April 14, 2020

Ephesian 1:19-23


Rachel Workman: 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Even Dr's who are trained in science give credit to a Christian's faith, when it comes to healing verses a non believer.

We Christians need power for several reasons. To begin with, by nature we are too weak to appreciate and appropriate this wealth we have in Christ, and to use it as it should be used. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). To turn this vast spiritual wealth over to a mere human being, living by human wisdom and strength, would be like handing an atomic bomb to a two-year-old.

The enemy wants to rob us of the power we have in Christ. We could never defeat this spiritual warfare on our own. With the Spirit's power we can.
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Mike Grimm:  19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength The world fears the power of something as tiny and invisible, as that of an atom, yet we belong to the God of the universe who not only created that atomic power but also raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God's “incomparably great power" is available to help us all. There is nothing too difficult for Him. However, it may require patience and faith on our part. 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, Having been raised from the dead, Christ is now the head of the church, the ultimate authority over the world. Jesus is the Messiah. God's Annointed One, the One Israel longed for, the one who would set their broken world right. As Christian's we can be confident that God has won the final victory and is in control of everything. We need not fear any dictator, nation, New World Order, or even death or Satan himself. 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. “Fullness" refers to Christ filling the church with gifts and blessings. The church should be the full expression of Christ, who himself fills everything. When reading Ephesians, it is important to remember that it was written primarily to the entire church, not merely to an individual. Christ is the head and we are the body of His church. The current COVID-19 outbreak drives home the fact that the church Is not a physical structure, or a place to gather for worship. The image of the body shows The church's unity. Each member is involved with all the others as they go about doing Christ's work on earth. Recent events have taught me that we should not attempt to work, serve, or worship merely on our own. We need the entire body.
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John Burnett:  15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] 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,   This is a great prayer.  Here is another passage that shows that salvation comes from God’s grace alone.  God gives us the Holy Spirit, the knowledge, and a new heart that can see how sinful we really are and how much we need Jesus as our Savior.  God opens our eyes, grants us repentance, and we are adopted sons and daughters and we have hope in His inheritance as we are also co-heirs with Christ.

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.  Christ is sitting at the right hand of the God the Father and will return soon to rule with all power, authority, and dominion.  When Christ returns the church age will be over and He will reign over His millennial Kingdom.  Those of us who are His Saints will return to reign with Him.  This is what make His grace some amazing.  He died for every sin we commit and because of His righteousness imputed to us, we get to inherit His Kingdom.  Come quickly Lord Jesus.
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Tomorrow’s reading for Ephesian 2:1-3.
2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

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