Ephesians 1:19-23

Good morning! I came across the following article recently and it really caused me to stop and evaluate my priorities…

• Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?



• What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?



• What if we flipped through it several times a day?



• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?



• What if we used it to receive messages from the Text?



• What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?



• What if we gave it to kids as gifts?



• What if we used it when we traveled?



• What if we used it in case of emergency?

• Where are our priorities?



• How much value do we place on the Word of God?

These are some good things to ponder as we look into the Word this week and see the power of God and His absolute control of the universe! Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: power, raised, above all, subjection, head, and church.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 1:19-23 (NASB)

19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).






List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.





Read Ephesians 1:15-23 to get the full context of this passage. How does Paul emphasize the tremendous power available “for us who believe” (1:19? According to verse 20, where does this power come from and when/where was it most clearly displayed?




How has this great power been active in your life? In other words, explain how you have personally experienced the power of God.





Wednesday:

Read Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 4:9-11, and Ephesians 1:21-23. How do these verses impact you when you think about Christ being above all and in control of all?



Paul mentions Christ as head of all things, which includes the church (v.22). How is the church, the body of believers, so important to God’s plans for the universe?



Verse 23 tells us that the church is the fullness of Christ’s body who “fills all in all.” What does this statement mean?





What role does the church play in your life and how important is it?

Friday:

In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul spends a great deal of time praising God and Jesus Christ. In 1:15-23, Paul’s prayer is dominated by intercession for his fellow believers. Explain the significance of why our intercession for others should first flow out of praise to our God.

Take a few moments and pray Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians back to God for someone you love (family member, friend, co-worker, etc.).

CHEW ON THIS:

Paul continues to pray in these verses that the readers should understand the nature and strength of the power of God already at work in them. If we only look to what we see God doing in our own lives now, it is possible that we may easily underestimate God’s power. This power Paul speaks of is the same power that God revealed in Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This is a picture of what God will accomplish in us by that same awesome power (see 1 Cor. 15:45–49; Phil. 3:21)!

Paul also assures us of God’s power in us, for he finishes by saying that Jesus has been given all power by God to the church, which He fills (22–23). This means that the full authority and power that is in Jesus is at work in the church! This should give us great encouragement, once again reminding us that we have the power of God at our disposal! These verses also prove that Christ is in the place of ultimate authority over matters on earth. There are no other powers or rulers, in the world or in the heavens, whether good or evil, that can compare to Him!

As far as the church is concerned, Paul calls the church Christ’s body (23a). In 1 Corinthians, the church as Christ’s ‘body’ includes its own ears, eyes and head (1 Cor. 12:16–21)—it is a whole body belonging to Jesus and closely united with Him. Verse 22 describes Jesus as the head or ruler, which proves that He is in complete control of the church (see Col. 1:18). In conclusion, Paul prays that his readers will understand that the power at work in the church is not only the presence of that same power which raised Christ from dead, but also that raised us from spiritual death to spiritual life. Paul also reminds us that God is at work and is in full control of everything. Why not pray this prayer of praise and power for your fellow believers like Paul? We have every reason to believe Him and trust His Word!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen