There are few things more frustrating to a motorcycle rider than climbing onto a beautiful bike, turning the key, pressing the starter, and hearing…nothing. The chrome shines. The tank is full. The engine is powerful. Everything appears to be ready for the ride, but without power, the motorcycle isn’t going anywhere.
Sadly, many Christians live their spiritual lives the same way.
They know they have been saved. They attend church faithfully. They own a Bible. They believe the right doctrines. Yet they struggle through life spiritually exhausted, defeated by temptation, overwhelmed by circumstances, and uncertain about the future.
- Instead of living with confidence, they live with discouragement.
- Instead of experiencing victory, they simply try to survive.
The problem isn’t that they need more of God.
The problem is that they have not fully realized what God has already given them.
The Apostle Paul understood this. After opening the book of Ephesians by praising God for every spiritual blessing believers already possess in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14), Paul does something interesting. He doesn’t pray that God would give Christians more blessings. He prays that they would understand the blessings they already have. His concern is not that believers lack resources, but that they fail to recognize the immeasurable spiritual riches that are already theirs through Jesus Christ.
One of those blessings is the very power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
Think about that for a moment.
The greatest demonstration of God’s power in all of history was not the creation of the universe, the parting of the Red Sea, or even the miracles of Jesus. The greatest display of God’s power was when the Father raised His Son from the grave, defeating sin, death, hell, and Satan forever.
Now here is the incredible truth of our passage:
That same resurrection power is at work in every believer today.
If that is true (and it is), then why do so many Christians live as though they are powerless?
- Why do we allow fear to control us?
- Why do we let worry consume us?
- Why do we become discouraged so easily?
- Why do we try to face life’s battles in our own strength?
The answer is simple. We often forget whose power is working within us.
In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays that God would open the eyes of our hearts so we can truly understand who Christ is, what He has promised us, and the limitless power He has made available to every believer. This passage reminds us that we were never meant to live the Christian life on our own strength. We are called to live every day empowered by the risen Christ.
This morning, let’s discover five ways every believer is powered by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and how understanding these truths can transform the way we live, serve, and follow Him.
WE ARE POWERED BY A GROWING FAITH (Ephesians 1:15-16)
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”
Notice the first word, “Therefore.” Whenever we encounter the word “therefore,” we ask what it is there for. Paul is connecting what he is about to say with everything he already said in verses 1-14.
In verses 3-14, Paul celebrated the incredible spiritual blessings believers possess in Christ. We have been chosen by the Father, redeemed through the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Because these blessings are true, Paul now turns from praise to prayer.
Paul says, “I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus.” This does not suggest Paul had never met them. Rather, he continually heard reports that their faith remained strong. Their testimony continued to spread.
True saving faith is never merely intellectual agreement. Biblical faith is wholehearted trust in Jesus Christ that changes the direction of a person’s life.
Paul also heard of “your love for all the saints.” Faith and love always belong together.
- Faith is our vertical relationship with Christ.
- Love is the horizontal evidence of that relationship.
Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Paul was encouraged because their love demonstrated that Christ was continuing His work in them.
Notice also Paul’s response. “I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.“
Paul understood that spiritual growth is sustained through prayer. One of the greatest ministries any believer can have is consistently praying for fellow Christians. Growing faith is nurtured by prayer, strengthened by Scripture, and demonstrated through love.
WE ARE POWERED BY SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING (1:17-18a)
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…”
Paul is not praying that believers receive something entirely new. He is praying that they fully understand what God has already given them.
The phrase, “the spirit of wisdom and revelation,” does not mean believers are receiving new revelation beyond Scripture. Rather, Paul is asking that the Holy Spirit illuminate God’s already revealed truth so believers can understand it more deeply.
Notice the focus. Paul doesn’t pray first for better health. He doesn’t pray first for greater finances. He doesn’t even pray first for easier circumstances. He prays that believers would know God better.
If I were to be completely honest with you today, the greatest need in my life, and I venture to say that the greatest need in your life, is not more information, but a deeper intimacy with God.
Then Paul says, “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” This is the language of spiritual perception.
- Our physical eyes allow us to see the material world.
- Our spiritual eyes allow us to understand God’s truth.
Without the Holy Spirit opening our understanding, the Bible becomes merely words on a page. But when He illuminates our minds, Scripture comes alive.
The Christian life is not to be lived in spiritual ignorance but through continual growth in understanding God’s truth.
WE ARE POWERED BY A LIVING HOPE (18b)
“That you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Paul now identifies two realities believers should understand. First, “the hope of His calling.” Biblical hope is never uncertain optimism. It is confident expectation because God’s promises cannot fail.
Our hope is rooted in God’s calling. The God who called us to salvation will also complete His work in us.
Second, Paul speaks of “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Many read this as referring to our inheritance. But Paul actually emphasizes God’s inheritance. Believers themselves are God’s treasured possession. The church is Christ’s bride. His redeemed people are His glorious inheritance.
Think about that.
Not only do we inherit eternal life, God delights in His redeemed people. That truth should radically change how we view ourselves.
We are not spiritual orphans. We belong to God.
WE ARE POWERED BY CHRIST’S RESURRECTION POWER (19-21)
“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…”
Paul now reaches the climax of his prayer. He piles one word for power upon another.
In the original language, Paul uses multiple Greek terms emphasizing God’s limitless power.
- This is not ordinary strength.
- This is resurrection power.
Notice carefully. Paul says this power is “toward us who believe.”
- Not someday.
- Not only in heaven.
- Not only after death.
God’s resurrection power is actively working in every believer today. Paul explains this power further.
“According to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…”
The greatest display of God’s power was not creation – It was resurrection.
- Creation brought life where there had been nothing.
- Resurrection brought life where there had been death.
The same power that conquered death now lives within every believer through the Holy Spirit. Paul continues – Christ has been “seated at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
The right hand symbolizes honor, authority, victory, and completed work. Jesus is no longer suffering – He is reigning.
Verse 21 expands His supremacy. Christ is “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named.”
- No government outranks Him.
- No angel surpasses Him.
- No demon threatens Him.
- No earthly ruler competes with Him.
Every authority ultimately submits to King Jesus. Nothing is outside His sovereign control.
WE ARE POWERED BY CHRIST’S SUPREME AUTHORITY (22-23)
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.”
Paul echoes Psalm 8. To place something under someone’s feet pictures complete victory.
- Every enemy has been defeated.
- Every authority is beneath Christ.
Then Paul introduces one of his favorite descriptions of the church. Christ is, “Head over all things to the church.” The church has only one Head.
- Not a pastor.
- Not a denomination.
- Not a board.
Jesus Christ alone directs His church. Pastors shepherd under His authority. Leaders serve under His authority. The church belongs entirely to Christ.
Verse 23 concludes, “Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
The church is Christ’s visible body on earth. He expresses His life through His people.
- His presence fills His church.
- His power works through His church.
- His mission is accomplished through His church.
Because Christ fills all in all, believers never serve alone.
The risen Savior empowers every act of obedience, every ministry opportunity, every gospel witness, and every step of faith.
Because the Head is alive, the body therefore has life. And because Christ reigns over all things, His church can move forward confidently, knowing that no obstacle can ultimately hinder God’s eternal purposes.
Conclusion
As we come to the close of this passage, Paul leaves us with a powerful reminder: the Christian life was never intended to be lived in our own strength. The same God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead has placed that resurrection power at work within every believer. We have been given everything we need to live faithfully for Him, not because of who we are, but because of who Christ is.
Today we have seen that we are powered by:
- A Growing Faith
- Spiritual Understanding
- A Living Hope
- Christ’s Resurrection Power
- Christ’s Supreme Authority
So the question is not, “Does God have enough power?” The question is, “Am I relying on His power or my own?”
If you’re trying to carry life’s burdens in your own strength, you’ll eventually grow weary. But when you surrender to the risen Christ, you’ll discover that His power is sufficient for every trial, every temptation, every challenge, and every mile of your journey.
So this week, don’t live like your spiritual battery is dead. Walk by faith. Seek God’s wisdom. Hold firmly to your eternal hope. Depend on His resurrection power. And gladly submit to the authority of the One who is seated above every power and every name.
Because the tomb is empty, Christ is alive.
And because Christ is alive, you can live every day powered by the resurrection.
Fighting for My Pea Patch 