Author: newlifenarrabri

Ephesians 3:21

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:21. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 3:21

“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”

This verse concludes the doxology started in v. 20 and the prayer that commenced in v. 14.

To him[God] be the glory and in the church and in Christ Jesus.

The Church [the ekklesia, or “the elect,” or “the called out ones”] exists to bring glory to God. It does this in a number of different ways.

Firstly, by its existence the church is a testimony to the redeeming grace of God. The fact that millions of people from all nations gather together to proclaim the salvation that came from the death and resurrection of Christ is, in itself, glorification or an honouring of the Lord through space and time .

We were lost in sin with no hope of redemption. Satan, the accuser, reckoned that his strategy of destroying the race that was designed to carry the image of God had triumphed. Then there was the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. The church is a visible sign of the victory of God over sin.

Secondly, the church glorifies God through it’s praise and worship. “Where two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) Weekly the church sings praises to God, it proclaims Christ as its Saviour and Lord, and it celebrates the sacraments of baptism and holy communion in joyful obedience to Christ.

Thirdly, the church glorifies God by preaching to unbelievers and encouraging them to follow Christ. The kingdom of God, that is the church, is constantly growing as christians share the Good News with all people .

Paul links the glory of God in the church with Christ Jesus. This suggests that the glory of God being displayed in the church is similar in nature to that displayed in Christ. We glorify God in the same kind of way that Jesus did.

This should not surprised us as the church is the Body of Christ. The church is the present visible representation of Jesus Christ in the world and therefore glorifies God in the same way that Jesus did.

The peak of Jesus’ glorification was his crucifixion. It was his obedience even to death on the cross that glorified both Father and Son. When christians are prepared to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel, they are glorifying the Father in the same way that Jesus did .

Paul asks that God be glorified in the church for all generations, for ever and ever.

The gospel is not about history. The effect of the Cross, while historical, extends through the generations.

God promised to Israel that He would bless those who are righteous to a thousand generations. We have a promise from God that He will bless all generations into the future.

The generations are to glorify God in the church. As long as the church is faithful in its witness, there will be people who will bring glory to God. Our work for God now is not limited to the present, but it will continue through the generations – not just the next one or two generations, but all generations.

To emphasise the point, Paul repeats it with the words, “ for ever and ever.” The church is not just a short-term endeavour. It is not just limited to the life of the Earth. It will continue to eternity. We will share in fellowship and worship together for ever.

So the church, “ the called out ones,“ lives now to glorify God and will continue that task for ever and ever. Now we do this Imperfectly, but we shall see Him face to face and we will then give perfect praise to God.

Key points in this verse

  • God wants the church to glorify his name now and for ever
  • We are the Body of Christ and continue His mission of bringing glory to the Father

Reflection on Exodus 21:1-31

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Scripture

You must nor mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Application

Reading sets of laws which seem to relate to an alien culture is not immediately edifying.

In the rules in this chapter we see how the Lord wanted the Israelites to protect the rights of people to own property, and to protect the dignity of vulnerable people such as widows, orphans and foreigners.

The principle of the property laws is that everyone should be confident that their property is being protected from unscrupulous people. So the rights of everyone, but especially the poor, are being protected.

The Israelites were also required to care for the vulnerable people such as widows and foreigners. Even slaves were protected to some extent.

These laws show that God cares about everyone, both the rich and the powerful, and the poor and powerless.

As christians, we need to make sure that we do not support Government policies which disenfranchise the poor or lead to their oppression. We also need to look out for the “invisible people” ourselves and do what we can to help them survive and thrive.

Prayer

Lord, please show me the groups of people and the individuals you are calling me to help. Amen.

Reflection on Exodus 20:1-26

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Scripture

And the people said to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen. But don’t let God speak to us directly or we will die.”

Observation

The Lord gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments: do not worship other gods; do not make idols; do not misuse the Lord’s name; remember the sabbath; honour your father and mother; do not murder, commit adultery, steal, testify falsely, or covet other people’s things.

When the people hear the voice of the Lord and thunder, and they see the smoke and lightning, they are afraid. They ask Moses to speak to them from God.

Application

The biggest mistake a person or a group of people can make is to say, “Don’t let the Lord speak directly to us.”

God wants us to have friendship with Him. He loves us and longs to dialogue directly with us.

Most of His words are more ”still small voice” than thunder and trumpet blasts. But some people remain afraid of hearing God for themselves.

The demand that a pastor or prophet does all the communing with God places too heavy a burden for the minister, and absolves other christians from their own responsibility.

It can lead to error, arrogance or manipulation.

God wants each of us to hear His Holy Spirit for ourselves. He wants each of us to read the Scriptures for ourselves. He wants each of us to pray to Him for ourselves.

God is a relational God. He loves people and He wants us to talk to Him and listen to Him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you want me to listen to you as well as to speak to you. Please help me to be open to your Spirit all the time. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:20. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us…”

This verse is the first half of a doxology or blessing address to God. It is also full of power words – “ is able to” is literally “ has power to”, “ power at work in us,” even the word work is the source of our word energy .

God is powerful and energetic. He is working constantly right through creation to achieve his purposes. We should understand this, but sometimes we forget. The God who spoke the universe into being where is a word, who sustains and holds together all things, as power in the creation – limitless or infinite power.

God has power to do immeasurably more because his power is inexhaustible. He has he measurable power, limitless ability, infinite energy.

God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. This is an invitation to bold prayer.

God is able to heal any human ailment. He can stop a coronavirus dead in its tracks. He can send a fish for a recalcitrant prophet, still a storm, expel demons.

Whatever impossible situations we can imagine, God has the answer for it.

God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. It is not just our asking that limits our prayer, but our imagining.

When we are ill, it is easy to focus on the problem, centre on the diagnosis and on medical advice. God calls us instead to focus on Him and on his solution. Can we imagine an alternative reality in which God’s power flows and restores us? Even that is a slight fraction of God’s power to intervene for us.

If we are in a mental, emotional, relational, even a physical, prison with no means of escape, we must understand that God is able. He freed Peter, Paul and Silas. He is the God who provides the way.

It is good to use imagination to shape our vision and shape our prayers. God can do much more than we can imagine or ask for.

All of this is according to the power that is working in us. That power is the Holy Spirit who teaches us how to pray, how to speak, and to act.

It is important that we understand that our prayers need to be in accordance with the Holy Spirit. Our prayers need to be led by the Spirit, prayed through the Spirit.

Selfish prayers, sometimes called soulish prayers, originate from our desires and our perception of what God should be doing. These prayers are not in that category of “more than we can ask or imagine,” because it is our asking and our imagination, and God wants to go beyond that.

We must let the Holy Spirit direct our prayers. We need to engage in listening prayer, that is, stopping to discover what God’s will is before we pray. Having done that’s, we can step out in bold and confident faith, knowing that the Lord will prevail.

The dynamics of the “power that is at work in us” are at many levels. In prayer we listen and pray in power. The Spirit of God works His power in our spirit to trigger faith and confidence to see God’s will released into a situation.

In another way, this power is working energetically everyday transforming us from being independent to being dependent on God. Our character is moulded to be that of Christ. Our ability to discern the spirit realm grows so we can see what is happening in the heavenly places. Our faith grows to claim the big promises of God and apply them to our own situation.

All of this happens to bring us up to the fullness of the stature of Christ. All of this makes us bold warriors in the spiritual warfare we are called to participate in.

Of course as we see in the next verse, the purpose is to glorify God.

Key points in this verse:

  • God’s power is limitless
  • God can do more than we can ask or imagine
  • God is working in us to grow faithful bold prayers and bold action
  • God is raising us to be strong warriors in the spiritual warfare, that is, the clash between God and satan.

Reflection on Exodus 19:1-25

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Scripture

“If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on the earth. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.”

Observation

The Israelites arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses climbs the mountain to meet with the Lord.

The Lord announces that Israel is His special treasure, His royal priesthood.

Then the Lord announces that He will descend on Mount Sinai the following day, and the people need to prepare themselves. They must not touch the holy mountain.

The Lord comes down, covering the mountain with smoke and sounding loud trumpet blasts. The Lord calls Moses up to the mountain.

Application

The Lord tells the Israelites that if they obey Him, they will be His treasure, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.

God sees each of us as His treasure- precious, beautiful, lovely. Often we feel unworthy of such a value. We may be plagued by guilt or shame, or just feel that we are unlovable.

Yet God is determined to love us. He places a high value on every single one of us. We are His treasure.

We are a kingdom of priests. The church together is that kingdom. It is hard to comprehend that God wants us to be in His presence, worshipping Him and interceding for other people.

We are God’s holy nation. The word “holy” means “set apart for God’s purpose.” I am not my own. I was bought at a price. I therefore cannot do any old thing that I want to do. I cannot wilfully follow the dictates of my old sinful nature. I have been set apart by God for a holy purpose.

God is building up His kingdom, claiming us as His treasure, His royal priesthood.

Prayer

Father, you call me your treasure, your holy priest. This is too marvellous to understand. Please help me to live totally surrendered to you, to do only what you call me to do. Amen.