The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Ephesians 1-4
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: Ephesians 1-4
Our word for dynamite comes from the Greek word for power. Paul wrote of God’s explosive power in those who believe. His power was most clearly evident in his raising Christ from the dead and giving him authority over everything, spiritual and material. In their pre-Christian lives, many Ephesians were captivated and held captive by the enemy. They practiced magic and other demonic practices in their foolish devotion to the one whom Paul calls the “ruler of the power of the air.” This simply means that this spiritual being has some ability to operate in the physical world. His power is limited by the one who has all power and authority. At one time, during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus, some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the power of the name of Jesus to cast demons out of a man. They had seen Paul cast out demons in the name, so why not try it themselves? The demon in the man replied, “I know Jesus, and I know of Paul, but you are nothing to me.” Then this supernaturally powered man beat these seven pretenders. The authority of the name of Jesus is not in saying the word; it is in knowing the Lord. There is no power in a word; this is not about magic. The power in the name of Jesus is the authority that he gives to those who know and obey him. The most spectacular aspect of the power of the name of Jesus is not that demons fear it, but it is that by his name we are saved. We were dead in our sins, and now we are alive in his resurrection life. This is the power of the name of Jesus. To go in the name of Jesus means to operate within the realm of his will, his authority. As we live in the realm of his will for our lives, we are operating within the realm of his power. He is able to do more than we can imagine, more than we might dare to ask through his power at work in us. He wants to work his power in us so that he might be glorified through us. How do we tap into this power? We live in dependent obedience to him. Paul’s powerful, therefore, in chapter four tells us what it means to live in the power of the name of Jesus. Therefore, or because of the Lord’s power, we are to live as his prisoners, and to walk worthy of his calling in our lives. This shows up most clearly, not in exorcising demons but in exercising spiritual gifts that lead to unity in the body of Christ.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for believing Tajik marriages to flourish and demonstrate Christ’s love. Ask God to sustain Tajik believing singles, pressured by family to marry non-believers.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.