Equipped to Succeed
Ephesians 3: 20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (doxology-Apostle prayer)
Text Exegesis:
Now is a verb modifier, it modifies the verb to do. It answers the question when, so it is an adverb; to do when? Now! , So that little word suggest a time-line; not later or after-while, nor sometime in the future, but right now. We serve a right now God; he’s present with us right now. The word says wherever two or three are gathered together in his name, touching and agreeing on the same thing he would be in midst.
Unto him-unto means that we honor and reverence him; we praise and worship him; we humbly bow to him. Unto means we are lesser than him; we are finite, he is infinite. We have a death appointment, he is eternal. We are his creation; he is the creator. We are his children; he is our father. Jesus said, If you believe I am sent, then you must believe on him that sent me.
Do you know him? Him – is God, the Father, El Elyon (the most high God); El Sheddai (the Lord God almighty, the God of more than enough); Adonai (Lord and master). In humility we stretch out prostrate at his feet. Don’t even think that you can approach God upright and erect, as if to say that you are righteous or worthy. The bible says that a liar cannot and will not tarry in his sight. No one can stand before a Holy and righteous God in unrighteousness and unholiness. Don’t try it, remember (Ananias and Safira)?
That is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think; Is anything too hard for God? I think God is amused and sometimes insulted by our petitions, and supplications. Oh! Lord, I need a car; God help me get a house; Lord if you would just help me get a job; please Lord heal me, I’m sick. Lord, my rent is past-due. God is like -Is that it? Is that all you want? Or, God is asking -Why ask me for something I’ve given you the ability or power to do for yourself? King Solomon was the wisest and richest man to ever live, but when he prayed he asked for wisdom to discern righteously amongst God’s people. God blessed him with wisdom and exceeding, abundantly above all, with wealth and riches. God is sovereign, he can do whatever he wants to, whenever he wants, wherever he wants to and however he wants to do it. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof and they that dwell in it. All the silver and Gold belongs to the Lord, the cattle of a thousand hills are his. He created everything that is visible and that which is invisible. Here’s the key to the text, some might call this a revelation and others might call it enlightenment. When we pray and petition God, regardless of what we ask or think, God is able only to do it according to the power that worketh in us.
Let’s look at the power that worketh in us. The key word being Power, dunamis in the Greek- meaning force (lit. or fig) Spec. miraculous power (usually by impl.) a miracle itself. Dunamis is used to mean power (77x) in the bible, mighty work (11x), strength (7x), miracle (7x), might (4x), virtue (3x), mighty (2x) = ability, abundance meaning mighty worker of miracles, violence.
(1). Dunamis almost always points to new and higher forces that have entered and areworking in this lower world of ours.
(2). It is power, ability, physical or moral, as residing in a person or thing.
(3). Power in action, as when put forth in performing miracles. (super-natural)
(4). It occurs 118 times in the NT.
You already have what it takes to live a victorious and successful life. You are equipped to succeed!
In the historical backdrop or setting of our text today: the Apostle Paul is the writer or author. The date is AD 60, 61; the epistle was written to the Ephesians, or the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was the major city in Asia Minor; a Roman province which covered part of what is known as Northern Turkey today. Paul was in a Roman prison or under house arrest, when he wrote this encyclical letter or circular letter; that is it was not sent just to one church, but was circulated among all the churches of Asia Minor. Paul was concerned about the spiritual discipline, growth and maturity of the church. He was concerned about their intimate relationship with Christ, and their personal relationship with each other. In short, Ephesians discloses awesome blessings of grace and awesome dimensions of spiritual authority over evil – According to the power that works in us.
This is predicated on believers first accepting the disciplines of unity, purity, forgiveness, and walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, relationships at every point must be in order, the idea being firmly established that true spiritual power flows from true obedience to the divine order in relationships and personal conduct. Paul was concerned whether the church really knew what power was accessible and available to them. Paul’s purpose was to equip, empower, and mature this people to the point that they extend Christ’s victory over evil.
You already have what it takes to live a victorious Life!
Pt. #1-You have the Power of God!
Philip.2:13–For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philip.1:6– Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Eph.1:19– And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe according to the working of his mighty power.
You’ve already got it, so quit trying to get it!
Pt. #2-You have the Power of Christ.
Luke 9:1–Then he called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases.
II Corinth.12:9–And he said unto me my grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Colos.2:10–And ye are complete in him which is the head of all principality and power.
Live life from the inside out and not from the outside in!
Pt. #3-You have the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:49–And behold, I send the promise of my father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
I John 3:24–And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
II Tim.1:7–For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power; and of love, and of a sound mind.
We have the power of the Trinity dwelling within us!
Pt. #4-We have Trinity Power!
John 14:15,16–If ye love me keep my commandments(16) And I will pray the father and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide (live) with you forever.
John 14:23-Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me he will keep my words: and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode (live) with him.
We can’t lose with the stuff we use!
We are equipped to succeed!
We already have what it takes to live a victorious life!
Pt. #1- We have the Power of God.
You’ve already got it, so quit trying to get it.
Pt. #2-We have the Power of Christ.
Live life from the inside out and not from the outside in.
Pt. #3-We have the Power of the Holy Spirit.
We have the Power of the Trinity dwelling within us.
Pt. #4-We have Trinity Power
The Apostle Paul said, in Galatians 2:20–I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Amen…Amen…Amen.