Seated with Christ: Living in Heavenly Realities
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to delve into the profound truth that our understanding of who sits on the throne in heaven should fundamentally change the way we live our lives. We began by reading from Ephesians chapter 2, where Paul addresses the Gentiles and Jews, emphasizing that we were once dead in our sins but have been made alive through Christ. This transformation is not just spiritual but affects our entire being. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, and this should change everything about our perspective, identity, and daily living.
Understanding our position in Christ is crucial. Jesus, fully God and fully human, took on our nature and now sits at the right hand of the Father. This act brought humanity into the throne room of God for the first time. The tearing of the veil at Jesus' crucifixion symbolizes our newfound access to God's presence. However, it was His ascension that truly seated us with Him in heavenly places. This means our entire human nature, not just our spirit, is redeemed and can commune with God.
We must let our roots grow deep into Jesus, immersing ourselves in His word and presence. This deep-rooted faith will overflow with thanksgiving and protect us from being swayed by empty philosophies and human thinking. In Christ, we find the fullness of God, and through our union with Him, we are complete. This union means our sinful nature is cut away, and we are no longer slaves to sin. We have the authority to overcome spiritual rulers and authorities because of Christ's victory on the cross.
Reflecting on the story of Narnia, we see a parallel to our spiritual journey. Just as the children in Narnia discover their true identity as kings and queens, we too must realize our dual identity as children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This realization empowers us to bring the realities of heaven to earth, transforming chaos into order and advancing God's kingdom.
We must be careful not to fall into the trap of Gnostic beliefs, which separate the spiritual and physical realms and dehumanize Jesus. Instead, we should embrace the truth that Jesus' divinity and humanity are perfectly intertwined, and through Him, we are united with God. This unity is not just a future hope but a present reality that should influence every aspect of our lives.
As we navigate the challenges and trials of life, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He surrounds us, guides us, and provides for us. Even in the midst of pain and suffering, we can find comfort and strength in His presence. We are called to be comforted by God but not to seek a life of comfort. Instead, we should step out of our comfort zones and actively participate in God's redemptive work in the world.
In conclusion, our position in Christ changes everything. We are seated with Him in heavenly places, given authority, and called to bring heaven to earth. Let us live in this reality, rooted in Christ, and let our lives reflect the incredible grace and love of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Our Position in Christ: We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, which means our entire human nature is redeemed and can commune with God. This profound truth should change our perspective, identity, and daily living. By recognizing our position, we can live with a sense of purpose and authority, knowing that we are united with Christ. [01:19:30]
2. Deepening Our Roots in Jesus: To live out our identity in Christ, we must let our roots grow deep into Him. This involves immersing ourselves in His word, spending time in His presence, and engaging in practices that strengthen our faith. As we do this, our lives will overflow with thanksgiving, and we will be protected from being swayed by empty philosophies and human thinking. [01:30:37]
3. Embracing Our Dual Identity: Like the children in Narnia, we must realize our dual identity as children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This realization empowers us to bring the realities of heaven to earth, transforming chaos into order and advancing God's kingdom. We are called to be both comforted by God and to step out of our comfort zones to participate in His redemptive work. [01:26:45]
4. Rejecting Gnostic Beliefs: We must be careful not to fall into the trap of Gnostic beliefs, which separate the spiritual and physical realms and dehumanize Jesus. Instead, we should embrace the truth that Jesus' divinity and humanity are perfectly intertwined, and through Him, we are united with God. This unity is a present reality that should influence every aspect of our lives. [01:39:37]
5. Living in the Reality of Our Union with Christ: Our union with Christ is not just a future hope but a present reality. This means we have the authority to overcome spiritual rulers and authorities, and we are called to bring heaven to earth. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and living in this reality, we can navigate the challenges and trials of life with confidence and strength. [01:51:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13:31] - The Reality of God's Presence
[01:15:49] - Seated in Heavenly Places
[01:17:17] - Ephesians 2:1-10
[01:19:30] - United with Christ
[01:20:14] - Deepening Our Roots
[01:22:08] - Personal Trials and Breakthroughs
[01:23:19] - The Narnia Analogy
[01:26:45] - Kings and Queens in Christ
[01:30:37] - Growing Deep Roots in Jesus
[01:32:04] - Spiritual Circumcision
[01:33:31] - Protecting Sound Doctrine
[01:34:43] - Heresies in Ephesus and Colossae
[01:39:37] - Rejecting Gnostic Beliefs
[01:43:14] - The Tearing of the Veil
[01:45:22] - Our Entire Nature Redeemed
[01:47:10] - Invited into the Trinity
[01:51:06] - Living in Union with Christ
[01:52:29] - The Kingdom is Here
[01:55:22] - Comforted but Not Comfortable
[01:56:23] - Colossians 3:1-4
[01:57:27] - Invitation to Salvation
[02:00:05] - Bringing Heaven to Earth
[02:01:43] - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Ministry
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-10: "Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
2. Colossians 2:6-15: "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were 'circumcised,' but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."
3. Colossians 3:1-4: "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 2:1-10 say about our previous state before knowing Christ and our new position in Him?
2. According to Colossians 2:6-15, what are we warned against, and what are we encouraged to do instead?
3. In Colossians 3:1-4, what are believers instructed to focus on, and why is this important?
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of being seated with Christ in heavenly places? ([01:19:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "seated with Christ in the heavenly realms," and how should this understanding affect our daily lives? ([01:19:30])
2. How can letting our roots grow deep into Jesus protect us from being swayed by empty philosophies and human thinking? ([01:30:37])
3. How does the analogy of the children in Narnia discovering their true identity as kings and queens relate to our spiritual journey and identity in Christ? ([01:26:45])
4. Why is it important to reject Gnostic beliefs that separate the spiritual and physical realms, and how does this impact our view of Jesus' divinity and humanity? ([01:39:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your position in Christ. How does knowing you are seated with Him in heavenly places change your perspective on your daily challenges? ([01:19:30])
2. What practical steps can you take to deepen your roots in Jesus this week? Consider specific actions like spending more time in prayer, reading the Bible, or engaging in worship. ([01:30:37])
3. Think about a time when you felt like you were just going through the motions in your faith. How can you actively remind yourself of your identity as a child of God and co-heir with Christ? ([01:26:45])
4. Have you ever encountered teachings or philosophies that seemed to separate the spiritual and physical aspects of faith? How did you respond, and what can you do to ensure your beliefs align with the truth of Jesus' divinity and humanity? ([01:39:37])
5. In what ways can you bring the realities of heaven to earth in your current environment, whether at home, work, or in your community? ([01:51:06])
6. How can you balance being comforted by God without seeking a life of comfort? What steps can you take to step out of your comfort zone and participate in God's redemptive work? ([01:55:22])
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. What specific actions can you take to maintain this focus, especially during challenging times? ([01:51:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Seated with Christ in Heavenly Realms
Understanding our position in Christ is crucial. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, which means our entire human nature is redeemed and can commune with God. This profound truth should change our perspective, identity, and daily living. By recognizing our position, we can live with a sense of purpose and authority, knowing that we are united with Christ. This union with Christ is not just a future hope but a present reality that should influence every aspect of our lives. We are called to bring the realities of heaven to earth, transforming chaos into order and advancing God's kingdom. [01:19:30]
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: How does knowing you are seated with Christ in heavenly realms change the way you view your daily challenges and responsibilities?
Day 2: Deepening Our Roots in Jesus
To live out our identity in Christ, we must let our roots grow deep into Him. This involves immersing ourselves in His word, spending time in His presence, and engaging in practices that strengthen our faith. As we do this, our lives will overflow with thanksgiving, and we will be protected from being swayed by empty philosophies and human thinking. In Christ, we find the fullness of God, and through our union with Him, we are complete. This deep-rooted faith will help us navigate life's challenges with confidence and strength. [01:30:37]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your roots in Jesus and strengthen your faith?
Day 3: Embracing Our Dual Identity
Like the children in Narnia, we must realize our dual identity as children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This realization empowers us to bring the realities of heaven to earth, transforming chaos into order and advancing God's kingdom. We are called to be both comforted by God and to step out of our comfort zones to participate in His redemptive work. Embracing this dual identity means recognizing our royal status in God's kingdom and living out our calling with purpose and authority. [01:26:45]
Romans 8:16-17 (ESV): "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work in your community, stepping out of your comfort zone to bring the realities of heaven to earth?
Day 4: Rejecting Gnostic Beliefs
We must be careful not to fall into the trap of Gnostic beliefs, which separate the spiritual and physical realms and dehumanize Jesus. Instead, we should embrace the truth that Jesus' divinity and humanity are perfectly intertwined, and through Him, we are united with God. This unity is a present reality that should influence every aspect of our lives. By rejecting false teachings and holding onto sound doctrine, we can live in the fullness of our identity in Christ and experience the transformative power of His presence. [01:39:37]
1 John 4:2-3 (ESV): "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
Reflection: Are there any beliefs or philosophies you have encountered that separate the spiritual and physical realms? How can you ensure that your understanding of Jesus remains biblically sound?
Day 5: Living in the Reality of Our Union with Christ
Our union with Christ is not just a future hope but a present reality. This means we have the authority to overcome spiritual rulers and authorities, and we are called to bring heaven to earth. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and living in this reality, we can navigate the challenges and trials of life with confidence and strength. Even in the midst of pain and suffering, we can find comfort and strength in His presence. We are called to be comforted by God but not to seek a life of comfort. Instead, we should step out of our comfort zones and actively participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [01:51:06]
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Let your roots grow down deep into Jesus. Start to get into his word. Start to enter into his presence. Even if you don't know what that means right now, just try it. Just go out in nature and look around at what he's created. Just sit down in a quiet place and start praying. Because even if you feel like you're talking to a wall, the reality is you're not. And eventually you're gonna start to realize that your spirit will start to come alive in truth, that you are actually communing with the one true God." [01:30:37]
2. "We need to start to take on that mind of Christ that actually everything's been defeated. That yes there are things that we need to see and we need to cast out and we need people need deliverance they need to be set free but we have to start to see that there is a human there. There are humans all around us. They are the ones who need to be redeemed. They are the ones who need to know the love of the Father and that we don't need to be so afraid of this demonic junk. We have the authority we are kings and we've entered through the door through the gate and we have the authority and Jesus there's no contest." [01:49:32]
3. "Jesus invites humanity into the Trinity to the point where actually many early church fathers actually say it's more like a, I'm going to say it wrong, quarternity instead of a Trinity because Father, Son and Holy Spirit not saying that we are equal to them at all do not hear that that's heresy but that we are actually invited in. We are invited into the Trinity. Humanity becomes this fourth part of the Trinity. It's mind blowing." [01:47:10]
4. "He chooses his son chooses Jesus chooses to go to that cross for us he's never felt anything less than perfect and yet he chooses to come to a broken and hurting world and to suffer and to die for people who literally are the ones who nail him on that cross this is the Jesus this is the God that you're invited to say yes to today so if that's you I wanna encourage you right now just surrender to him and just say Father Jesus I accept you I accept that you are my Lord and Savior and I just ask you to forgive everything and I ask you to literally cut away that sin nature that is in me just know that right now through your faith you have stepped through the door into the truth and the reality of salvation of eternal life." [01:58:31]
5. "All of the perfection the lack of sickness the lack of pain the lack of betrayal the lack of all those things we're supposed to bring all the good of reality the realities of heaven to this earth right now the way we do that is not by looking at the bad but it's by setting our gaze on the good it's by setting our gaze on the realities of heaven where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand think about the things of heaven not the things of earth." [02:00:05]
### Quotes for Members
1. "I believe that understanding our seat will change everything in our lives. That part that says, I think it was verse six, for he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. I know we talk about this all the time, but man, if we could like, really, really focus on this every day, every moment of our lives, that we are literally united with Jesus Christ. Like it changes everything. It changes everything about the way we live and we think. Our position, our perspective, our identity, our ability to see things clearly and our ability to even be in God's presence is all related to this idea that through faith, we actually come into a saving relationship with the one true God and are seated with him, positioned with him, and he changes our very nature." [01:19:30]
2. "We need to be careful of ever allowing us to believe that being seated with him is just some spiritual thing that we'll one day understand. We have to realize that is a reality that all of us when we accept Jesus and we are united with him we are seated in him in heavenly places for in Christ all the fullness of God lives all the fullness of God in human body and we are complete through our union with Christ who is the head over every ruler and authority." [01:51:06]
3. "He changes everything about us. Many of you guys came to maybe all or part of the tent meetings that we had a few weeks ago, the 10 nights leading up to Pentecost. And I think something that I really loved about the tent this year, we've done Pentecost nights, the 10 nights leading up, to Pentecost for, since 2018. And each year it looks a little bit differently, but last year was the first year that we did like the big tent and invited people. And both years have been incredible, but I think for me personally, this year, there was something so profoundly deep about it." [01:20:53]
4. "And we need to be careful of ever allowing us to believe that being seated with him is just some spiritual thing that we'll one day understand. We have to realize that is a reality that all of us when we accept Jesus and we are united with him we are seated in him in heavenly places for in Christ all the fullness of God lives all the fullness of God in human body and we are complete through our union with Christ who is the head over every ruler and authority." [01:51:06]
5. "And it says, therefore, so because of this doctrine you've heard, because of this right teaching you've heard, therefore walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling which you've received. What we believe, what we know about God should affect the way we live. So I know some of you right now are going, oh, teaching, this is boring, blah, blah, blah, whatever. But the reality is that if we don't think right, we won't live right. And when these little things start to actually come in and affect and infect the way that we see God and the way that we see ourselves, it will affect the way that we walk. It will affect this idea of working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Because if we don't believe right, we won't live right. Why am I telling you all of this? Because it's so important that you understand who sits on that throne. He is fully God and He is fully human. He is fully God and He took on the full nature of humanity and He sits on that throne." [01:41:24]
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