THE ETERNAL PLAN OF GOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN

C. THE POWER OF GOD: DEMONSTRATED IN CHRIST’S EXALTATION

-- { Ephesians 1:19-23 }  ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. ²⁰ God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. ²² And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.  -- NRSV

Breath Prayer For The Week (A "breath prayer" is a brief sentence or simple phrase that can be repeated often to Jesus in one breath.)

Jesus, You've got the power!

Dear Friend, grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

If humankind ever needed anything, we need the power of God in our lives and world.  We live in a world of danger.  

This past week the Fairborn Police Department trained its officers in room to room search tactics in our St. Mark’s lower level.  I was allowed to suit up with them and take part.  It is a scary scenario to be in, where you are trying to take down a person with a gun or weapon.  But we live in a dangerous world where the good guys must confront the bad guys.  Allowing these officers to use our facility was one way of saying “thank you” for their service to us in protecting us from some of the dangers in our society. 

There is evil, shame, bitterness, hatred, lust, immorality, cursing, anger, assault, robbery, murder, war, and the list goes on.  We need the power of God in our world and our daily lives to resist these evils and make good happen.

Paul in this portion of Ephesians helps us understand the power God offers us through Jesus.  God promises His children that we will have an advantage in this world as we get to know His Son.  That advantage will bring power for our lives personally and help correct our society.

Coming to know God is the key to receiving the power of God for living.

First, God’s great power (1:19)  “…and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength,…”

Note how Paul describes God’s power.

1. It is “incomparable” (huperballon) meaning surpassing, unlimited, immeasurable, beyond imagination.  

2. It is “great” (megathos) meaning mighty, explosive, beyond measure.  This is the word from which we get the English word “megaton” which measures atomic explosives.  Our God is explosive.

All of this great explosive power is for us.  God takes His power and extends it, presents it, makes it available to us as we trust in Jesus.  This power adds a totally new dimension to our lives.

Second, the power that raised Jesus from the dead (1:20)  “…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,…”

Imagine the enormous power needed to raise someone from the dead.  When God raised Jesus He demonstrated that He has the power to do three things.

1. The power to raise Jesus shows that God has the power to conquer all the trials and temptations of life.  Why?  Because these are nothing compared to conquering death.

2. The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that God has the power to give humankind a new life and the power to live a new life.  

As Paul shares in Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

3. The power to raise Jesus from the dead shows that God has the power to raise humankind from the dead.  God has promised the gift of life after death to us.

Third, the power that took Jesus to heaven and set Him at God’s right hand (1:20)  “…and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,…”

Paul says that as followers of Jesus we are to experience the same power of God in our lives as Jesus did, even to the taking of us to heaven.  We won’t be sitting at God’s side but we will be in His presence.  

It has always been God’s plan to take Jesus to heaven, to exalt Him, so that we would know that He has the power to do the same with us who follow Jesus.

Fourth, the power that exalted Jesus above all creatures in this world and in the next world (1:21)  “…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.”

Being seated at God’s right hand simply means having the highest seat of honor and authority in the universe.  Jesus has been exalted to rule and reign for eternity.  

Jesus has already been exalted above every earthly known power or authority.  Everything is placed in subjection to Him.  As followers of Jesus we shall be lifted up to rule and reign with Him in eternity.

Fifth, the power that exalted Him as the Supreme Head of the Church (1:22-23)  “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Paul emphasizes that Jesus is the Head of the Church.  The Church, not even a local church, belongs to us.  Jesus has established every local church.  We simply respond to His calling to assemble.  

God gave Jesus full authority over the Church because He died to build it.  It is His Church.  We note two points.

1. The “catholic” – meaning universal, Church is the body of Christ.  The picture is of the human body with Christ being the Head and the Church being the body.  Both are in need of each other.  The Head cannot function without the body, nor can the body function without the Head.  

The body, the Church, is called to carry out the commands of its Head, Jesus.  That means taking Jesus to the world.  Extending His love, joy, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.  

The point is that if God had the power to create the Church and to make Jesus the Head of the Church, then He has the power to make the body function and work for Him.  God has the power to get us busy for the Lord – to minister to the needs of a world lost in sin, darkness, disease, and suffering.

2. The Church completes all for Christ.  The Bible Commentator, William Barclay, points out that the Church is the instrument through which the fullness of Christ fills all things.  Jesus is working throughout the world and in human history to bring about God’s eternal plan for the world.  He is working and fitting everything into its proper place, piece by piece, and He is doing it through His assembly of believers – the Church.

Paul’s point for us today is that God has the power!  And He chooses to use that power in our behalf – to save us and empower us with a meaningful life of faith.  We who follow Jesus are His body on earth and are being used to work out human history.

Heavenly Father, You’ve got the power.  May Your power come to us in our need.  Strengthen our faith, guide our lives, empower us as Your children on earth.