The Power of Christ for You

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that ye may know … the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 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 1:15-20)

            Theologian R.C. Sproul once related a memorable exchange between the German reformers Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. Luther was despairing of the Reformation in Germany, for even though he preached the gospel of grace in Christ, many Germans were clinging to Roman Catholic relics (such as “pieces of the true cross”). Martin wondered aloud why those who had heard the doctrines of grace preached plainly to them for the first time would be so interested in dead relics.

          “Martin,” Melanchthon said, “the people are holding to these relics because they want contact with Heavenly power, and they think they will get this power through the trinkets.”

          Five hundred years and thousands of miles away, the same thing can be said of you and me today in Leakesville. We hear the gospel of God’s grace preached to us every week, yet we’re still fascinated with guardian angels and with prayer bracelets and with New Age gurus.

          You and I want access to Heavenly power.

          We just don’t recognize that power from Heaven is ours for the asking – but only in the Name of Jesus Christ.

          Last time, as we examined the first section of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in chapter one, we noted that while it is fine to pray for healing and for material concerns, we ought to follow the apostle’s pattern in praying for spiritual growth above all things. This morning, as we concentrate on Ephesians 1:19-23, we spend extra time considering Paul’s prayer that the Ephesian believers grow in their knowledge (personal appropriation of) the power of God in Christ. Specifically, Paul prays that the Ephesians would grow in their knowledge of God’s power in raising Christ from the dead; in exalting Christ; and in providing for the church through Christ.

          As you and I make Paul’s prayer our prayer, may we too look to Christ the Victor for our power in living the Christian life. Indeed, it is futile to look anywhere else.

          Paul first prays that the Ephesians would grow in their knowledge of the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead.

          There is a vital link in this passage between Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and your faith in him as your Savior. The pivotal word here is “dead;” it links you and the Lord Jesus. You and I, while we ultimately suffer physical death (if Christ does not return beforehand), are born into this world spiritually dead, unable to move toward God even an inch. Jesus, of course, was not born spiritually dead, but he did “die once unto sin” as he bore the sins of the faithful on the cross. The glorious news of the gospel is that death did not hold Jesus captive forever: the third day he rose again, defeating the last enemy.

          Interestingly, Paul says the same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is operative in you and me who believe in him. In fact, God has raised you from the dead – from spiritual deadness and hopelessness, that is!

          Do you sometimes doubt the reality that Jesus lives? If so, look at your own faith in him as Savior. Look around the church today; look around the world at others who know Jesus as their Redeemer. If Jesus were still in the tomb, you and I would not be here today. Lives would not have been transformed. There would be no persecuted Christians in North Korea, no hopeful believers on their deathbeds in Greene County.

          But we are here praising our Savior, and we are proof that the same power of God that raised Jesus has raised you and me from spiritual death – and will raise us in him at the Last Day.

          Jesus alone is Victor. Only he, St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, defeated the last enemy, death. I wonder, then, why you and I look for power and for strength for Christian living from inferior sources?

          When evaluating a potential employee, employers always look at the candidate’s past record and ask, “What has he accomplished that sets him apart from the other applicants? Can he do the job?” I even ask that question when choosing which over-the-counter medications or tailors or plumbers to employ.

          If you’re struggling with fear of someone or thing, if you’re battling a persistent sin, if you’re facing troubles at work or at home, there is only One who is qualified to help you: the Victor, Jesus Christ. Not even Hell or death could defeat him.

          Paul prays secondly that believers would know the power of God in exalting Christ to His right hand in Heaven.

          In Scripture, Christ’s humiliation – his coming to earth in low estate, his obedience, his passion, his death – always is followed by his exaltation. This is true in the Gospel records, in the Acts account of his ascension, in Hebrews, and in Stephen’s vision of Christ at the time of the deacon’s martyrdom. These Scriptures tell us that Jesus ascended to the right hand of God in Heaven, having completed his redeeming mission on earth and thus being invested with “all authority in Heaven and on earth” (St. Matthew 28). Jesus’ obedience resulted in his victory and, therefore, in his exaltation in Heaven.

          Now, you and I speak colloquially of a “right-hand man,” and we say every week in the creed that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, but what does this mean? For Christ to be seated or standing (he is described as doing both; the difference is not important, really) at the Father’s right hand means that he has authority with the Father over all things in space, time and history. There is nothing superior to his lordship. It means also that Jesus has all power in Heaven and on earth: there is nothing he cannot accomplish. And for Jesus to be at the Father’s right hand gives an honor to the Savior that is unique: he is exalted above everyone and all things forever.

          For your Redeemer to be at the Father’s right hand in Heaven, then, means that you have access to the God of all power, who is greater than all and worthy of your total worship.

          Note to whom Paul says Jesus is superior: to the angelic beings, to all names and persons throughout eternity, to his enemies, and to the church as her Head. When the apostle writes that our ascended Lord is exalted in Heaven above all principalities, powers, dominions and authorities, he is using biblical language that refers to the angelic beings. But when Paul goes on to say Jesus is greater than every name that is or will be named, he includes such people as Mohammed, Buddha, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, the world’s great athletes, the world’s richest people – everyone. You and I are mesmerized easily by glitz and by power; Christ is superior to them all. And when Paul says the Father has put all things under Jesus’ feet, he not only echoes Psalm 8 – that Jesus exercises perfect dominion over the creation – but also Psalm 110: Jesus, David’s greater Son, has conquered all his enemies. This means that neither cancer nor the strength of sin is mightier than Christ, who is your Savior.

          We will explore Jesus’ headship over his church in a moment. For now, examine your own heart and life: what (or who) are your struggles, fears, enemies? For help in overcoming addictions or in putting off unholy desires, to whom do you turn for help? Do you place all hope in your doctor or even in your pastor?

          There is only One Name that is exalted above every other. Do not settle for anything less!

          Paul prays thirdly that believers would grow in the knowledge of God’s power to provide for the church through Christ, His Son.

          The victorious and exalted Lord Jesus also is the Head of his body, the church, and the apostle says Jesus fills us with his fullness. When Paul writes of the church as the body of Christ here in Ephesians 1, he not only means the body as a connected, organic reality; he also means you and I live in Christ and he in us. Our very life is derived from Jesus, who fills us completely.

          Jesus fills “all in all.” Although this is difficult Greek, Paul intends that Christ is Lord of all things, even when you and I (this side of Heaven) wonder where he is. Jesus was Lord of all even on 9/11, permitting that great horror in the Father’s holy and mysterious will so that His good purposes might be fulfilled. As we have observed, Jesus is greater than all things: from terrorists to cancer to sin to death.

          This is incredibly good news for you who trust him as your Savior, especially because of a little preposition in verse 22: “to.” This same Jesus, who fills us with his presence and who fills the heavens and the earth with his authority, is Head over all things “to” – or for – the church. Jesus’ lordship, then, is not only for his glory; it is also for your good.

          How much more vigilant you and I need to be in prayer as we seek the Father through the Son’s Name! How comforting it is to know that the Lord of all is looking out for you and me in Leakesville, even when times seem difficult! He is feeding us in his Word, filling us with his presence, directing us by his Spirit of wisdom.

          Jesus’ exaltation is, finally, for his honor and for your blessing. After all, we serve the God of grace, who is always able and ready to help us in battle.

          Perhaps a compelling, and common, scene in the church today – and this scene might occur at your house too – is of a painting of an angel hanging over the door of a home that has been ravaged by sin. Husband and wife cannot stand each other; son and daughter revel in rebellion; life is in total disarray. Somehow, though, the family thinks that an angel somewhere might do something for them. And mom knows that if they just could do what the television psychologist told them to do, all would be well.

          You and I want power from on High. We want to turn from our old sins, grudges, attitudes; we want hope beyond the hospital and the funeral home.

          Look no further than the Victor, Jesus – your Savior. He already has conquered the last enemy and trampled the devil underfoot. He is over you.

Let us settle for no One less than Jesus!