This is Us // Surpassing Great Power

Surpassing Great Power

Ephesians 1:19-23 August 30, 2020

I. Introduction:

A. Difficult times and trials are used by God to not only build character but also to

reveal character.

1. Read Deuteronomy 8:2

2. This verse connects with where we have been living in 2020 with so many

big things hitting us one after another

a) Start with the closing down of everything from Covid 19 and the

changes, stresses and disruptions that it has brought in our lives,

communities and our church.

b) How about all the racial tensions and discussions that have happened

since George Floyd was killed!

c) How about all the tension and division in our culture because of deep

political differences and toxic statements thrown out from both sides of

the aisle to further their political agenda

d) Moms and young families can relate to this one – schools shut down and

go remote and now you need to be the teacher as you have your children

24/7

3. So what have you learned about yourself during this time: are you happy with

what you have seen in your heart and responses? Maybe to get a more

accurate read we ought to ask the people around us what they have seen and

experienced from us.

a) People are feeling Covid fatigue, some are emotionally exhausted, others

are feeling depressed, anxious, fearful, angry, impatient because of the

changes and demands this time has put on us!

b) The racial tensions and discussions are bringing responses to your heart

as a believer that may surprise you to see that you are more prejudiced

than you thought, more fleshly than spiritual.

(1) I was challenged personally by a question that Roy Patterson raised

when he asked, “Do you see the looters as uncaged animals that

need to be caged or as sheep without a shepherd?” Wow – guilty

as charged Pastor Peglow – Jesus give me your heart!

4. Add on top of this our own personal struggles, weakness and sins as we just

seek to live daily life as many of us move into this fall tired and exhausted

already!

B. I take this as a time of golden opportunity not only to talk to others about Jesus

but also to grow ourselves as things that have been hidden deep within our hearts

have come to a surface in a way we can no longer deny them or hide them!

1. Along with all these things comes the thoughts that I do not have enough, I

am inadequate, I do not have the strength, I am too weak, and I do not have

the ability to deal with the things I am facing!

2. Ephesians 1 is going to teach us this morning that those thoughts are

absolutely untrue! You have more power available to you, you have more

spiritual ability available to you than you ever thought, or you will ever need

to face these things that you wrestle with now or you will face in the future!

• Turn to the end of Ephesians 1.

II. Ephesians 1:19-23

A. The first thing we need to understand is the root idea behind the word “power.”

1. The first thing that comes to our minds is strength

2. But the key idea of power is ability – the ability to do something.

3. The word power and ability are synonymous and can be substituted for one

another

B. We learned last week that the key words in these verses are: “is” and “according

to”

1. Is means that God’s power is available for us believers right now

2. According to means that this power of God, which surpasses greatness and is

like, is in harmony with, and is consistent with the same power that was

operating in Jesus!

3. Watch for all this as I read.

C. He says this power towards us is the same power that God used at three major

events in Jesus life:

1. When He raised Jesus from the dead,

2. When He ascended Jesus from the earth to sit at the right hand of His throne

where everything and everyone in heaven and earth were put into submission

to Him!

a) Note the words “far above” that is not a phrase of geography but of

rulership, authority, power, and dominion. That the rule, authority,

power and dominion of Jesus is far greater, infinitely far greater than any

rule, authority, power or dominion of anyone in heaven or earth, past,

present and future!

3. Finally when God gave Jesus as head over all things regarding the church!

D. I love the two-sided coin of God’s power here.

1. On one side to raise the dead means He can bring something to life within me

that has died, produce within me something that has not been there,

2. But on the other side when Jesus was seated in power and authority far above

every other power and authority the result of that is that everything else is

brought into submission under Him. So this is the power/ability within me to

overcome the power/ability to break down, power/ability to destroy!

E. We see in Romans 8 the power/ability of the Holy Spirit, the powerful person

who lives in us both filling us with the resurrected life of Jesus and breaking

down the deeds of our flesh

1. Read Romans 8:11 - power to produce life

2. Read Romans 8:13 – the power to break down and destroy

• Note in the Scripture the different …

III. Areas of life where this power/ability works

A. Our first thought when we think of God’s power/ability operating is miracles!

Miracles of healing the sick or control over nature.

1. But my great need is a miracle of the heart to produce things in me that I do

not have and cannot produce for myself and to break down things in my life

that I do have that need to be dismantled. Things that only hurt me and

others and keep me from being a blessing to others and bringing glory to God

B. Some different areas of our life that Scripture says about God’s power/ability to

us

1. Acts 1:8 – tells me that God will give me the power/ability to tell others

about Jesus Christ. Power to overcome fear and produce boldness when

speaking of Jesus to the lost!

2. Colossians 1:29 - tells us His power/ability works mightily within us to give

us what we need to disciple and build up other believers

3. Colossians 1:11-12 – listen – steadfast and patient and joyfully giving thanks

4. We will learn in Ephesians 3 that it actually takes God’s power/ability to be

able to comprehend God’s love

5. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but

are divinely powerful/able for the destruction of fortresses, especially toxic

thoughts and lies that are in our minds

• So

IV. How can I experience this power?

A. Brothers and sisters what do you need God’s power/ability for today?

1. Seniors – you know more than anyone that growing old is not for sissies! A

lot of pain and losses both physically and emotionally in this stage of life!

2. Husbands and wives – living that close and that long with someone sure

reveals a lot we need and a lot we need to get rid of.

3. Moms and dads – living that close and that long with kids reveals our need

for self-control, grace towards the children, patience, more patience, more

patience and yes even more patience!

a) Coming into these times already on overload means, you need God’s

power/ability to do these and even find joy in parenting and delighting in

your children!

4. Ministry – I know of fewer things that raise up more of my sense of

inadequacies than when God calls me to do something for Him in both

witnessing to the lost and helping another believer grow in Christ likeness.

5. Character traits – almost all of us deal with deep hurts, hang-ups and habits

that hamper us and hurt others where we need God’s power/ability to walk

with our own flaws and weaknesses!

B. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 the heart of the truth is that God’s power is perfected, it

comes to fruition, and it is realized in weakness and difficulties and distresses!

1. Now most of us try hard to resist, to get rid, to fix, or even deny our

weaknesses, difficulties or distresses, which only produces further weakness

and frustration!

2. Paul shows us here that the way to experience God’s power in these things is

twofold:

a) Boast about your weaknesses! Yes, face just how weak you are and

admit that before God and man. You can even brag before God just how

weak you are.

b) Be content with the weakness and difficulties that come into your life.

Accept them and rely upon God to express His power either to take care

of the difficulty or to fill you with the contentment and everything you

need to walk through this time!

C. Galatians 2:19 Christ in me and live by faith in the Son of God – depend on one

who lives in me and not myself

D. So I

1. Face my weaknesses and difficulties head on and admit, even brag to God of

my inability to fix these things

2. Then I place my faith in the indwelling Christ to live out His life and power

within and through me! I walk through the day moment by moment aware of

and rely upon both of these truths!

3. This prayer has become my daily prayer of declaration before God: I am

depending upon another person, one who is bigger, stronger, smarter and

able, who has resources I do not have, who can do things I cannot do! I yield

to the indwelling spirit of Christ and declare that all must come from Him!

E. Since all of this is found in the context of Paul’s prayer for the church of Ephesus

rather than his teaching them, we need once again to end this sermon with prayer.

Dave Parro