Believers Authority

Text : Ephesians 2:4–6

I. Introduction:

Every person is looking for a place to sit spiritually.

A place of security. A place of worth. A place of control. A place of identity.

Some sit in control. Some sit in approval. Some sit in performance.

But every seat apart from Christ eventually collapses.

Control produces anxiety. Approval makes people your master. Performance creates pride or condemnation.

But Ephesians 2 says God gave the believer a better seat.

He made us alive. He raised us up. He seated us with Christ.

II. Read the Text

Ephesians 2:4–6 NKJV

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

III. Defining Authority

A. There are two important New Testament words.

a. Exousia means delegated authority.

b .Dunamis means power or strength.

c. Dunamis is muscle.

d. Exousia is the badge.

Illustration: A police officer stops a semi-truck, not by physical strength, but by delegated authority.

The believer stands against the enemy, not by personal strength, but by position in Christ.

Your authority is not based on how strong you feel.

It is based on where God seated you

III. Where Jesus Is Seated

Ephesians 1:20–22 NKJV

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,

Ephesians 1 shows us where Jesus is seated.

Ephesians 2 shows us where we are seated in Him.

IV. Diagnostic: Where Are You Sitting?

Many believers are positionally seated with Christ, but practically living beneath that seat.

So ask:

Where am I living like Christ’s authority does not apply to me?

1. The Seat of Control

A. Control says:

a. “If I can manage everything, I will be safe.”

b. But when control becomes your seat, anxiety becomes your master.

B. Diagnostic question:

Where am I trying to control what God has called me to surrender?

C. Truth:

I do not have to sit in control. I am seated with Christ.

2. The Seat of Approval

A. Approval says:

a. “If people like me, I will know I matter.”

b. But when approval becomes your seat, people become your master.

B. Diagnostic question:

a. Who’s approval have I been seeking?

C. Truth:

a. I do not have to sit in approval. I am seated with Christ.

3. The Seat of Performance

A. Performance says:

“If I do enough, I will be enough.”

But when performance becomes your seat, you live in pride when you succeed and condemnation when you fail.

B. Diagnostic question:

Where am I trying to earn what God has already given by grace?

C. Truth:

I do not have to sit in performance. I am seated with Christ.

V. Conclusion

This week, identify one place where you have been living beneath your seat.

Ask:

What false seat have I been sitting in?

Control? Approval? Performance?

VI. Application:

Tomorrow morning, read Ephesians 2:4–6 out loud.

Then take one step of obedience.

Specific obedience.

Surrender control.

Ignore the need for approval.

Serve without proving yourself.

Bring the wound to Jesus.

Be Blessed

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