Resurrection, He Arose With His Saints to Reign (Eph. 1:20-2:10)

Wayne Galloway
04/10/13 - N/A

Series: Resurrection

Introduction:

1.  The first mention of resurrection in the book of Ephesians occurs in 1:20-22. 2.  In this text Paul reminds his readers that he is praying for them.  Particularly he is praying that they might comprehend “the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward those who believe” (19). 3.  “Which,” he says, “God brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” 4.  He says, “Christ is above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” 5.  These verses not only connect God’s power with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but they connect the resurrection with Jesus’ coronation as king seated at the right hand of God.  Oh, ladies and gentlemen, the resurrection is critical to our understanding of the kingdom of God!  And it is critical to our understanding of our place as citizens in that kingdom.

Discussion:

I.  Christ’s resurrection placed him in a position of heavenly rule.

A.  It was brought about by the great power of God.

1.  To deny the resurrection is to deny the power of God.  Heb. 11:19 says that by faith Abraham considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, thus he offered up Isaac.

2.  It was God’s power that raised Jesus.

a.  Col. 2:12 states that it was the working of God that raised Him.

b.  Gal. 1:1says that God the Father raised Him from the dead.

c.  2 Cor. 13:4 says He lives because of the power of God.

3.  But this great power of God was not limited to the resurrection it placed Jesus on the throne.

B.  It was predicted by the prophets.

1.  God had promised to seat one of David’s descendants on his throne in a kingdom that would last forever (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Psa. 89:3-4).

2.  Daniel spoke of this kingdom in Daniel 2:36ff.  Note the emphasis in vs. 36 on God giving the power to Nebuchadnezzar and in vs. 44 that God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed.

C.  Peter preached Christ’s resurrection and coronation in the kingdom’s inaugural address in Acts 2.  Note vs. 29-36.

1.  Through this preaching the power of God was brought to bear on those who heard the message.

2.  Thus they cried out, “Brethren, what shall we do?” They realized that they stood in opposition to the very king of heaven whom God had raised from the dead and seated at His own right hand in His new creation.

II.  But they were not to despair.  Eph. 2 goes on to identify that those dead in trespasses and sins can made alive by the power God.  They can be resurrected and seated with Christ to reign in heavenly places.

A.  He raised us up and seated us with Him (2:1-6).

B.  Our resurrection and coronation is not done by means of any power that we have within ourselves.  It is by His grace.  It is not of ourselves.  It is the gift of God.  Not as a result of works, so that no one can boast.

C.  We are His workmanship.

D.  When did He raise us and seat us with Christ?  The parallel account in Col. 2 tells us.  Note vs. 12-13.

F.  It is by faith (trust) in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  Rom. 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

G.  We are saved by grace (basis), through faith (means), in baptism (time), for good works (result).  It is all dependent upon the power of God.  We are confident in Him who raises the dead and seats them to reign with Christ.

III.  What does reigning with Christ mean? 

A.  It means victory over sin and death (Eph. 2:1).

B.  It means new life.

1.  We are no longer ruled over by the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Titus 3:3-8).

2.  We have a new walk in good works (cf. Col. 3:1ff).

3.  We have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world and self-made religion (Col. 2:16-23).

C.  It means peace with God and with one another (Eph. 2:11-22).

D.  It means victory in our battle with the spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:10ff).

Conclusion:

1.  It is all dependent upon the power of God who raises the dead. 2.  Our confidence is in Him. 3.  And that is why we do what we do.