This Sunday, we looked at Ephesians 1:18-20 and the display of God’s power in the resurrection of Christ. You can view the sermon here.
In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays for the saints at Ephesus. One of the things he prays for them, and, by extension, Christians today, is that they would know the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward them. There are four things we see about God’s power in these verses.
The Dimension of God’s Power
Paul says the power of God is immeasurable. There is no scale of measurement that can tell us the depths or intensity of God’s power. Indeed, Paul is stretched in his vocabulary to describe it with the word immeasurable. We cannot measure or adequately describe God’s power.
The Direction of God’s Power
The second truth we learn about God’s power is its direction. It is toward us. This is not some generic force at work, this is a personal power at work toward those who are God’s children.
God almighty, the sovereign One, and the creator of the universe puts His power to work toward His children.
We learn that God is not selfish with His power. He does not use it in a selfish manner, but for our good and His glory. God’s power is driven by His love. It is a loving power. God is not threatened by us. He uses His immeasurable power for our good and His glory.
This teaches us that God is benevolent. He uses His immeasurable power with our best interest in mind.
The Demonstration of God’s Power
What do you think is the greatest demonstration, or display, of God’s power?
With a quick, mental scan through Scripture we think of creation. God spoke the world into existence. Or the flood, God destroyed His whole creation with rain. Or, we think of Abraham and Sarah having Isaac when they were well beyond childbearing years.
The ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, providing Manna in the wilderness and shutting the mouths of lions. All of these are displays of God’s power, but none of them are the greatest display of His power. None of them have the words immeasurable greatness near them.
But there is one work of God which does, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the resurrection of Christ, we see God’s power in bringing life from death. God can bring the dead to life. We see this in the life and ministry of Jesus. When He raised Lazarus from the dead, He spoke and Lazarus came out of the tomb.
Likewise, on the third day, Jesus’ dead and lifeless body came to life again. Lungs that had no breath in them were full of breath. The heart that was not beating, beat again. The brain that had no activity began to work again.
This is the power that God works toward us and in us through His Holy Spirit. If we are His child, God has given us new life. We were dead in our trespasses and sins and God made us alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5). We were not drowning in the ocean in need of life support, we were dead on the ocean floor and God came and rescued us.
The power that changed our heart from stone to flesh is the same power that is conforming us into the image of Christ. That sin we struggle with can be defeated because of the immeasurable greatness of God’s power.
The Discrimination of God’s Power
The power Paul describes for us is only for God’s children, for Christians. If you are outside of Christ then this power has nothing to offer you. It is not for you.
The good news is that because Christ came and redeemed sinners like you and me, this power can be ours in Him. Apart from Christ, you are spiritually dead in your sins and without hope of ever pleasing God on your own. The action for you from this sermon is to repent of your sin, turn from it, and believe that Jesus is the only way of salvation and to God.
If you are a Christian, these two verses are incredibly good news for you. Rest in these truths. Love the truth that God wants us to know the immeasurable greatness of His resurrecting power that He words toward us. Make this passage personal. God works this power for your good.
Make it personal, then worship our great God for the work He has done in raising Christ from the dead! Do this and be in a loving relationship with your creator.