Understanding the Power Within: Living in Christ

 

Summary

In Ephesians 1:19-23, Paul prays for the Ephesians to understand the immense power of God that is already at work within them. This power, which raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of God, is the same power available to believers. The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to know God more deeply, and this knowledge is the key to experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. Paul emphasizes that believers do not need more power; rather, they need to realize and understand the power that is already theirs through their union with Christ.

The Apostle Paul is deeply concerned that the Ephesians grasp the truth of their position in Christ. He prays for their spiritual enlightenment so they can comprehend the hope of their calling, the riches of God's glorious inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power. This understanding is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. The power of God is not something to be sought externally but is already present within believers, flowing from their connection to Christ, the head of the Church.

Paul's prayer is a reminder that the Christian life is not about seeking subjective experiences but about understanding and living in the truth of God's Word. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that sustains and empowers believers. This power is not just for personal benefit but is given for the sake of the Church, the body of Christ. Believers are called to live in the reality of this power, which assures them of their ultimate victory and security in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to know God more deeply. This knowledge is not just intellectual but experiential, leading to a fuller understanding of the hope, riches, and power available to believers. Without this deeper knowledge, we fail to live in the fullness of what God has for us. [02:14]

- Believers already possess the power of God within them through their union with Christ. This power is not something to be sought externally but is realized through understanding and living in the truth of God's Word. [04:07]

- The power of God that raised Christ from the dead is the same power at work in believers. This power assures us of our ultimate victory and security in Christ, as He is seated at the right hand of God, far above all powers and authorities. [11:52]

- Our position in Christ is one of privilege and safety. As members of His body, we share in His authority and power, and nothing can separate us from His love. This understanding should give us courage and confidence in our Christian walk. [37:04]

- The mystery of our position in Christ includes suffering and challenges, which are part of our sanctification process. God uses these experiences to perfect our souls and draw us closer to Him, ensuring that all things work together for our good. [38:31]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:19-23
[01:08] - Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
[02:00] - The Goal of Knowing God
[03:01] - Understanding God's Power
[04:07] - Realizing the Power Within
[05:22] - The High Road to Experience
[06:30] - The Need for Spiritual Enlightenment
[07:42] - The Church as Christ's Body
[09:07] - The Energy from the Head
[11:00] - Christ's Exaltation and Authority
[13:31] - Christ Above All Powers
[17:29] - The Present Reality of Christ's Reign
[20:52] - The Assurance of Christ's Control
[26:40] - The Exaltation of Jesus
[30:28] - The Church's Privileged Position
[35:22] - The Safety and Mystery of Our Position
[40:16] - The Certainty of Our Final Position

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:19-23

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul pray for the Ephesians to understand about God's power in Ephesians 1:19-23? How is this power described in the sermon? [00:30]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Christ being seated at the right hand of God? [12:10]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between believers and Christ in terms of power and authority? [09:07]
4. What are the three main things Paul wants the Ephesians to know, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:43]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the power that raised Christ from the dead impact a believer's daily life and faith journey? [04:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers already possess the power of God within them? How should this realization affect their spiritual walk? [04:21]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of believers sharing in Christ's authority and power? What implications does this have for their identity in Christ? [32:15]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of suffering and challenges in the life of a believer? How are these experiences connected to their sanctification? [38:31]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of God's power in your life. How can you deepen your knowledge and experience of this power in the coming week? [02:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of realizing the power already within us. What practical steps can you take to live more fully in this truth? [04:07]
3. Consider a situation where you feel powerless or defeated. How can the knowledge of Christ's authority and your position in Him change your perspective and response? [37:04]
4. The sermon mentions the mystery of our position in Christ, including suffering. How can you find comfort and purpose in your current challenges, knowing they are part of your sanctification process? [38:31]
5. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's power and authority. What specific action can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? [21:10]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to realize and live in the power of their union with Christ? Share one way you plan to do this. [30:28]
7. Reflect on the assurance of ultimate victory and security in Christ. How can this assurance influence your decisions and actions in the face of uncertainty or fear? [11:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiential Knowledge of God
Understanding God deeply is not just an intellectual pursuit but an experiential journey that leads to a fuller understanding of the hope, riches, and power available to believers. Without this deeper knowledge, believers fail to live in the fullness of what God has for them. The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to know God more deeply, which transforms how believers experience life in Christ. This knowledge is not merely about accumulating facts but involves a personal relationship with God that impacts every aspect of life. [02:14]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your experiential knowledge of God, beyond just intellectual understanding?


Day 2: Realizing the Power Within
Believers already possess the power of God within them through their union with Christ. This power is not something to be sought externally but is realized through understanding and living in the truth of God's Word. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that sustains and empowers believers. This realization transforms how believers approach challenges and opportunities in their lives, knowing that they are equipped with divine strength. [04:07]

Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV): "being 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 area of your life do you need to recognize and rely on the power of God within you today?


Day 3: Assurance of Victory and Security
The power of God that raised Christ from the dead is the same power at work in believers. This power assures them of their ultimate victory and security in Christ, as He is seated at the right hand of God, far above all powers and authorities. Believers are called to live in the reality of this power, which assures them of their ultimate victory and security in Christ. This understanding provides a foundation of confidence and peace, knowing that nothing can separate them from the love of God. [11:52]

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV): "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of your victory and security in Christ when facing difficult situations?


Day 4: Privilege and Safety in Christ
Our position in Christ is one of privilege and safety. As members of His body, believers share in His authority and power, and nothing can separate them from His love. This understanding should give them courage and confidence in their Christian walk. The privilege of being in Christ means that believers are not only protected but also empowered to live out their faith boldly and effectively. [37:04]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to live with the confidence and courage that comes from your privileged position in Christ?


Day 5: Suffering and Sanctification
The mystery of our position in Christ includes suffering and challenges, which are part of our sanctification process. God uses these experiences to perfect believers' souls and draw them closer to Him, ensuring that all things work together for their good. Understanding this mystery helps believers to embrace trials with a perspective of growth and trust in God's sovereign plan. [38:31]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How can you view your current challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper trust in God's plan for your life?

Quotes


The Apostle is so anxious that these people may know the exceeding great power of God, the energy of the strength of God's might that is working in them. He doesn't pray that they may have more power; you notice that what he prays for is that they may come to know and to realize the power that is already working in them. [00:03:48]

The way to have a rich experience in the Christian Life, as I understand the New Testament, is to grasp the New Testament teaching, to grasp the New Testament truth. And that is why the Apostle is praying for this, desiring as he does that these Ephesians may enjoy their Christian life and that they may triumph in it. [00:05:22]

The Apostle tells us that this power comes into us and works in us and through us in terms of our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. You remember he's got a doctrine of the church here. He says the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. [00:07:42]

The important thing for us is to realize two things. The first is obviously what is true about him, and then the second thing is our relationship to him. Now all the energy that I have as an individual Christian comes to me because I am a member in the body of Christ. [00:08:56]

God has raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand. What's it mean? Well, that is always the mark, is it not, of honor and likewise the mark of authority. If you want to pay any person honor, you put such a person to sit at your right hand. [00:12:17]

The Son of God is above, far above them all, greater in might and dignity and majesty and position. But I believe that this refers not only to such powers but also to the angels, the good angels, the blessed angels. He has been set above them all. [00:15:14]

The Lord Jesus Christ himself should have put us right about this. He has already said all power is given unto me in heaven and in Earth. It's already been given. When he gave that commission to his disciples to go out to preach and to disciple the Nations, he says go remembering that all power has been given unto me. [00:21:32]

The one who is at the right hand of God, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, the one under whose feet all things are and to whom all power and authority has been given, is the one who once was lying helplessly in a Manger in Bethlehem. [00:28:02]

God has raised him from the dead and has set him at his own right hand in the supreme position of Glory, has put everything under his feet, and has made him the head of all things for the church, for the sake of the church, that he might exercise it all in the interests of the church. [00:30:28]

Because of this doctrine of the church as the body of Christ, because I am in him and a member of his mystical body, I'm almost afraid to say it, but it's the truth. Because of that, what is true of him is true of me. It's true of all of us who are Christians. [00:31:39]

The mystery of our position in him, we don't understand it, but we know this: this is a part of the process of our sanctification. Whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth. It isn't that he cannot commend all these things; he doesn't choose to. It would be a very bad thing for us if he did. [00:38:31]

Our final position is absolutely certain and sure. The final security and perseverance of the Saints is beyond doubt because we are members of his body and because he is set at the right hand of God in this place of absolute authority and might and dominion. [00:40:16]

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