Ephesians 3:20-21 The church of the end days

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Background

God has placed us in our respective families, communities and nations with the calling to reconcile them to Him. If believers would take responsibility in fulfilling their calling, God will do through us much more than what we could ask or think.

God in His quest to restore His Kingdom on earth first establishes the disciplines of a holy lifestyle within the Jewish heritage based on the Law. The church is born when the New Covenant is established that includes Gentiles and Jews as members of His Kingdom. Under the New Covenant, the Spirit of Christ indwells the church and empowers her to establish God’s Kingdom throughout creation. In these last days, God is about to do mighty wonders through a church that is fully committed to His course.

Observation

Paul praises God who is able to restore creation to the fullness of God. The fullness of God is another expression for God’s Kingdom being fully established on earth. Prophet Isaiah painted a picture of God’s Kingdom in Isaiah 65:17-25:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth,.. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Put in a nutshell, there will be peace, joy, longevity, prosperity, blessed descendants, peace among traditional enemies and people living out their dreams. The Kingdom will be established through the expansion of the church by the preaching of the gospel empowered by the Spirit. There will come a time where Christ will call to Himself all who seek Him regardless of their religious background. And the Kingdom will be established under the rule of God and His laws.

Therefore, the church today is empowered by God who will work great wonders through her members: him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. In other words, God has fully invested His authority and power in the church to fulfill that mission.

Truth

In the last days, God is about to pour forth His power on believers who are committed to His course. God does not restore the world directly or even through angels, but only through the church. In other words, God has invested His full authority with the church to bring healing and restoration to the world. God does not heal the sick directly; He does not cast out demons directly; He does not preach the gospel directly; He does not visit the needy directly; He does not give aid to the poor directly, but He does His redemptive work through His church and angels are placed under the charge of God’s sons. Hence, we must never be laid back expecting God to reach out to the poor; it is God’s plan to do His miraculous works of power and love through believers.

Applications

Consider what expertise you could offer to serve the community. Discuss with your church to start a ministry beginning with the support of your own family to reach out to the needy. When the ministry starts to show results, other believers would be inspired to join you.

Dear Lord, I commit my time and resources to the call of reaching the community. Anoint my church with wisdom, expertise and power for the work. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.