During Fall 2017, I taught Calvary Monterey the book of Ephesians. During the series, I also wrote about Ephesians in sixty-plus short, devotionally styled posts. Each Thursday, through 2018, I will release a post. I hope you enjoy. For the entire series, please visit nateholdridge.com/united-for-unity-posts.
“…the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might…” (Ephesians 1:19).
The third, and final, request of Paul in this opening prayer is for the church to know the profound power of God “toward us who believe.” To add emphasis and color to this power, Paul unleashes an arsenal of words. The power of God is “immeasurable.” It is “great” and has “greatness.” It is “toward us,” the “might” of God. Extravagantly, Paul writes, God’s power is working for and on His people.
The power of God is available for salvation (Romans 1:16-17). The power of God helps us in our obedience to Him (Philippians 2:12-13). The power of God strengthens us for and through the trials of life (2 Corinthians 4:7). And the power of God helps us make disciples of all nations (Acts 1:8).
What would we become if we believed fully in this great power of God working toward us? We would come closer to the power of the original church, unencumbered by paralyzing fears and manmade structures. We would fly. We would hold a conviction that all the powers of the age cannot stop the deep work of God in transforming us. We would see nothing as impossible for God.
Paul imagined a church which held a deep belief in God’s calling, inheritance, and power for them. That church, he thought, would be unstoppable. Their optimism would be unbreakable, their contentment deep, and their faith radical. So secure would they stand in God they would become a force for God. But for this church to emerge, the heart had to be won, so Paul prayed.
Jesus wants this church as well. The seed of His word will fall on one of four hearts. Some hearts do not receive the word for even a moment, while others receive it for a time, but obstacles and competition thwart the word. But some hearts hear the word, believe it, obey it, and bear fruit beyond belief. The more we gain that heart, the more fruit will come from our lives. With this in mind, Paul prayed for the inner person, the heart, of the church. Let us allow the Spirit of God to connect our hearts more deeply to the great and immeasurable power of God, for it is only by His might we can fly.