Sermons on Ephesians 1:19-20

Ephesians 1:19-20 Interpretation:

Understanding Spiritual Authority and the Power of the Gospel (Elan Church) offers a unique analogy between power and authority, using the image of a small crossing guard with a stop sign halting a powerful truck to illustrate that while Satan may have power, Christians have authority through Christ. The sermon emphasizes that the Greek word for power in Ephesians 1:19-20 (dunamis) is not just potential but active, resurrection power, and that this authority is only effective when believers remain under Christ’s authority. The preacher uses a nightclub bouncer story to further clarify that access (authority) is not about personal strength but about who you are with—believers have access because they are “with Jesus.” The distinction between omnipresence and manifest presence is also highlighted, arguing that the manifest presence (and thus power) of God is conditional on obedience and submission to Christ’s authority, not just God’s general presence everywhere.

Faithfulness: Unlocking God's Power in Our Lives (Trinity Dallas) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 through the lens of the kingdom of God, drawing a sweeping biblical narrative from Eden to Revelation. The sermon uniquely frames believers as “mobile tabernacles” carrying the same power that raised Christ from the dead, emphasizing that the church is the instrument but not the sum total of the kingdom. The preacher draws on the Hebrew word emunah, noting that in the Old Testament, “faith” and “faithfulness” are the same word, and thus the power described in Ephesians is accessed not by emotional highs or perfect belief, but by persistent, faithful presence and obedience, even in weakness or doubt.

Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) provides a detailed linguistic analysis, distinguishing between the Greek words oida (intellectual knowledge) and gnosis (experiential, intimate knowledge), arguing that Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:19-20 is for believers to move from knowing about God to experiencing his resurrection power personally. The sermon also highlights the Greek word dunamis for power, connecting it to the English word “dynamite,” and stresses that this power is not abstract but is to be subjectively experienced in the believer’s life, especially as resurrection power that transforms and enables forgiveness, endurance, and victory over sin.

Living in the Hope of Christ's Resurrection (First Baptist Church of Granbury) offers a fresh linguistic and agricultural analogy by exploring the Old Testament Hebrew words for hope (yakal and qavah), describing hope as both patient waiting and tension-filled anticipation, like a farmer waiting for crops to burst forth. The sermon then connects this to the Greek word elpis in Ephesians, showing that hope is not wishful thinking but a certainty rooted in God’s past actions and the resurrection power described in Ephesians 1:19-20. The preacher uniquely frames the church as God’s “glorious inheritance,” and the power at work in believers as the same power that raised Christ, meant to motivate and sustain Christians through hardship.

Living from Encounter: Embracing God's Personal Purpose (Northgate Church) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 by focusing on the “immeasurable greatness” of God’s power as both personal and purposeful. The preacher uses the metaphor of God “knitting” together the circumstances of a believer’s life, drawing on the etymology of the Greek word for “purpose” (prothesis) and its connection to the showbread in the Holy of Holies, to illustrate that God’s resurrection power is not just abstract but is actively crafting each believer’s story toward a prophetic end. The sermon also emphasizes that God’s power is “dunamis”—explosive, beyond human ability, and only accessed when believers step out of their comfort zones.

Strength in Spiritual Warfare: Embracing God's Purpose (Duane Sheriff Ministries) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 as a timeless, anointed prayer for believers to have their eyes opened to the reality of the resurrection power already at work in them. The preacher stresses that this is not a power to be sought after but a reality to be recognized and prayed into daily, for oneself and others, so that believers may know their calling, inheritance, and the same power that raised Christ is quickening their mortal bodies now. The sermon uniquely frames Paul’s prayer as “timeless,” still as potent for the church today as when first prayed, and encourages believers to pray it over themselves and others as a means of spiritual awakening.

Resurrection Power: Discovering Purpose and Hope in Christ (Pastor Rick) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 as a declaration that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead is available to believers for their daily struggles and challenges. Pastor Rick uses the analogy of electrical appliances (toaster, vacuum, microwave) that are useless unless plugged into a power source, paralleling how Christians cannot fulfill their purpose unless they are "plugged into" God's resurrection power. He also distinguishes between resuscitation and resurrection, emphasizing that only God can bring true resurrection to areas of life that are dead or dying, not just revive what is weak. This interpretation is notable for its practical, everyday application and the vivid metaphor of being "plugged in" to divine power.

Embracing Resurrection: Hope and Transformation in Christ (Pastor Rick) offers a unique three-day framework (Friday: fear and pain, Saturday: confusion and grief, Sunday: freedom and joy) to interpret the resurrection and its power. He applies Ephesians 1:19-20 by urging believers to rely on the same resurrection power that raised Christ, not just for future resurrection but for transformation in present circumstances. The sermon uses the metaphor of "new management" for making Jesus Lord, and stresses that resurrection power is not about self-help or willpower, but about a supernatural empowerment for change and endurance.

Transformative Power of Paul's Prayers in Our Lives (Open the Bible) provides a detailed linguistic and structural analysis of Ephesians 1:19-20, highlighting the threefold repetition of "what" in Paul's prayer and focusing on the Greek phrase for "immeasurable greatness of his power." The sermon uniquely frames the passage as a model for prayer, emphasizing that Paul wants believers to experience the hope, love, and power of Christ in their daily lives. The preacher notes the ambiguity in the Greek regarding "inheritance," and how both possible meanings (believers as God's inheritance and as recipients of inheritance) enrich the understanding of God's love and power.

Transformed by Grace: Understanding Salvation in Christ (MLJTrust) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 as a profound statement about the necessity and sufficiency of God's power in salvation. The preacher, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, stresses that nothing less than the power that raised Christ from the dead could save sinners, and that this power is already at work in believers. He draws out the argument that understanding the depth of sin is essential to appreciating the magnitude of this power, and that the Christian life is marked by wonder and praise precisely because of this realization.

Union with Christ: Victory Over Sin and New Life (MLJTrust) offers a highly theological and objective interpretation, focusing on the believer's union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Ephesians 1:19-20 is not about a subjective experience but an objective fact: the same power that raised Christ has already transferred believers from the realm of sin to the realm of grace. He uses the analogy of burial as the final proof of death, and resurrection as entry into a new realm, emphasizing that this is a present reality for all Christians, not a future hope or a second-stage experience.

Empowered Living: Unleashing God's Transformative Power (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique linguistic insight by focusing on the Greek word "dunamis" for "power" in Ephesians 1:19, connecting it to the English word "dynamite" and the Spanish "poder," emphasizing the explosive, enabling nature of God's power. The sermon draws out that this power is not just abstract but is the actual ability to do what we cannot do on our own, and it is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, now available to believers. The preacher uses the analogy of controlled power—like a bullet or a nuclear reactor—to illustrate that God's power in us is not meant to be chaotic or destructive but is to be channeled for godly living, self-control, and transformation, distinguishing it from mere emotional or uncontrolled force.

Embracing Christ's Supremacy and Ongoing Work (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 by highlighting the metaphor of the "eyes of your heart" being enlightened, explaining that the heart in biblical language is the epicenter of human existence, involving intellect, emotion, and will. Begg uniquely unpacks the theological concept of the "session of Christ" (from the Latin for "to sit"), explaining that Christ's being seated at God's right hand is not about rest but about ruling and exercising jurisdiction over the universe. He uses the analogy of a courtroom "in session" to help listeners grasp the ongoing, active reign of Christ, and connects this to the believer's security and the church's identity, emphasizing that Christ's power is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that galvanizes and secures believers.

Living in the Power of the Resurrection (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive perspective by contrasting the disciples' initial unbelief and hiding after Christ's death with the transformative revelation of the resurrection. The preacher uses the metaphor of "living on the side of the resurrection" rather than the cross, and the analogy of a gift under the Christmas tree that must be unwrapped to be enjoyed, to illustrate that many believers fail to access the resurrection power already available to them. The sermon also employs the image of being "in the gospel boat but never going below deck" to suggest that many Christians only experience the surface of God's kingdom, missing the deeper reality of Christ's indwelling power.

Unlocking the Divine Power Within Believers (Tony Evans) introduces the metaphor of the Holy Spirit as a "personal generator" within believers, likening the Spirit's empowering presence to a built-in power plant that must be recognized and utilized. This analogy emphasizes the immediacy and availability of resurrection power for daily Christian living, not as something to be sought externally but as an internal resource already present in every believer.

Living in the Power of Christ's Resurrection (SermonIndex.net) interprets Ephesians 1:19-20 as a call to experience, not just intellectually assent to, the resurrection power of Christ in the believer’s daily life. The sermon uniquely emphasizes that the “surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe” is not a distant theological concept but a present, transformative force that enables victory over sin, freedom from condemnation, and spiritual authority over evil. The preacher draws attention to the superlative language Paul uses (“surpassing greatness,” “strength of his might”) to stress the magnitude of this power, and he uses the analogy of being “seated in the heavenly places” as a present reality, not just a future hope. The sermon also distinguishes between having the “form” of resurrection (mere outward observance or knowledge) and the “power” of resurrection (actual transformation and spiritual vitality), warning against a Christianity that is content with the former. The preacher does not delve into Greek or Hebrew linguistics but does highlight the repeated, emphatic language of power in the passage as a deliberate rhetorical device to awaken believers to the reality of what is available to them.

Unity in Christ: The Church's Vital Role (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation by focusing on the corporate dimension of Ephesians 1:19-20. The sermon asserts that the resurrection power described is not only for individual believers but is fundamentally directed toward the church as Christ’s body. The preacher notes the Greek construction in verse 22, explaining that Christ is given “as head over all things for the good of the church,” and that the church is the “fullness” or completion of Christ on earth. This interpretation moves beyond the individualistic reading and frames the passage as a revelation of the church’s exalted status and essential role in manifesting Christ’s power and presence. The preacher uses the metaphor of the head and body to illustrate the mutual completion between Christ and the church, arguing that Christ has chosen to limit his earthly work to what is accomplished through his body, the church. This is a notable expansion of the passage’s meaning, emphasizing ecclesiology and the oneness of Christ and his people.

Ephesians 1:19-20 Theological Themes:

Understanding Spiritual Authority and the Power of the Gospel (Elan Church) introduces the distinct theme that spiritual authority is only effective when believers remain under Christ’s authority, and that the manifest presence (and thus power) of God is conditional on obedience, not just on God’s omnipresence. The sermon also explores the idea that the only authority Satan has is what believers relinquish, making the exercise of authority a daily spiritual responsibility.

Faithfulness: Unlocking God's Power in Our Lives (Trinity Dallas) presents the theme that the power of God described in Ephesians 1:19-20 is not reserved for spiritual elites but is available to all believers as “mobile tabernacles,” and that faithfulness (emunah) rather than emotional certainty is the biblical key to accessing resurrection power. The sermon also develops the idea that the church is the instrument of the kingdom, but the kingdom’s power operates far beyond church walls, wherever believers are sent.

Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) develops the theme that true knowledge of God is experiential and transformative, not merely intellectual, and that the resurrection power of Christ is meant to be subjectively experienced in the believer’s daily life, enabling victory, forgiveness, and mission.

Living in the Hope of Christ's Resurrection (First Baptist Church of Granbury) adds the theme that hope, as described in Ephesians 1:19-20, is not wishful thinking but a certainty rooted in God’s past faithfulness and the resurrection, and that the church is God’s “glorious inheritance,” which is both a source of motivation and a call to live as salt and light in the world.

Living from Encounter: Embracing God's Personal Purpose (Northgate Church) introduces the theme that God’s resurrection power is both personal and purposeful, actively “knitting” together the details of each believer’s life toward a prophetic end, and that stepping into this power requires moving beyond comfort and embracing the unknown.

Strength in Spiritual Warfare: Embracing God's Purpose (Duane Sheriff Ministries) presents the theme that Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:19-20 is a “timeless” spiritual resource, meant to be prayed over oneself and others to awaken to the reality of God’s power, love, and calling, and that spiritual warfare is fundamentally about not being separated from God’s love and power.

Resurrection Power: Discovering Purpose and Hope in Christ (Pastor Rick) introduces the theme that resurrection power is not just for the afterlife but is available for the "resurrection" of broken areas in believers' present lives—marriages, careers, dreams, motivation, and relationships. He distinguishes between human resuscitation and divine resurrection, arguing that only God's power can bring true new life where there is death, not just temporary revival.

Embracing Resurrection: Hope and Transformation in Christ (Pastor Rick) adds the theme of the resurrection as a model for navigating life's darkest days, with the power of Christ's resurrection enabling believers to move from fear and confusion to freedom and joy. The sermon also introduces the idea that making Jesus "Lord" is akin to putting one's life under "new management," a practical application of resurrection power to daily living.

Transformative Power of Paul's Prayers in Our Lives (Open the Bible) presents the theme that Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:19-20 is a template for Christian prayer, inviting believers to seek not just knowledge but experiential understanding of God's hope, love, and power. The sermon uniquely emphasizes the ambiguity in the Greek text regarding inheritance, suggesting a dual aspect of God's love and the believer's identity.

Transformed by Grace: Understanding Salvation in Christ (MLJTrust) develops the theme that a true grasp of the depth of human sin is necessary to appreciate the greatness of God's resurrection power in salvation. The preacher argues that this understanding leads to genuine worship, love for God, and missionary zeal, as it reveals the utter necessity of divine intervention.

Union with Christ: Victory Over Sin and New Life (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the believer's objective union with Christ, asserting that the resurrection power described in Ephesians 1:19-20 has already transferred Christians into a new realm of existence. This is not a subjective or progressive experience but a definitive, once-for-all reality that shapes the believer's identity and freedom from sin.

Empowered Living: Unleashing God's Transformative Power (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that God's power is not merely for miraculous displays but is fundamentally for enabling believers to live godly, self-controlled, and transformed lives. The sermon insists that the surpassing greatness of God's power is designed to produce endurance, joy, and love in the face of weakness, and that denying this power (as in 2 Timothy 3:5) is tantamount to denying the possibility of a truly godly life. The preacher challenges the common Christian tendency to excuse sin by appealing to the old nature, arguing instead that the real issue is unbelief in the power available through Christ.

Embracing Christ's Supremacy and Ongoing Work (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) develops the theme of Christ's ongoing reign and authority, not just over the church but over all creation. Begg adds the facet that the believer's security and the church's identity are rooted in Christ's present, active rule, and that the resurrection power is not just a historical fact but the basis for Christian endurance, courage, and distinctiveness in a hostile world.

Living in the Power of the Resurrection (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the depth of a believer's experience of God's power is directly related to the depth of their faith and revelation of the resurrection. The preacher asserts that many Christians live as if the resurrection is a future event rather than a present reality, and that true transformation comes when believers "unwrap" and appropriate the power of the risen Christ in their daily lives.

Unlocking the Divine Power Within Believers (Tony Evans) adds the theme that the Holy Spirit's indwelling is the means by which believers are enabled to fulfill God's commands, and that ignorance or neglect of this internal power source results in spiritual impotence. The sermon stresses that the power needed for victorious Christian living is already present and must be consciously accessed and exercised.

Living in the Power of Christ's Resurrection (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the resurrection power of Christ is the antidote to both sin and spiritual defeat, and that true assurance of Christ’s resurrection is found in the believer’s ongoing experience of transformation—freedom from habitual sin, release from condemnation, and spiritual authority. The sermon adds the nuanced idea that the resurrection is not just a past event to be celebrated but a present, daily reality to be lived out, and that the lack of this power is the root of much nominal or powerless Christianity. The preacher also connects the resurrection power to practical tests: victory over sin, joyful Christian living (as opposed to burdensome legalism), continual surrender of ambitions, freedom from fear and condemnation, and reigning with Christ over spiritual opposition.

Unity in Christ: The Church's Vital Role (SermonIndex.net) presents the unusual theological theme that Christ’s resurrection and exaltation are not only for his own glory but are specifically for the benefit and elevation of the church. The sermon develops the idea that the church is not merely a recipient of Christ’s power but is the very means by which Christ’s presence and mission are expressed on earth. The preacher introduces the paradoxical notion that Christ, though all-sufficient, has chosen to be “completed” by the church, making the church the “fullness” of Christ. This theme is further developed with the analogy of the vine and branches, emphasizing that the fruit produced by the church is Christ’s own fruit, and that Christ’s ongoing mission and even his “afflictions” are completed through the church’s life and suffering. The sermon also explores the eschatological dimension that Christ will not be “satisfied” until every member of his body is gathered, giving a sense of holy urgency and purpose to the church’s mission.

Ephesians 1:19-20 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Faithfulness: Unlocking God's Power in Our Lives (Trinity Dallas) provides extensive historical context, tracing the biblical theme of the kingdom of God from Eden through Abraham, Israel, and Jesus, and explaining how the presence of God moved from the tabernacle to the church as “mobile tabernacles.” The sermon also references the Enlightenment’s impact on Western Christianity’s understanding of the supernatural, contrasting it with the more experiential worldview of Christians in places like India, where spiritual power and authority are more tangibly recognized.

Living in the Hope of Christ's Resurrection (First Baptist Church of Granbury) offers historical-linguistic context by explaining the Old Testament Hebrew words for hope (yakal and qavah), their agricultural and waiting connotations, and how the New Testament Greek word elpis builds on this tradition to express a certainty rooted in God’s past actions.

Living from Encounter: Embracing God's Personal Purpose (Northgate Church) provides historical context by connecting the Greek word for “purpose” (prothesis) to the showbread in the Holy of Holies, explaining its significance as a symbol of God’s provision and presence, and how this informs the understanding of God’s power and purpose in Ephesians 1:19-20.

Transformative Power of Paul's Prayers in Our Lives (Open the Bible) provides historical context by noting that Paul wrote Ephesians from prison, which underscores the authenticity and power of his prayers for hope, love, and power despite his own suffering. The sermon also situates Paul's prayers within the broader context of the early church, highlighting the unique perspective Paul had as a post-resurrection apostle who understood the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in Christ.

Transformed by Grace: Understanding Salvation in Christ (MLJTrust) offers contextual insight into the structure of Paul's epistles, explaining the relationship between doctrinal and practical sections, and how Ephesians 1:19-20 serves as a bridge between the grand theological statements of chapter 1 and the practical outworking in chapter 2. The preacher also discusses the cultural and religious divide between Jews and Gentiles, and how God's power overcame these barriers to create one new humanity in Christ.

Union with Christ: Victory Over Sin and New Life (MLJTrust) provides historical context by referencing the early church's understanding of union with Christ, and how Paul's teaching in Ephesians 1:19-20 would have been received as a radical declaration of the believer's new status. The sermon also references the doctrine of the Trinity in explaining the resurrection, noting how actions are ascribed to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in different ways in the New Testament.

Embracing Christ's Supremacy and Ongoing Work (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) provides detailed historical context about Ephesus, describing it as a prosperous, influential city known for the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and as a center preoccupied with magic and the occult. Begg references the events of Acts 19-20, where Paul ministered in Ephesus, faced opposition, and warned the elders about future dangers. He also situates the Ephesian church as a marginalized minority, drawing a parallel to the contemporary Western church's shift from a "moral majority" to a "disregarded minority," and suggests that Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is especially relevant for Christians living in post-Christian societies.

Unity in Christ: The Church's Vital Role (SermonIndex.net) provides historical and contextual insight by explaining the cultural and theological significance of the church as Christ’s body in the first-century context. The preacher notes that Paul’s use of the body metaphor was a radical elevation of the church’s status, especially in a world where religious communities were often seen as peripheral or secondary to individual piety. The sermon also references the original Greek construction of verse 22 to clarify that Christ is given “for the good of the church,” highlighting the intentionality of God’s design in exalting the church alongside Christ. Additionally, the preacher situates the church’s dominion in the context of Adam’s lost authority and Christ’s restoration of that dominion, drawing on the broader biblical narrative to show how Ephesians 1:19-20 fits into God’s redemptive plan.

Ephesians 1:19-20 Cross-References in the Bible:

Understanding Spiritual Authority and the Power of the Gospel (Elan Church) references Genesis 1 (God giving humanity authority over creation), Colossians (Jesus disarming rulers and authorities), Acts (Paul and Peter’s miracles and authority), and 2 Corinthians (divine power to demolish strongholds), using these to show that spiritual authority and power are rooted in Christ’s victory and are to be exercised by believers.

Faithfulness: Unlocking God's Power in Our Lives (Trinity Dallas) cross-references Genesis (Eden and the mandate to fill the earth), Mark 13:10 and Matthew 24:14 (the gospel of the kingdom going to all nations), Revelation (the restored garden temple), Hebrews (cloud of witnesses), and the Gospels (Jesus’ teaching on the kingdom), to show the continuity of God’s plan to establish his rule and presence through his people.

Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) references Acts 1:8 (“you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”), Ephesians 3 (prayer for strength through the Spirit), 2 Corinthians 12 (power made perfect in weakness), Romans 6 (union with Christ in death and resurrection), Galatians 2:20 (crucified with Christ), Philippians 3 (knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection), and Matthew 28 (Great Commission and authority), using these to show that resurrection power is both a present reality and a call to mission.

Living in the Hope of Christ's Resurrection (First Baptist Church of Granbury) references Hebrews 12 (cloud of witnesses), 1 Peter (setting hope fully on grace), and Romans 8:28 (God working all things for good), to reinforce the certainty and motivation of hope rooted in Christ’s resurrection and God’s ongoing work.

Living from Encounter: Embracing God's Personal Purpose (Northgate Church) references Romans 8:28 (God working all things for good), Philippians 3 (forgetting the past and pressing toward the future), Acts 1:8 (receiving power to be witnesses), James 2 (faith and works), and various Old Testament names of God (Yahweh Jireh, Rapha, Nisi, etc.), to illustrate the personal, purposeful, and powerful nature of God’s work in believers’ lives.

Strength in Spiritual Warfare: Embracing God's Purpose (Duane Sheriff Ministries) references Romans 8:34 (Christ interceding for believers), Luke 22 (Jesus praying for Peter’s faith not to fail), Acts 16 (Paul’s guidance by the Holy Spirit), Psalms 37:23 (steps of a good man ordered by the Lord), Proverbs 16:9 (the Lord orders our steps), Hebrews 4:2 (mixing faith with the word), and Colossians 1 (parallel prayer), to show that God’s power and guidance are ongoing realities for believers.

Resurrection Power: Discovering Purpose and Hope in Christ (Pastor Rick) references several passages to expand on Ephesians 1:19-20: 2 Corinthians 5 (inclusion in Christ's death and resurrection), 1 Corinthians 1 (Paul's testimony of God's help in hopelessness), Isaiah 40 (God gives power to the weak), Luke 18:27 (what is impossible with men is possible with God), and John 10:10 (Jesus came to give life to the fullest). Each reference is used to illustrate the availability and sufficiency of God's resurrection power for believers' present needs.

Embracing Resurrection: Hope and Transformation in Christ (Pastor Rick) cross-references John 20 (the transformation of the disciples after the resurrection), Matthew 26 and Mark 14 (Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane), Galatians 6:2 (bearing one another's burdens), Hebrews 2:18 (Jesus' empathy in suffering), Isaiah 43 and 61 (God's promises in suffering), John 11 (Jesus as the resurrection and the life), Philippians 3:10 (knowing the power of Christ's resurrection), and Romans 10:9 (confession and belief in the resurrection for salvation). These references are woven together to show how resurrection power is both a theological truth and a practical resource for believers.

Transformative Power of Paul's Prayers in Our Lives (Open the Bible) references Ephesians 3:14-21 (Paul's second prayer for believers to be filled with God's fullness), Ephesians 6:19-20 (prayer for boldness and clarity in gospel proclamation), Romans 15:13 (prayer for hope), Romans 1:8 (prayer of thanksgiving), 2 Corinthians 13:14 (benediction), and 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation in Christ). Each reference is used to illustrate different aspects of Paul's theology of prayer and the practical outworking of resurrection power.

Transformed by Grace: Understanding Salvation in Christ (MLJTrust) references Ephesians 2:1-10 (the outworking of resurrection power in salvation), Ephesians 1:3-14 (spiritual blessings in Christ), and 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation). The preacher uses these passages to show the continuity of Paul's argument and the centrality of God's power in salvation.

Union with Christ: Victory Over Sin and New Life (MLJTrust) references Romans 6:3-4 (union with Christ in death and resurrection), Galatians 2:20 (crucified with Christ), Acts 2 (Peter's sermon on the resurrection), Hebrews 2:9 (Jesus crowned with glory after suffering), Galatians 4:4-5 (Christ made under the law to redeem), John 17:5 (Jesus' prayer for restored glory), and Philippians 3:20 (citizenship in heaven). These references are used to build a comprehensive theological framework for understanding the believer's new identity and status through resurrection power.

Empowered Living: Unleashing God's Transformative Power (SermonIndex.net) extensively cross-references other scriptures to expand on the meaning of "power" in Ephesians 1:19-20. The sermon cites Matthew 13:58 (miracles/dunamis), Luke 1:34-35 (power in the virgin birth), Luke 6:19 and 8:46 (power flowing from Jesus for healing), 2 Corinthians 4:7 (treasure in jars of clay to show power is from God), Romans 15:13 (power produces hope, joy, and peace), Colossians 1:9-11 (power for endurance and patience), Luke 24:49 (waiting for power from on high), Romans 8:3-4 (power to fulfill the law's righteous requirements), 2 Peter 1:3 (power for life and godliness), 2 Timothy 1:7 (power, love, and self-control), and 2 Corinthians 12:9 (power perfected in weakness). Each reference is used to illustrate that God's power is for transformation, endurance, self-control, and godly living, not just for external miracles.

Embracing Christ's Supremacy and Ongoing Work (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) references Acts 19-20 for the historical background of Ephesus, Philippians 2 (Christ's exaltation), Colossians 1 (Christ holding all things together), Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission and Christ's authority), and 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (spiritual revelation by the Holy Spirit). These passages are used to reinforce the supremacy, authority, and ongoing work of Christ, as well as the believer's security and calling.

Living in the Power of the Resurrection (SermonIndex.net) references John 20 (the resurrection account), John 8 (truth setting free and spiritual paternity), and alludes to passages about the believer's position in Christ (seated in heavenly places) and the authority of Jesus' name. These references are used to support the claim that resurrection power is available now and that faith is the key to experiencing its reality.

Living in the Power of Christ's Resurrection (SermonIndex.net) makes extensive use of cross-references to support and expand the meaning of Ephesians 1:19-20. The sermon references Philippians 3:10 (“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection”) to illustrate Paul’s lifelong pursuit of resurrection power, even after his dramatic conversion and apostolic ministry. Romans 6 and 7 are cited to explain the believer’s union with Christ in death and resurrection, emphasizing freedom from sin and the law. Romans 8:34 is used to connect Christ’s resurrection and exaltation to the believer’s freedom from condemnation. Hebrews 11:17-19 and Genesis 22 are referenced to show how Abraham’s faith in resurrection power was evidenced in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 is used to illustrate how Paul’s experience of despair led him to rely on “the God who raises the dead,” making resurrection power a practical resource in suffering. 1 Corinthians 15 is cited to discuss the “firstfruits” of resurrection and the believer’s hope of eternal life. John 5 and 6 are mentioned in relation to Christ’s authority to give life and raise the dead. These references collectively reinforce the sermon’s argument that resurrection power is central to Christian living.

Unity in Christ: The Church's Vital Role (SermonIndex.net) also draws on several biblical cross-references to deepen its interpretation of Ephesians 1:19-20. The preacher references Hebrews 2 (“you have put all things in subjection under his feet”) to connect Christ’s exaltation to the restoration of Adam’s lost dominion. John 15 (“I am the vine, you are the branches”) is used to illustrate the oneness and mutual dependence of Christ and the church, emphasizing that the fruit produced is Christ’s own. Colossians 1:24 (“fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ”) is cited to explain how the church participates in Christ’s ongoing mission and suffering. Genesis 2:18 (“it is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him”) is interpreted as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ and the church. 1 John 4:21 and John 13:34 are referenced to underscore the command to love the church as an expression of love for Christ.

Ephesians 1:19-20 Christian References outside the Bible:

Faithfulness: Unlocking God's Power in Our Lives (Trinity Dallas) explicitly references Abraham Kuyper, quoting his statement, “There is not one square inch of this planet over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine,’” and explaining Kuyper’s impact on Christian education and politics. The sermon also references Martin Luther’s dream of the devil listing his sins, with the blood of Christ cleansing him, to illustrate that God uses imperfect people. John Calvin is also mentioned for his teaching that every believer is an equal representative of the kingdom in every sphere of life.

Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) references a Peanuts cartoon (Lucy and Linus) as a humorous illustration of power and authority, but this is a secular rather than a Christian source.

Transformative Power of Paul's Prayers in Our Lives (Open the Bible) explicitly references John Stott, quoting his summary of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 as a "staircase" with four ascending petitions: strength, love, knowledge, and fullness. Stott's metaphor is used to help listeners visualize the progression of spiritual growth and the boldness of praying to be "filled with all the fullness of God." The preacher also cites another unnamed biblical scholar who describes being "full of God" as the goal of the Christian life, reinforcing the practical and experiential dimensions of Paul's prayers.

Embracing Christ's Supremacy and Ongoing Work (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) explicitly references hymn writers, particularly Charles Wesley's "Rejoice, the Lord is King," to illustrate the ongoing reign of Christ, and John Newton, who exhorted his congregation to test all teaching by the Bible. Begg also quotes Erasmus ("When I have money, I buy books; if there is anything left, I buy food and clothes") to emphasize the value of scripture. Additionally, he mentions John Murray, a Westminster theologian, who said that even the smallest faith is sufficient for redemption, highlighting that the efficacy of faith lies in its object, not its quantity.

Ephesians 1:19-20 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Understanding Spiritual Authority and the Power of the Gospel (Elan Church) uses the analogy of a crossing guard stopping a truck to illustrate the difference between power and authority, and a story about nightclub bouncers to show that access is about who you are with, not your own strength. The preacher also recounts a college party fight, using his own physical strength to rescue a friend as a metaphor for untapped spiritual power, and references the difference between soccer and wrestling physiques to humorously highlight the point.

Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) uses a story about a man mistaking someone for Elon Musk at a tech conference to illustrate the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally, paralleling this with knowing about God versus experiencing his power. The sermon also uses a Peanuts cartoon (Lucy and Linus) to illustrate the difference between power and authority, with Lucy’s fist representing power without true authority.

Living in the Hope of Christ's Resurrection (First Baptist Church of Granbury) uses the story of Bob Kuchenberg, a former Miami Dolphins player, who was motivated to go to college after his uncle, a human cannonball, missed the net and hit the Ferris wheel, as an illustration of motivation and hope. The preacher also references the experience of waiting for crops to grow as an analogy for biblical hope, and describes social phenomena like protests and riots to illustrate the difference between being motivated by hope versus following the crowd.

Living from Encounter: Embracing God's Personal Purpose (Northgate Church) uses the metaphor of a knitted blanket, crafted by a niece, to illustrate God’s purposeful, intricate work in believers’ lives, connecting it to the biblical idea of God “knitting” together circumstances for good. The preacher also references the discomfort of learning basketball fundamentals and the experience of vision boards as analogies for spiritual growth and intentionality.

Resurrection Power: Discovering Purpose and Hope in Christ (Pastor Rick) uses the analogy of electrical appliances (toaster, vacuum cleaner, microwave) to illustrate the necessity of being "plugged in" to God's power, making the abstract concept of resurrection power tangible and relatable. He also shares a detailed story from his visit to Peking University in China, where he dined with Professor Zhou, a terminally ill academic who lacked hope in the face of death. Pastor Rick contrasts Professor Zhou's fear with his own father's peace in dying, rooted in the hope of resurrection, to illustrate the difference resurrection power makes in facing life's ultimate challenges.

Embracing Resurrection: Hope and Transformation in Christ (Pastor Rick) references a conversation with Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate, who told Rick that he survived the horrors of the concentration camp through "God and friends." This secular example is used to underscore the importance of community and faith in enduring suffering, paralleling the support Jesus sought from his friends in Gethsemane and the power available through resurrection.

Embracing Christ's Supremacy and Ongoing Work (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) uses the analogy of a courtroom "in session" to explain the theological concept of Christ's session at God's right hand, drawing from legal language to make the idea of Christ's rule more tangible. He also references the Simon & Garfunkel concert as an example of God's common grace in the arts, suggesting that even secular talents are gifts from God, and uses the example of nuclear fusion and "nuclear glue" from science to illustrate the sustaining power of Christ over creation. These secular references serve to connect the biblical text to everyday experiences and broader cultural knowledge.

Empowered Living: Unleashing God's Transformative Power (SermonIndex.net) employs the analogy of controlled power from secular technology—such as bullets, nuclear reactors, and coal-burning power plants—to illustrate the difference between destructive, uncontrolled power and the constructive, disciplined power that God gives believers. The preacher also uses the image of a star shining in the darkness and a city on a hill (from Jesus' teaching, but also resonant with secular imagery of visibility and influence) to describe the believer's witness in the world.