Authority of the Believer
Notes
Transcript
Authority of the Believer
Authority of the Believer
Text: Ephesians 2:4–6
Introduction
Last week, we ended the series When Life Hurts. We learned how God heals rejection, fear, shame, and despair — how He restores broken hearts.
But healing is not the finish line. Healing is preparation for something greater.
We’re moving from healing to reigning.
Because you can’t exercise authority if you still believe you’re defeated.
Here’s the truth of the gospel:
You’re not standing on earth begging heaven to move.
You are already seated with Christ in heavenly places — ruling with Him.
Transition:
Paul wanted the church to see this clearly, so in Ephesians he pulls back the curtain on what happened when Christ rose from the dead. Let’s read it together:
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Ephesians deals with the body of the Church
Colossians deals with the Head of the Body - which is Jesus Christ.
Together they reflect a head and a body.
Think about this a head can do nothing without its body.
When Christ was raised from the dead, His body was raised together with Him to fulfill the plan of God. The Church , body of Christ was raised up with Him.
He is the head and we are the body
Here is a truth I want you to get: You are not trying to get to victory — you are seated in victory.
Defining Authority
Authority means (Exousia) in the New Testament
Exousia = the power to act, the right to command, influence, or rule (delegated power).
It is not mere strength (dunamis) but legal, rightful power granted by God.
Authority of the Believer
Authority of the Believer
Given after salvation — believers receive delegated authority over Satan and his demons.
First under God’s authority — we can only exercise authority because we are submitted to Him.
Rooted in dependence on God — authority flows from alignment with His will.
Purpose — to bring glory to God, not self-exaltation.
Promise — God backs believers when they step out courageously in faith.
Includes (Mark 16:17–18):
Making disciples.
Driving out demons.
Speaking in new languages.
Healing the sick.
Foundation of our Authority is tied to:
Who Jesus is (the risen Lord).
What He has done (defeated sin, death, and Satan).
Where He is now (seated in heavenly places).
Who we are in Him (seated with Him, co-heirs).
That’s your position
That’s your position
Big Problem
Big Problem
Too many believers live defeated on earth instead of seated in heaven.
We pray from fear instead of authority.
We fight battles Jesus already won.
We live under three lies.
Lie #1: “I’m powerless against the enemy.”
Lie #1: “I’m powerless against the enemy.”
Too many Christians live like the devil still has the keys — but Jesus already took them.
We treat Satan like a lion on the prowl, when in Christ he’s a declawed, defeated foe.
The devil’s greatest weapon isn’t power — it’s persuasion. If he can convince you you’re powerless, he doesn’t need real power.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
If Christ has all authority, how much does the devil have left? None.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
The cross stripped Satan of his weapons. He has no authority, only lies.
Truth: You’re not powerless — the enemy is.
Lie #2: “I’m waiting for victory.”
Lie #2: “I’m waiting for victory.”
Too many believers are praying for what they should be praising God for — victory isn’t coming, it’s already here.
We don’t fight for victory; we fight from victory. The cross wasn’t a down payment, it was full payment.
Breakthrough isn’t a someday promise — it’s a finished reality in Christ. The enemy hopes you’ll wait for what Jesus already won.”
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Victory is present tense — not future tense.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
You’re not barely holding on — you’re more than a conqueror.
Truth: You don’t fight for victory — you fight from victory.
Lie #3: “I’m just human.”
Lie #3: “I’m just human.”
Yes, you’re human in the flesh — but in Christ you carry heaven’s DNA. You’re not ordinary when the Spirit of God lives in you.
“The devil wants you to see yourself as weak, but God calls you a co-heir, a new creation, seated with Christ in heavenly places.”
Authority doesn’t come from your humanity — it comes from your position. You’re not just human; you’re heaven’s representative on earth.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Your position is not earthbound; you are seated with Christ in authority.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
You are a co-heir, sharing in His inheritance and His authority.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Jesus Himself declared that authority is already yours.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
You are not “just human” — you carry the very life of God within you.
Truth: You’re not just human — you are a new creation, joined to Christ, seated in heavenly places, and entrusted with His authority to rule and reign in life.
Illustration: A police officer’s confidence isn’t in muscle but in the badge. Your badge is your position in Christ.
God’s Solution
God’s Solution
Ephesians reveals three truths that define the believer’s authority:
1. You Were Made Alive with Christ
1. You Were Made Alive with Christ
Before authority, there must be new life (Salvation)
You were spiritually dead — cut off from God, powerless to change yourself.
But salvation united you with Jesus in His resurrection life.
Now the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you.
That means sin no longer has the right to reign over you — life in Christ rules instead.
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Truth: You’re not fighting to get life — you already have life. With new life comes new authority.
2. You Were Raised Up with Christ
2. You Were Raised Up with Christ
This is resurrection power.
You are no longer under the dominion of darkness — you’ve been lifted above it.
Christ’s resurrection was not just His; it was yours too.
Every tactic of the enemy is beneath you because you share His resurrection.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
John A. MacMillan wrote:
“The believer shares the throne rights of Christ because he shares His resurrection.”
Truth: You’re not under the enemy’s feet — the enemy is under Christ’s feet, and you are raised with Him.
3. You Are Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places
3. You Are Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places
You’re not just forgiven — you’re enthroned.
The word seated (Greek: sugkathizō) means “to sit down together, jointly.”
It implies rest, completion, and shared authority.
When a king sits, he rules.
Jesus sat down because the work was finished — and you are seated with Him.
far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Application:
When fear rises - I am seated with Christ. I am above this, not beneath it.
When temptation comes - Sin no longer has dominion over me — I am raised with Christ.
When the enemy whispers defeat - Far above all principality and power, I am seated with Him.
Truth: Your seat is not in struggle — your seat is in victory, with Christ on His throne.
Invitation:
Today, Jesus is inviting you to take your seat.
Stop living on the battlefield — start ruling from the throne room.
Authority isn’t arrogance; it’s alignment with Christ.
Authority isn’t shouting louder; it’s standing firmer in His Word.
When you know where you sit, you’ll know what to say.
When you know who you’re with, you’ll know what you carry.
When you take your seat, you’ll see from heaven’s perspective — where peace rules, power flows, and victory is normal.
Call to Action:
It’s time to stop living beneath your seat and start living from it. Today, take your place in Christ — alive, raised, and seated with Him.
Prayer
Father, thank You for raising us up and seating us with Christ.
Forgive us for living as victims when You’ve made us victors.
Today we take our seat in Christ.
We choose to live from heaven’s authority, not earth’s struggle.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Be Blessed
Be Blessed
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