Recognizing the Power Within: Paul's Prayer for Believers
Summary
In this message, I explore the Apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, emphasizing the importance of understanding the power of God that is already at work within believers. This power is not something we need to acquire more of, but rather something we need to recognize and comprehend in our lives. The Apostle Paul is not praying for the Ephesians to receive more power, but for them to become aware of the power that is already present in them through their faith in Christ.
The first aspect of this power is the hope of our calling, which assures us of our identity as children of God and heirs with Christ. This hope is foundational to our faith and gives us the confidence to live as Christians. Secondly, we must understand the inheritance that awaits us, the riches of God's glory that are promised to us. This understanding strengthens our faith and helps us navigate the challenges of earthly life.
The third and crucial aspect is the exceeding greatness of God's power in us who believe. This power is not limited to our future resurrection but encompasses the entirety of the Christian life, from beginning to end. It is the power that enables us to believe in the first place and sustains us throughout our journey of faith. The Apostle Paul uses superlative language to describe this power, emphasizing its surpassing greatness and effectiveness in our lives.
Understanding this power is essential for living a vibrant Christian life. It is not just about knowing it in a general sense but experiencing it personally and practically. This awareness transforms us into excellent representatives of the Christian faith, filled with joy and confidence in our spiritual journey.
Key Takeaways:
- The power of God is not something we need to acquire more of; it is already at work within us as believers. Our task is to recognize and understand this power, which is foundational to our faith and identity as children of God. [04:16]
- The hope of our calling assures us of our identity and inheritance in Christ. This hope strengthens our faith and gives us the confidence to live as Christians, knowing that we are heirs with Christ. [03:03]
- The exceeding greatness of God's power is not limited to our future resurrection but encompasses the entirety of the Christian life. It is the power that enables us to believe and sustains us throughout our journey of faith. [08:41]
- Understanding the power of God in our lives transforms us into excellent representatives of the Christian faith. It fills us with joy and confidence, enabling us to live a vibrant and impactful Christian life. [06:27]
- Believing in the gospel is not a simple decision; it requires the power of God. This power is essential not only for entering the Christian life but also for sustaining us in our faith journey. [22:29]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:28] - The Necessity of Spiritual Enlightenment
[03:03] - The Hope of Our Calling
[03:24] - Understanding Our Inheritance
[04:16] - The Power Already Within Us
[05:21] - The Surpassing Greatness of God's Power
[06:11] - Experiencing God's Power Personally
[07:03] - Beyond Future Resurrection
[08:41] - The Entirety of the Christian Life
[09:44] - The Significance of "According To"
[11:19] - Believing Through God's Power
[13:33] - Scriptural Evidence of God's Power
[17:10] - The Beginning and End of Christian Life
[19:02] - Spiritual Resurrection
[20:11] - The Wonder of Being a Christian
[22:29] - The Power Needed for Belief
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:18-20 - "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms."
2. Ephesians 2:4-6 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 1:18-20, what are the three things Paul prays for the Ephesians to know? How does this relate to the power of God in believers? [02:28]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's power in believers? Is it something we need to acquire more of, or something else? [04:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's power and our Christian life journey, from beginning to end? [08:41]
4. In Ephesians 2:4-6, what does it mean to be "made alive with Christ"? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual resurrection mentioned in the sermon? [19:02]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the "hope of our calling" impact a believer's identity and confidence in their faith journey? [03:03]
2. What is the significance of recognizing the "exceeding greatness" of God's power in our daily lives, beyond just the future resurrection? [08:41]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of God's power in our initial belief and ongoing faith? Why is this understanding crucial for a vibrant Christian life? [22:29]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can personally experience God's power in their lives? How does this affect their representation of the Christian faith? [06:27]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: How aware are you of the power of God already at work within you? What steps can you take to become more conscious of this power? [04:16]
2. The sermon emphasizes the hope of our calling. How does this hope influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? Can you think of a recent situation where this hope guided you? [03:03]
3. Consider the challenges you face in your faith journey. How can understanding God's power help you navigate these challenges with confidence and joy? [08:41]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of experiencing God's power personally. What practical ways can you seek to experience this power in your life this week? [06:27]
5. How does the realization that our belief is a result of God's power change your perspective on sharing your faith with others? [22:29]
6. Think about a time when you felt spiritually "dead" or distant from God. How does the concept of being "made alive with Christ" encourage you in those moments? [19:02]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to see God's power at work. What specific action can you take to invite God's power into that area? [20:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Power Within Us
The power of God is not something external that believers need to seek out or acquire; it is already at work within them. This power is foundational to their faith and identity as children of God. Understanding this power involves recognizing its presence and comprehending its significance in their lives. It is a transformative realization that shifts the focus from striving for more to acknowledging what is already given. This awareness is crucial for living a life that reflects the fullness of the Christian faith. [04:16]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been striving for more power or strength? How can you shift your focus to recognizing and relying on the power that God has already placed within you?
Day 2: Embracing the Hope of Our Calling
The hope of our calling assures believers of their identity and inheritance in Christ. This hope is not just a future promise but a present reality that strengthens faith and provides confidence to live as Christians. It is the assurance that they are heirs with Christ, which empowers them to face life's challenges with a sense of purpose and direction. Embracing this hope transforms their perspective, allowing them to live with joy and assurance in their spiritual journey. [03:03]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the hope of your calling influence your daily decisions and interactions? What steps can you take to more fully embrace this hope in your life today?
Day 3: Experiencing the Greatness of God's Power
The exceeding greatness of God's power is not confined to the future resurrection but is active throughout the entirety of the Christian life. This power enables believers to have faith and sustains them in their spiritual journey. It is a dynamic force that works in and through them, shaping their lives and guiding their steps. Understanding and experiencing this power personally is essential for living a vibrant and impactful Christian life. [08:41]
Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV): "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's power in your life recently? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this power in your daily walk with Christ?
Day 4: Transforming into Representatives of Faith
Understanding the power of God in their lives transforms believers into excellent representatives of the Christian faith. This transformation fills them with joy and confidence, enabling them to live a vibrant and impactful Christian life. It is not just about knowing this power in a general sense but experiencing it personally and practically. This awareness equips them to be effective witnesses of the gospel, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in all they do. [06:27]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you be a more effective representative of the Christian faith in your community? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's love and grace to those around you?
Day 5: Believing Through God's Power
Believing in the gospel is not a simple decision; it requires the power of God. This power is essential not only for entering the Christian life but also for sustaining believers in their faith journey. It is a divine enablement that allows them to trust in Christ and persevere in their spiritual walk. Recognizing the necessity of God's power in belief highlights the dependence on Him for both the beginning and continuation of their faith. [22:29]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV): "Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to believe or trust in God's promises. How can you rely on His power to strengthen your faith and sustain you in your spiritual journey today?
Quotes
The Apostle starts by praying for that in order that they may come to know these three great and all-important things: what is the hope of his calling, to know for certain that I am a child of God, that I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. I must be sure of my hope. [00:02:54]
The Apostle here is not praying that the Ephesians may have more power. That isn't the prayer at all. He is not asking God to give them more power. What he's praying for is that they may come to know the power of God that is already working in them. [00:04:32]
The Apostle prays for is that we may come to know that, that we may understand that, we may be fully aware of it. But we can't leave it at that because the Apostle doesn't leave it at that. In other words, he's not concerned only that we may come to know something about this in general. [00:05:50]
He is anxious that we should know this in our own particular cases and in our experiences here and now. Obviously, he was writing a pastoral letter. He wants to help the people. He wants them to enjoy the Christian life. He wants them to be excellent and fine advertisements of the Christian faith. [00:06:14]
The Apostle is concerned about here is to show that it is the power of God that leads to the whole of the Christian life, not only that great event but even the beginning, the believing, everything in connection with the Christian life, that indeed we are not Christians at all apart from the power of God. [00:08:44]
The Apostle here is really dealing with the Christian life from beginning to end. And what he really says here is this: that we may know the exceeding greatness of his power in us who believe by virtue of his the working of his mighty power. Our very believing is the result of this power of God. [00:17:01]
The Apostle is not talking about the resurrection that is to come. He's talking about a resurrection, the spiritual resurrection that has already taken place. He's talking about us as believers, and we are believers because this power of God has already worked in us in that way. [00:19:00]
Do we realize that our very believing the gospel is by virtue of the power of God that worketh in us? Do we know that? I go on asking my question because there is surely a tendency today to talk in a very superficial manner about believing as if believing were something which is very easy. [00:21:00]
How lightly and glibly we talk about believing in the Lord Jesus Christ or about believing the gospel. It seems today to be the simplest thing in the world to get people to believe and for people to believe. They say yes to it. Believing is something extremely simple. [00:21:36]
There is a great deal of talk about our need of power after we have become Christian, but how rarely does one hear anything at all about the need of power before we become Christian. The impression seems to be that a man believes and decides to believe and that having done that, he needs tremendous power to continue. [00:22:00]
The Apostle clearly here is concerned that we may know the exceeding greatness of this power from the very beginning to the very end of the Christian life. It is all the power of God, even our initial believing. Now then, the question therefore arises whether we all are aware of that. [00:19:29]
If we do know this thing about which the Apostle is praying, well then we shall always give the impression that we are very surprised at the fact that we are Christians at all. It'll come out in our praise, in our thanksgiving. It'll come out in this sense of wonder, love, and praise and astonishment. [00:20:01]
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