Day 4: The Authority of Christ and the Strength of the Church
Reading: Ephesians 1:19-23
9 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ 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 name that is invoked, 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.
Reading: Colossians 1:15-18
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
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Devotional:
The church can appear small, weak, and without significant influence in the world. Resources feel limited. Culture often dismisses or silences the voice of God's people. But Paul wanted the Ephesian church, and he wants you, to see a different reality. The one who holds all authority in heaven and on earth has placed himself as head over everything for the benefit of the church. That means the church is not operating without backing. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in and through his people. You are not helpless. You are not abandoned. The one in charge is on your side.
In what ways have you been thinking of the church, or of yourself as a member of it, as weak or without resource?
Pray specifically for your local church today. Ask God to make his power evident in and through the body of believers you are part of.
9 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ 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 name that is invoked, 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.
Reading: Colossians 1:15-18
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Devotional:
The church can appear small, weak, and without significant influence in the world. Resources feel limited. Culture often dismisses or silences the voice of God's people. But Paul wanted the Ephesian church, and he wants you, to see a different reality. The one who holds all authority in heaven and on earth has placed himself as head over everything for the benefit of the church. That means the church is not operating without backing. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in and through his people. You are not helpless. You are not abandoned. The one in charge is on your side.
In what ways have you been thinking of the church, or of yourself as a member of it, as weak or without resource?
Pray specifically for your local church today. Ask God to make his power evident in and through the body of believers you are part of.
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