Faithful on Fridays Blog

… and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. Ephesians 1:19 ESV

Let’s dig in again. Did you happen to notice that little phrase ‘according to’? It means that what was stated is in agreement or consistent with something, like a contract or covenant that’s agreed upon by two parties. The limitless, super-power of God that’s dynamic and forceful is in agreement and consistent with His working in you. It’s not about you … it’s about Him. It’s His authority, His power, and His covenant with you that will bring about change in your life.

God’s promise is that He’s working, the Greek word is energeian; we get our word energy from it. This divine energy is the picture Paul is trying to paint for us. With each brushstroke of this verse we see another aspect of God’s character and love toward us. This divine energy that connects heaven and earth, like the picture above, sends a spiritual current into our inner man to infuse us with His strength and power to overcome any obstacle in our life whether demonic or a consequence of our choices. This working is power in action and it’s progressive. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is the beginning and grows stronger as we grow in Him.

… having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Col. 2:12 ESV

It doesn’t change people or situations necessarily … it changes us. It’s efficient and operates as we move from Point A to Point B in our lives.

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:29 ESV

Practically speaking, it works when you ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and He imparts ability you didn’t have before. It could be a new perspective that gives you more patience and strength to stand, to trust, to wait, or to know your next step.

… according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. Ephesians 1:11b ESV

One essential point to remember is that God’s working energy doesn’t change others for you, that’s manipulation and control, it changes you.

… but only faith working through love. Galatians 5:6b ESV

Lastly, concerning this working power of God, is the reminder of our hope, confident expectation, and inheritance as a believer. It’s grace extraordinaire:

… according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. Ephesians 3:7b ESV

This working power is far above Satan’s rule and authority to influence and dominate us. It’s the actual working power that God used when He raised Jesus from the dead: it’s resurrection power working in us.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. Romans 8:11a NLT

Brilliant.

Paul, the Disciple

As you read through the gospels it’s easy to see how Jesus taught and gave practical experience to His twelve disciples. Even after His death and resurrection He took advantage of His time left and opened the scriptures to them:

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27 NLT)

My question this week is, since Jesus was gone, “Who discipled Paul?” You may remember that Paul became a follower of Christ a few years after His ascension, so then, who stepped in and became his teacher and mentor? Jesus clearly teaches that you have to ‘be’ a disciple before you an ‘can’ disciple. Paul was already an educated guy in the scriptures, a Pharisee who was tutored in the Old Testament by the well-respected rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3); so who discipled Paul in the ways of Messiah?

I submit to you that after Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) he was guided by the Holy Spirit into an intense discipleship program led by the Holy Spirit. He was not one of the Twelve, he did not benefit from the hands-on training of Jesus, however, Gal. 1:17-18 tells us that he left Jerusalem and went to Arabia for three years. There is no record of this time in Paul’s life but I had to ask myself, “What was he doing in those silent years?”

Consider these thoughts:

1. Was he spending time in the Word verifying the ancient Messianic prophecies with what he already knew about Jesus Christ? As an astute teacher of the scriptures, could God have been imparting fresh revelation of Himself (Matt. 13:52)?

2. Was it a time of solitude? Paul states in Gal. 1:14-16 that he had direct revelation of the Son; was God sending him away for a time of solitary meditation and communion with Himself? His passion and zeal that caused him to persecute believers would be transformed into passion and zeal for people to come to Christ and grow in Him (2 Cor. 11:2-4).

3. Was he receiving an impartation from the Holy Spirit for understanding the mystery of the marriage relationship of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:22-33) that believers would need in time of tribulation? That intimate picture of Bride and Bridegroom gives hope and encouragement in times of trouble and bring peace and joy in place of fear.

4. Was he experiencing a crash-course discipleship program from God Himself? Paul has now been discipling people for over 2,000 years, he undoubtedly was led by the Spirit to this remote place to learn, grow, and experience Jesus Christ again, more intimately now, in order to teach and write for future generations.

Believers all over the world are discipled by Paul to this day and whatever he was doing, I thank God that we can benefit from his obedience.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

… and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might … Ephesians 1:19 ESV

Last week we studied the word ‘immeasurable’ and dug out the truth that God has excessive power, super-sized, for us to be victorious in life. We’re not talking about natural battles but spiritual ones, the battles in our hearts and minds.

The next word that Paul used in this verse is greatness. We can easily glide right over that word without thinking twice but let’s dig out the jewel. The Greek word used here is megathos. This word infers excelling power, found only in God, and freely given to believers. This mega-power was used by Peter and John to prove that Jesus’ resurrection power was now at work in them and consequently the new believers cried out in worship and prayer (Acts 4:23-33). The unity of the believers had a supernatural effect:

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 ESV

Mega-power and mega-grace, given to believers who gave testimony of Jesus. Wow. What kind of mega-power are they talking about? Dunamis: the mega-power of God. This Greek word describes the capability of God to impart dynamic (from dunamis) strength or might to those who believe; it’s dynamite-power directed toward us, in us, and for us who believe Him. It’s resurrection power in you.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11 NLT

This dunamis, power of God, is possible through Christ, given to us to achieve victory over any power of Satan (Eph. 6:12). The Spirit is ready to impart into your inner man the strength needed to withstand the devil’s tactics: it’s possible. We can extinguish any flaming dart (Eph. 6:16) Satan can shoot at us because we have within us a type of Hercules-power. This Greek/Roman mythical god was famous for his strength and heroic adventures. Paul may have had that image in mind when he wrote of the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe. Dunamis is miraculous, wonder-working power (Luke 4:14, 1 Cor. 2:4, 12:10, to name a few) available to believers. It’s active, forceful, and energetic. Dunamis will produce change and progression toward a goal because it’s God’s indwelling power to defeat the enemy. We have a Herculean power available to us to withstand depression, hopelessness, fear, anger, or demons because His resurrection power (more on that next week) is directed toward us.

Walk in revelation this week of His greatness available for you to be triumphant: be strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10).

Discipleship of Peter and John

Two names you undoubtedly recognize from scripture are the disciples Peter and John. You may remember the story; Jesus spotted them on the lake, called them out, and prophetically declared, “You will become fishers of men.” Jesus knew how important it was for His disciples to be trained in ministry as He had just emerged from His 18 year discipleship program. 3 1/2 years with these men was all this God/Man would need to impart the training and experience they required to carry on His ministry. After Peter and John experienced the manifestations of dramatic healings and deliverances by Christ, along with the other 10 disciples, they were no longer called ‘disciples’ but ‘apostles’.

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. (Luke 6:12, 13a NLT)

You may wonder why that’s important, why Jesus changed his description of His followers from disciples to apostles? Here’s why; a disciple is a learner, someone who is instructed in the teachings of another and chooses to follow those teachings. On the other hand, an apostle is someone who is sent on a mission and given delegated power and authority. Jesus listened, watched, and decided when the time was right to send out his protégées and determined if they were able to carry on His mission on earth. This mission would be to bring heaven down to earth using His divine authority to minister to people. After the discipleship program was completed, these two disciples, especially Peter, were put into the forefront of Jesus’ ministry. They both traveled locally as itinerant ministers teaching, preaching, healing, and delivering people in the Name of Jesus. I doubt if they would have felt confident; Peter had just experienced denying Christ three times and John’s brother James had been executed by the Romans for his faith. Nevertheless, in the midst of their fears, they were sent out with an assignment from God and in His eyes were equipped.

It’s historically documented that Peter was crucified in Rome, inverted on a cross for his faith. John, on the other hand, lived the longest of the apostles and became known as John the Elder. He was considered a pillar of faith and wisdom since he had come out of exile from a deserted island and wrote the Book of Revelation. These are two unique ministries but nonetheless important for us to understand. Our calling is to follow Christ in whatever specific ways He chooses for us; we only have to be obedient to that call. I challenge you this week to ask God about your discipleship training/calling to evaluate where you are. Do you need a mentor, some accountability, a course correction, or simply just encouragement to carry on? He promises to answer if you’ll ask.

… and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might Ephesians 1:19 ESV

Read that again, slowly this time. It’s a glimpse into Paul’s heart toward believers, into his prayer time, and filled with treasure that we have to dig out. Grab your shovel.

This verse is in the middle of the apostolic prayer of Paul from Ephesians 1:17-23. It’s one long sentence that needs to be taken in small scoops so let’s only consider verse nineteen as we dig.

Found within this prayer is Paul’s desire for saints to know God; he even lists the Trinity (vs. 17). However, it’s not just knowing about God but actually experiencing Him through the Spirit. How does that happen? Practically speaking, in every day life, how do we experience God? Paul prayed for the Holy Spirit to give divine wisdom and revelation; that means we can’t conjure it up, we can’t make it happen, it’s a gift that’s received and put to work. Wisdom is making the right decisions at the right time under the Spirit’s direction and revelation (apokalupsis). It’s God’s light shining on the eyes of our hearts (vs. 18) in order to know what to do when confronted with a decision. These are benefits of the Holy Spirit, part of our inheritance in Christ, and given to build up our inner life in Him. It’s kingdom living at its best.

Getting back to verse 19, let’s consider that word: immeasurable. It’s two Greek words that mean beyond calculation, limitless, inexhaustible, and unfathomable (huper) combined with ‘to run or throw beyond, even overthrow’ (ballo). The beauty of this word shows God’s excessive power, in Latin it’s super, and in English we might say God super-sized His power to those who believe. It’s true.

We could say that this immeasurable power overthrows any attack of our enemy. This power is infinite and greater than any temptation, fear, or anything he throws at us. It’s not found in us, in our ability, or strength but only in Him. Paul wants us to know God intimately in order that we’re prepared to fight and win.

This glorious inheritance (vs. 18), better than any dollar amount, fills us with the ‘riches’ we need. This filling (riches) of God’s power is a supply that’s more than enough, huperballo, to build up your inner man and cause you to triumph.

… that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being … Ephesians 3:16 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

You can pray this prayer in Eph. 1:17-23 over yourself and your family. It will renew your faith and remind you of who you are ‘in Him’. Let’s continue digging next Friday and uncover more jewels.

Discipleship- Part 2

Last week I discussed Jesus’ discipleship program, how He sat under the religious leaders of the day listening and asking questions. Jesus was our example of having the heart-attitude of a disciple. A disciple is one who learns and follows the teachings of another and the Another in this case is God, the Father. He was about the affairs of His Father; their concerns were the same: the love of people. Our God holds His prized possession, the ones He has made in His very own image, in high esteem. Believers are His children; we belong to His family and He loves us.

It was 18 yrs. after His discipleship training under the rabbis that Jesus began his public ministry. That’s a long period of discipleship but He was about His Father’s business. In order to get the full picture let’s investigate what was included in His discipleship program. Here’s what I found.

1. Jesus studied Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which show God’s way of life or kingdom living for His chosen people.

2. Jesus learned scripture. He probably memorized much of it in order to be reminded of His Father’s promises.

3. He undoubtedly studied the Old Testament prophecies. He knew they spoke of Him; He was their fulfillment. He often quoted them in His ministry.

4. He became familiar with the writings and enjoying them (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.).

5. Listening to the great rabbis expound on life must have been thoroughly enjoyable to Him. Their homilies, life-lessons, and teachings were music to His ears.

6. Surrounding Himself with good teachers of sound doctrine was an important aspect of His discipleship program.

7. He was familiar with the Question and Answer format. Jesus was able to ask the right questions as well as give the right answers. We can assume that He gave and probably received more clarity on kingdom living.

This 18 yr. preparation period prepared Him for God’s business:

Teaching
Preaching
Healing
Deliverance
Bringing the Kingdom of God to the earth.
Giving proof or evidence that He was God/Man.

I want to encourage you again this week to consider your personal discipleship program. Are you following the same pattern for spiritual growth as your Divine example? If you are then you can expect God to prepare you for ministry as well. That doesn’t mean He’ll put you in a pulpit; it means He’s preparing you to be a help and encouragement to others. That’s ministry too. Be about the concerns and affairs of your Father this week; be available to Him.

As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. ‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So Moses finished the work. Ex. 40:33b

The tabernacle was completed and something unimaginable happened: the cloud of His glory (shekinah) covered and filled it. That image of God’s presence gave direction to His people (Num. 9:15-23) as Moses followed the cloud and the people followed Moses.

Let’s fast forward to the New Testament where we find Jesus talking to the religious leaders:

“If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.” John 5:46 NLT

Moses was the ultimate authority for the Jewish people and a forerunner of Messiah Jesus. Among many examples of his Christ-likeness we know he experienced God several times in a cloud. From Mt. Sinai to the Tabernacle and even after his death, God supernaturally allowed Moses to appear with Jesus within the Transfiguration cloud (Luke 9:28-36). What is it about clouds?

Their appearance is radiant and overshadows whatever is below them; God’s glory is similar. It overshadowed Mt. Sinai, the tabernacle, the temple, the mountain of transfiguration, and most important, Jesus will return on That Day to be reunited with the saints, dead or alive, and meet with Him once more in the clouds (1 Thes. 4:17).

As wonderful as the Tabernacle of Moses was, what we have in Christ is far better for He tabernacles in us.

… even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:17 ESV

As Moses was the image of Christ, so the cloud of glory is the image of the Holy Spirit though He does much more than hover; He fills us (Eph. 5:18):

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. John 17:22 NLT

This teaching of the Tabernacle seems to picture our life in Christ. As you enter (Entrance Gate), repent (Brazen Altar), and are washed (Laver), you are ready to encounter Jesus Christ. With His light (Lampstand) and spiritual nourishment (Table of Showbread) your heart begins to pray (Altar of Incense) and you freely enter into His grace and mercy (Ark of the Covenant) as you allow His Spirit to lead you with His indwelling presence.

The glory of God in the Old Testament was magnificent but Paul tells us what we have is even better.

Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.
2 Corinthians 3:8-10 NLT

Moses’ work was finished and so was Jesus’ at the cross. “It is finished.” Live in the power of the Spirit every day for the work is done.

Discipleship

It seems that everywhere I turn pastors and Bible teachers are talking about discipleship. It’s become a ‘buzz’ word but I wonder how many of us realize it’s implications. Let’s look together at Jesus’ life, to begin at the beginning, to see if He was discipled. We know that He was God on earth, however, He was also man and our divine example. In Luke 2:41-47 we do indeed read an account of Jesus being discipled as a young boy by the rabbis or teachers and priests at the Temple and that’s what I want to discuss for the next few weeks: Jesus’ discipleship program.

It was the Feast of Passover, Jesus’ parents took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem and that’s where we find Him in Luke 2. Rabbis and priests took full advantage of the people coming to the Temple from all over Israel by having times of teaching Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) and giving homilies or preaching. That’s how the people learned their religious doctrine and were instructed in moral living, life lessons, and personal discipline. Jesus deemed this instruction important; important enough to leave the side of his parents and seek this instruction. When Mary and Joseph found Him, you may remember His response: “I must be about My Father’s business.” Some Bible versions have “in My Father’s house” but either way, Jesus knew where He needed to be discipled and sought it out. That’s the attitude we should have, hungry to know God more, seeking Him in His Word, and being teachable.

Our question, therefore, should be, “Are we about our Father’s business?” Well saints, just what is our Father’s business? Put another way, what are the concerns of our heavenly Father as they apply to us? If we continue to use our Savior as the divine example we find that He put Himself under the teachings of the religious leaders of His day to begin His quest. He sat in the midst of them, He was listening and questioning, and yes, undoubtedly speaking words of wisdom to them as well. Again, Luke 2 tells us that all were amazed at His understanding and answers to the questions He brought forth. That, my friends, is the beginning of being about our Father’s business.

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
Proverbs 4:13 NLT

My last point is that Jesus humbled Himself and was discipled as He grew in wisdom and favor with both man and God. Who are you sitting under for instruction in God’s Word and finally, are you growing? Can you see a change from last year to this year in your walk with Christ. Evaluate your spiritual growth this week and decide to make the changes you deem necessary to be about your Father’s business.

Ark of the Covenant

What is it about a golden box, so mysterious and secluded, that man was only allowed into its presence once a year? And not just any man or any priest but only the High Priest and not just any day but one specific day.

The Ark of the Covenant is pictured with protective angels hovering over the Mercy Seat where the blood was poured. That blood represented God’s judgment being satisfied and fellowship restored (atonement: at-one-ment) for yet another year; it was the heavy sigh a guilty man would breath when a judge showed him mercy (Heb. 9:2-8).

The Ark contained three articles that are worth exploring. The first High Priest was Aaron, brother of Moses, and he carried a staff or rod. Miracles were performed and curses released (Ex. 9) using this rod in the presence of the Pharaoh of Egypt. When Aaron’s authority needed to be proven to the people (Num. 17:1-13) this dead stick, the rod, miraculously budded, blossomed, and bore fruit. This rod was kept in the ark, serving as a reminder of God’s power to bring life from the dead. This foreshadow was of Jesus, our resurrected Savior, Who brings a condemned sinner into new life. It also reminds a believer that we have authority as well; we sit in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6), and our position is assured.

Secondly, within the Ark we find the stone tablets or the Law that God dictated to Moses on Mt. Sinai. These ten commandments explained the duties of man toward God and others. When a believer obeyed these laws he experienced kingdom living: the higher life. When they didn’t obey, the law showed them their sin (Gal. 3:19-22). The Old Covenant played a vital role in a Jewish life but the New Covenant that Jesus instituted is better. On the Day of Atonement when the High Priest entered with animal blood everyone was reminded of their sin but when the blood of Jesus was presented to God a promise was made:

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12 ESV

That’s a better covenant; if God doesn’t remember your sin, neither should you.

Lastly, within the Ark we find manna, the mysterious food that appeared in the wilderness. Every day God supernaturally provided sustenance for His people; I think you can see the image.

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV

The Ark of the Covenant is a wonderful reminder of the far better plan we have in Christ. Mercy, angels, position, authority, kingdom living, and daily food for your soul, now that’s a better plan, living in the Kingdom of God.