Ephesians 1:20

Ephesians 1:20

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1. “Which he wrought in Christ…”

a.    This is speaking about the establishment of the New Covenant accomplished through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

2. “…when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places”

a. This part of Ephesians 1:20 is referring to Psalm 110:1 and the sitting down of Christ at the right hand of God.

1). Psalm 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

b. This verse is the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament. This scripture is quoted or alluded to 16 times in the New Testament, which makes Psalm 110:1 the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament.

1). Matthew 22:44; 26:64; Mark 16:19; Luke 20:42, 43; Acts 2:33-36; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:20; 2:6; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1:13; 8:1; 10:12, 13; 12:2.

c. The reason of course is because the sitting down of Christ at the right hand of God after the resurrection is the most pivotal moment in the establishment of the New Covenant.

1). Jesus said in John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

d. The baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues was poured out only after Jesus sat down at the right hand of God.

1). Acts 2:33 “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”

e. Without the giving of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues, the enforcement of the New Covenant, beginning with the new birth would have been impossible. This is why Jesus told his disciples and us not to embark on ministry until we are endued with power from on high.

1). Acts 1:4-8  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

2). Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

f. For a moment I want to revisit what was said in the beginning of Ephesians 1:19, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power”. Remember I mentioned how the power that was exercised by God was so overwhelming that it caused much collateral damage, including the raising of many others in Jerusalem. Really that was just a small beginning of the collateral life that was given out. Remember also in the previous verse the redemptive truths of our justification being accomplished when Jesus was raised from the dead, well the resurrection not only involved physical resurrection of Jesus and the many saints  as stated in Matthew 27:50-53, it also spiritually in the plan of redemption raised every human being.

1). 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 saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us   sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: