Embracing God's Power and Authority in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: God's Power Over Death: A Living Hope

God's power is not confined to the past; it is a living, active force that offers hope and assurance to believers today. The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of this power, showing God's authority over death, the one certainty in life. This power is not just a historical event but a present reality that invites us to trust in God's ability to overcome even the most final of life's challenges. In a world where death seems to have the final say, God's power stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that life in Christ transcends the grave. [01:35]

Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life that feels hopeless or final. How can you invite God's resurrection power into this area today, trusting Him to bring new life and hope?

Day 2: Christ's Authority: Finding Peace in His Sovereignty

Christ's authority extends far beyond any earthly ruler or power, both in this world and the next. This truth challenges us to reflect on what we allow to control our lives. By recognizing Christ's supreme authority, we can find peace amidst life's uncertainties, knowing that He is in control. In a world filled with chaos and unpredictability, Jesus' authority offers a stable foundation, inviting us to rest in His sovereignty and trust in His perfect plan. [02:53]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel out of control. How can you actively surrender this to Christ today, trusting in His authority and plan for your life?

Day 3: Handing Over Our Stress: Embracing Divine Strength

In a world filled with stressors, from global issues to personal challenges, we are called to hand over our fears to Jesus. His authority and power are greater than any challenge we face, and He works for the benefit of His church. By releasing our burdens to Him, we open ourselves to His peace and strength, allowing Him to guide us through life's uncertainties. This is not a denial of our fears but an acknowledgment of a greater reality—God's sovereignty and love. [03:26]

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV): "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Reflection: What is one specific stressor you are currently facing? How can you intentionally cast this anxiety onto Jesus today, trusting in His care and provision?

Day 4: The Church's Completeness in Christ: Living in Fullness

The church, as the body of Christ, is made full and complete in Him. This completeness is not just a future promise but a present reality, inviting us to live in the fullness of His power and authority. As members of His body, we are called to embrace our identity in Christ, living out the truth of our completeness in Him. This means walking in His power, love, and purpose, allowing His life to flow through us and impact the world around us. [04:07]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Reflect on your role within the body of Christ. How can you live more fully in your identity and purpose in Him today, contributing to the growth and health of His church?

Day 5: Letting God Lead: Trusting His Guidance

Trusting in God's sovereignty means allowing Him to lead us through life's uncertainties. By handing over our fears and stresses, we open ourselves to His guidance and direction, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This requires a posture of humility and surrender, acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. As we let God lead, we experience the peace and assurance that comes from walking in step with His Spirit, confident in His love and wisdom. [04:53]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one decision or area of your life where you need to let God lead? How can you practice trusting His guidance today, even when it doesn't align with your own understanding?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection on Ephesians 1:19-23, we delve into the profound truth of God's incredible power, a power that is not only mighty but also deeply personal and transformative for those who believe. This power is the same that raised Christ from the dead, a testament to God's authority over the ultimate certainty of life—death. In a world where nothing is guaranteed except the end of life, God's power stands as a beacon of hope and assurance. This power is not just historical but active and present, as evidenced by the resurrection of Lazarus and others, showcasing God's dominion over death itself.

Furthermore, we explore the implications of Christ's authority over all things. Paul emphasizes that Jesus is seated far above any ruler, authority, or power, both in this world and the world to come. This truth invites us to reflect on the current stressors in our lives, whether they be global issues like the pandemic or personal challenges. In the face of these, we are reminded that Jesus holds authority over all, and nothing is beyond His control. This authority is not just for dominion but for the benefit of the church, His body, which is made complete in Him.

The call to action is clear: we are invited to hand over our stresses and fears to Jesus, who is more powerful than any challenge we face. By doing so, we allow God to lead us and guide us through life's uncertainties. This is not a denial of the reality of our fears but an acknowledgment of a greater reality—God's sovereignty and love. Let us trust in His power and authority, allowing Him to work in and through us for His glory and our good.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Power Over Death: The resurrection of Christ is a powerful reminder of God's authority over death, the one certainty in life. This power is not just historical but active, offering hope and assurance to believers. We are invited to trust in this power, knowing that God can overcome even the most final of life's challenges. [01:35]
2. Christ's Authority Over All: Jesus is seated above all rulers and authorities, both in this world and the next. This truth challenges us to reflect on what we allow to control our lives. By recognizing Christ's authority, we can find peace amidst life's uncertainties, knowing that He is in control. [02:53]
3. Handing Over Our Stress: In a world filled with stressors, from global issues to personal challenges, we are called to hand over our fears to Jesus. His authority and power are greater than any challenge we face, and He works for the benefit of His church. [03:26]
4. The Church's Completeness in Christ: The church, as the body of Christ, is made full and complete in Him. This completeness is not just a future promise but a present reality, inviting us to live in the fullness of His power and authority. [04:07]
5. Letting God Lead: Trusting in God's sovereignty means allowing Him to lead us through life's uncertainties. By handing over our fears and stresses, we open ourselves to His guidance and direction, trusting that He knows what is best for us. [04:53]
** [04:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - Understanding God's Power
[01:06] - The Certainty of Death
[01:35] - God's Power Over Death
[02:11] - Christ's Authority Over All
[02:53] - Reflecting on Our Stressors
[03:26] - Jesus' Authority Over Our Fears
[04:07] - The Church's Completeness in Christ
[04:53] - Letting God Lead

Sermon Clips

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church." [00:00:19]

"And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. And as I was reading this, I couldn't help but kind of zero in on two little points here. First, in the early verses here where it talks about the greatness of God's power, how God had the power to raise Christ from the dead. I mean, that's pretty significant. If you think about our world, there's really only one thing that each and every one of us is absolutely guaranteed." [00:00:50]

"It's not money, right? It's not health. It's not having a house. It's not having a spouse. It's not having kids. It's nothing like that. The only thing each and every one of us are guaranteed in this life is that this life will come to an end. It is our inevitable destiny if you want to look at it that way. And yet even that inevitability, God's power, it's better than, it's greater than, and Jesus wasn't the only one he raised from the dead." [00:01:21]

"All right, if you remember, God raised Lazarus from the dead. He raised the widow's son from the dead. When Jesus died, he raised all these kind of Old Testament heroes that started walking around that nobody had seen for years, and they started preaching the good news of Jesus. Our God has power over death. And then the second thing to zero in on, taking that into account, our God is the power over death." [00:01:55]

"Paul then ends this chapter with referring to all of the immediate stressors, I guess, threats, concerns, whatever you want to call it. And he says it in just verse 21, he's far above every ruler, you know, every authority, every power, every leader, anything else. God has put all things under the authority of Christ. And as I was reading that, as I was thinking that through, I couldn't help but think what in our world is causing us to stress." [00:02:23]

"You know, because Paul was dealing with the powers, the authorities, everything that was going on around the Jews and the Gentiles, the new Christians of that time. But for us right now, what's stressing us out? Coronavirus, the election, you know, trying to get back to normal in our world. Jesus has authority over all of that. Jesus has got all of that. Jesus has power over all of that because our God who is greater than death." [00:02:56]

"Who is more powerful than Satan, who is more powerful than anything because he made it all, has given all authority over to his son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is over all things. Jesus is over our greatest fears. Jesus is over our greatest concerns. So what in your life are you allowing to really kind of run what you're doing? What in your life have you not handed over to the one who's got authority over it all?" [00:03:27]

"Because in addition to Jesus having authority over it, the last few words that Paul shared here is that all these things that Jesus has authority over, he works for the benefit of the church. And we are his church. Hand off your stress to him. It's valid, it's scary, it's real, I get that. But we have a God who's greater than it all. So let God be God and continue to lead you in where he wants you to go next." [00:03:59]

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