Exodus: A Group StudySample

What is this passage saying?

Paul prays on behalf of the Ephesian church that they would know the hope of their calling, the inheritance they are in Christ, and the immeasurable greatness of God’s power towards those who believe.

What is this passage teaching?

Like the psalmist from yesterday’s reading, Paul wants the Ephesian church to be rooted in the greatness of what God has done in Christ. Paul prays that they will know three things. First, Paul wants them to know the “hope to which Christ has called you” (Ephesians 1:18a), meaning the future glory assured to those who have believed in the resurrection of Jesus. Second, the “riches of (Christ’s) glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18b). The people of God, redeemed and delivered by the blood of Christ, are His most valuable possession. Finally, Paul wants the church to know, “the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20). Like Israel, the only power any believer has is rooted in God’s omnipotent power. Greater than the god-defeating plagues or the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14) is the resurrection of Christ from the grave. In Christ, the greatest enemies of death, sin, and hell are defeated forever. In Christ, all the enemies of God are subjected to futility. In Christ, the church shares in this same resurrection power to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.

How do I respond?

As you end this week reading about the omnipotent power of God in the plagues, remember that Christ has defeated your enemies as well. The flesh that draws you from Christ, the world that defames His name, and the spiritual powers that distract and diminish your calling are all far below the “rule and authority and power and dominion” of the name of Christ (Ephesians 1:21). Pray that God would enlighten your heart to these realities and pray that you would walk in the immeasurable greatness of God’s power towards us who believe.