His GREAT power

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:19-21 (TM)
oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him--endless energy, boundless strength! (20) All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, (21) in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.

Ephesians 1:19-21 (NIV) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (21) far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Observation:

is a part of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian saints. It is not difficult to see that Paul's prayer begins at verse 15. It is not quite so easy to see precisely where it ends. His prayer is that the Holy Spirit will enlighten the minds of his readers, so that they will grasp in a greater way the unseen blessings which God has provided in Christ, and are revealed in the Scriptures.

Paul's prayer is that the Ephesian saints will be divinely enabled to grasp the infinite power of God in Christ. This text focuses on God's power in two major categories: (a) God's power over all other powers and authorities; and (b) God's power exercised on behalf of the church. Verses 21 and 22a deal with the former, while the rest of the verses pertain to the latter.

Our text paves the way for Paul's teaching in Ephesians chapter two. If, in chapter 1 Paul speaks of the Lord's resurrection and ascension, in chapter 2 he speaks of the believer's resurrection and ascension, in Christ (compare 1:20 with 2:6). Further, while in chapter 1 Paul speaks of Christ's ascension as resulting in His being given authority over all other powers (1:21-22a), in chapter 2 he speaks of these authorities as those which once held us captive (see 2:1-3).

Paul's words at the end of chapter 1 imply that the Christian's assurance of the certainty of purposes and promises of God which constitute the Christian's hope rests upon our recognition of His power to achieve them.

Application:

The world fears the power of the atom, yet we belong to the God of the universe, who not only created that atomic power but also raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God's incomparably great power is available to help you. There is nothing too difficult for him.

The Bible is a "David and Goliath Book." It teaches you that with God on your side, all you need is a sling and a rock, and you're bigger than any problem. The question is, do you really believe that?

When Moses first encountered God, a bush burned (Exodus 3:2). Years later when he came back to the same spot, an entire mountain burned (Deuteronomy 4:11). No matter how wonderful your past experiences with God have been, He'll always take you on to something greater. He'll always exceed your expectations.

But, if you're believing God for things that you can do yourself, you're limiting Him. Why? Because His Word says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).

If your vision for the future is truly from God, it'll always stretch you beyond your present resources. Actually, the difference between your vision and your resources, is your opportunity to experience "the exceeding greatness of his power."

Refuse to settle for what you can do, or you'll never get to see what God can do! Furthermore, if you think He won't ask you to do what you can't do, think again. Jesus told one man to walk on water, and another to come out of his grave - and they did!

It's when you experience things that are beyond your human ability, that you know God's at work demonstrating "the exceeding greatness of his power" in your life.

I am reminded today that since Jesus controls the universe and holds it all together, He can hold my life together and bring me through any situation that I may face. His exceeding great power is in me and available through me. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me. He can resurrect hopes, dreams, visions, families, finances, churches, nations, health, hope, and whatever it may be that you are facing today. His power is available to you.

Prayer:

"Lord, I thank you for the exceeding greatness of your power. I have a hard time remembering at times that the same God that delivered the Israelites from the bondage of the Egyptians, miraculously brought them across the Red Sea, provided food for them for forty years, and kept their shoes from wearing out...lives in me. The same God that helped David defeat Goliath, that provided for Elijah, that healed Naaman, that raised Lazarus from the dead, that walked on water, lives in me. The same God that delivered Daniel from the lions den, and delivered the Three Hebrews from the fiery furnace, lives in me. The same God that took the impossible situation that Esther found herself in, and turned it around for His purposes, which was the deliverance of His people, lives in me. The same God that causes demons to tremble, lives in me. The same God that created this world, set it all in place and KEEPS it in place, lives in me. Help me to remember that today and every day. I commit my life and ways to you Lord. In Jesus name, amen!"