Prayerful for Saints 2

Understanding the Mightiness of God

Ephesians 1:15–18 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,

Ephesians 1:19–20 (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,

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,

Ephesians 1:21–23 KJV 1900

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.

Explanation of Power

Power - This is the word “dunamis”.

This is the word which gives us our English words “dynamite and dynamo”. It refers to “inherent power residing in a thing by virtue of its very nature”. Paul tells us that this power is “exceeding great”. This means that it is more power than we will ever need, or could ever want. This power is given to “us-ward who believe”. This is power that only the child of God has. The lost person cannot know this power, but it is given to us in great abundance when we come to Jesus.

Working - This is the word “energia”. It refers to “energy”. It speaks of the energizing power of the Holy Spirit within us that enables us to live for Jesus day by day. As the Lord works within us, He gives us the energy to live for the Lord.

Mighty—This is the word “ischus”. It speaks of “ability, force and strength”. The power of God within our lives gives us supernatural spiritual ability, force and strength. God enables us to do things that would be impossible for the natural man.

Power—This is the word “kratos”. It speaks of “dominion, or great power and strength”. The Spirit of God gives us the ability to have dominion over our lives. We have the power to live for God.

Why is this important? It is important because we are always asking the Lord for strength and power. But, did you notice that Paul did not pray that they would be given power? Why not? He knew that they already had all the power they would ever need. They just didn’t realize it.

Neither do we! We pray for strength all the time. We pray for power to witness, when we already possess a Gospel that is the power of God, Rom. 1:16.

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

We pray for strength to endure sufferings, when God has already promised us all the power we need, 2 Cor. 4:7.

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We pray for power to do the will of God, when that power has already been given to us, Phil. 2:13.

Philippians 2:13 KJV 1900

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

All I am trying to tell you in that all the power we need was given to us when we were saved by the grace of God, Acts 1:8.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The power to serve God and see Him do great things in us and through us is already in us, it just needs to be exercised, Eph. 3:20.•

Ephesians 3:20 KJV 1900

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Experience of Power

An illustration of this awesome power is given in verse 20.

Ephesians 1:20 KJV 1900

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,

The same power that invaded the tomb of Jesus, raised Him from the dead and carried Him home to Heaven, is the power that is at work in our lives. That’s right, death conquering; life-changing, resurrection power is at work in our lives all the time. Our need is not for more power; our need is for wisdom concerning how to use that power for the glory the glory of God. Our prayer should be that God will help us to tap into that power minute by minute.

The same power that brought Jesus back from the dead will bring our bodies out of the grave someday. The same power that took Jesus home to Heaven will take us home to Heaven some day. What we need to grasp is that the awesome power of God is ours right now. We need to understand that,

Philippians 2:13 KJV 1900

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

• Paul prays that we will understand the mighty power of God that is at work within us. That should be our prayer as well.

If you can grasp His plan and His power, understanding Who He is will help you with anything life can bring your way. You will begin to experience His power.

• Once, when Timothy was overwhelmed and discouraged by those who were against him, Paul gave Timothy a recipe for joyous living in the face of difficulty,

2 Timothy 2:8–10 (KJV 1900)

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

When we understand that Jesus understands us because He became a man, He was crucified and rose from the dead. Now He is seated at the right hand of power in glory, where He ever lives to intercede for us,

Hebrews 7:25 KJV 1900

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Paul is trying to get all believers to see that our focus needs to be on Jesus Christ alone. When we have a proper perspective of Who Jesus is, our problems in all the areas of our life become less important as He becomes all important.

• You see, the Lord we serve is not some poor, pitiful fellow Who was crucified and lost His life. Our Lord came out of that tomb in which they placed Him, v. 20.

Now He is seated at His Father’s right hand in Heaven. See, belief and obedience brings about Exaltation.

Understanding the Magnificence of God

Ephesians 1:21–23 KJV 1900

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.

Exaltation of Power

He is exalted “far above” all the powers of this earthly world, or even the spiritual world, v. 21.

Paul is telling us, by the words he uses, that Jesus is vastly superior to all earthly rulers. He is also reminding us that Jesus is superior to Satan and all His demonic forces.

Everything in the physical realm and in the eternal spiritual realm bows before Him in humble submission. In this exalted position, everything is placed beneath His feet.

Like a conquering general, our Lord stands in victory with His foot on the neck of all human and spiritual power. He is Lord, and He is Lord of all. In fact, He has been given perfect and absolute Lordship over all things and all being, Phil. 2:9–11.

Philippians 2:9–11 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Then, in verses 21–22,

Ephesians 1:21–22 KJV 1900

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,

Paul tells us that Jesus is both the “head” and the “fullness” of the church.

He is our authority. He issues our marching orders. We are to bow to His will in all things as we serve Him in this world.

He is the Head of the church! He does not give His authority to a man, to a board, or to an influential family. He and He alone is to be praised, worshiped and exalted. (Ill. Col. 1:15–20.)

Colossians 1:15–20 (KJV 1900)

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

He is to honored and He is to be the centerpiece of everything we do!Not only is He our “head”, He is also our “fullness”. That is, he is in such an intimate relationship with His people that He fills His body. He is in us, through His Spirit, and we enjoy perfect intimacy with Him. Christ is so united with His church, that He is incomplete until His church is complete. When the body is fully formed, Christ will be fully formed in us.

In the meantime, we are to move through this world honoring Him, worshiping Him, loving Him, serving Him and telling a lost world about Him. We are His arms, His legs, His hands, His mouth; we are His body in the world today.

Everywhere we go, Jesus is seen.

In every word we speak, Jesus is heard.

In every life we touch, Jesus is felt.

Our duty it to walk in Him and allow Him to live through us, so that we can show Him off to a world that needs Him until He comes.

• When we understand Who Jesus is, we are brought into a position of worship. When we understand who we are in Him, it should cause us to praise His name for the grace He has demonstrated to us.

The head cannot function without the body, nor can the body function without the head. The head dreams dreams and plans plans. But a head, a mind by itself, is of no use. A head must have a body to carry out the plans so that the dream can be realized. Christ came to bring the dream and plan of peace and reconciliation to a world of lost men, men who were alienated from God and from one another. Now the body, the church, must carry out the dream and plan. The message of peace, in the power of Christ, must be taken to men by the church.

If God had the power to create the church and to make Christ the head of the church, then He has the power to make the body function and work for Christ. God has the power to get us busy for the Lord—the power to help us in our witnessing—the power to stir us to proclaim the message of reconciliation and to minister to the desperate needs of a world lost and reeling under the weight of sin, darkness, starvation, disease, and suffering.

Conc:

Paul prayed that we might come to understand the Mystery (Plan) of God, the Mightiness (Power) of God and the Magnificence (Person) of God. He wants us to comprehend the Plan of the Lord; the Power of the Lord; and the Person of the Lord. It is His will that we all come to that knowledge.

I know that we are all in different places in our journey with the Lord. Let me speak to you where you are for a moment.

Do you know Him?

Do you understand Him?

Do you worship Him?

• Some here have never been saved by God’s grace. What you need to know is that Jesus died to pay for sin and He rose again to offer eternal life to all who would believe on Him. I invite you to come to the Lord today.

• Some are saved, but do not yet have a good grasp of the things we have been talking about. You need to come before the Lord today and ask Him to open your spiritual eyes. Ask Him to give you understanding concerning the deep things of God. He will hear that prayer and He will answer it.

• Others are beginning to get an idea of Who He is and who you are in Him. You should mark you off a place down here to praise and worship Him for His glory. If He has allowed you to get a glimpse of the power of His grace in your life, you should praise Him for that and you should ask Him to reveal even more of His truth to your heart.

If the Lord has spoken to you through these verses, do as He is telling you to do today.