Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Last Sunday, Pastor Herk continued in his sermon series in the Epistle of Ephesians. He states that some people take this passage into God being like a big genie in the sky granting wishes and flood them with riches and prosperity in this world. No, the Lord tells us in John 16:33, that in this fallen world we will have trouble and in Matthew 5:47, that God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:6 that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Our all-powerful heavenly Father is at work within every one of His children and is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine in that godly work. We cannot let Scripture taken out of context deceive us into thinking that we will receive health, wealth, safety and security in our earthly existence. We need to look back and see how the power of God has already been at work in our lives. The Lord will continue to work in our lives, if we do not hinder Him. That same power at work in our lives gives us the ability to live a life that brings glory to God as we are called to do.
What is this power of God at work within us? Ephesians 1:19-23 answers, “what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” It is clear that the power at work within us is “resurrection power”. I pray that you get an overwhelming sense that God has been at work in our lives already and has blessed us in so many ways.
First, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Secondly, God chose us in Him before the creation of the earth, to be holy and blameless in His sight. Third, in love, God predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ into His family. Fourthly, is the glorious grace that God has freely given us in Jesus Christ; the riches of God’s grace which He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Fifth, God redeemed us, because in Jesus Christ we have redemption. Sixthly, God revealed and made known the mystery of His will to us. Seventh, God sealed us. Having believed, His children have been marked in Him with the promised Holy Spirit.
Eighthly, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins. Ninth, God raised us up with Christ and seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Tenthly, God created us for good works. For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Eleventh, God reconciled us. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Twelfthly, God joined us together, members of one body, which shares together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Thirteenth, God reveals His wisdom through the church. Fourteenthly, God rooted and established in love. Fifteenth, God fills us to the measure of all His fullness. These things are immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on the sufficiency of God in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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