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?