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Ephesians 1:19, 20 - Resurrection Power in Christians.

Ephesians 1:19, 20 (NLT) I also pray that 
you will understand the incredible greatness of 
Gods power for us who believe him. This is the 
same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the 
dead and seated him in the place of honor at 
Gods right hand in the heavenly realms. 

Ephesians 1:19, 20 (TLB) I pray that you 
will begin to understand how incredibly great his 
power is to help those who believe him. It is that 
same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the 
dead and seated him in the place of honor at 
Gods right hand in heaven, 

INTRODUCTION

In verse 19 Paul piles term upon term to 
emphasize that the extraordinary, divine power by 
which Jesus Christ was raised (v. 20) is the same 
power at work in and through believers (see Php 
3:10 and note; cf. also Ps 77:16"19 and note), 
[NIV SB 2020] 

Gods great power, that very power which 
raised Jesus from the dead and lifted Him by 
ascension back to glory to take His seat at Gods 
right hand, is given to every believer at the time 
of salvation and is always available (cf. Ac 
1:8; Col 1:29). Paul therefore did not pray that 
Gods power be given to believers but that they be 
aware of the power they already possessed in 
Christ and use it (cf. 3:20). [MacArthur SB 2006] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   To save a little on our car insurance, my 
husband and I signed up for an online driver's 
safety course. Some parts were a good review. Other 
parts were tedious. One message was repeated 
several times: "As you age, you are more frail and 
more likely to die in a car accident." Frail? My 
husband and I bristled at the description. First of 
all, we don't think of ourselves as old. Second, 
we don't see ourselves as weak. But whatever 
our age, our bodies do grow weak eventually. In 
small and large ways, we are forced to acknowledge 
our mortality. 
   That's why I'm grateful for these verses 
in Ephesians. Because of Jesus, we will one day 
rise in glory. Not only that, but He lives in us 
right now. In the day to day of our lives, His 
resurrection power is at work in us. He empowers, 
enlightens, and renews our hope. That is a whole lot of 
mighty strength! Our bodies may become frail, but 
it doesn't hinder His will and His work. In 
fact, Jesus told the apostle Paul, "My power is 
made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9, 
ESV). 
   If we feel daunted by the tasks ahead of 
us today, let's ask Jesus to help us see His 
power at work. Sharon Hinck 
   Faith Step: Take a deep breath. Invite 
Jesus to live through you and bring His love to 
others while you still have breath in your body. 
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

   Ephesus was a city steeped in the magical 
arts. People from all over the region came to 
worship at shrines and buy tokens of power such as 
amulets and spells. So when Paul referred to 
supernatural wisdom and power, he was speaking their 
language. But what he prayed was not for an increase 
in the power they wanted; it was for another 
kind of power altogether. They were worshiping 
inferior gods and goddesses. He directed them to the 
true source. 
   We have access to that true source too. 
Many people feel powerless; they resign 
themselves to fate, or to some Christian version of 
fate. It isn't that they don't believe God can act 
on their behalf; they just don't believe He 
will.  But Scripture assures us again and again 
that God's power is at work in us, through us, 
and for us. Later in Ephesians, Paul tells us 
that God can do beyond our imagination by the 
power that is already working within us (Ephesians 
3:20). But here he narrows the scope: God's 
incomparably great power is for those of us who believe. 
   Does that mean everyone who believes the 
gospel or those who actively have faith in God's 
practical promises for everyday life? Regardless, the 
condition is clear. Those who believe are the ones who 
receive. Those who don't... well, God may act on 
their behalf because after all, He's full of 
mercy. But there are some things He does only in 
response to faith. As Jesus told some blind men, God 
will do for us according to our faith (Matthew 
9:29). God's power is strongest among those who 
believe it. 
   That's why our hearts need to be flooded 
with light and vision into another realm. The 
more we see God's goodness and power, the more we 
believe He will act on our behalf. Our vision and 
our faith are integrally linked. We hardly 
believe what we can't envision Him doing. But He 
responds in power to those who believe. Open your 
eyes to His good intentions, and watch Him 
powerfully accomplish them all. [The One Year Heaven On 
Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] 

   How would our lives change if we really 
knew God's vast power? This incredible power 
raised Jesus from the dead! And it's available to 
us. His power has parted rivers so that people 
walked through on dry ground. His power turned 
water into wine - in fact, it's his power at work 
every time grape vines turn rain into grape juice. 
His power keeps the earth rotating around the 
sun at just the right speed and just the right 
angle. His power is at work all around us if only 
we would pay attention. 
   If we really believed in his power, we 
would be bold in offering his love and truth to 
other people. If we really trusted his power, we 
would pursue the goals he's given us with the 
confidence that he will turn dreams into reality. 
   With God, today's impossibility is 
tomorrow's miracle. Are you ready for one? Put your 
trust in his power, not your own willpower. 
   God loves you so much that he freely 
gives you his power to work in your life. [The 
Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   Commentator Warren Wiersbe has pointed 
out that many of Gods people are 
betweeners... They believe that Jesus died on the cross, 
but they are not living in the power of His 
resurrection. 
   Some people believe that Jesus has saved 
them and justified them, but they enter into a 
lifestyle of sin. They dont live like theyre 
saved; they live like theyre spiritually dead. 
   Are you a betweener? Do you believe in 
Jesus but find yourself still bound to a certain 
sin, a certain vice that has a hold on you? 
   God can break that pattern of sin in your 
life. You can live a sanctified life as a follower 
of Jesus Christ. Im not saying that youll 
be sinless, because we all sin. But I am saying 
you can sin less. 
   Maybe youre thinking, I cant 
stop sinning. Its just human nature. I cant 
control it. 
   Yes, you can. You make choices. Remember, 
Jesus warned a man that He healed, Now you are 
well; so, stop sinning, or something even worse 
may happen to you (John 5:14 NLT). 
   For every temptation in life that you 
faced and gave into, if you think back, you will 
remember there always was a way out. And there was 
power from God to give you the resolve to take 
that way out. So, if you didnt take it, that 
isnt Gods fault. Rather, you made a bad 
choice. 
   Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, 
The temptations in your life are no different 
from what others experience. And God is faithful. 
He will not allow the temptation to be more 
than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will 
show you a way out so that you can endure 
(NLT). 
   Theres always a way out. We make our 
choices and then our choices make us. [Greg Laurie 
from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com re Psalm 78:32] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Warfare.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201018-1117.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657