THE POWER OF GOD WORKING
IN US – Ephesians
3:14-21
Paul, having learned the mystery of God, Eph.3:1-7, that both Gentiles and Jews
are fellow partakers of the promises of God, started declaring it publicly,
and suffered greatly for so doing. Even though he had suffered because of his
preaching, he doesn’t want the brethren to lose heart (give up) v.13.
So he offers a prayer that they “might be strengthened with might (power)
through His Spirit (Spirit of Christ) in the inner man” v.16. This is
God’s enabling power to “do exceedingly abundantly above all that
we ask or think” v.20. By utilizing this power God will be glorified “in
the church by Jesus Christ to all generations” v.21. Then the Christians
will see the hand of God working in their lives far beyond anything they could
possibly imagine. If his prayer for them becomes a reality they would experience
the enabling power of God working in them v.20, and God would be glorified v.21.
The same is true for us today. We can have this same prayer answered in our
lives. We can experience the hand of God working in our lives far beyond anything
we can possibly imagine.
Utilizing this power is much like driving a car. Until one turns the key that
ignites the power in the engine the car won’t move. In the same way we
will not be motivated and transformed in our lives to be what God wants us to
be if we don’t apply this power in our lives. We are being challenged
to “start the engine” so we can experience the power and glory of
God.
What is this power Paul writes about? v.20. The Greek word, might v.16, power
v.20 (dunamis - dynamite) occurs 118 times in the NT. It denotes the universal,
inherent power, ability or capability, physical, spiritual or moral that resides
in a person or thing, the driving force or cause for action or work. It is variously
defined as power, ability, might, strength. It is the same power that raised
Jesus from the dead Eph.1:19-20. But here it is the spiritual power dwelling
in the inner man, that allows God to accomplish His purpose, so He might be
glorified in the church and in His Son. So, instead of putting a stack of dynamite
under a person, Paul puts it inside a person. In Eph.1:15-21 he prayed that
saints would come to “KNOW…the exceeding greatness of His power.”
Since they know who they are, and this power Eph.1, USE it. Grab the power that
will enable them to act like a fully functioning Christian.
How can they do this? By following Paul’s prayer 1. Be strengthened in
the inner man v.16; Col.1:11. The inner man is the real YOU. We can see the
outer man in the mirror, but the inner man is the inside you, the soul or spirit,
the part that drives you. This is the part that needs to be strengthened, for
the outward man is perishing 2.Cor.4:16. This strengthening is done by the Holy
Spirit though His word 1.Pet.2:1-2;.1.Jn.2:14; Rom.2:14. Let the Spirit, through
His word, instruct and lead you Gal.5:16; Eph.5:18b; Col.3:16. That is why we
need to study and meditate on God’s book. Ps.1:1-3; 2.Tim. 2:15. Then
we can apply the power in everyday life, and in so doing, experience the greatness
of God’s power working in our lives.
2. Let Christ dwell in you. Being strengthened by the Holy Spirit and Christ
dwelling is us are not two different processes. Both enter our lives the same
way, by a trusting, obedient faith Eph.1:12-13; Acts 2:41, 19:5; Gal.3:37; Col.1:27.
When Christ dwells in us, so does the Holy Spirt. This indwelling is not literal.
We cannot literally inhabit Deity, nor does Deity inhabit us directly. It is
thru the agency of the Word, received by the hearing of faith Gal.3:2; Eph.5:19;
Col.3:16; Rom.8:1-5. This indwelling is an indirect, representative indwelling,
the harmony of spirits, the indwelling of Deity’s attributes, not the
nature 1.Jn.3:24-27; 2:3-6, 24. To dwell in or at means to be at home. Does
Jesus feel at home in your life? He goes wherever you go Jn.14:23; Gal.2:20.
Rooted and grounded in love. Here is the idea of plants 1.Cor.3:9; Col.2:7.
The seed is planted and a plant is produced Rom.6:5. A Spirit filled life and
an indwelling Christ produces a healthy Christian (plant) rooted and ground
in love Jn.15:9-14. Without love, no indwelling Christ, rather the works of
the flesh are manifest Gal.5:19-21. Love is the soil into which we are to be
rooted and grounded. Will it last? Love is essential to our wellbeing. God is
love I. Jn.4:8. The first fruit of the Spirit is love Gal.5:22. Without it we
are nothing 1.Cor.13:1-3, 13. This love is not emotion, it is action-love, as
God’s love Jn.3:16. A little girl hears the preacher’ sermon. God
is great and He is bigger than we are, and He lives in us. She asks her mother,
If this is so, wouldn’t He show through? If this love is fixed and firmly
established (takes root) it will be able to withstand the trials of life, not
tossed about by false doctrine.Eph.4:14; 2.Pet.2:1-3; Jas.1:2-6. One will not
have this type love until Christ really makes His home with us. But Christ will
not dwell if the Spirit is not controlling the inner man. Only then will one
be able to grasp, comprehend, seize the greatness of God’s love vs.18-20.
Comprehend the greatness of this love. How great is this love? Vs.18-19 catches
the essence or concept of just how great this love really is. Comprehend means
to personally grasp, lay hold on. Seize the mental concepts of this love. Notice
the 4 dimensions of this love. The Breadth of this love. Broad enough to die
for all men (sinners) regardless of standing, race, culture, education, social
standing, wealth Rom.5:8; Matt.26:28. No one too good or too bad. Its length.
How far He would go to save sinners, form eternity to eternity and beyond. It
is unending 1.Cor.13:13. It endures even when one sins. He continues to make
His blood available to any who want it. Its Height. From heaven itself down
to undeserving man living on earth, His footstool Phil.2:5-9; Eph.4:8-9. Its
Depth. It reaches down to rescue man from the very lowest pits of sin. Raised
by the power of God to sit with Him in the heavenlies Eph.2:6. V.19 In reality
love cannot be fully described in words. As Louie Armstrong replied when asked
to describe Jazz. “If you got to explain it you an’t got it.”
If you have got it you will know it.
One who knows this love will have the fullness of God, His attributes, not His
nature. One who is willing to do these things will have access to the power
of God. You know it, now seize it and see just how much this power can do in
your life. In doing this God will be glorified and exalted in the church through
His Son for all generations 1.Pet.2:9-10; Rom.16:27.
By Tommy Thornhill
Return to the General Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /