Heavenly Places

The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on August 11, 2024.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; Ephesians 2:4-6 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 save;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Where would we go to see a heavenly place?  There are beautiful places in the world, but the devil is around us all the time. When we get saved, the Holy Spirit makes us born again through his regenerating power. We become a new creature in Jesus Christ.  So Paul uses the words “heavenly places” to let us know that wherever we find ourselves in this wicked world, there is happiness and peace–a heavenly place.  We can.  In spite of the devil, we can be in heavenly places. Rome didn’t stop Jesus Christ. The disciples turned the world upside down for Jesus. The Philippian jailer found himself in a heavenly place when Paul and Silas began to sing praises to God at midnight.  A jail became a heavenly place! Draw near to God in your dark midnights and you can find a heavenly place.

Ephesians 1:19-21 says: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is names, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. How is this possible? Jesus made it so. His blood purchased salvation for all of us.  He was buried and raised again the third day; 40 days later he ascended to the right hand of God in the heavenly places. When we reach out to him he makes the connection to God for us and puts us in heavenly places. Each time we come to church let it be a heavenly place. Sin praises to him!  Not to me. Not to each other.  To Him!  The night I got saved I felt like I was standing in a heavenly place. When I pray at home, it’s a heavenly place.  When I read the Bible, I can be in a heavenly place.

Ephesians 3:10-11 says: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church and the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. I don’t want to drift from heavenly places. If you have, you can come back. The devil cannot intrude on us if we concentrate on Jesus.  One day God will usher us to the eternal heavenly place.  Amen.