WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.500 Our sermon passage today is Ephesians chapter one verses 19 through 23. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:18.699 ! Today we reach the end of chapter one of Ephesians and it's packed full of rich gospel truth. 00:00:18.699 --> 00:00:21.699 ! What a joy. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:29.699 Even though our passage is only verses 19 through 23, I'm going to read in the flow of his prayer. 00:00:29.699 --> 00:00:34.500 Beginning at verse 15. 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:41.100 Here God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, sufficient, powerful word for you and me, his church. 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:46.299 Ephesians one, starting at 15. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:58.399 Therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:09.200 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of him. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:15.200 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of his calling. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:21.200 What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints? 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:37.680 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:49.080 Far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 00:01:49.079 --> 00:02:06.859 And he put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all the word of God for the people of God. 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:09.280 Thanks be to God. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:10.000 Please be seated. 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:27.340 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:02:32.860 --> 00:02:34.080 Please pray with me. 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:52.260 Lord, I praise you for these dear brothers and sisters here, this beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ and our visitors, those you've brought here by your providence to hear this word today for your purposes in their lives. 00:02:52.259 --> 00:03:07.879 Lord, we pray that your Holy Spirit will enlighten our understanding, shine your light in our hearts, cause us by faith to see your glory and the powerful person of Jesus Christ. 00:03:08.799 --> 00:03:21.199 And how he pours out his same power onto us, his church, Lord, help us to receive this to be filled by the working of your Holy Spirit in and among us, your church. 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:21.899 We pray, Lord. 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:22.679 Amen. 00:03:22.679 --> 00:03:22.819 Amen. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:41.159 Well, there is a type of power, a vastness of power that we can't even begin to imagine, but we get little glimpses of it here on earth, I believe, so that we will trust by faith. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:41.719 It's real. 00:03:43.399 --> 00:03:47.159 Have you experienced a power that was so overwhelming? 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:56.039 You stand before it, you almost feel dizzy, wobbly in your knees, because this power is so much greater than you knew even existed. 00:03:57.859 --> 00:04:09.240 I got to have that type of experience when we traveled to South America and we saw between the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, a waterfall called the Iguazu Falls. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:13.320 And all this water from all these rivers converging on this one point. 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:22.939 And where these waters build up, they constructed this dam that set a world record in the year 2016. 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:26.519 It's called the Itaipu Dam. 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:30.000 And it did what no one thought was possible. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:44.159 This dam, serving as a hydroelectric plant, it generated and captured more electricity than the massive Three Gorges Dam in China that no one thought could beat its record. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:47.780 It was a perfect year where the waters were flooding. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:56.280 And when the waters flood in this region, the waterfall near this dam is five times the size of Niagara Falls in volume. 00:04:57.460 --> 00:05:05.840 And it generated so much electricity, and it still does every single year, that if it only captured electricity for 17 weeks, 00:05:05.840 --> 00:05:13.240 the Itaipu Dam could power the entire nation of Paraguay for an entire year. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:17.420 Can you imagine standing before this kind of power? 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:30.900 The way that the Apostle Paul is writing to the churches, he has seen something of God's power that he wants them to know. 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:37.320 He's bearing witness by the inspiration of the Spirit, and they're receiving this letter as Scripture. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:46.360 And the Spirit is using this ministry of this Word of God, this letter, to cause their faith to expand. 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:57.100 In 2 Corinthians 12, verses 2 and 4, Paul tells of how God allowed him to experience what he called the third heaven. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:15.760 Above the third heaven, above the third heaven, the spiritual realm. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:28.860 And even there, above all the angels of the spiritual realm, where Christ, in his resurrected body, sits enthroned, the Ancient of Days, the Son of Man. 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:35.399 And from there, he rules in power over all the earth. 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:43.979 Paul tasted a power that no uninspired earthly words could ever describe. 00:06:45.239 --> 00:06:47.359 And I think this is what he's praying. 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:50.459 The Spirit will cause the church to know. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:59.679 He prays that the church may know more of this power and that it's at work in you, church. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:02.259 That's the title of our sermon today. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:05.199 May you know this power. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:18.600 Following his words, I hope to open this up on four different emphases that Paul gives on this great power of God so that you, church, may know this power as well. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:20.980 Here's the first emphasis. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:26.660 May you know the exceeding greatness of this power. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:31.000 May you know the exceeding greatness of this power. 00:07:32.460 --> 00:07:45.180 You remember how Ephesus was a hub in all of Asia for magical incantations and what they thought were powerful spells that would invoke cosmic powers. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:51.519 And Paul says in verse 6, 16, I pray for you. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:56.860 Verse 18, that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, you may know. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:58.699 Look at verse 19. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:05.500 What is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe? 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:12.180 According to the working of his mighty power, may you know this exceeding greatness. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:15.660 The verb here is to know. 00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:18.300 This is your application. 00:08:18.840 --> 00:08:19.379 Know this. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:20.819 Know this, church. 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:24.879 And who is it that he prays will come to know this? 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:26.800 Well, look at your Bible. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:30.899 It's those whose hearts have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:32.220 Verse 18. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:35.740 And what does he want them to know? 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:36.399 To know what? 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:43.100 Verse 19, that they would know the exceeding greatness of God's power. 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:50.980 And this word for power, it's not referring to something that's latent, dormant or potential. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:56.519 It is an active, flowing current of energy. 00:08:56.519 --> 00:09:03.899 What you need to know about it has been translated in several different helpful ways in English. 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:07.720 You need to know that it's an exceeding greatness. 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:09.960 It's not just what you expect. 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:11.500 It exceeds what you would expect. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:15.720 You need to know that it's an incomparable greatness. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:18.620 You try to compare it to the Itaipu Dam. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.079 No, no, no. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:21.879 You can't compare the greatness of God's power. 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:25.639 It's an immeasurable greatness. 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:29.759 You can calculate how much electricity is generated by something very powerful. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:38.759 You cannot calculate the amount of power that God has at his disposal that's channeled through Christ to you, church. 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:40.340 This is what you need to know. 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:44.439 God's active power. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.439 It's in force. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:47.919 It's being wielded. 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:55.100 God is superintending, upholding and working all things by this power. 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:58.259 For his glory and for the good of his church. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:00.019 And who is it toward? 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:04.299 It's toward us who believe. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:14.340 If you believe in Jesus Christ, if Jesus Christ is your Lord, then this power is directed toward you for your good. 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:15.340 God's power. 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:24.420 God's power surges unceasingly to strengthen and sustain the life of his disciples. 00:10:24.820 --> 00:10:32.879 Every person who is a believer in Jesus is a recipient of this power of God through Jesus, our mediator. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:41.379 It's the same exceeding power of God that had toppled over the worship of demons in the city of Ephesus. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:49.059 This is the same immense power of God that caused spiritually dead sinners to believe the gospel of Christ. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:50.120 It's for you. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:11:01.919 And it's the same immeasurable power of God that sent and sustained Paul and the missionaries who traveled there and preached the gospel to them and through whom God planted this church. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:07.060 May you know the exceeding greatness of this power, church. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.580 Well, here's the second emphasis. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:14.159 May you know the dependability of this power. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:17.879 May you know the dependability of this power. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:22.620 This is something you can count on. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:33.579 Rather than piling on other examples of how God is powerful, though Paul is an expert of God's word, he could have drawn hundreds of these. 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:46.060 Notice how Paul next in verse 20 goes straight for the most forceful, the most irrefutable, the most undeniable, the most dependable argument of all. 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:56.400 He says, I pray that you, church, who believe that you will know by your own experience the working of that same power. 00:11:56.560 --> 00:12:03.440 Look at verse 20, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:08.900 This is how dependable the power of God is. 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:12.480 It's so dependable that Christ. 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:18.020 Factually trusted his life to God's power. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:26.079 The creator of all who took on flesh. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:31.759 The giver of life who was born of a woman. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:38.340 According to his human nature, laid down his life. 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:42.059 Physically died for his church. 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:46.819 He truly died. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:52.899 I look this up a little bit to try to understand. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:58.699 Maybe it's because I was helping one of my my children prepare for a microbiology test about how the cells work. 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:04.680 So I know we've got we've got a lot of really advanced scientists in the room. 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.940 And so please just be gracious to me. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.940 I don't know much about this. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.080 Here's what I learned, though. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:12.560 And it helped me to appreciate this verse. 00:13:12.680 --> 00:13:14.720 That's why I hope it does for you as well. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:27.820 Here in the physical realm where we live, the moment that a human heart stops oxygen delivery through the circulatory system to every cell. 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:36.000 Children's cell is the smallest element that tissue is made of in the human body. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.539 It stops. 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:50.940 It causes the skin to turn pale as blood drains from tiny blood vessels near the surface and gravity pulls that pooled blood to lower parts of the body. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:14:00.000 When a body is dead, it's deprived of its own natural heat regulation. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:03.759 So the body begins to cool down to room temperature. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:11.019 Our Lord Jesus, when he died, the Apostles Creed emphasizes he was also buried. 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:15.220 He was buried in an ancient stone tomb. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:22.179 And those bodies, I learned they they're prepared with spices, not not to try to mummify them. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.620 No, they're just wrapped in cloth. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:27.000 It's actually to to allow the decay to happen naturally. 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.879 It's not an airtight chamber. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:34.340 They are expected to totally be reduced to nothing but bones in just a year. 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:38.379 So the goal is not to preserve the flesh on the bones. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:43.200 The goal of burial in this ancient world was was decay. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:54.700 From Friday afternoon, when our Lord Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins to Sunday morning. 00:14:57.700 --> 00:15:00.800 Every muscle and organ and skin. 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:06.579 The body of Christ would have become stiff. 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:09.479 And the the the term is. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:15.639 Rigor mortis, it would have reached its peak in that amount of time. 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:18.299 Cells are breaking down now. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:24.079 There is bacterial decay that has begun on all the soft tissues of that body. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.860 You see what Paul is saying? 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:38.940 It's the same immeasurable, exceeding power of God that worked to raise Christ from the dead, from his burial. 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:41.340 That's working in you, church. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.680 Christ's body was buried. 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:51.400 Three days later, Christ truly, factually came back to life. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:16:00.699 He resurrected the creator of all recreated the body of God, man, Jesus Christ. 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:07.039 Think of this powerful work of God on the body of Jesus. 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:13.419 That soft tissue that had begun to decay throughout his whole body immediately stops. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:20.819 Every cell of his brain and heart and muscles, his bones, his skin is not only made to work again, 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:30.060 but it's now also translated into a totally new, never before type of body that belongs to the age to come. 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:36.900 This is what the powerful work of God did in raising Jesus from the dead. 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:45.440 Every transformed new creation cell of Christ's resurrected body is made of real matter. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.440 It's his same body. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:48.620 It's his same body. 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:56.480 But also in a way that our natural minds cannot currently comprehend. 00:16:57.260 --> 00:17:02.200 His physical body now has a new supernatural quality to it. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:14.019 In his resurrected body, Christ is recognized by over 400 witnesses who saw him and heard him teach about his kingdom after he rose from the dead. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:19.940 With his glorified new body, Christ ate meals made of physical food. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:24.480 But then he was able to walk through a wall in his glorified body. 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:27.900 Jesus taught how all of the scriptures pointed to him. 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:36.599 Then in the same body, he ascended from earth to heaven where he dwells physically with God, who is spirit. 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:46.000 When you and I wonder if God's power is dependable, Paul says, look to your risen savior, Jesus Christ. 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:54.199 This is the most dependable evidence of God's power that powerfully works in you. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:57.899 This is what he wants the church in Ephesus to know. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:03.019 And this is the power that Christ now in his glorified body prays. 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:06.880 You will personally know is working in you as well, church. 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:12.460 Brothers and sisters, today your body and mine is dying. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:21.720 One day soon, Christ prays you will personally know the glory of the resurrection as he does. 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:25.460 Today, your faith and mine, it wavers. 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:29.160 And one day soon, our faith will be made sight. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:35.140 God will accomplish all he has promised by his almighty strength. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:38.400 Today, your hope and mine is fragile. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:42.900 One day soon, our hope will be realized. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:53.060 God pledges himself to see this realized by his own immeasurable power, working all things to make it so. 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:58.080 The same power that was working in raising Christ from the dead. 00:18:59.280 --> 00:19:04.000 That same power is to be your experience and mine by faith. 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:06.340 In Christ Jesus. 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:09.600 Church, may you know this power. 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:13.779 May you know the dependability of this power of God working in you. 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.799 Here's the third emphasis. 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:19.959 May you know the infallible source of this power. 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:24.379 May you know the infallible source of this power. 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:28.779 I'm using a word fallible or infallible. 00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:32.619 Let me let me explain that with an illustration. 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:35.779 We've all had power failures. 00:19:36.439 --> 00:19:37.959 Sometimes there's a big ice storm. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:42.059 Some of you live a little bit more in the country and the power goes out. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.600 The power fails. 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:48.059 It's because there's a problem on the source of the power before it even gets to where you are. 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:55.980 Well, Christ is the source of the power of the church and he will not fail. 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.680 This is what Paul proves next. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:02.340 If you fail, it's because there was something greater than you. 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:08.019 You know, the ice was greater than the electrical box that was channeling it to your home. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:11.859 Christ cannot fail because there's nothing greater than him. 00:20:11.939 --> 00:20:14.039 He is the source above all else. 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.579 That's what he says in verse 20. 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:22.099 God seated him, Christ, at his right hand in the heavenly places. 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:27.000 This is what Paul got a glimpse of far above. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:32.619 That word means way beyond or exalted to the highest degree. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.659 And now he piles it on. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:37.179 What is he higher than? 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:40.439 Above all principality. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:44.019 That word is also translated as rulers. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:46.019 Above all power. 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:49.660 That word can be translated as above all authorities. 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:55.120 In the Ephesian culture, people would travel from all over the world. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:21:03.019 And part of their worship included wrong ideas about astrology and the planets. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:06.600 And they would even worship these created things, these lights in the skies. 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:12.339 People believe that demonic rulers governed human destiny from the stars. 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.079 That's where they rule from. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:22.199 No, Paul says Christ is seated in ruling above all of those far above any other might and dominion. 00:21:22.699 --> 00:21:24.519 Every name that is named. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.779 That's everything. 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:32.259 And then he says not only in this age, but also in the age to come. 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.699 Verse 22. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:38.279 God put all things under his feet. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:43.000 All things under his feet is a military term. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:46.539 It means God has arranged everything. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:49.360 Everything is subordinate to Christ. 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:53.340 Everything has been brought into obedience to Christ. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:22:04.299 Here he's drawing from Psalm chapter 8, verse 6, where God says that to this man, Christ, he will give dominion over the works of his hands. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.599 Everything creaturely. 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:09.480 And you put all things under his feet. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:18.420 This is the custom where a victorious general would line up the general of the opposing army. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:24.620 And in front of both armies, he would put his foot on the neck of that general who was conquered. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:28.799 Christ has all of his enemies at his feet. 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.480 He's crushing them. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.259 He's trampling upon them. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:34.700 Nothing can stop him. 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.200 He rules supremely. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:49.799 All powers, all angels, all demons, all kings, all those cosmic forces are in direct and complete submission under the feet of Christ. 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:55.879 He has prevailed in power over every temptation of sin already. 00:22:56.419 --> 00:23:03.059 And that's what makes Christ unfailing, infallible as our source of power. 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.819 Nothing can overcome him. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:13.980 Well, we believe by faith Christ holds this position. 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:19.859 And in his sovereignty, he leaves us here in these bodies, trusting by faith. 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:25.559 He leaves us in this world where he says you will have trouble and his disciples will be martyred. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.799 We will suffer in this life. 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:36.039 But soon his church will be done battling against temptations to sin from the flesh, the world and the devil. 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:40.740 Christ has crushed the serpent's head on the cross already. 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:45.500 And soon his church will trample Satan under our feet with him. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:49.740 Christ has defeated the curse of sin on the cross already. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:54.440 Soon his church will experience the curse of sin no more. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:58.539 Christ rose from the dead in his glorified body already. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:03.820 And soon his church will be translated into our glorified bodies as well. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:08.600 Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:11.620 From there he rules spiritually already. 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:20.440 Soon his church will dwell and rule with Christ over the new heavens and the new earth consummately. 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:25.600 Christ's power in us will never dry up. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:30.200 Christ is the unstoppable spring. 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:32.640 It'll always keep coming. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.279 Christ did not fail. 00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:37.600 Christ cannot fail. 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:44.600 May you and I know the infallible source of this power in Christ himself by faith. 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:49.480 Well, the fourth and final emphasis for today is this. 00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:57.240 May you know your relation to the source of this power. 00:24:57.959 --> 00:25:02.039 May you know your relation to the source of this power. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:06.819 Look at verse 22. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:12.480 Paul writes next that God gave him Christ to be what? 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:17.639 To be head over all things to the church. 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:22.500 What is your relation to Christ, the source of God's power? 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.259 He is the head. 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:29.079 Over all things given to the church. 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:32.339 The language of head and body. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.759 Filling and fullness that he writes about next. 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:38.579 These describe our union as Christians. 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:41.379 The union between Christ and his church. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:46.480 As we read the rest of this letter, we get to chapter 5 and it proves this conclusion. 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:50.899 It describes the bond between man and wife as head and body. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:53.199 Where the relationship between Christ and the church. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:59.140 That's the supreme reality to which the picture of marriage and marriage relationship is pointing. 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:04.299 This is wonderful language for us to appreciate. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:08.039 Christ as head given to the church. 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:13.220 In the ancient world, to be the head of a household. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:15.980 A patriarchal head. 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:18.980 The Latin term was pater familias. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:27.860 It means that that man holds total legal authority over those in his household. 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:31.759 Imagine a poor woman in the ancient world. 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.299 She would be vulnerable. 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.259 She would have no rights. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.620 She would be unsafe. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:39.259 They would be commonly abused. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.799 Jews knew this as well. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:46.440 Jews knew how much Ruth was blessed in marrying Boaz. 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:55.539 In Ephesus, life would be radically better for a slave woman who finally got to become the bride of a Roman pater familias. 00:26:56.379 --> 00:27:02.519 So this is the perfect term to describe the relationship between Christ and his church. 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:05.440 Christ is our loving provider. 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:09.399 Christ is our responsible caregiver. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:13.240 Christ is our legal guardian. 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:18.000 Commentator William Hendrickson wrote, 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:31.599 What is emphasized in the head body symbolism is the profound, boundless, steadfast, intimate, indissoluble, unfathomable, loving bond between Christ and his church. 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:35.740 Since the church is Christ's body, he is united to the church. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:52.180 Christ exercises his infinite power in causing the entire universe with all that is in it to cooperate, whether willingly or unwillingly in the interests of his church, which he loves so much for his glory. 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:54.860 That's the end of William's quote. 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:59.519 Brothers and sisters, think about your own body. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:04.320 Think about how much you worry if one part of your body has pain. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:15.159 Think about how your head and your body commands all that your other symptoms need. 00:28:16.159 --> 00:28:22.939 You know if you're deficient in a certain nutrient, the head tells the body, eat this, and it helps, replenishes. 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:30.180 Think about how often we feed our bodies, we wash our bodies, we rest our bodies. 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:34.880 And then think about the other way around in that same relationship. 00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:39.240 How long would your body last if your body got separated from your head? 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:42.500 If we were decapitated, life is over. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:47.180 That's how much we depend on Christ, our head, as his church. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:51.759 This is your relation to the source of this infinite power. 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:58.860 But next, our relationship to Christ is pushed even stronger. 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:04.779 It's like Paul's trying to use all of the available language to communicate this great truth. 00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:11.740 First, he says in verse 23 that the church, his body is the fullness of him. 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:15.220 And then he says that Christ fills all in all. 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:17.740 Let's take them in reverse order. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:20.620 Christ fills all in all. 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:26.259 Well, this we know from all of God's word that God is complete, full, perfect. 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.000 God is self-sufficient. 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.599 God lacks nothing. 00:29:30.219 --> 00:29:36.579 And Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is complete, full, perfect, self-sufficient, lacking nothing. 00:29:37.399 --> 00:29:41.679 So Christ fills all in all according to his divine nature. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.840 But the second statement is tricky. 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:51.720 In verse 23, he says the church, Christ's body, is the fullness of him. 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:57.600 How is it that we, the church, can also be Christ's fullness? 00:29:57.599 --> 00:30:02.959 The work of his first coming is finished. 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:13.199 Jesus, on the cross, kept God's law, paid the price his people owe, died, was buried, and rose from the dead. 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:15.579 He is seated in heaven. 00:30:15.679 --> 00:30:16.779 His work is finished. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.639 The work of his first coming. 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:21.660 But in heaven, Christ is not passive. 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.540 He's not stopped. 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.880 He is still ministering. 00:30:27.020 --> 00:30:35.880 As our redeemer, as our mediator, as the one who lives to pray for us, Christ is still fulfilling his ministry. 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:37.340 Every day, every hour. 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:45.419 In becoming our head, Christ delights to receive still today the fullness of his body. 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:48.799 Those who depend on him for life. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:55.899 In becoming our shepherd, Christ delights to receive the full number of his lambs. 00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:58.759 Those who hear his voice and follow him. 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:02.740 He'll go after every single last lamb that is his. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:08.339 In becoming our bridegroom, Christ delights to receive the fullness of his bride. 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:11.819 Those who love him because he first loved us. 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:17.720 And in becoming our vine, Christ delights to receive the fullness of his branches. 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:21.140 Those who abide in him and bear his fruit. 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:31.859 You see why Christ will not stop mediating or interceding or ministering until the full number of that great multitude of souls. 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:34.059 Those 10,000 times 10,000. 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:40.299 Thousands upon thousands that he purchased with his precious blood are with him. 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:47.179 Only then will this age have fulfilled all of God's purposes. 00:31:48.219 --> 00:31:50.759 This is your relation to Christ. 00:31:50.939 --> 00:31:52.299 The source of God's power. 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:55.959 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus. 00:31:55.960 --> 00:32:00.240 May the Holy Spirit work with Christ's power in you. 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:07.000 And make you know that Christ abides with and leads his church militant already. 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:10.500 In this age and soon in the age to come. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:14.720 His church will abide with him and march after him victoriously. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:20.920 May you know that Christ calls his sheep by name and speaks by his spirit. 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:24.420 Spiritually he's doing this already in this age. 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:27.920 This has been a wonderful truth. 00:32:29.140 --> 00:32:31.060 I've appreciated this week like never before. 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:32.300 Soon. 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:36.080 In the age to come. 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:39.920 Our glorified bodies will hear Christ speak. 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:41.920 His gracious words. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.680 Out loud to us. 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:47.840 God will recreate our ears. 00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:50.900 So that they will be capable of hearing. 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:54.820 That most lovely sound of Christ. 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.000 Truly divine. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.279 Truly human voice. 00:32:58.460 --> 00:33:01.920 The Bible says Christ will rejoice over you. 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.620 His church. 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:04.299 With singing. 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:05.860 In the age to come. 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:07.440 You and I will get to hear. 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:10.400 And be moved by Christ's own singing. 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:13.640 His most moving melody. 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:16.180 His most pure lyrics. 00:33:16.540 --> 00:33:19.680 His most heartwarming tone. 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:21.200 We will hear this. 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:25.259 We will know this is my creator. 00:33:25.780 --> 00:33:27.180 And this is my redeemer. 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:29.680 Who is singing over his church. 00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:32.120 His precious bride. 00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:37.580 So my prayer is and has been that you and I will know. 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:40.360 That because we are bound to Christ. 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:44.719 His power is always flowing toward us who believe. 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:47.839 And always working powerfully in us. 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:49.379 And in all the world. 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:52.119 So that all of his promises will come true. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.599 Let's praise our Lord. 00:33:54.699 --> 00:33:55.479 Our great redeemer. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.759 Father we thank you. 00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.659 For the. 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:01.980 Immeasurable power. 00:34:03.820 --> 00:34:05.600 By which you rose Christ from the dead. 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:07.640 That is now working in us. 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:10.700 Who you have led to believe in Christ. 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:15.619 And to receive from him may you be glorified in the life of this church father. 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.519 Amen. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:16.619 Amen.