Mor(ph)e Week 5 – Josh Rutledge

Overview:

Tonight we looked at how the Christian life is supposed to be lived out as we look forward to heaven. Ephesians 2:6 states, “And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Jesus took our spot on the cross so we may be seated with Him in heaven. When God rescues us from our sin and brokenness, we are considered righteous, even when our actions are unrighteous. Therefore, all the benefits are afforded to us as believers on this side of eternity. God has given us everything we need for a godly life. Yet, it is completely possible for believers to live a life completely ineffective if we don’t use the benefits that God has given us through Christ. The “everything” in Ephesians means that He gave us Himself. Through Jesus, we now have the power to get rid of the sin that is plaguing us in our life. The power of Ephesians 2:6 should give us strength and power knowing that Jesus has seated us with Himself in the heavens, completely conquering sin and death.

Verses:

“4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” – Ephesians 2:4-6

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1: 3-8

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” – Hebrews 12: 1-4

Quotes:

“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be someone….who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily.” – C.S. Lewis

“The resurrection and sitting in heaven, which are here mentioned, are not yet seen by mortal eyes. Yet, as if those blessings were presently in our possession, he states that we have received them; and illustrates the change which has taken place in our condition, when we were led from Adam to Christ. It is as if we had been brought from the deepest hell to heaven itself.” — John Calvin

“God has given us as complete a resurrection from the death of sin to a life of righteousness as the body of Christ had from the grave…Believing therefore the record which God gave of His son, we received this atonement and were raised from a death of sin to a life of righteousness, and now we sit in heavenly places — we have a right to the Kingdom of God.” — Adam Clarke

“There are only two appropriate responses to this reality.” Humility + Holiness”

Questions:

1) Do you understand the depth of your depravity as well as the freedom that can be found in Jesus?

2) Have you received the grace that God offers to all who believe?

3) Are you living your life actively pursuing righteousness or are you being apathetic towards your walk with the Lord?

4) Are you pouring more of the world into your life or are you asking the Lord to guide you on how to overcome sin?

5) Are you living a life that exemplifies Jesus?