Talk Peace seeks to bring reconciliation between God, individuals, families and people groups so that they may live in peace with one another.

Thanksgiving and Enlightenment

Ephesians 1:15-23

A prayer of Thanksgiving, (v. 16, “I have not stopped giving thanks”)

A prayer for enlightenment, (v. 17, “I keep asking that God will give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation”)

So that their relationship will deepen, v. 17 “so that you may know Him better”)

So that they will see the gifts of God, v’ 18, “I pray so…that you may know)

            The hope of His calling, v. 18

            The riches of His inheritance, v. 18

 The greatness of His power, v. 19,   "Incomparably great, a constellation
of power words, like every word you have ever heard for power”

                        That power is like…v. 19-

Headship of Jesus over the church, v. 22

God’s power is seen in:

            Greatness,   

            Strength available for Christian to do daily living,

            Divine energy, directed toward us,.

            The might to which we can look for the fulfillment of hope,

            The strengthening and perfecting of the church.

The Power of God is not a tiny brook – barely meeting demands (to live, evangelize, endure, suffering, doing God’s will, budgets, intimacy, love, peace.)  It is like a surging river, driving before itself all the obstacles it may encounter.

The Power is seen in the resurrection of Jesus, v.20. 

What eye-opening things there are in store for those who deepen their knowledge of Christ!  How much power was necessary to take Christ, crucified mutilated, disgraced, and dead and to raise him in newness of Life, radiant, triumphant, glorious, and place him at the right hand of God on His throne in Heaven?

Consider Jesus: 

Where He was:

Poor, tortured, wounded body, slain by our sins.

Lying cold and still in Joseph’s grave; then lift your eyes and see Him

Where He is:  enthroned in worship and wonder of Heaven!

            The force of His almighty arm. 

The Strength of the forces engaged to our salvation.  The might of powers at work through the ages for the redemptions of humanity. (Findlay, Gray and Adams, p. 226.)

 The Enthronement of Jesus, vv. 20-21

When a person is converted to Jesus Christ, what happens at the level of the “Powers”?  It is convincing to the writer that a sustained conversion experience is when a sinful person elevates Jesus to a position of Lordship in his constellation of powers, and keeps him there through a Christ-honoring life.

In fact, one might well question also a conversion experience in which Jesus  is not exalted above all powers, when he is simply placed alongside of, and somewhat equal in power with, traditional, power spirits and personalities.  Belief in Christ does not eradicate all other powers, rather it places Him ABOVE all powers.

Most of the world’s Christians would score high on a doctrinal questionnaire as to the person of Christ.  The test comes, however, in the times of crisis when they require power or knowledge which they may feel Jesus withholds.

Such crisis brings out one’s true cosmology.  Conversion which does not include an experiential elevation of Jesus Christ above all other powers may well be short-lived unless nurture or spiritual revival can quickly move in and correct the misconception.

Headship of Christ over the Church, v. 22

“Christianity is not bound up with the infallibility of the church, whether in the Pope or Councils, nor the inerrancy of the letter of Scripture.  It stands or falls with the reality of the facts of the Gospel, with the risen LIFE of Christ and His Presence in the spirit amongst men.”  (Findlay)

What is it that proves the authenticity of Christ?  He was bodily raised from the dead, if not, your faith is worthless.

Actions required after this reading:

Surrender all that you know of yourself to all that you know of Him!

Surrender all that you know of yourself to all that you know of His Word!

Surrender all that you know of yourself to all the Faith that you have that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!