Sermons on Ephesians 1:18-20
The various sermons below interpret Ephesians 1:18-20 by emphasizing the immense power of God that believers have access to, which is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. A common theme is the reframing of believers' perspectives on their challenges, encouraging them to see themselves as empowered rather than weak. This is illustrated through the story of David and Goliath, where the true underdog is seen as Goliath due to his underestimation of God's power. Another sermon highlights the Greek term "dunamis," underscoring the divine origin and effectiveness of this power, while another focuses on the idea that the entire Christian life is a result of God's power, challenging the notion that belief is merely a human decision. These interpretations collectively emphasize the transformative and empowering nature of God's power in the life of a believer.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their thematic focus and application. One sermon emphasizes the intentional sharing of the hope and power found in Jesus, encouraging believers to transform lives by sharing their experiences. Another sermon focuses on the theme of divine security and assurance, highlighting believers as heirs of God, protected from external forces. A different sermon challenges the perception of believers as underdogs, emphasizing the enemy's miscalculation of their power. Meanwhile, another sermon presents the theme that the entire Christian life, including the act of believing, is dependent on God's power, challenging the view of belief as a self-initiated act. Finally, a sermon introduces the theme of transformative grace, emphasizing regeneration and new creation as central to the Christian experience.
Ephesians 1:18-20 Interpretation:
Empowered by God: Overcoming Life's Giants (The Point) interprets Ephesians 1:18-20 by emphasizing the power of God that believers have access to, which is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. The sermon uses the story of David and Goliath to illustrate that believers are not underdogs when facing life's challenges because they have God's power within them. The pastor challenges the common perception of David as the underdog, suggesting instead that Goliath was the true underdog because he underestimated the power of God working through David. This interpretation reframes the believer's perspective on facing giants, encouraging them to see themselves as empowered by God's might rather than as weak or ill-equipped.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) interprets Ephesians 1:18-20 by emphasizing the power of God as the same power that raised Christ from the dead. The sermon highlights that this power is not dependent on human strength but is a divine force working within believers. The preacher uses the Greek term "dunamis" to describe this power, which is often translated as "mighty strength" or "miraculous power," underscoring its divine origin and effectiveness. The sermon also uses the analogy of an heir being let into family secrets to illustrate how believers are given insight into God's power and plans.
Recognizing the Power Within: Paul's Prayer for Believers (MLJTrust) interprets Ephesians 1:18-20 as emphasizing the power of God that is already at work in believers, rather than a prayer for more power. The sermon highlights that the Apostle Paul is praying for the Ephesians to recognize and understand this power, which is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. The sermon delves into the Greek term "according to" (????) and argues that it should be understood as "in consequence of" or "by virtue of," suggesting that the entire Christian life, from beginning to end, is a result of God's power. This interpretation challenges the notion that belief is a simple decision, emphasizing instead that even the act of believing is due to God's mighty power.
Ephesians 1:18-20 Theological Themes:
Living Intentionally: Sharing the Hope of Jesus (Center Point Community Church Naples FL) presents a theme of sharing the hope, security, and power found in Jesus with others. The sermon emphasizes that believers have received hope, a firm foundation, and incomparably great power through their faith in Christ. This power is the same as that which raised Jesus from the dead, and it is meant to be shared with others to transform lives. The sermon encourages believers to be intentional in their daily lives, sharing the story of Jesus and the transformative power they have experienced.
Empowered by God: Overcoming Life's Giants (The Point) introduces the theme that believers are not underdogs in their spiritual battles because they have access to God's power. The sermon challenges the perception of weakness and emphasizes that the true advantage of the believer is the enemy's miscalculation of their power. It encourages believers to see their giants as opportunities for God to display His liberating power, transforming their perspective from one of fear to one of boldness and courage.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) presents the theme of divine security and assurance. The sermon emphasizes that believers are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, which guarantees their inheritance and protection from any external forces. This theme is expanded by discussing how nothing, whether internal or external, can separate believers from the love and power of God. The sermon also introduces the idea that believers are given a foretaste of their inheritance through the Holy Spirit, which serves as a guarantee of their future glory.
Recognizing the Power Within: Paul's Prayer for Believers (MLJTrust) presents the theme that the entire Christian life, including the initial act of believing, is dependent on God's power. This perspective challenges the common view that belief is a simple, self-initiated act, emphasizing instead that it is a result of divine intervention and power.
Transformative Grace: Embracing God's Love and Power (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of regeneration and new creation as central to the Christian experience. The sermon emphasizes that Christianity is not merely about forgiveness and reconciliation but involves a profound transformation where believers become new creatures with a new disposition, outlook, and governing principle in life.
Ephesians 1:18-20 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing the cultural understanding of inheritance during biblical times. The sermon explains that an heir was often privy to family secrets and plans, which parallels how believers are given insight into God's power and purposes. This cultural norm is used to illustrate the intimate relationship between God and believers, emphasizing the security and assurance of their inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18-20 Cross-References in the Bible:
Living Intentionally: Sharing the Hope of Jesus (Center Point Community Church Naples FL) references Acts chapters 3 and 4, where Peter and John heal a man and proclaim the power of Jesus. The sermon uses these chapters to illustrate how the power of God works through believers to transform lives, just as it did through Peter and John. The sermon also references Revelation, where Jesus wipes away tears, to emphasize the complete healing and restoration that Jesus offers. These cross-references support the message that believers have received hope, security, and power through Christ, which they are called to share with others.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Ephesians 1:18-20. Matthew 6:19-20 is used to contrast earthly treasures with heavenly inheritance, emphasizing the security of the latter. John 10:28-29 is cited to highlight the assurance of eternal life and the impossibility of being plucked from God's hand. Romans 8:35-39 is referenced to affirm that nothing can separate believers from the love of God. 1 Peter 1:3-5 is used to describe the incorruptible and undefiled nature of the inheritance reserved in heaven for believers.
Recognizing the Power Within: Paul's Prayer for Believers (MLJTrust) references several passages to support the interpretation of "according to" as "in consequence of" or "by virtue of," including Ephesians 1:5, 1:7, 1:9, 1:11, 3:7, 3:11, 3:16, 3:20, Philippians 1:20, 3:21, 4:19, Colossians 1:11, 1:29, 2 Thessalonians 1:12, 2:9, 2 Timothy 1:18, Titus 1:3, Hebrews 2:4, 1 Peter 1:3, and 2 Peter 3:15. These references are used to demonstrate the consistent use of the term in Paul's writings, reinforcing the idea that the Christian life is a result of God's power.
Transformative Grace: Embracing God's Love and Power (MLJTrust) references Galatians 2:20 to illustrate the concept of new life in Christ, emphasizing that believers are crucified with Christ and now live by faith in the Son of God. This passage is used to support the idea of regeneration and the transformative power of God's grace.
Ephesians 1:18-20 Christian References outside the Bible:
Living Intentionally: Sharing the Hope of Jesus (Center Point Community Church Naples FL) references James, describing every good and perfect gift as coming from God. This reference is used to emphasize that all blessings and good things in life are a result of God's grace, reinforcing the message that believers should share the story of Jesus and His transformative power with others.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) references a hymn that speaks of the amazing love of God and the honor of being called sons of God. The hymn is used to illustrate the concept of believers being let into divine secrets and the world being unaware of this honor. The sermon also mentions an old preacher's exposition on the phrase "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," emphasizing the relational aspect of God as a Father who is unlike any earthly father.
Recognizing the Power Within: Paul's Prayer for Believers (MLJTrust) references the Grim-Fa lexicon to provide an authoritative interpretation of the Greek term "according to" (????), supporting the argument that it should be understood as "in consequence of" or "by virtue of." This reference is used to bolster the sermon's interpretation of Ephesians 1:18-20 as emphasizing the power of God in the entire Christian life.
Ephesians 1:18-20 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Empowered by God: Overcoming Life's Giants (The Point) uses the story of David and Goliath as an analogy for facing life's challenges. The sermon reframes the story by suggesting that David was not the underdog because he had God's power, and it uses this perspective to encourage believers to see themselves as empowered rather than weak. The sermon also references popular culture's love for underdog stories, such as "Rudy" and "Happy Gilmore," to illustrate how people often perceive themselves as underdogs but are actually empowered by God.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) uses the analogy of a solid block of wood that appears sturdy but is actually hollowed out by dry rot or worms. This illustration is used to describe the deceptive nature of earthly treasures, which can decay and collapse unexpectedly, in contrast to the secure and incorruptible inheritance in heaven.
Transformative Grace: Embracing God's Love and Power (MLJTrust) uses the analogy of the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, as taught by Jesus, to illustrate God's care and concern for individuals. This analogy is used to emphasize the personal nature of God's love and the assurance that believers can have in His provision and power.