The Book of Ephesians.

Chapter 1.

(Verse by verse study.)

 Un-edited

By Pastor Nick Bibile

 

Eph 1:19 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.

 

Remember Apostle Paul was speaking to the church at the beginning the greatness of our salvation grounded according to God’s election through eternity but accomplished in our time by the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Then he prayed for the church of Ephesians asking that they may fully grounded in the God’s truth. Now he is showing them the greatness of his power in salvation.

 

Many Christians today have little appreciation of the history of the Christian church. The life of Martin Luther the reformer marked a great significance to return to the Bible from the corruption of Roman Catholicism. He gave glory to God by writing a hymn based on Psalm 46:1 and the hymn is called, ‘a mighty fortress is our God.’ It was the mighty power of God that initiated the reformation.

 

But isn’t it sad that the majority of the evangelical church had already gone back to have unity with Roman Catholicism.

 

Am 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 

The church is more interested in their programs and what they do than the true gospel. Without the true gospel the church is powerless. (The power of God unto salvation, Rom 1:16) Yes, there are mega churches packed with people but the church has not converted the worldly people into Christianity but the world has won the church and converted the church to idolatry.

 

We are going to see the power of God in Salvation. Verse 19 begins with and, and is the continuation where we stopped before. We saw before how God has given the believers the spirit of wisdom and knowledge and we see this knowledge from our hearts, we saw the rich and the glorious inheritance. If we do have all the desired things of this world where will our desire for Christ?  Then if we do not have all the things the desires of this world, I am thoroughly satisfied with the Lord.

Ps 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

 

 God has given us the fullness of his grace, his wisdom and knowledge to and enlightened our hearts to understand. And all this comes not from us but from the power of God.

 

This topic of God’s power flows all the way to Ephesians Chapter two. So this is going to be continued in weeks to come.

 

Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

 

We here on earth see the power of man. In this scientific age we see man that man is capable of sending humans to Mars. We see the power of man in war, we see the power of man in science and we see the power of man in high standard of living on hi tech, computers. Man is looking for more and more of pleasure seeking gadgets and Bible is out of place for the modern man as we are living in high tech and a different society.

 

When we see the power of man in modern technology, the world see God as a myth and his powers are more like ancient stories.

 

So man in his pride of knowledge and power has reduced God to nothing. At the same time the fallen man is destroying himself with the power of modern technology. Man does not understand that one day God with his power is going to destroy all the kingdoms of man to dust, those who mock God, make fun of God and play religious games with God will be tormented in hell for eternity.

 

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

Now the power of God can be seen in Creation. Man need raw materials to create anything. Man needs money, labor, and materials to create anything. But in Creation we see God created the heavens and the earth with nothing by his spoken word. When you see Niagara Falls, Himalayas covered with snow, rivers like Danube and Mississippi, the sunrise and sun set the stars in the universe and the earth we see the unlimited power of God.

 

But the exceeding power of his salvation is even greater than his Creation. I want to stay within the boundaries the context of the subject that is the power of God in Salvation.

 

We saw this power of God in effectual calling last week. This power was manifested when we were transformed from children of devil to the children of God, from hell to heaven.

 

These are the treasures that are revealed to us in the gospel. Paul is showing to the church the deep sense of God’s divine grace for unworthy miserable sinners like us was brought to life by the power of God. Regeneration is not just an ordinary work of God but the amazing exhibition of his power.

 

If you observer Eph 1:19 carefully in Greek, this is what is says in Greek.

 

And what the excelling greatness of the power of him (GK- dynamis) toward us the ones believing according to the operations (GK-energeia) of the might of the strength of him. (GK – kratos)

 

You will see a synonym, meaning the same meaning given to describe the power of God.

 

The word dynamis or dunamis is the capable, potential power.

The word energeia is the operating power at work.

The word kratos is strength, significance force of strength.

 

Apostle Paul uses all these mighty Greek words for our salvation.

 

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

 

God raised man who was dead in his sins to spiritual life. There was a new creation in man, taking away the stony heart, enmity towards God slain a new heart is given, no one can change the nature of a man but God can this is by the exceeding power of God.

 

This exceeding power of God is his own natural and infinite power. It is mighty. It says, according to the working of his mighty power. It is a working power. There is nothing too hard for God.

 

Ge 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

 

Ps 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

 

But it is very sad to say today in general many churches in their doctrine they have limited the power of God when it comes to salvation. God is brought to the level of man. We need to be very careful as there are many who will use scriptures and also they use human reason or experience, emotion and even new revelations and they add to the true doctrines of God.

 

Do you believe salvation is determined ultimately by the will of God or by the will of man? Human wisdom and human reason is a false foundation for theology as salvation is only by the power of God alone. Do not rely on personal experience or emotions because emotions can deceive us and have led sincere men to deny the fundamental biblical doctrines.

 

Mt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

 

In short there are three words that we need to understand.

  1. Power. 2. Strength. 3. Working.

 

What will happen the whole nation is out of power for weeks?

Then we will have no strength to do anything.

The result is we cannot perform, work.

 

Look at you who are believers in Christ Jesus. The Bible say before you became a Christian, you were ungodly, powerless, and weak without strength.

 

Ro 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

You had physical strength and you used all that physical strength for your flesh, the devil used you. You loved the worldly movies, worldly songs, Hollywood was your god, you knew everything what was going on with the so-called stars of Hollywood. You loved your worldly friends and their company, you loved your beer, and your sports were your god. You loved the latest fashions of the world; you were tuned to the world. Your goals were happiness on earth.

 

But spiritually you were dead, you did not even try to read, study and pray. Why? You did not have the spiritual strength; you were weak without strength for God.

 

But there was a transformation, this transformation happened by the by the mighty power of God. Nothing that you had or you deserve. God created heavens and earth by his word. He spoke the word and it came to being. In the same way God’s effectual call is so powerful. Just like he called Lazarus out of the tomb, he called your name. You could not resist the power of God.

 

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

Just like the children of Israel when they were powerless in Egypt, which is a symbol for the world, serving Pharaoh as slaves which is a symbol for Satan, God called them out of Egypt, Pharaoh tried to stop God’s calling, like Satan tried to stop your calling but the power of God was stronger than the power of Satan, God brought them out of Egypt but Pharaoh and his armies came behind the Israelites came to the red sea and they looked back they were cornered the enemy was at their backs, looked like Satan had victory not so when God with his mighty power did a miracle by opening the red sea, the sea stood like a wall of glass while the water dried up and the children of Israel walked in dried sand to the other side. The enemy came behind but God drowned them all and they died while the Israelites were delivered from the power of Satan from the darkness of Egypt to God.

 

De 6:21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, we were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

 

Remember when Martin Luther was brought before the authorities of Roman church he was alone. May be he remembered what happened to John Hus who wanted to bring the Bible back to the ordinary people. Roman Church burned John Hus alive. Now Luther is brought to the same court. Many thought that Luther would be burned alive like John Hus. This was Luther’s prayer. (Please note the honesty of Luther)

 

“O almighty and everlasting God! How terrible is this world! Behold it opens its mouth to swallow me up, and I have so little trust in you! How weak is the flesh, and Satan so strong! If it is only in the strength of this world that I must put my trust, all is lost! My last hour has come, my condemnation has been pronounced!

 

O God! O God! Help me against all wisdom of the world. Do this. You should do this, you alone for this is not my work but yours. I am ready to lay down my life for your truth. For it is the cause of justice. It is yours! I will never separate from you, neither now nor eternity!

 

And though the world should be filled with devils, though my body, which is still the work of your hands, should be slain, be stretched upon the pavement, be cut in pieces, reduced to ashes. My soul is yours! Yes! Your word is my assurance of it. My soul belongs to you! It will live forever with you forever with you. Amen! O God! Help me! Amen.”

 

 Apostle Paul displays this mighty power of God in Christ’s resurrection.

 

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.

 

Which we shall continue next week.

 

In closing I would like to say Christianity is not just head knowledge or a philosophy or a religion with rituals. Some Christians think by knowing the truth they have it all. May be there were people like that in the church of Ephesians but the Apostle was not satisfied, this should not satisfy either. Sound doctrine shows the doctrinal knowledge of God; it is given so we might know God better. But it is also the power of God, without the power of God not one person can become a Christian. It is the power from the beginning of our salvation to the end of our life on this earth. That this power had brought us from death to life, this power gives us to live the godly life on this earth. Yes, it gives this power gives us the strength. And it works.

 

Remember the three Greek words used in this scripture.

 

Dunamis is the capable, potential power.

Energeia is the operating power at work.

Kratos is strength, significance force of strength.

 

 

  1. Power. 2. Strength. 3. Working.

 

1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

 

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