The Power of The King

Intro

Noisy Cricket

When have you experienced something unexpectedly powerful?

Let’s read . Power is one of the great themes of Ephesians. Perhaps this is because Ephesus itself, and the surrounding area was seen as a place of power. Certainly in social and civic terms the city was powerful, and was set to become more so. It was a major center of imperial influence in Paul’s day. It was also a center of religious power. Before Paul writes about power, though , he tells his readers how thankful he is for them.

Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 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, 18 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, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked 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 one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Why is he grateful for his readers (v.15-16)?

How does Paul mix praise with petition when he prays (v 17)?

Praise-

Petition-

What are his specific prayer requests for his readers (v 17-19)?

According to Paul’s prayer, we acquire wisdom as we get to know God. How does knowing Jesus more help us see things differently?

What are some practical ways we can do that?

What was the greatest display of power the world has ever seen (v 20)?

At the center of Paul’s prayer for the church in the area, which he now reports, is his longing that they will come to realize that this same power, the power seen at Easter and now vested in Jesus, is available to them for their daily use. Far too many Christians today, and , one suspects, in Paul’s day, are quite unaware that this power is there and is available. They are like the character in Men in Black who is unaware of the power the Noisy Cricket has.

Paul doesn't imagine that all Christians will automatically be able to recognize the power of God. It will take, as he says in verse 17, a fresh gift of wisdom, of coming to see things people don’t normally see. And this in turn will come about through knowing Jesus and having what Paul calls “the yes of your innermost self” opened to God’s light.

What should and shouldn’t using this power look like in our daily lives?

How have you experienced this power in your life?

What authority does Jesus have now (v 21-22)?

King Jesus as the head of the body of believers has the church as his hands and feet. It is “his body, the fullness of the one who fills all in all.” How can we, his church, act as his agents within the present world?

Pray-

Thank God for the power you have through Jesus’ resurrection, and ask him to help you use it in your daily life.