RAISED UP WITH CHRIST

RAISED UP WITH CHRIST

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 2:6

Key Verse: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” — Ephesians 2:6

Supporting Texts: Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 6:4-11; Colossians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

Description: Being raised up with Christ means that through His resurrection, the believer has received new life, a new identity, a new position and power to live for God.

INTRODUCTION

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event that happened more than two thousand years ago; it is the foundation of the believer's new life. Ephesians 2:6 declares that God has “raised us up together” with Christ. This means that those who believe in Christ participate spiritually in the victory of His resurrection.

Before Christ, we were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. We were separated from God and controlled by the patterns of the old life. But God's mercy changed our condition. He made us alive with Christ, raised us with Christ and positioned us in Christ. The believer therefore does not have to remain under the dominion of the old life.

To be raised with Christ means that our old position has been replaced by a new one. We now have the power to walk in newness of life, overcome sin, pursue holiness, fulfil God's purpose and live with the hope of eternal glory. The resurrection life of Christ is not merely something we celebrate; it is something we must experience and demonstrate daily.

1. WE WERE RAISED FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH

Ephesians 2:1 describes our former condition as being dead in trespasses and sins. Spiritual death means separation from God and inability to produce genuine spiritual life by human effort. But God intervened through Christ.

The same God who raised Jesus from the dead has given believers new spiritual life. Salvation is therefore not merely improvement of the old life; it is the receiving of a new life from God.

a) Christ makes us alive (Ephesians 2:5) – Even when we were dead in sins, God made us alive together with Christ. Spiritual life begins with God's grace.

b) The old life has been crucified (Romans 6:6) – Our old man was crucified with Christ so that the dominion of sin might be broken. The believer does not have to remain a slave to the old nature.

c) We walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4) – Just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers are called to walk in a new way of living. Resurrection life must produce transformed conduct.

d) We have passed from death to life (John 5:24) – Jesus promises that the person who hears His Word and believes has everlasting life and has passed from death unto life. Salvation is a genuine transition.

Biblical Example: Lazarus (John 11:38-44) – Lazarus had been dead for four days, but Jesus called him out of the grave. His resurrection illustrates Christ's power to bring life where human beings see only finality.

2. WE WERE RAISED INTO A NEW IDENTITY

When God raises a person with Christ, He gives that person a new identity. The believer is no longer primarily defined by past failures, family background, mistakes or the opinions of people.

Your past may be part of your story, but it is not the final definition of who you are in Christ.

a) You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) – Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. God begins a new work in the life of the believer.

b) You are a child of God(John 1:12) – Those who receive Christ are given power to become the sons and daughters of God. Your greatest identity is your relationship with your Father.

c) You are God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) – You are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Your life has divine purpose.

d) You are chosen and holy (1 Peter 2:9) – Believers are described as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people. Your identity carries spiritual responsibility.

Biblical Example: Matthew ( Matthew 9:9-13) – Matthew was known as a tax collector, but Jesus called him to follow Him. His encounter with Christ changed his identity and direction, and he became one of the apostles and an instrument for the Gospel.

3. WE WERE RAISED TO WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE

Being raised with Christ must affect the way we live. Resurrection life should be visible in our character, choices, relationships and priorities.

Christianity is not merely a change of religious affiliation. It is a transformation of life through the power of Christ.

a) We must put away the old life (Ephesians 4:22) – Believers are commanded to put off the former conversation, which is corrupted by deceitful lusts. The old lifestyle must no longer control us.

b) We must renew our minds (Romans 12:2) – Transformation takes place as the mind is renewed by God's Word. A renewed life begins with a renewed way of thinking.

c) We must pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14) – The believer must follow peace and holiness. Resurrection life is not permission for careless living.

d) We must bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) – The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance in the believer's life.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) – After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus demonstrated genuine repentance by changing his attitude towards money and restitution. His encounter with Christ produced visible transformation.

4. WE WERE RAISED TO OVERCOME SIN

The resurrection of Christ broke the power of death, and His life gives believers power to resist the dominion of sin. Sin may tempt the believer, but it does not have to rule the believer.

Victory over sin is not achieved through human determination alone. It is experienced through dependence upon Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

a) Sin shall not have dominion (Romans 6:14) – Scripture declares that sin shall not have dominion over the believer because we are under grace. Grace empowers us to live differently.

b) We must reckon ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11) – Believers are instructed to consider themselves dead to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ. Our new identity must shape our choices.

c) We must yield ourselves to God (Romans 6:13) – Instead of presenting our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness, we should present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness.

d) The Holy Spirit gives victory (Romans 8:13) – Through the Spirit, believers can mortify the deeds of the body. Victory requires cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 39:7-12) – Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, but he refused to compromise. He valued his relationship with God above temporary pleasure and escaped from the temptation.

5. WE WERE RAISED TO LIVE IN DIVINE POWER

The Christian life cannot be successfully lived through human strength alone. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to work in the believer.

God does not call us to a supernatural assignment and then abandon us to natural ability. He gives us the Holy Spirit and divine grace to fulfil His purpose.

a) Resurrection power is available to believers (Ephesians 1:19-20) – Paul prayed that believers would know the exceeding greatness of God's power toward them that believe, according to the power that raised Christ from the dead.

b) The Spirit gives life (Romans 8:11) – The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in believers and gives life through His indwelling presence.

c) We receive power for witness (Acts 1:8) – The Holy Spirit empowers believers to become witnesses for Christ. Resurrection life produces Gospel courage.

d) We can do God's work through His strength (Philippians 4:13) – Our ability to fulfil divine assignments comes from Christ who strengthens us. We must not depend solely on human capacity.

Biblical Example: Peter (Acts 2:1-41) – Peter who once denied Jesus publicly became a bold preacher after being empowered by the Holy Spirit. The power of God transformed his courage and effectiveness.

6. WE WERE RAISED TO PURSUE HEAVENLY THINGS

Being raised with Christ changes our priorities. Since Christ has raised us into a new spiritual position, our hearts should increasingly be directed towards the things of God.

The believer should not become so occupied with temporary earthly matters that eternal realities are forgotten.

a) Seek things above (Colossians 3:1) – If we are risen with Christ, we should seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

b) Set your affection above (Colossians 3:2) – Our minds and desires should be directed towards heavenly realities rather than being controlled by worldly values.

c) Live with eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:18) – We should focus not merely on the things which are seen but on the eternal things which are unseen.

d) Look forward to eternal glory (1 Peter 1:3-4) – Through Christ's resurrection, believers have a living hope and an incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven.

Biblical Example: Moses(Hebrews 11:24-27) – Moses refused to remain identified with the treasures and pleasures of Egypt. He chose God's purpose because he looked beyond temporary earthly rewards.

CONCLUSION

To be raised up with Christ is to receive a new beginning, a new identity, a new way of living and a new source of power. The believer has been brought from spiritual death into spiritual life and from bondage into freedom. Christ's resurrection is therefore not only something we believe; it is the foundation upon which we build our daily Christian experience.

Therefore, live as someone who has been raised with Christ. Reject the old life, overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit, pursue holiness, serve God faithfully and set your affection on things above. You are not who you used to be. You have been raised with Christ, and your life must demonstrate the power and reality of His resurrection.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for raising me from spiritual death and giving me new life in Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let every influence of my former life lose its power over me, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to walk daily in the newness of life that I have received through Christ, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me completely from the dominion and power of every sinful habit, in Jesus name.

5. Father, renew my mind and transform my character according to Your Word, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen me to overcome every temptation and spiritual opposition, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let resurrection power work mightily in every area of my life, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me grace to seek the things above and to live with eternity in view, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life become a clear testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to remain firmly rooted in Christ and fulfil every purpose for which You have raised me, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are raised with Christ; therefore, you are coming out of every spiritual deadness and entering into a new dimension of divine life.

2. Every power trying to keep you tied to your former life is broken, and you are walking forward in the newness of life.

3. The grace to overcome sin, temptation and every destructive habit is increasing upon your life.

4. You will not live beneath your new identity in Christ; you will walk confidently as a child of God.

5. Resurrection power will strengthen you in your weakness and enable you to fulfil every assignment God has committed to you.

6. You will experience fresh spiritual vitality, renewed passion and deeper fellowship with God.

7. Every area of your life that has experienced spiritual weakness is receiving fresh life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

8. You will rise above fear, discouragement, failure and limitation, and you will walk in the victory of Christ.

9. Your life will become evidence that Jesus Christ still transforms, restores, empowers and raises people.

10. You are raised with Christ, you will walk in victory, you will fulfil your divine purpose, and your life will continually glorify Jesus Christ.