Take a Seat, Son! | Pastor Anthony Greco

Devotional

Day 1: Seated at the Right Hand

Jesus stood resurrected but told Mary not to cling – His mission required ascending. Forty days later, He climbed heaven’s throne as King-Priest, not just risen Savior. Hebrews declares this seating the “main point”: our High Priest reigns where sin can’t reach Him. [16:23]

His seated position proves your salvation is finished. No more sacrifices. No more striving. Like a judge resting after rendering a verdict, Jesus sits because His work succeeded. You aren’t negotiating forgiveness – you’re receiving a crowned King’s decree.

When shame whispers you’re still a sinner, remember your Priest-King’s posture. His seated rest declares your war ended. What area of your life still feels like a battlefield instead of a victory parade?

“Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.”
(Hebrews 8:1, NIV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus aloud that His seating guarantees your permanent standing before God.
Challenge: Write down one lie about your identity you’ve believed. Burn or tear it after declaring “I am seated with Christ.”

Day 2: From Grubs to Royalty

Simba ate bugs while believing Scar’s lies. Rafiki smashed his delusion, forcing him to see his true face. Like the lion prince, many Christians live beneath their identity – “sinners saved by grace” chewing spiritual grubs. [09:46]

Jesus didn’t resurrect you to remain a rehabilitated sinner. You’re reborn as royalty. “New creation” means your core identity changed – not behavior modification, but species transformation. A lion eating grubs is still a lion; you stumbling doesn’t make you less a son.

What habits or thoughts keep you foraging in shame’s wasteland? When will you let Scripture’s mirror show your royal DNA?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight three areas where you’ve forgotten your royal identity.
Challenge: Text one person this truth: “You aren’t a sinner – you’re God’s child learning to walk.”

Day 3: The Badge and the Bullet

A 130-pound officer stops trucks through authority, not muscle. Jesus gave you His badge – “exousia” – when He ascended. But authority without power (“dunamis”) is like a cop without handcuffs. Pentecost’s fire brings both. [30:43]

Your prayers aren’t wishful thinking. You carry heaven’s badge to bind darkness and loose blessing. Yet many holster this authority, fearing backlash. The disciples waited for power before storming Jerusalem – you have both badge and bullet through Christ’s ascension.

Where have you tolerated chaos instead of commanding order?

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
(Luke 10:19, NIV)

Prayer: Command any oppressive thought or habit to leave in Jesus’ name aloud.
Challenge: Write “Exousia” on your hand – when stressed, touch it and declare “I govern here.”

Day 4: Throne Room Access Codes

Mary wanted physical Jesus; He offered shared access to the Father. Ascension didn’t remove Him – it expanded His presence. Now He intercedes in heaven’s throne room while His Spirit dwells in your earthly tent. [18:31]

You pray not as a peasant outside the castle, but as a prince in the war room. Your words carry throne weight. When you say “in Jesus’ name,” it’s not a magic phrase – it’s presenting the King’s sealed decree.

What prayer have you abandoned because it felt too audacious?

“In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”
(John 16:26-27, NIV)

Prayer: Make one bold request “in Jesus’ name” related to an “impossible” situation.
Challenge: Share a meal with someone while consciously acknowledging Christ’s presence at your table.

Day 5: Roar of the Baptized

Simba’s roar restored the kingdom’s ecology. Your baptismal roar declares war on chaos. Going under water wasn’t just symbolism – it was coronation. You died with Christ, rose with Him, and ascended in His triumph. [21:02]

Satan fears baptized believers who know their authority. Like Pharaoh’s army drowning while Israel crossed over, your old life stays buried. Every demonic accusation now meets your resurrection certificate.

What “Red Sea” circumstance needs your defiant declaration of deliverance?

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
(Romans 6:4, NIV)

Prayer: Thank God for your baptism date aloud. If unbaptized, ask Him for courage to take this step.
Challenge: Stand in front of a mirror and declare “I rule with Christ” three times before leaving home.

Sermon Summary

The ascension crowns Christ’s victory. Hebrews says the main point is this: a High Priest is seated at the right hand of Majesty. “One sacrifice for sins forever,” then He sat down. The seating says salvation is complete and authority is settled. The text locates Christ on the throne, and that location defines the believer’s place and voice. Ephesians then includes the church in that enthronement. God raised and seated believers together with Christ. The believer is not a sinner trying to get saved every Sunday; the believer is a new creation, identified with Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, sharing His history and His access to the Father.

The ascension also redefines relationship. Jesus says to Mary, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” Union is the point. John 14 and 17 speak of a stunning inclusion: “I am in the Father, you in Me, and I in you.” The image is simple but weighty: the believer’s life is hidden with Christ in God, so whatever happens to Christ happens to the believer. Baptism marks that crossing, the Red Sea moment of leaving Pharaoh’s reach, the dividing line where the old life is buried and a new walk begins.

James calls the Scriptures a mirror. The mirror says, “Look deeper.” Shame says run away; the Word says remember who you are. Like Rafiki leading Simba to the water, the text leads the believer to hear the Father: “You are more than what you have become.” The ascension announces that rightful authority has taken its place, and creation waits for sons and daughters to do the same.

Authority and power are not the same. The ascension gives exousia, legal authority in Christ’s name. Pentecost supplies dunamis, God’s dynamic ability, to make the witness bold and the life fruitful. The badge comes from being seated; the Glock comes from being Spirit-empowered. Speculation about timelines and temples misses the point, because Christ offered one sacrifice and sat down. The living temple now is the church.

The enemy has power but not authority. He traffics in lies to get believers to surrender the badge. The gospel ends that charade. Christ’s authority is given, the Spirit’s power is promised, and the believer is summoned to take their place, speak with a king’s words, and live out their inclusion in the ascended Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The ascension seats believers with Christ Christ’s seating completes salvation and establishes authority; Ephesians then includes the church in that seating. Identity flows from location, so authority flows from union with the enthroned Christ. This is not earned by performance but granted by inclusion in Him. [20:05]
2. The Word is the mirror of identity James calls Scripture the “law of liberty,” the mirror that tells the truth the heart forgets. Looking deeper exposes shame’s lie and retrieves the real you that God names. Consistent gazing turns hearers into doers because identity fuels obedience. [10:46]
3. Authority and power are not the same Exousia is legal right, the badge Jesus delegates through His ascension; dunamis is dynamic ability, the Spirit’s power poured out at Pentecost. Authority authorizes the command, power makes it effective in the field. Healthy disciples live from both, seated and Spirit-filled. [37:42]
4. Baptism marks the break with the old Union with Christ means sharing His death and rising to newness of life. Baptism is the Red Sea crossing where Pharaoh’s reach ends and a new freedom begins. It is identity enacted, the dividing line that trains the heart to walk like the new creation. [21:02]
5. Stop surrendering authority to lies The devil has power, not authority, and gains ground only when lies are believed and permission is given. Truth restores the badge, and the name of Jesus enforces it. Refuse religion’s shame and the enemy’s playground by standing in ascended identity. [41:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Train wreck religion vs new creation
[02:49] - Ascension as victory’s pinnacle
[03:41] - Hebrews 8:1 and the seated High Priest
[06:57] - Authority from seating, power by the Spirit
[08:31] - Lion King: remember who you are
[10:16] - Mirror of liberty: look deeper
[15:54] - Inclusion: My Father and your Father
[19:29] - Raised and seated together in Christ
[21:02] - Baptism as the dividing line
[28:09] - Exousia vs dunamis, badge and Glock
[34:53] - Ascension to Pentecost: Spirit poured out
[36:17] - Ditch end-times noise, temple is you
[37:42] - Receive power to witness
[40:41] - Stop giving the devil authority

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
“Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 8:1, ESV).
“And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6, ESV).
“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God”’” (John 20:17, ESV).

Observation Questions

What does Jesus’ seated position at the right hand of God signify about the completeness of salvation and His authority? (Hebrews 8:1; [06:30])
How does Ephesians 2:6 redefine the believer’s identity compared to viewing oneself as “a sinner saved by grace”?
In John 20:17, why does Jesus emphasize “My Father and your Father” after His resurrection? How does this redefine our relationship with God? ([17:11])
What distinction does the sermon make between exousia (authority) and dunamis (power)? How are both necessary for believers? ([28:09])

Interpretation Questions

Why might the ascension of Jesus be described as the “pinnacle” of His victory rather than just the resurrection? How does this shape our understanding of His ongoing work? ([02:49])
How does being “seated with Christ” (Ephesians 2:6) challenge common misconceptions about earning God’s favor through performance or behavior?
The sermon compares baptism to the Israelites’ Red Sea crossing. Why is baptism described as a “dividing line” for believers, and what does it symbolize about leaving the “old life”? ([21:02])
How does the enemy’s lack of authority (exousia) but possession of power (dunamis) affect the way believers should respond to spiritual battles? ([40:41])

Application Questions

If your identity is “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), what practical steps could you take this week to live from this truth instead of shame or self-doubt? ([10:46])
The sermon warns against surrendering authority to the enemy’s lies. What specific lie about your identity, purpose, or worth have you believed recently? How can Scripture refute it?
Baptism is described as a “Red Sea moment.” If you haven’t been baptized, what hesitations hold you back? If you have, how does remembering your baptism help you walk in “newness of life”?
How could you intentionally use the name of Jesus (exousia) with confidence this week in prayer, decisions, or difficult conversations? What would that look like practically? ([31:13])
The Holy Spirit’s dunamis empowers believers to witness boldly. What fears or obstacles keep you from sharing your faith, and how could you rely on the Spirit’s power to overcome them? ([37:42])
The sermon urges believers to “stop giving the devil authority” through lies. What habit, thought pattern, or relationship might you need to confront this week to stand firm in your ascended identity? ([41:00])

Sermon Clips

What Jesus did was once and for all, forever settled, complete. You don't need to add anything for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus sat down. Your salvation has been paid in full. You can't add it. You can't buy it. You don't need to bargain with God. You don't need to argue with God. You can't manipulate God because God's already done and Jesus is seated at the throne because our salvation is complete. Wow. That's good news everybody. [00:06:25] (32 seconds)

My relationship with the father is let me put it this way. Christ's relationship with the father is now my relationship with the father. It's not based on my Adamic background on what I did and what I've achieved and what I failed to do. It's based on what Christ has done. Let me ask you a question. Why does that matter? Can Christ ever be separated from the father? Impossible. You cannot divide the Godhead. And so listen, the fact that that the father and Jesus can never be separate, that means that nothing can separate me from my father. Amen. [00:18:45] (44 seconds)

Notice what Jesus is doing. He's so identifying with humanity because he's our high priest. He is saying, I'm going to my God and your God, my father and your father. He listen. There's only two races on the planet. There's only two races. Italians and you other people. No. I'm just kidding. There's all there's only two races. You're either in Christ or you're in Adam. That's it. And predestination is about two people. Adam and Jesus. [00:17:28] (33 seconds)

Yeah. I was, you know. And and I remember thinking, how is she gonna But I remember watching her pull cars over. How many know it was not her physical presence that pulled the car over or any cop for that matter? What what is it? It's the authority of the badge. Yeah. That badge there that you said pull over and that big trucker has to pull over not because she's more physically stronger, but because she has authority to determine where that truck goes. So it's not about well I gotta be smart enough and I gotta you know have a degree after my name. Listen, I got my degree already. I got a b a. I'm born again. [00:32:40] (40 seconds)

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Take a Seat, Son! | Pastor Anthony Greco | Calgary Life Church