“Watch Where You Sit” with Pastor Jon Chasteen

Watch Where You Sit

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 28
• 1 Kings 19:3-4

Other references

• Job 30:3-4
• 2 Kings 10:30
• Hebrews 12:2
• Philippians 4:6-7
• 2 Corinthians 10
• Ephesians 2:6
• Revelation 3:21

Overview

Your seat shapes your outlook. In Matthew 28 the angel “sat on” the stone that was meant to seal Jesus in, silently preaching that God positions us over, not under, the obstacles the enemy rolls our way. From Elijah collapsing under a broom bush to Jesus taking His seat at the Father’s right hand, Pastor John Chasteen walks us through the choices we make about where our souls—our mind, will, and emotions—will sit. Will we slump beneath fear, bitterness, and defeat, or will we sit on top of them, confident that Christ has already saved us a seat beside Him?

Main Points

1. Where your soul sits matters

• Your soul (mind, will, emotions) is always taking a seat somewhere.
• Physical posture often mirrors spiritual posture; the angel chose a position of victory without speaking a word.
• Illustration: Movie-theater logic—everyone is strategic about seats because location affects experience.

2. Under it vs. on it

• 1 Kings 19: Elijah fled, sat under a broom bush, and wanted to die.
  • The broom bush grows in dry places, has a bitter root, and its twigs bind—graphic of spiritual dryness, bitterness, and bondage.
• Matthew 28: The angel sat on the very stone meant to hinder Jesus.
  • Greek preposition for “on” implies “above, beyond, more than.”
• We can’t do both; we either sit under our circumstances or on them.

3. “Seat-saving” and the battle for the mind

• Psychology speaks of the “seat of emotions”; Scripture said it first (Philippians 4:6-7).
• We must guard the seat:
  • When fear, anxiety, or self-pity creep down the aisle, respond, “Sorry—seat’s taken.”
  • 2 Corinthians 10: take every thought captive.
• Illustration: Forrest Gump line “Seat’s taken” used as a daily mental practice.

4. Your decision influences generations

• 2 Kings 10:30—Jehu’s choices placed his descendants on Israel’s throne for four generations.
• Sitting on top of addiction, debt, or bitterness today blesses children and grandchildren tomorrow.

5. A seat has already been reserved for you

• Hebrews 12:2—Jesus endured the cross, despised its shame, and sat down at God’s right hand.
• Ephesians 2:6 & Revelation 3:21—believers are raised and seated with Christ.
• Story: At a conference Pastor John discovered a front-row seat saved by Pastor Craig; he hadn’t earned or paid for it, but it was his because of relationship—picture of grace.
• Salvation is God handing us the ticket; our role is to “check the ticket” and take the seat.

Key Truths

• The posture of your soul determines the perspective of your life.
• What the enemy designs as a tombstone, God turns into a footstool.
• Bitterness grows where we choose to sit in dry, unforgiving places.
• Guarding the “seat of emotions” is an intentional, moment-by-moment discipline.
• Jesus paid in full for a seat of authority next to Him; grace is entry, not achievement.

Response

• Examine where your thoughts have been sitting and relocate any that are “under” rather than “on.”
• Verbally evict fear, anxiety, and self-pity: “Seat’s taken—peace/joy gets this place.”
• Choose practices (prayer, Scripture focus, worship) that keep your soul seated above circumstances.
• Take a practical next step—join or lead a LifeGroup, begin tithing, start the ministry or nonprofit God has stirred in you.
• Continually “check your ticket,” reminding yourself that Christ has qualified you to sit with Him.

Closing

Pastor John urged every listener to move from the back row of hesitation to the front row of purpose. The angel’s silent sermon still speaks: if Christ is risen, you no longer belong under the weight of shame or defeat—your rightful seat is on top of the stone, beside your Savior.

“I’m inviting you to take a seat in a place you did not pay for and could never earn.”

Prayer

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for me.
Jesus, thank You for paying the ultimate price for me.
Today I am Yours; today I take my rightful seat.
I accept You as my Lord.
I believe You died on the cross and rose on the third day for me.
I am a new creation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.