THE BELIEVER'S AUTHORITY IN CHRIST

ACCESSING THE AUTHORITY IN YOUR UNION WITH CHRIST

I. YOU NEED TO WALK IN SPIRITUAL SIGHT

See spiritually

One of the reasons we cant see or experience the authority we have in Christ is because we only see in the natural.

See spiritually is a powerful reality for the believer since, EVERYTHING around us is spiritual. Everything that is and all that exists in this world is governed and driven by a spiritual realm.

Problem with natural seeing: everything is driven by our own wisdom. Nothing hinders the authority of God in our lives more than our depedence on the wisdom of man or the wisdom of this world.

We see only what we see and, therefore, we miss the schemes of the enemy in the conflciuts of our lives

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

That’s why Paul prays in Ephesian 1:17

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

This Word of Paul tells us how to learn and fight to see Spiritually

1. We need to be in a position of obedience to be given the Spirit of Wisdom

They are already saved so why does Paul pray this?

EYE EXAMS

Reason: Life happens and when life happens things can go wrong in the body

Paul is saying, I know you are saved and I know that you belong to Jesus: BUT IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND WALK IN THE AUTHORITY YOU HAVE IN CHRIST, YOU NEED TO REGULARLY GET YOUR EYES OF YOUR HEART CHECKED

Your eyes can

2. You need to create space for the Word of God

The Word of God is the power (authority) of God

The Word of God is the way God sees things

As we make space for the Word in our lives, the worldly glocoma is cleansed so that we can see clearly

SEE, WHEN WE LIVE LIFE SEEING EVERYTHING IN LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT WE SEE BEYOND WHAT CAN BE SEEN BY THE NATURAL AND THEREFORE WE ARE NOT ALARMED BY WHAT WE SEE

Elisha - see

II. YOU MUST LIVE IN THE RICHES OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST (18B)

EPH 1:18B

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

GOD WANT YOU TO KNOW TODAY THAT YOU ARE RICH! YOU ARE NOT SIMPLY GOING TO BE RICH - YOU ARE RICH NOW.

HERE IS THE CHALLENGE: EVERYONE IS LIVING TO GET TO HEAVEN WHEN THE BIBLE TELLS US TO

LIVE FROM HEAVEN

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

PAUL SAYS THAT THE INHERITACNE IS NOT - WAITING ON THE SAINTS: PAUL SAYS THE INHERITANCE IS IN THE SAINTS - NOW!!!!

BUT GO WITH ME HERE

Colossians 3:1 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 ESV

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:3 ESV

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

WHERE IS OUR LIFE: IN CHRIST

WHERE IS CHRIST: AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER

TOO MANY CHRISTIANS ARE

TRYING TO MAKE IT

GETTING BY

HANGING IN THERE

CANT WAIT UNTIL LIFE IS OVER

THESE ARE BARNY FIFE CHRISTIANS: THEY ARE PACKIN WITH AUTHORITY BUT SCARED TO USE IT

III. YOU MUST LIVE BY FAITH IN THE CONTRADICTING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU (19-23)

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

WHAT OF THIS CONTRADICTING POWER

THE RESURRECTION IS THE SUPERNATURAL CONTRADICTION OF THE NATURAL PROBLEM OF DEATH

THIS MEANS THAT THE POWER THAT IS AT WORK IN YOU

THE POWER THAT WORKS IN YOU THAT RASIED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD - THIS IS YOUR AUTHORITY

THIS IS YOUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST SO THAT YOU NEED NOT GIVE IN THE THE NATURAL PHENOMENONS THAT

FRUSTRATE YOUR FAITH AND

TRIP UP YOUR TRUST

NOOOOO, YOU HAVE THE SUPERNATURAL CONTRADICTION OF YOUR NATURAL PROBLEMS

YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN AND TRUST THAT CONTRADICTION