Introduction
We’ve all seen images of a presidential inauguration. It’s a moment of immense significance, where a leader officially takes their oath and assumes the highest office in the land. At that moment, all the authority of the state is publicly vested in them. Their word becomes law, and their position is recognized by all. It is a public declaration of their power and status.
Last week, we saw Paul pray that we would understand the "exceeding great power" that is at work for us who believe. But how can we measure such a power? An abstract idea of power doesn't help us much in our daily lives. So, in this incredible passage, Paul gives us the ultimate demonstration. He points to the cosmic inauguration of Jesus Christ. He says, "You want to see the power that is at work for you? Look at what that power accomplished in Jesus." He shows us our triumphant King, raised from the dead and seated on the throne of the universe.
I. His Victory: Raised and Enthroned (v. 20)
The first demonstration of God's mighty power is a two-act event: Christ's resurrection and his exaltation.
A. Raised from the Dead
The greatest enemy of humanity is death. It is the ultimate proof of sin's devastating consequences. But God's power met that enemy head-on when He "raised him from the dead." The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest display of power in history. It was God's public declaration that sin had been paid for, death had been defeated, and Satan had been disarmed. It was the ultimate victory, the divine "checkmate" in the story of redemption.
B. Seated at the Right Hand
But the story doesn't end with the empty tomb. That same power then took the resurrected Christ and "set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." The ascension was not a retirement; it was a coronation. In the ancient world, the "right hand" of the king was the seat of supreme honor, authority, and active power. This means our King is not waiting to begin his rule someday. He is seated, enthroned, and actively reigning over the universe right now.
II. His Authority: Supreme Over All (v. 21)
What does it mean for Jesus to be seated at God's right hand? Paul explains the breathtaking scope of His authority. He is "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion..."
A. Above Every Other Power
These four terms were used to describe the entire hierarchy of spiritual powers, both good (angels) and evil (demons). Paul is saying that Jesus is not just one of the players on the spiritual battlefield; He is infinitely superior to all of them combined. His authority is not just higher; it is "far above"—in a completely different category. This also includes every earthly power—presidents, kings, and governments. They all operate under the sovereign authority of the enthroned Christ.
B. For All Time
Paul then adds a catch-all phrase to ensure we don't miss anything: "...and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." This covers any title, rank, or authority we can possibly imagine, both now and forever. No future political movement, philosophy, or world leader will ever arise to challenge His ultimate supremacy. His reign is absolute, total, and eternal.
III. His Gift: Head Over the Church (v. 22-23)
After establishing Christ's absolute authority over the entire cosmos, Paul brings this truth down to an intensely personal level for believers. He shows us the relationship between this universal King and His people.
A. The Church's Leader
God "hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church." This is one of the most incredible statements in the entire Bible. God took the person who has absolute authority over all creation and gave Him as a gift to us, the church, to be our Head. The ruler of the universe is our personal, loving, and guiding leader. As our Head, He gives us life, direction, nourishment, and protection.
B. The Church's Identity
And if He is the Head, then we are His "body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." This is our identity. We are not just an organization; we are a living organism, intimately and vitally connected to Christ Himself. We are His physical presence in the world—His hands, His feet, His mouthpiece. And somehow, in a profound mystery, the church is the place where the fullness of the Christ who fills the entire universe is made uniquely visible.
Conclusion
The very same power that is available to you today is the power that blasted open the tomb, conquered death, and installed Jesus Christ on the throne of the universe with absolute authority over everything. And this triumphant King has been given to us as the Head of His body, the church.
The inauguration is over. The King is on His throne. The outcome of history is not in doubt. So how does this change the way we live our lives this week? If our King is far above every spiritual and earthly power, what do we truly have to fear? If our Head is the ruler of the cosmos, what challenge is too great for us, His body? Let us stop living like defeated subjects of a fallen world and start living like victorious members of the body of our enthroned King.
