Faith Food

Far Above

Message Notes

Intro
1. Today begins our study called “Faith Food.” Over the course of the next four Sundays, I will be giving you a “full meal”: an appetizer, a soup and salad, a main course, and a dessert!
2. You have to FEED YOUR FAITH. When we come to a crisis, we panic and run around trying to find a few Scriptures or someone who can really pray.
3. Don’t wait for a crisis. (My testimony). God prepared a TABLE BEFORE ME in the presence of my enemies!
4. Over the next four Sundays, I am going to FEED YOUR FAITH. Here is what Paul said about it:
  1. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is UNSKILLED IN THE WORD of righteousness, since he is a child.” (Heb. 5:12-13)
5. You show your maturity by what you eat. A baby loves milk. A young child needs a “kids menu”: chicken nuggets, fish sticks and applesauce. I don’t order off the kids menu. I want some meat, some pasta, some ribs, some spicy etouffee.
6. What kind of spiritual food are you feeding yourself? I know that you know John 3:16 and Psalms 23. I’m talking about verses of Scripture that fit the need you are going through. FAITH FOOD!
7. “By this time, you ought to be teachers.” Some of you have been hanging around Bethany for years, yet,you are still struggling with: the same old temptations, habits, fears, relationships, financial and physical issues.
8. You need to take the menu to the next level! (Parting the whiskers is freaky)
9. Today is the “appetizer”: Shrimp cocktail, chicken wings, Spinach artichoke dip, chips and salsa, or a charcuterie board (Vertical list). The appetizer today on the menu is “FAR ABOVE”: AUTHORITY IN CHRIST.
TEXT—Eph. 1: 20-23
1. “This power He exercised in Christ when He RAISED Him from the dead and SEATED Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms FAR ABOVE every 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 God put all things UNDER CHRIST’S FEET, and He gave him to the church as HEAD over all things. Now the church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1: 20-23, NET Bible)
2. “For he RAISED US from the dead along with Christ and SEATED US WITH HIM in the heavenly realms because we are UNITED with Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2: 6)
  1. In the first passage, we see that Christ is RAISED (from the dead) and SEATED (in heaven). In the second passage, we see that WE are RAISED (from the dead) and SEATED (in heaven).
  2. HERE IS THE SECRET TO YOUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST. He died on the cross and carried our sins and sicknesses. Then, He descended into hell itself. There, He preached the Gospel to all the Old Testament believers who were in “Sheol.” He defeated and STRIPPED the wicked rulers and principalities there and took the keys of HELL AND DEATH.
  3. Finally, on the third day, He rose from the dead with victory! Forty days later, He ascended outside Jerusalem and “sat down at the Father’s right hand.”
  4. What Paul is saying is this: We are a part of His body so WE are “far above” all principalities.
Three bites from “far above”
1. “Satan is not a close second.”
  1. This verse tells us that Christ is “seated far above” all principalities and powers. It is a mistake to think of Satan as a threat to God. The fight, the battle, is over. It was WON on the day of Christ’s resurrection. Satan is not just contained, He is defeated. Every demon, devil, and ruler is defeated.
  2. Satan wants you to “mud wrestle” with him. Jesus has already overcome him. We are not fighting with the devil. If you fight with him, you lose, he has tricked you. You are seated with Christ on the throne reigning over him. (Smith Wigglesworth: “Oh, it’s just you.”)
  3. A mature believer thinks differently about spiritual warfare. They know their position in Christ. They can rest in being seated in the heavenlies with Christ. That’s why we praise all day because we are hanging around the throne!
2. “FAR ABOVE: Keep your thoughts ABOVE.”
  1. If your thinking is always on what Satan is doing, he will defeat you. Your mind is to be on who Jesus is and where you are with Him.
    1. “You have been RAISED up with Christ. So think about things that are in heaven. That is where Christ is. He is SITTING at God’s right hand. Think about things that are in heaven. Don’t think about things that are only on earth. You died. Now your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he appears again, you also will appear with him in heaven’s glory.” (Col. 3: 1-4, NIRV)
  2. In Luke 10, the disciples returned to Jesus and were talking about all the demons being subject to them.
    1. “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-21) NLT
    2. Their thoughts were on demons. Jesus turned their thoughts toward heaven. YOU ARE HANGING AROUND THE THRONE. Don’t be devil conscious, be God conscious. Focus on your name being written down in heaven.
    3. All of heaven is yours (righteousness, peace, and joy, freedom, blessing, abundance, healing and victory is yours). You are a citizen of heaven, not just a citizen of America. (Peter walking on water—what are you looking at?).
3. “FAR ABOVE: Take your AUTHORITY.”
  1. Parents have to learn to exercise their authority. Children try to control the narrative. They throw fits and won’t breathe. Don’t go ask your neighbor to control your child, you need to take your place and exert your authority! Demon spirits want to see if you will exert your “far above” authority! (Muscle or badge, cop stopping an 18 wheeler).
  2. You say, “I haven’t been saved very long.” It doesn’t matter how long you have been saved. The newest rookie police officer that is just sworn in the night before has the SAME AUTHORITY as a thirty year veteran! He’s got the same badge, the same gun. A brand new Christian is FAR ABOVE every demon and the devil himself.
  3. YOU are in the Body of Christ. YOU are seated with Him in heaven. The HEAD has what the BODY has. YOU have His Name and exercise His authority in that Name. Peter said to the man who had never walked, “Such as I HAVE I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6). (Shambach’s story of child with 26 major diseases and deformities).
  4. Learn to live far above: “I’m above that.” • You are “far above” depression. I’ve got joy. • You are “far above” addiction. I’ve got freedom. • You are “far above” anxiety. I’ve got peace. • You are “far above” hatred. I’ve got love. • You are “far above” sickness. I’ve got health. • You are “far above” poverty. I’ve got sufficency. • Deut. 28 says “You are ABOVE and not beneath, you are the HEAD and not the tail, you are more than a CONQUEROR in Christ! (Person on ORU campus: “How are you doing? OK under the circumstances. What are you doing under there?
    1. Satan is not a “close second.”
    2. Keep your thoughts on things above.
    3. Take your authority.
    4. THIS IS JUST THE APPETIZER!
Invitation
1. Maybe you are not “far above.” You are “down below.” Guilt, bondage, depression, and anxiety are sitting on top of you.
2. Come out from under the enemy. Receive Christ as your Lord and Savior. Get your name written in the book of Life. Receive your authority over Satan and all his attacks.

Faith Food

Faith Food is a series about learning what truly feeds the soul. Every day, we are shaped by what we consume, what we believe, and what we build our lives on. In this series, Pastor Larry Stockstill will lead us through what it means to fill our hearts with faith, live out biblical principles, and grow a deeper spiritual appetite for the things of God.

4 Part Series

All the files in the included packages below have been stripped of dates and church branding. Feel free to adjust, change, or tweak as needed. Include your own church logo or swap out the photos.

Full package also available on Dropbox.

Assets & Files

Part 1: Far Above

Many believers live as if they're trying to earn victory, fight for victory, or somehow overcome their struggles through their own strength. But Scripture paints a different picture. Because of Jesus' death, resurrection, and victory, believers aren't fighting for victory, they're living from victory. In Christ, you have been raised, seated, and positioned far above every power of darkness.

Part 2: The Love of Christ

What if the greatest obstacle to your faith… is forgetting how deeply you're loved? When you truly understand what Jesus has done for you, everything changes. You're no longer living under guilt, trying to earn God's approval, or wondering where you stand with Him. Through Christ, you've been justified, adopted into God's family, and forever secured in His love. That's the kind of truth that strengthens your faith.

Part 3: Fear Not

Fear has a way of convincing us that the worst is inevitable. It steals our peace, paralyzes our faith, and keeps us focused on everything that could go wrong. But throughout Scripture, God repeatedly tells His people, "Fear not." Why? Because faith isn't just believing God can, it’s learning to trust Him enough to move forward with courage, peace, and confidence.

Part 4: Redeemed From The Curse

Through the cross, Jesus didn't just forgive your sins, He exchanged your curse for His blessing. Too many believers still live weighed down by guilt, fear, defeat, and lack, forgetting what Christ accomplished on their behalf. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus paid the full ransom so you could walk in the freedom, favor, and blessing of God.