1. Ephesians 2:4-7 : “… because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace that you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus…”

2. What does it mean to be seated with God in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus?

3. John Stott on Ephesians 2:4-7 : “Fundamental to New Testament Christianity is this concept of the union of God’s people with Christ. What constitutes the distinctness of the members of God’s new society? Not just that they admire and even worship Jesus, not just that they assent to the dogmas of the church, not even that they live by certain moral standards. No, what makes them distinctive is their new solidarity as a people who are ‘in Christ’…”

4. John Stott on Ephesians 2:4-7 : “… this talk about solidarity with Christ in his resurrection and exaltation is not a piece of meaningless Christian mysticism. It bears witness to a living experience, that Christ has given us on the one hand a new life (with a sensitive awareness of the reality of God, and a love for him and for his people) and on the other a new victory (with evil increasingly under our feet).” The Message Of Ephesians The Bible Speaks Today, IVP

5. Supernatural Realms “Heavens” (Unseen Spiritual) Natural Realm (Seen Temporal) Thrones Principalities Powers 2 nd heaven Flesh & blood 3 rd heaven Eternal Realm God is present Throne of God “Heaven” Realm of Faith Earth 1 st heaven 1 st heaven (physical realm, above the earth) Sheol / Abyss

6. JESUS Eph 1:20-23 Phil 2:5-11 Isaiah 9:6-7 Daniel 7:13-14 Rev 19:11-16 Exalted to the highest place Seated at the Father’s right hand Given authority, glory & sovereign power Far above all rule, authority, power & dominion Given the name that is above every name Far above every title that can be given All things under his feet Ever-increasing government Everlasting dominion Commander of the armies of heaven KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS

7. JESUS Satan Demons Sin Death Sickness & disease cancer heart disease diabetes arthritis scoliosis multiple sclerosis cerebral palsy blindness deafness depression personality disorders… …

8. JESUS Satan Demons Sin Death Sickness & disease cancer heart disease diabetes arthritis scoliosis multiple sclerosis cerebral palsy blindness deafness depression personality disorders… … “Prince of Peace” Kingdom of light Eternal realm Superior reality “prince of this world” kingdom of darkness temporary realm inferior reality You are here! Eph 2:1-10 All of these conditions are temporary “mountains”. They do not exist in heaven, therefore their existence on earth is temporary – Matt 16:19

9. JESUS Satan Demons Sin Death Sickness & disease “Prince of Peace” Kingdom of light Eternal realm Superior reality “prince of this world” kingdom of darkness temporary realm inferior reality You are here! Eph 2:1-10 INVASION! MUST BOW MUST CONFESS MUST YIELD Phil 2:10-11

10. JESUS Satan “Prince of Peace” Kingdom of light Eternal realm Superior reality “prince of this world” You are here! Eph 2:1-10

11. What does it mean to be seated with God in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus?