Praying for Power
The way that Paul is lead by the Holy Spirit to pray for the Church to be empowered challenges us. The Church needs God’s power, but we also need to know how to use it. Are we complacent, content to be saved and trying to operate in our own strength? If we’re aware of the need for God’s power and His gracious delight to provide it, do we seek His glory with it? And finally are we committed to the expression of His wonderful power through the Church, or do try to operate as individuals?
Scripture
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Bible Study Questions
The Need of God’s Power
Acts 4:31 ESV And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
The Seed of God’s Power
Ephesians 3:18-19 ESV may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
The Gauge of God’s Power
Can God can do immeasurably more than we can think? Is He able above all to do above, beyond abundantly, above all that we ask or ponder or understand?
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
1 Corinthians 1:25-27 ESV For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
The Grace of God’s Power
Does God gracious and joyfully give a portion or in proportion to His power?
Ephesians 3:20 ESV according to the power at work within us,
James 1:5 ESV If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Luke 11:13 ESV If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
The Goal of God’s Triune Power
Is the ultimate goal the Glory of God the Father in, the Son, by the Holy Spirit?
Ephesians 3:21 ESV to him be glory
Acts 10:38-40 ESV how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,
John 2:19-21 ESV Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Romans 8:11 ESV If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
John 17:4-5 ESV I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
The Ground of God’s Power
Christ and the Church are inseparable and eternal. Where does God choose to exercise His power?
Ephesians 3:21 ESV in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:10 ESV so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
God’s Power to Equip
What is the role of the elders?
Titus 1:5-9 ESV This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.