The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power

Good morning, welcome to NHCC, please open your Bibles to Ephesians 1.

2 weeks left in Ephesians 1.

4 Week break.

Ephesians 2. The Gospel made plain. Importance of knowing the first 10 verses.

Paul has given us reason for praise. God has blessed us in countless ways if we are in Christ.

Because of all that God is doing for the Ephesians, Paul gives praise and thanks God for them.

Also communicates how he prays for these believers.

In his prayer, he reveals what he believes these Christians most need from God.

Read Ephesians 1:16-21- “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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 one to come.”

Pray.

Remember, Paul is communicating what is needed. He is asking God for provisions for the Ephesian Christians.

He has asked that the Spirit would make God known, and that the hope of the Ephesians would be strengthened.

Now, how might God be known in such a way that increases their hope?

His power must be observed and well-known.

1. God’s power described.

Ephesians 1:19- “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might”

V. 19- Four different words used to describe the concept of power.

Immeasurable greatness.

Hyperballo- to throw beyond, to transcend.

Literally means “surpassing.”

Whatever is being described here, it is beyond recognition.

Ephesians 3:19- “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Greatness- beyond human ability.

Ephesians 5:32- “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”

When we consider the power of God, His immeasurable greatness, we come face to face with that which is beyond us.

Beyond our understanding, beyond our recognition.

Power.

Dunamis- (dynamite)- power- might think of God as some muscular entity. More than simply strength. It also speaks to God’s ability.

More than simply power when we consider God’s ability. This is God’s power put into action.

God is able to accomplish more than man can comprehend.

Ability beyond human recognition.

God’s power to do that which man cannot to, truly even what man cannot imagine.

Toward us.

This unimaginable power and ability is aimed in a direction- toward us who believe.

This is not a selfish power, it is not only God’s character on display, but it is for the benefit of believers.

We are reminded that the entirety of who God is benefits the believer.

Strength of His might.

This phrase in the Greek shows up one other time in the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

The power of God is aimed in the direction of believers for a purpose, that they might be strong with a strength that does not originate within themselves.

Again, all is grace. We must consider the giving nature of God.

2. God’s power displayed.

Ephesians 1:20-21- “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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 one to come.”

God’s power would only encourage so much if it was merely described. But Paul turns his attention to the display of God’s power.

Notice the highlighted words that express the power of God on display.

God worked His power in Christ when he raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand.

Christ has been raised, Christ has been exalted. This is the display of God’s power and authority..

Notice, this is not highlighting God’s strength, power and ability in creation, but instead in redemption.

How do we see the unexplainable power of God on display in both the raising of Jesus from the dead and the exaltation of Jesus to the place of highest authority?

First, the resurrection.

Consider the power, the ability of God, in the defeating of death and the reversal of its effects.

The power of God, His ability, differentiates Him from man. He is not like us.

The one experience over which all of mankind has no power is death.

We are fragile. As healthy and invincible as we would like to believe ourselves to be, we know better.

We have no answer for death. Even if we could extend life with different practices, we find ourselves utterly exposed to the elements.

Next, the exaltation.

Not only was Jesus raised from the dead, but He also was elevated to a place of authority over all of creation.

Consider the man Jesus Christ in His earthly life. What would the apostles have seen of Jesus? What would Jesus’ followers have seen of Him throughout His life?

Servant, someone who was always raising others up at great cost to Himself. In fact, a servant who was killed a criminal’s death.

They saw in Jesus the lowest of the low.

Philippians 2:5-8- “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

But now, they find Jesus raised. Exalted. On high. And all this through the power and strength of God.

So why these two particular actions? The raising of Jesus and the exalting of Jesus? What difference is made in our own lives?

3. God’s power applied.

How might God’s power be applied to the reality of our lives?

We know God’s power makes possible everything of which we are capable in our spiritual walk.

Our ability to overcome temptation is the result of God’s power.

Our ability to resist the pressure to compromise in life is the result of God’s power.

Our ability to cope with unrealized hopes and dreams is the result of God’s power.

Our ability to overcome indwelling sin is the result of God’s power.

How does knowing the power of God make a difference in the lives of the Ephesian Christians?

As a result, what difference will be made when we rightly understand the immensity of God’s power as displayed in Christ’s resurrection and exaltation?

I’d like to highlight three.

First, we are reminded that we have all that we need.

For the church at Ephesus, this is a massive statement!

In a world swimming with false deities and false philosophies, the Ephesian Christians have no need to look elsewhere.

They have all they need in Jesus alone.

The same is true for us this morning.

Our deities might look different. But they are still there. Those devices on which we tend to depend ourselves for our very well-being.

Philippians 4:19- “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Second, we are reminded of who is truly in charge.

Notice the end of our text. Notice how the exaltation of Jesus is described.

Ephesians 1:21- “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 one to come.”

Jesus is exalted not only above, but far above all: rulers, authorities, power, dominions, and every name, present and future.

Some debate about what all is being mentioned here, earthly or spiritual, but it doesn’t truly matter.

Paul always speaks of the powers of existence for one purpose- to show that they are subjected to the rule of Jesus.

In a world swirling out of control with so many different rulers, Jesus was and is on the throne.

How many people have an impact on your life?

We begin to think that our lives are truly ruled by others.

Here we are reminded that God remains in charge. And as such, we can live accordingly, knowing that people pose no true threat.

Third, we are reminded that we will endure.

Philippians 1:6- “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

How can Paul be sure? Because He knows of the power of His God.

Life will be a struggle. It is inescapable.

The mustard seed of your life of faith is growing and will continue. God promises it.

Bed time with the kids. Rest in God’s power.