Powerful Prayer
Notes
Transcript
Context & Intro
Context & Intro
As we look at what Paul prays for the Ephesian church, it is clear that Paul has a concern for the riches they possess in Christ to not be underestimated or undervalued. This church has been brought into a new world through the redemptive work of Christ. They were once without hope as the next chapter makes clear, but now they have reason to be full of hope.
We should note hear that Paul labored among this people for over two years, and during that time he thoroughly taught them them gospel.
9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Paul desires that their spiritual eyes be opened to see in full what God has done for them in Christ. This is his prayer for them.
Paul prays they would understand the hope they have in Christ
Paul prays they would understand the inheritance they are to God
Now Paul prays that they would understand more clearly the power that is theirs in Christ.
As it does today for many Christians around the world, professing Christ came with a cost for people in Paul’s day. This is caotured in another book. I’m not prepared to say that this is a Pauline book, but I think what the Christians experienced in the book of Hebrews was not unique to them. I’m sure in some way, the Ephesians would have been able to relate to their troubles.
34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
Financial hardship. This is something that brings the issue of power and weakness to the surface. Ephesus was a major city with lots of commerce taking place, but Ephesian Christians were financially challenged and socially weakened. Paul’s prayer is that the Ephesians would know that there is great power in Christ which is unaffected by their hardships.
Security
Security
It’s one thing to know that God is powerful. We know this. This is assumed in our posture towards God. But we would do well to take time to linger over Paul’s words in verse 19:
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
Paul lays out the power-standard in the rest of the passage.
The resurrection of Christ (20a)
The resurrection of Christ (20a)
Christ’s resurrection was not mere resuscitation. It was an act of transformation. And remember, Paul declared that we share in this:
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Wile we are not yet resurrected bodily, the power of Christ’s resurrection is operative in us. This power is evident in the salvation of God’s people and in their sanctification:
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
The session of Christ (20b-21)
The session of Christ (20b-21)
Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand. Jesus is enthroned with majesty.
1 The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
This is further emphasized in verse 21:
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.
There is no rule greater than Christ’s. There is no authority that can thwart His purposes. There is no power that can prevent His purposes from unfolding. This is alll true now and in the age to come.
The benevolence of Christ (22)
The benevolence of Christ (22)
Notice what Paul says about the authority of Christ. All things are under His feet and He is head over all things to the church.
Christ’s rule and superiority to all things is for the benefit of His church… His people.
He reigns over all things
subdues all His enemies
withstands all sinister evil forces
in order to safeguard and bless His people.
Remember the familiar words of Christ:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The fact that Christ possess authority over all things makes His promised, never-interupted presence with us assuring. This combined with our union with Christ means that what is Christ’ is ours.
21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
So those who are in Christ have nothing to fear. Can people and other things impact us in unpleasant ways? Of course. But nothing can defeat us because nothing can defeat Christ.
Paul prays the Ephesians would understand this.
So, Paul prays they would know their security in Christ and their identity in Christ. And in this case, Paul describes them as the
Body
Body
No doubt, Paul’s words are difficult here:
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
It seems to me that Paul is summing up what he had been saying. Christ is the Lord of heaven and earth. Nothing of which He is not master.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
What Paul says here in verse 23 is a summary of the description of Christ and His church. All of what is true of Christ in Col. is connected to the body of Christ. This is what is means to be a member of Christ’s body. These are the privileges. And Paul’s prayer is that our eyes would be opened to see just how rich we are.
