God Wants You Confident, Rich, And Powerful Series

God Wants You to be Confident, Rich, and Powerful

Christians need not be tentative or doubtful concerning their position in life.

God wants you to know

the confidence - of the hope to which you have been called; the riches – of his inheritance; and the power – of faith.

We Christians are not weak and worried.

We are filled with the power of the God of the Universe.

Sometimes we just forget.

Ephesians 1:18-23

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,

20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

GRIP Power

Paul’s Prayer

His prayer comes out of his joy & thanksgiving at their inclusion in the body of Christ.

In fact, the first part of his prayer is that they know Christ better through "the spirit of wisdom and revelation".

Look with the eyes of an enlightened heart.

I want you to see some things when you look at an old family photo. Photizo (fo-tid’-zo) is the word that Paul used here. He wants you to see some things. Don’t look with your eyes, look with your heart, it aches for something.

Hope

"the hope to which he has called you"

elpis el-pece’ from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure)

1) a calling, calling to

2) a call, invitation

2a) to a feast

2b) of the divine invitation to embrace salvation of God

To which he has called you - to which you were "invited".

God wants you to have the invitation in your hand and to excitedly anticipate the coming party in heaven.

This is not "maybe" hope - this is "anticipatory" hope.

Riches

"the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints"

in the saints or among the saints

We are the depository of his glorious riches.

We are God’s treasure house.

Scrooge McDuck stored up all his riches, locked them up and never enjoyed it.

The treasure for some is like that of Richie Rich’s room filled with the toys of childhood.

The church is the home of the glorious inheritance of God.

We are wealthy - brothers and sisters galore.

We have a family that just won’t quit.

We have an inclusive yet exclusive community that we are part of.

I can see the wealth at funerals.

Pat Girdwood’s funeral was filled with friends and relatives. All had fond memories of the years of Christian service.

See all the people in your life

What do you remember from your college Professors?

What do you see in your friends & coworkers who are in the ministry?

I am wealthy!

I am a Rich Man!

I have so much in all the people my life has and will encounter.

Power

His incomparably great power is for us who believe.

dunamiv dunamis doo’-nam-is

1) strength power, ability

1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

1b) power for performing miracles

1c) moral power and excellence of soul

1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth

1e) power and resources arising from numbers 1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

Dynamite - earth moving power

Not atomic - not destructive

Power that moves stuff

That power is like His mighty strength.

The word used her is a different word

kratov kratos krat’-os AV-power 6, dominion 4, strength 1, mighty + 2596 1; 12

1) force, strength

2) power, might: mighty with great power

2a) a mighty deed, a work of power

3) dominion

Autocratic power

Dictator - king - one who is sovereign

By their word things happen.

God’s power

The world was created by his word.

The world was destroyed in a flood, by his word.

By His word the spirit of God entered into a dank and dark tomb where a body of flesh, bone, and sinew was wrapped in linen cloth permeated with spices and ointments.

By His word the heart of God touched the heart of a dead body and it began to beat again.