Ephesians 1:15–23 (ESV)

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Yesterday, we examined Paul’s motivation for praying for the Church. That motivation was two things, he had heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love toward all the saints.

Paul then prayed for four specific things:

1. He first prays that God may give them the ability to know Him personally and fully by granting them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God (verse 17)

The next three are specific things He wants believers to know.

He says in verse 18, “that you may know…”
2. “that you may know – what is the hope to which he has called you,”
3. “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”

The final thing Paul wants believers to know is
4. “..what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,”

Paul wants us to understand the power, which is working in us who are children of God.

To emphasize the greatness of this power, Paul stack words upon words.

* This power is of “immeasurable greatness.”
* This power comes to us by “the working of his great might.”
* This power is the same power that “raised him [Jesus] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.”
* This power places Jesus not just “above,” but “far above” any other power ever known or will be known to mankind (21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.)
* This power subjugates every other power, not just “under Him,” but “under his feet,” and places Jesus above all other powers demonstrated by Him being given the place of head of the Church. The Church is being described as His body, which encompasses all things.

With such a Head, what need the Church fear, and what can she want?

This is the power we celebrate. As children of God, we who willing place ourselves under the feet of our Lord and Savior can live in confidence. We can walk in a personal relationship with Jesus, knowing the hope we have in our calling, rejoicing in ours and His glorious inheritance, experiencing this resurrection power day by day.