God Is Great

Read: Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:15–23 KJV 1900

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

I want to lift tonight Ephesians 1:19

Ephesians 1:19 KJV 1900

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

I have never done this before, but I want to read something from the dictionary.

Can you imagine anything devotional in a dictionary. Well for nerds like me yes, but I think you will agree with me when I get done.

I want to read about the Greatness of God from the...

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Greatness

Greatness. Something or someone that is larger in size, quality, or quantity may be called “great.” It is a term used for something beyond the ordinary. In the Bible, God, humans, and Christ receive this designation with theological significance.

God. The Bible describes God as the greatest of gods (Deut. 10:17); his greatness is unsearchable (Ps. 145:3). In discussing this theological characteristic of God, how do we understand an attribute that is not understandable? Its very abundance makes our task difficult (Ps. 150:2).

God by nature is great. The Bible affirms the greatness of his power (Job 23:6; Ps. 66:3, Eph. 1:19). Strength and might describe him (Isa. 40:26; 63:1). The “greatness of majesty” becomes the worshiper’s cry for who God is (Exod. 15:7; Deut. 5:24).

Of course, the clearest view of God’s greatness comes from his actions toward creation, especially toward his people. Creation records his greatness and leads to our praise (Ps. 145:6). God’s care of the children of Israel in the wilderness demonstrated his greatness (Deut. 3:24; 11:2). When Jesus healed a boy suffering from demon possession, the people affirmed the greatness of God in the act (Luke 9:43).

God also exhibits greatness in love toward humanity by forgiving (Num. 14:19) and by redeeming (Deut. 9:26). Nehemiah asks God to remember him for his attempt to preserve the holiness of Israel. The basis for his request revolves around the greatness of God’s lovingkindness (Neh. 13:22).

As an attribute, the greatness of God describes the extent and magnitude of his qualities.

Humans. Humans also may be considered “great.” After the plagues of Egypt, Moses was “great” in importance both in Egypt and among the people of Israel. The queen of Sheba attested to the great wisdom of Solomon (2 Chron. 9:6). Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness returned to him after he humbled himself before the Lord (Dan. 4:36). Mordecai achieved greatness in his position in the Persian government (Esther 10:2).

Human greatness depends on the quality of a person’s life. It is something that may be taken away, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, or may be lost, as in the case of the greatness of the nation of Egypt (Ezek. 31). “Great folly” takes away any semblance of greatness (Prov. 5:23).

Psalm 71 explains that the actions of some enemies, perhaps due to old age, may lead to lost prestige. The psalmist’s prayer attests to a trust in God to restore the former “greatness” (v. 21). Right standing in the community will be restored in the same way that God worked before the difficulties that took them away.

Christ. Christ turned the definition of human greatness in a profound direction. Jesus modeled greatness by humbling himself in coming to earth and dying on the cross (Phil. 2:5–11). Jesus made this perspective clear in his teachings. When the disciples asked who is the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus answered by bringing a child into their midst and declaring that even admission into the kingdom depended on a similar attitude of humility (Matt. 18:1–4).

The mother of James and John asked if her boys could sit on the right and left hands of Jesus in the kingdom. The other disciples became upset with the brothers. Jesus used the occasion to say that the one who wanted to be great among them had to be their servant (Matt. 20:26; cf. 23:11). Jesus noted that his life would exemplify this attitude by his service, including the gift of his life (Matt. 20:28).

The greatness of a person is measured by service to others. Christ set the example.

G. MICHAEL HAGAN