Power to us-ward Who Believe
A Sermon on Ephesians 1:19-23
Originally preached June 26, 1955
Scripture
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far …
Sermon Description
Hardly anyone claiming the title “Christian” would deny the need for God’s power in salvation. There is, however, a fundamental difference between the person who says salvation is the power of God in addition to something they do, and those who say salvation is God’s power working in them and through them. The latter has roots in the apostolic testimony but the former does not. Neither is this a mere linguistic quibble, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, but one’s very assurance is at stake. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:19–23 titled “Power to Us-ward Who Believe,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Paul is not simply concerned with God’s power towards His people, but His power in them. This is ultimately the final grounds of the Christian’s assurance. When they consider all that glory entails, especially standing before a holy God and seeing Him face-to-face, how can they ever have confidence that they will be fit to stand? Given that the world, sin, and the devil are constantly at war against the Christian, how will they ever overcome? Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows how the apostle Paul’s prayer calls minds to the resurrection power of God in order to assure that glory will be attained by God’s saints. It is God and by His power alone Christians are made and not even death will keep them from glory.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Ephesians 1:19-23 which describes the power of God.
- The sermon examines three petitions Paul makes for the Ephesians: to know the hope of God's calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power.
- The sermon focuses on the third petition: to know the exceeding greatness of God's power. This power is in believers, not just toward them.
- There are two views of salvation: I plus God's power, or God's power working in and through me. The sermon focuses on the latter view.
- Christian salvation is a demonstration of God's power in us. No one can make themselves a Christian; only God can make Christians.
- Evidence for this includes: the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation; we preach Christ crucified, the power and wisdom of God; our faith is in demonstration of the Spirit and power; the word came in power and assurance; we are God's workmanship; God began a good work in us; God works in us to will and do; Paul labors according to God's working in him.
- A Christian is a new creation, which only God can do. We have unworthy views of Christianity if we think it's what we do, not what God does.
- The power of God in salvation is exceedingly great. It surpasses our expression and comprehension.
- This power is energizing, efficacious, and kinetic. It overcomes and prevails. It comes from God's essential might and inherent power.
- The resurrection of Christ demonstrates this power. It overcame the power of death, hell, and Satan.
- Whatever is against us, God's purpose will prevail. Nothing can withstand Him. Nothing is too hard for Him.
- We can be confident God will make us fit for heaven and glory, through His power working in us.
Sermon Q&A
What is Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teaching About God's Power in Ephesians 1?
What is the third petition Paul is praying for in Ephesians 1?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the third petition Paul prays for the Ephesians is "that they may know what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe." This follows the first two petitions which were that they might know "what is the hope of his calling" and "what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." The apostle is asking that believers might comprehend the tremendous power of God that is already working in them, not just power that might be given to them.
What is the correct understanding of God's power in Ephesians 1:19?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the correct understanding is that Paul is speaking about "the power of God not toward us, but in us. The whole theme here is the working of God in us." He differentiates between two views of salvation: one where salvation is "the result of something that I do plus the power that is given to me by God," and the correct view which is "God's power working in me and through me." Lloyd-Jones endorses the Revised Standard Version translation which says "what is the exceeding greatness of his power in us."
Why does Paul discuss the resurrection of Christ in this passage about God's power?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Paul chooses the resurrection of Christ as an illustration of God's power for several reasons: 1. It is "a grand, objective demonstration of the power of God" 2. It is "a perfect analogy to what happens to us spiritually" 3. It introduces "the doctrine of our mystical union with Christ" 4. Most importantly, it proves "that every obstacle and hindrance and enemy set in our path shall be overcome," because in the resurrection, "even the last enemy has been conquered and defeated."
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the magnitude of God's power in this passage?
Lloyd-Jones points out how Paul piles "a superlative on top of a superlative" to describe God's power. He analyzes the phrase "according to the working of his mighty power" as containing three significant terms: 1. "Working" (better translated as "energy") - indicating active, kinetic power being manifested 2. "Mighty" - strength that overcomes and prevails against all resistance 3. "Power" - God's own essential might and inherent power
Lloyd-Jones suggests alternative phrases like "the efficacy of the force of his strength" or "the energy of the might of his strength," noting that "all language is entirely and totally inadequate" to describe it.
What is a Christian according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that "A Christian is the result of the operation of God, nothing less. No man can make himself a Christian. God alone makes Christians." He explains that a Christian is a "new creation" and quotes Paul's words that "we are his workmanship." He states: "It takes the power of God to make a Christian," and "no man can do anything until he's been quickened, raised, given life, created anew." He criticizes "unworthy views" that focus on human decisions rather than God's transforming power.
What comfort does this teaching about God's power give to believers?
According to Lloyd-Jones, understanding God's power working in us gives believers tremendous comfort and assurance because: 1. It shows that nothing can prevent God's purpose for us 2. It assures us that our weaknesses and failings will be overcome by God's power 3. It guarantees that God will make us fit for heaven despite our current unworthiness 4. It proves that neither death, Satan, nor any other power can separate us from God 5. It demonstrates that "The work which his goodness began, the arm of his strength will complete."
What obstacles to assurance does Paul's teaching about God's power address?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several obstacles to assurance that Paul's teaching addresses: 1. Doubts about our worthiness for glory 2. Our personal weaknesses and waywardness 3. The sinful nature that continues to trouble us 4. The frailty and decay of our physical bodies 5. The pressures and influences of the world 6. Satan as "a mighty adversary" and "the accuser of the brethren" 7. The fear of death as "the last enemy"
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe this is the ultimate ground of assurance?
Lloyd-Jones states this is "the final grounds of assurance" because it shifts our focus from our own abilities to God's unstoppable power. He says, "whatever may be true of us, whatever may be true of our experience this morning...I am certain and confident of this, that nothing can prevent the carrying out of God's purpose with respect to me." The basis of our confidence is that "With God, nothing can be impossible," and the God who began the work "will make you fit for it. It's he who's doing it, not you, yourself."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.