously shared with us. Let us move beyond merely thinking about this authority and make it a reality in our daily lives. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of His authority in our lives, impacting our communities and the world. [00:45]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can exercise the authority of Christ in your life today to bring about positive change?


Day 4: Deepening Relationship with Jesus
To fully experience the authority of Christ, we must deepen our relationship with Him. This involves knowing Him more intimately and allowing His power to work through us in our daily lives. As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, we are better able to understand and operate in the authority He has given us. This is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that can transform our lives and the world around us. By knowing Him more intimately, we can experience the fullness of His authority in our lives. [01:07]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus and allow His power to work through you?


Day 5: Transforming Thought into Reality
It's not enough to merely think about the authority we have in Christ; we must make it a reality. This requires faith and action, stepping out to embrace the power and responsibility that comes with being co-heirs with Christ. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of His authority in our lives, impacting our communities and the world. This is an exciting journey, one that calls us to step out in faith and embrace the authority that Jesus has graciously shared with us. [00:45]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can take action today to transform your understanding of Christ's authority into a lived reality?

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Transcript
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