The Greatness of God’s Power

Scripture Text

Ephesians 1:19-23

Intro: God has not left us without power as we attempt to live for Jesus Christ and serve Him the way He wants His church to do. In verse 19 Paul prayed that the believers would begin to understand the incredible greatness of God’s power on behalf of those who believe him. Because of his power, we know that God is on our side, ready to help us meet each and every obstacle. There is no force, human or spiritual from the evil world that can deter or stop God’s omnipotent power. Only God’s power can change weak human beings into strong believers who are willing to sacrifice everything for the God who loves them.

Here are five instances of God’s power from Ephesians for today:

(1) God raised Christ from the dead by His power. Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)
¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

  a. To pour out His Spirit on us. In Acts 2:32-33 (NLT) Peter says that; ³² “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. ³³ Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. This Spirit power He poured out in our lives enables us to live, serve, and witness for Christ! We have resurrection power of Christ in us! Hallelujah!

(2) God seated Christ in the place of honor in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19b-20b (NLT) This is the same mighty power ²⁰ seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 1 Peter 3:22 (NLT) ²² Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority. Having witnessed Christ’s physical Ascension, Peter wrote that Christ has gone into heaven. The reward for Christ’s faithfulness is seen in His exaltation over all things. He is enthroned at God’s right hand, the seat of supreme honor, to rule and reign over all creation. Phil. 2:8-11Philippians 2:8-11 (NKJV) ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 (3) Christ is far above any power, ruler or authority. Ephesians 1:21 (NKJV) ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

 Christ has no equal and no rival. He is supreme over all other beings and authorities, physical and spiritual. Christ is supreme over all the situations that come our way.

a. Christ is supreme In this world and the world to come.

These words ought to encourage believers, because the higher the honor of Christ, the Head, the higher the honor of his people. He has given us the church the privilege, power and authority to do His work in this world now and we will serve in His eternal kingdom to come.

(4) God gave Christ authority over all of creation. Ephesians 1:22a (NKJV)  And He put all things under His feet, As the head of all creation this includes His body, the church. Christ needs the church and church needs Christ. The head cannot function without the body, nor can the body function without the head. Jesus gave His church the authority to go into all the world in His name preaching, teaching the gospel and healing. Demons and the powers of hell are subject to us. Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. Matt. 16:18

 (5) God has made Christ head over all things. Ephesians 1: 22b and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

  a. For the benefit of the church.

The church is not a building or group of buildings. It includes all believers in a living, growing, working body deriving existence and power from Christ. Jesus said He came to seek and save the lost. The message of salvation and peace, in the power of Christ, must be taken to people by the church. If God had the power to create the church and to make Christ the head of the church, then He has the power to make the body function and work for Christ.   

Just think—the church is the body upon the earth that God is using to work out human history!

b. The church is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:23 (NKJV) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Christ makes His body which is the church, full and complete.

Colossians 1:19 (NLT)   For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.Thus, Christ, who is the fullness of God, finds full expression in the church.All believers, as part of Christ’s body, are filled by Christ who fills everything everywhere with his presence. Christ fills all things with Himself and with His blessings, bringing all believers to the state of obedience and praise for which God created them. The church is being filled with and by Christ, who fills all things totally. The fullness of God indwells every believer because of what Christ did for us on the cross.

Conclusion: By Christ’s resurrection and exaltation, he is head over all things for the church. Christ fills the church and then uses the gifts He bestows to fulfill His mission of revealing Himself to the world and drawing people to Himself by that witness. The image of the body shows the church’s unity. Each member is involved with all the others as they go about doing Christ’s work on earth. We should not attempt to work, serve, or worship on our own.

We need the entire body.

Invitation: Do you have the power of God working in you? Have you confessed your sins and asked Jesus to forgive and save you. Take care of your etrnal destiny right now before it is too late. If you have been forgiven and saved, is the power of God at work in your life every day? If not, why not?

Things We Have in Christ

Scripture Text 

Ephesians 1:1-7, 11&13

Intro: We hear so much negativity about Christianity in this world every day; we need to hear what God says about us who are Christians. We must constantly be reminded of what God says about us. This is why bible reading is so important. Fill your mind with God's opinion of you!

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Paul began by giving praise to God because by faith we are united to Christ, we have every spiritual blessing—that is, every benefit of knowing God and everything we need to grow spiritually and live for and serve Him. Because God has already blessed believers, we need not ask for these blessings but simply accept them and apply them to our lives. Because we have an intimate relationship with Christ, we can enjoy these blessings now and we will enjoy them for eternity. Listed in the bible!

I am chosen in Christ and I am (holy) and blameless (in His sight.)  Eph. 1:4 Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) ⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

God chose us in Christ before He created the world. God calls every person by His Spirit moving and working in people’s heart’s drawing us to Christ. When God calls and we accept His invitation to be saved we become holy and blameless in His sight. Jude 1:24 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

I am a child of God through Jesus Christ.  Eph. 1:5

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

God the Father had a plan before the creation of the world to adopt us into His family through the sacrifice of Jesus’ body and shed blood on the cross for us. He did this because it was His good pleasure, not because of our worthiness. Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He saved us.  (Titus 3:5)

I am accepted (approved of God) in the beloved (Christ).  Eph. 1:6

Ephesians 1:6 (NLT) ⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

God’s goal in the election of believers is that we would praise him. Therefore, the ultimate purpose of believers’ lives is to praise God because of his grace and wonderful kindness. Without it, we would have no hope, and our lives would be nothing more than a few years on earth. But because of His grace, we have purpose for living and hope of eternal life. His kindness was poured out on us. It was a free gift, not something we could earn or deserve.

We praise God’s grace because He accepted us in his dearly loved Son Jesus.

I have redemption and forgiveness through Christ.  Eph. 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT) ⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

All people are enslaved to sin and suffer the penalty of it, but God, so rich in kindness, purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son. Jesus paid the price to redeem us, to buy back our freedom from sin. The purchase price was his blood. Our freedom was costly—Jesus paid the price with his life.

Through his death, Jesus released us from slavery and our sins are forgiven.

I have obtained an inheritance through Christ.  Eph. 1:11

Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) ¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

This inheritance or heritage was predestined, that is, foreordained. And nothing could be better than to be given the greatest inheritance (birthright) possible: that of being made the very heritage of God, the very possession of God.

God works all things out after the counsel of His own will. He must, for only God knows what is best and has the power to deliver us safely home.

I have been sealed in Christ with the promised Holy Spirit.  Eph. 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:13 (NLT) ¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.  

When people believe they are given the Holy Spirit. God marks his people as his own through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit fills us with a sense of God’s love, assures us that God has adopted us as his children, and helps us to manifest Christlikeness in our lives.

Ephesians 1:14 (NLT) ¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

 The Spirit is a once-and-for-all guarantee that gives us continued assurance that we are God’s children, entitled to his riches and goodness now, as well as in eternity. Oh praise His holy name! We truly are blessed people because of Jesus our Savior!

Invitation: Can you claim these promises of God in your life?

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Does the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of God? If not now is the time to make sure. Confess your sins against God to Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive you and save you from Hell. Then all these promises will be yours too!

Through the Fire

Scripture Text 

Isaiah. 43:1-3a

Intro: God has promised us that no matter what He allows us to face in this life that His grace will be sufficient through it all. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

I. God says not to be afraid. Isaiah 43:1 (NLT) ¹ But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

 a. Because He has ransomed us. He ransomed us just as He did Israel. We were sold out to Satan and sin. God has bought us back (rescued) us from the devil. He has liberated us from the penalty and bondage of sin through His Son Jesus Christ. Heaven is our final resting place!

  b. He has called each of us by our names when He saved us. We belong to Him.

II. God promises His continual presence with us. Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
² When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

  a. Through the rivers of difficulty – struggles, troubles, trials, and the stress of this life. Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” He promises to go with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Heb. 13:5 He will not leave us nor forsake us.

  b. Through the fire of oppression and persecution. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego!    Daniel!

  c. Even through death. The gunman who opened fire at Rosebud Oregon’s Community  College targeted Christians specifically, according to the father of a wounded student.

   Before going into spinal surgery, Anastasia Boylan told her father and brother the gunman entered her classroom firing. The professor in the classroom was shot point blank. Others were hit, she told her family.  Everyone in the classroom dropped to the ground. The gunman, while reloading his handgun, ordered the students to stand up if they were Christians, Boylan told her family. "And they would stand up and he said, 'Good, because you're a Christian, you're going to see God in just about one second,'" Boylan's father, Stacy, told CNN, relaying her account.  "And then he shot and killed them."  If victims said they were Christian, “then they were shot in the head. If they said no, or didn’t answer, they were shot in the legs.”

     The Gunman’s disdain for religion was evident in an online profile, in which he became a member of a “doesn’t like organized religion” group on an Internet dating site. We must make up our minds now what we would do if we were faced with the choice of death or denying our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. May we do as these Christians did if called on to do that.

III. God is the Lord. Isaiah 43:3a (NLT) ³ For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Lord) - One who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler.

  a. He is the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 40:25-26 (NLT) ²⁵ “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. ²⁶ Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

  b. He is our Savior. 

   1. One that saves from danger or destruction. Psalms 27:1-3 (NLT)
¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? ² When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. ³ Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. We can remain confident knowing that God surrounds us by His Spirit and angels.

      He Spirit also lives in us! Nothing happens apart from God’s knowledge and permission.

 2.  One who brings salvation. 

   A. Made Available in Jesus Christ!  Luke 2:8-11 (NKJV)
⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

     We have a special relationship with God because of Jesus’ shed blood and broken body on the cross of Calvary. Jesus established a new covenant for us when He instituted the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 26:28) We have been made right with God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

 Conclusion: In the shepherd fields near the city of Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago, God became our salvation when Jesus Christ was born. He is the Messiah of Israel and Savior of all Jews and Gentiles that will believe in Him. We need to praise our God and exalt, worship, and honor Him in all we do. We should make up our minds to serve and live for Him no matter whom or what tries to stand in our way or change our mind. It is time for us to stand up for this God, Savior and Lord of ours and begin to seek His presence in our lives as never before.

      Then His grace will be sufficient for all our needs and we will be greatly blessed of God!

Invitation: Is Jesus your Savior and Lord? If not, now is the time to call on His name and ask Him to forgive your sins and save you for His kingdom. If Jesus is your Savior, have you made Him Lord of your life? Lord means one who has authority, control, or power over others.

      Does He have authority, control and power over you? Does He sit on the throne of your heart? May you think seriously about your relationship to God and His Son Jesus Christ and respond accordingly!

Praying For Our Families

Proverbs 2:1-11

Intro: When praying for ourselves and families we should be specific in what we desire for them and ourselves. We pray for their health and for God to watch over them but what about the spiritual part of their lives?

I. We should pray for God’s wisdom and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-2 (NLT) ¹ My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. ² Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

 a. Reasons- Proverbs 2:11 (NLT) ¹¹ Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

   1. God says wise choices will watch over us. Our family will be able to make the sensible and intelligent choices that will guard us from taking the wrong paths in life. We ask God to open our eyes in order to turn us from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. (Acts 28:18a) 2. Understanding will keep us safe. Understanding means to make known; to reveal; to    unveil; to uncover; to open. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal and make known the knowledge of God to us and to reveal the meaning of all truth to us.

 II. We are to pray for insight and understanding.  Proverbs 2:3 (NLT) ³ Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

    a. If we search and seek for them as we would seek for money or hidden treasures. Proverbs 2:4 (NLT) ⁴ Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

  b. We will understand the fear of the Lord and gain knowledge of the Him. Proverbs 2:5 (NLT) ⁵ Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.

III. Wisdom, knowledge, understanding come from the Lord. Proverbs 2:6 (NLT) ⁶ For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

  a. Are gained through prayer, bible reading and study. Ephesians 1:17-18 (NLT) ¹⁷ asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. ¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

  b. Wisdom means insight and intelligence to use what we have learned from God. Knowledge means knowing the difference between right and wrong. It means knowing God in everyday experiences versus knowing facts about God. Understanding means to have our minds enlightened and made alive by God and His word. We need a spirit that hungers, thirsts for these things. That reaches out to grasp them.  

IV. We will gain Common sense and God’s protection through prayer. Proverbs 2:7-8(NLT) ⁷ He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. ⁸ He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

  a. Common sense refers to a type of basic awareness and ability to judge and make decisions based a natural senses. Use of our natural mind that God has given us.

  b. We will know what is right, just and fair and the right way to go. Proverbs 2:9 (NLT)
⁹ Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

 Psalms 37:23-24 (NLT) ²³ The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. ²⁴ Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

  c. Wisdom will enter our hearts and knowledge will fill us with God’s joy. Proverbs 2:10 (NLT) ¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Through daily prayer for ourselves and families we are promised of God that His wisdom, knowledge and understanding will fill our lives with joy.

 Neh. 8:10  the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Conclusion: Seeking God’s will for ourselves and family through prayer is the greatest thing we can do for those we love. Here are some verses that can be used to make sure we are praying in God’s will. (Colossians 1:9-14, Philippians 1:9-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

      If we pray these verses over us and our families we can be sure we are praying the right prayer according to God’s will and He will answer and bless us and our families.

Invitation: The coming of the Lord is soon! Make sure you and your loved ones know they are forgiven by Jesus Christ and saved for Heaven. May we be faithful to pray for our families! There is something we can do in the midst of this lost and dying world!