Ephesians 1:20-23 - “This power He exercised in Christ when He RAISED Him from the dead and SEATED Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms FAR ABOVE every rule and authority and power and dominion and EVERY NAME that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God put all things UNDER CHRIST’S FEET, and He gave him to the church as HEAD over all things. Now the church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 2:6 - “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.”
Three Bites From “Far Above”
1. “Satan is not a close second.”
- This verse tells us that Christ is “seated far above” all principalities and powers. It is a mistake to think of Satan as a threat to God. The fight, the battle, is over. It was WON on the day of Christ’s resurrection. Satan is not just contained, He is defeated. Every demon, devil, and ruler is defeated.
- Satan wants you to “mud wrestle” with him. Jesus has already overcome him. We are not fighting with the devil. If you fight with him, you lose, he has tricked you. You are seated with Christ on the throne reigning over him.
- A mature believer thinks differently about spiritual warfare. They know their position in Christ. They can rest in being seated in the heavenlies with Christ. That’s why we praise all day because we are hanging around the throne!
2. “FAR ABOVE: Keep your thoughts ABOVE.”
- If your thinking is always on what Satan is doing, he will defeat you. Your mind is to be on who Jesus is and where you are with Him.
- “You have been RAISED up with Christ. So think about things that are in heaven. That is where Christ is. He is SITTING at God’s right hand. Think about things that are in heaven. Don’t think about things that are only on earth. You died. Now your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he appears again, you also will appear with him in heaven’s glory.” (Col. 3: 1-4, NIRV)
- In Luke 10, the disciples returned to Jesus and were talking about all the demons being subject to them.
- “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-21) NLT
- All of heaven is yours (righteousness, peace, and joy, freedom, blessing, abundance, healing and victory is yours).
3. “FAR ABOVE: Take your AUTHORITY.”
- Parents have to learn to exercise their authority.
- YOU are in the Body of Christ. YOU are seated with Him in heaven. The HEAD has what the BODY has. YOU have His Name and exercise His authority in that Name. Peter said to the man who had never walked, “Such as I HAVE I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6). (Shambach’s story of child with 26 major diseases and deformities).
- Learn to live far above: “I’m above that.”
- You are “far above” depression. I’ve got joy.
- You are “far above” addiction. I’ve got freedom.
- You are “far above” anxiety. I’ve got peace.
- You are “far above” hatred. I’ve got love.
- You are “far above” sickness. I’ve got health.
- You are “far above” poverty. I’ve got sufficiency.