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| watercolor of the Empty Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, Israel |
From the moment Kari Jobe begins to
sing the opening lyrics of the beautiful new hymn, Forever, the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ fills the atmosphere…The moon and stars
they wept, the morning sun was dead, the Savior of the world was fallen, His
body on the cross, His blood poured out for us, the weight of every curse upon
Him, one final breath He gave, as heaven looked away, the Son of God was laid
in darkness, a battle in the grave, the war on death was waged, the power of
hell forever broken, the ground began to shake, the stone was rolled away, His
perfect love could not be overcome, now death where is your sting? Our
resurrected King has rendered you defeated. Forever He is glorified, Forever He
is lifted high, Forever He is risen, He is alive, He is alive! We sing
hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah, the Lamb has overcome!
As I pondered this wonderful Truth, I turned to a word study of Ephesians 1:19-20…
Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]
NLT: I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.
Phillips: and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. That power is the same divine power which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him the place of supreme honor in Heaven
Wuest: and what is the super-abounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might, which might was operative in the Christ when He raised Him from among the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
Young's Literal: and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might, which He wrought in the Christ, having raised Him out of the dead, and did set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
The Message: Oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—endless energy, boundless strength. All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.
As I pondered this wonderful Truth, I turned to a word study of Ephesians 1:19-20…
Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]
NLT: I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.
Phillips: and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. That power is the same divine power which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him the place of supreme honor in Heaven
Wuest: and what is the super-abounding greatness of His inherent power to us who are believing ones as measured by the operative energy of the manifested strength of His might, which might was operative in the Christ when He raised Him from among the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
Young's Literal: and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might, which He wrought in the Christ, having raised Him out of the dead, and did set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
The Message: Oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him—endless energy, boundless strength. All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.
I find great
encouragement in a word study of
the four different Greek
words used in this
Scripture for the resurrection power with which God raised Jesus Christ from
the dead and toward us who believe…
NASB: 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 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
NASB: 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 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
power (dunamis)—dynamic—it refers to intrinsic power. The gospel is dynamic, God’s dynamic, and so is powerful in the transformation of human lives. Dunamis is the same power that resides in believers because we are in Christ and He is in us.
working (energeia)—describes effectual working, efficiency or active, effective power. In this passage, energeia describes the active, energetic, productive power of God at work. Energeia describes God’s power in raising Christ, Paul instructs us that we have it, too.
strength (kratos)—refers to manifested power or power that is released, put forth in action. It is power to overcome what stands in the way. It is power which is able to overcome resistance. Kratos means strength or might, the power to rule or control, supreme authority, sovereignty.
might (ischus)—inherent power or force. A muscular man’s big muscles display his might, even if he doesn’t use them. It is the reserve of strength. Ischus conveys the sense of endowed power or ability. The idea is that it is the active efficacy of the might that is inherent in God, His indwelling strength. He is able!
As a believer, I know this is the same resurrection power that dwells in the innermost part of me, giving me strength to face every day’s challenges.
[For my determined
purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply
and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and
understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and
that I may in that same way come to know the power out-flowing from His
resurrection [which it exerts over believers] (Philippians 3:10 Amplified
Bible)
I have strength for
all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to
anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I
am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].(Philippians 4:13 Amplified
Bible)
This is encouraging to me, because it’s not my power, but the power of the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead…Praise His Holy Name…the Lamb has overcome!
This is encouraging to me, because it’s not my power, but the power of the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead…Praise His Holy Name…the Lamb has overcome!
The
most powerful evangelism doesn’t take place within the four walls of a church
building. It occurs as we share with others in our neighborhood and workplace
the good news of what God has done for us individually and for the whole world
in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ask God to bring people
across your path today who need to hear the good news that God saves and that
he loves them. And then ask him for the compassion and courage to share the
reason for your hope and to pray for those people. Nothing happens apart from the resurrection power of Jesus.
Only Christ working in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word of God can
produce a life that pleases the Lord. So let this prayer be the cry of your
heart.
Heavenly Father, strengthen and equip me with every
good thing so that I can do your will. Prepare me for what you’re preparing for
me. And open my heart wider to the working of your Spirit so that my
life—inside and outside—will honor you. Produce in me, through the power of
Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to you. I rejoice over the resurrection of
your precious Son! I won’t forget what he has done for me. You sent him to
earth and he was dishonored, but I pray that I will honor him by remembering
the cross. I will acknowledge his sacrifice and celebrate his resurrection.
Thank you that he burst from the tomb to live inside us. In Jesus’ name we pray,
amen.
Look In—as you meditate on Ephesians
1:19-20 … pray to see how you might apply it to your
life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries:
"Because God is_________, I will_____________."
Look Out—as you meditate on Ephesians
1:19-20 …pray to see how you might apply it to your
relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship,
for your good, and for His glory.
* If you liked this post, you’ll love this book – Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ
