Paul's Prayer for Wisdom III
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Paul wants us to get some sense of a fresh awe and wonder at what God has done. He wants us to have such a knowledge of God that we are filled with hope, and amazed at his grace. I hope these past few months have helped you in this direction.
Paul wants us to get some sense of a fresh awe and wonder at what God has done. He wants us to have such a knowledge of God that we are filled with hope, and amazed at his grace. I hope these past few months have helped you in this direction.
Paul prayer explains his praise. The final part of his prayer is about God’s power. Christ's resurrection serves as his illustration of God's power at work for believers and the greatness of it. This subject will continue through Chapter 2. God's power working in the believer.
When Jesus died, was buried, resurrected, then finally ascended. This was the working of God toward the Church. God's heart was towards his body the Church. The Church is united with Jesus so that his successes become our successes. In order to save you, God had to do it through a representative a mediator. God's power effects change in us through his working in Christ. Jesus conquered and reigns supreme to the benefit of the Church.
Application
Let's commit ourseleves once again to prizing what God prizes. His Church. Let's put our efforts and hearts into serving our brothers & sisters in small groups. Let commit ourselves to be a blessing to those around us. This was the purpose of God.
1. The Power of God For Us
1. The Power of God For Us
A. Jesus' resurrection was God's power at work.
A. Jesus' resurrection was God's power at work.
The power of death is real. You feel it every time a friend or loved one passes. Of itself it has the air of finality. The end. Death is so powerful that it is certain for every one of us. Of ourselves, we have no power over death. We cannot prolong our lives once we have reached the end, nor do we have the power to come back after we are gone.
But Jesus has been resurrected. What power! What a victory!
and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
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But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
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Jesus' victory over death was so the Church could have victory over death. When the head succeeds, the body succeeds.
B. Jesus Ascension Was the Power of God at work
B. Jesus Ascension Was the Power of God at work
Jesus is now exalted at the highest place of authority.
Jesus is now exalted at the highest place of authority.
The text says he was:
Seated at the right hand.
Far above any other power.
The name above every name.
Everything under his feet.
This all means that he is supreme, he’s an unrivaled ruler. The term "powers, etc..." was often used of demonic forces. Jesus triumphed over them.
Jesus' ascension was a show of power over any other force. The term "powers, etc..." was often used of demonic forces. Jesus triumphed over them.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
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It's as if there was a cosmic battle for the souls of men. Satan held sway over men by means of the corrupting influence of sin. Jesus d-fanged Satan at the cross. He canceled out and took away our sins. His resurrection was proof that it worked. Jesus' ascension was a show of power over any other force.
Application:
If you struffle with any sort of superstitious notions of evil spirits, or bad omens, or bad luck practices, remember that Christ is over all demonic power. There is no power that can stop the mighty resurrected King.
The power was for the benefit of the Church. By conquering the powers satan, he brought victory for his people.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Read: I have the keys of death and hades
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
Read Revlation 12:10
Read: The weapons of our warfare
2. The Greatness of God's Power at Work in Believers
2. The Greatness of God's Power at Work in Believers
The power of God in the resurrection illustrates the greatness of God's power at work in you.
3 Ways
God's power is how you become a Christian.
God's power is how you become a Christian.
See chapter 2
Application
If you are not a Christian today, God's mighty power is what is needed to make you alive spiritually.
God's power is what keeps you a Christian.
God's power is what keeps you a Christian.
Why is it you have not become a Judas? Why is it that you are not finally undone by some sin, that you still fight on? It's the power of God.
who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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