God's Word, The Path to Life: Power 11-15-2020

We hear a lot about power in our heavily politicized culture today, don’t we?  In some contexts you hear people talk about “green power,” or “clean power;” or even “dirty power.”  At other times it is a more personal sorts:  The power of one gender over another, or one race over another; or even who holds the power in a relationship.  It seems that many are only now becoming aware of the way power – of almost any sorts – is both integral, and crucial to the way our world functions!

 

You may be interested to know that the biblical authors, living under the power of Roman domination, wrote often of power;

 

In the Old Testament, we read that:

• God created the heavens and the earth, by the power of his voice at work through the Spirit of God
• God’s power at work in and through Moses freed God’s people from Egypt, and led them through the desert to take the Promised Land
• God’s power punished sin and rewarded faithfulness
• God’s power ultimately brought forth his son, Jesus, through the miraculous virgin birth.

 

God’s power has been central to every story in the Bible; His power, exercised through our faith, makes it happen!

 

In all walks of life, power is always an issue – especially in the spiritual area of life!

Paul speaks again of power in his letter to the Ephesian church:  Ephesians 1:18-23

 

We are taught here that God’s power is an overwhelming force that gives light, and life.

 

In our passage, Paul states that he wants those in the early church to truly understand just how powerful and mighty God is, and how that same power is available to them, simply because they follow Jesus!

• He prays that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (v.18)
• He says that the greatness of God’s power through Jesus can give hope, and help us experience the riches of God (v.119)
• He says that God’s great power not only brought back Jesus from the dead; that same power established that resurrected Christ above all powers and authorities, both now and forever. (v.21-23).

 

This is much more than preacher talk – this is an opportunity to live your life differently, with access to God’s power every day.  God can strengthen and encourage you, change situations, and even bring good out of terrible situations!

 

God’s power is released to work in our lives through our faith in Jesus.

 

In our passage, Paul mentions in v.18 the “glorious inheritance” God has given to us; some scholars say this refers to our eternal life; is partly true, and we are taught that in other passages. But here I think what God wants us to grasp is our access to God’s power through faith – that it is a powerful and life-changing, inheritance that we have in Jesus.

 

Significantly, this is focused through the work of the church: “And he put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (vv.22-23)

 

God’s power, focused through the Church, is the way by which God normally works:  The Church shares the Gospel, and we respond for salvation; The Church teaches us biblical truth, and God changes our lives through our faith; and The Church makes an impact upon society, as it teaches and leads its people to serve others, share the Gospel, and help those in need.

 

Here are some ideas about God’s Power:

 

1. No limits (Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  God had enabled Paul to survive challenges to his work and his life, and gave him the ability to be a part of a life-changing movement of God!  God did this as he urged him on, encouraged and lifted him up, and gave him a greater purpose in life.
2. Power over our fears and weaknesses (II Timothy 1:7) “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  God’s power can help us “keep it together,” in difficult situations, and face down our fears, and those people and situations that would intimidate us and keep us down.
3. Power to transform life (Philippians 3:20-21) “The Lord Jesus Christ will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that he has even to subject all things to Himself.”  We are often weak, and frail, or unwilling!  God works to influence us; He works to encourage is in His ways and thoughts; He strengthens our wills, and enhances our abilities.  Too, he give us joy in life, and enables us to see beyond the current troubles, to the life that is beyond now

 

“The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not become weary or tired . . .   He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31

 

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Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.