God has prepared us for this great ministry. Not only did God save us, He positioned us with Christ in heavenly places so we would be usable for the ministry of Christ.

Eph 2:4-7 (NIV) But BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US, God, Who is RICH IN MERCY, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised US up WITH CHRIST and seated US WITH HIM in the heavenly realms IN Christ Jesus, IN ORDER THAT in the coming ages He might show the INCOMPARABLE RICHES OF HIS GRACE, expressed in HIS KINDNESS TO US IN Christ Jesus.

Most people read this passage as if it is going to take place in the future. But, that isn't what is being said here. We are currently seated with God in the heavenly realms IN Christ Jesus. It didn't say that God is GOING TO RAISE us up. It says God RAISED us up with Christ and SEATED us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. This puts us into a position where we not only have the life of Christ, but, the ministry of Christ. We too are seated "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion" because we are IN Christ Jesus. This positions us into a place of power where we can be directly used BY Jesus FOR His ministry. We weren't raised to this spectacular position so we can be great. We were raised so we can be used by Jesus to do His great work through us. Later this position will make it possible for us to rule and reign with Jesus. But, now it is so we can be a part of the second phase of Jesus' ministry.

Eph 1:22 (NIV) And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over EVERYTHING for the church.

"God placed" is the expression of a finished work. It is all under Jesus' feet and He is Head over everything "for the Church." Yes, He is Head of (over) the Church.

But, this isn't what the Holy Spirit is focusing on here. The reason it is all under His feet and He is the "Head over everything," is so He can do what He wants to do through the people of His Church. He is ready to do an incredible work. The Holy Spirit has been training us and purifying us so we can be ready for Him to use us. Jesus' first work is described in the Gospels. The Holy Spirit is using the Gospels to prepare us for His second work. With General, Sanctification, and Preventative Spiritual Growth accomplished in our life and ministry; we are ready to do Ministerial Spiritual Warfare that consists exclusively of Jesus doing His second work in every person's life on the planet. Our personal body has been prepared for this second work. Our spirit has been made ready to obey His every desire and move. We have been raised "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion" in Christ Jesus. All this makes us a powerful tool for the work of Christ. We, the Church, are now ready to be His earthly body.

Eph 1:23 (NIV) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

With your body, my body, and every other Christian's body; we form the complete body of Christ. As His body, we become His arms, legs, and mouth to express His love and power to His people. If we yield our body and life to His wishes, we become a fully functioning part of His body. Jesus wants to use every person to do what He desires to do in and through them. He will be simultaneously doing the same thing in all Christians who will yield to His life and ministry. With all these bodies of all these Christians moving in unity and unison, the complete work of Christ will be fulfilled in all the world. The gospel will be preached to every person in all the world, the needs of the needy will be met, and disciples (trained followers) will be made in all nations.

Mat 28:19 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:15 (NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."