Ephesians– overview of 3:1-9; tapping into the power of God, part 8.

Thursday October 31, 2019

 

We have been examining the way in which we tap into the power to God - wisdom/understanding, obedience, and the Holy Spirit within.

 

EPH 3:4 And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

 

EPH 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

 

EPH 3:6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

 

EPH 3:7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

 

It is knowing and understanding with insight that allows me to obey and therefore tap into the power of God.

 

His power working in me has to be in accordance with my own intellect, conscience, and will, or else it is not a part of me.

 

I am to be consciously choosing God’s will, which is the only way that I can be obedient. Obedience can only happen when faith is its foundation. We put our faith in the revealed purpose of God, the revealed truth of God, which gives us wisdom and insight.

 

So, it is all on us? Not so fast. It is telling that some Christians seem to emphasize one or the other of the sources of power, when both should be equally emphasized. What is the other source?

 

Wisdom and insight through faith and obedience to God’s word…

God the Holy Spirit …

 

…is the inner source of power. 

 

EPH 3:14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father,

 

EPH 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

 

EPH 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;

 

This echoes Paul’s first prayer in EPH 1:18-19.

 

The source of power is the Holy Spirit working through the inner man.

 

How do I tap into this power? Obedience.

 

The power of God is in obedience. Sin is powerless. If we obey the commands then the Holy Spirit will empower us in the will of God.

 

With obedience is the power to love in the face of those who would otherwise make us fearful, bitter, angry, worried, or jealous.

 

With obedience to God’s will we will have the power to be patient when things take a long time, kind when attacked by enemies, humble when victorious, rejoicing when others are blessed rather than envious, resistant when temptation is long and difficult.

 

We could list every virtue of God we can from scripture and they would all function, even in the face of great opposition, when we are obedient to the word of God.

 

Jesus withstood the temptations from the devil in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

LUK 4:13 And when the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

 

LUK 4:14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit;

 

What He did during the incarnation, the doing of good and the miracles, were empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 

ACT 10:38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.

 

The same power through the Holy Spirit is given to all believers in this age.

 

ACT 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

 

ACT 10:45 And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also.

 

ACT 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.

 

LUK 24:49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

 

ROM 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.