HIS POWER AS A GIFT TO THE CHURCH. A power that supersedes all other force, authority, energy or strength. Absolute, the very ultimate of energy is found in the Lord. Paul called it < incomparable power >. None equal to it in time or eternity. It is designed to be used on behalf of those who believe, and by them. This is the mighty manifestation of the great and exceeding majesty of the power of God. Eph. 1:19 It was displayed in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus when He was delivered from the grave and exalted to the right hand of the majesty on high, in the realms of heaven. Where Jesus sits enthroned above and ruling over every rule and ruler. He is not only located above all but His authority and strength are over all others. Eph. 1:19-21 All are in complete subjection to Him. More importantly, He is the head of the church. That beautiful last day church which is to be His bride. The body which makes Him to be complete or whole. The plan and purpose of the Lord from the beginning is for a man to have a wife and in such a manner be made complete. This will conclude the cycle and bring into being the last Adam and His eve. Two parties, united in one in this fashion creating the eternal, heavenly race. His everlasting glory and majesty will be fully imputed to her making her to be equal with Him. Eph. 1:22-23
THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT AT WORK IN HIS CHURCH. There are limitless possibilities of the manifestation of the greatness of the power of the Lord in His church. It is His mighty power that is at work in and through His church. His ability is boundless, it knows no restriction. The capacity of His power far exceeds the competency of man to ask or think, what he will, to the extreme. The Lord knows no impossibility. His response to our request is determined by the power that is working in us. Eph. 3:19 The Lord has not instilled within His church a spirit of timidity, or of faithlessness, or of fear, but contrariwise the spirit of power, strength, mighty works and abilities. The sure motivating force being that of love, a love for the Lord and a love for individuals who will benefit from the demonstration of power. Involved also is the necessity of a sound mind, a disciplined individual who is requesting the display of the power of God solely for the glory of the Lord. 2 Tim. 1:7
ONLY DEAD MEN COUNT. Dead men can be men of power and authority. Dead men are men mightily used of the Lord. The Apostle Paul was one such personage. First of all, he wanted to really know Him, that is, Christ. His desire was for an intimate comprehension and full, complete understanding of His very being. This is a longing that is found in the heart of most Christians. Oh to know Christ more fully. The purpose being that the constant life of resurrection might be made manifest. There is a process whereby such a glorious experience in Christ Jesus may be attained. The beginning step is to fellowship His sufferings. Listed for us are those negative experiences which were a part of His life. Isa. 53:3-10 These are the things to which Paul was willing to commit himself, that he might gain Christ. He was surrendered to be made like Him in His death that he might obtain the glorious power of His resurrection. Phil. 3:10 < I am crucified with Christ >. I have been, an element of spiritual life in Christ to which he was no stranger. He had touched the death, burial and resurrection of Christ through the guidance and operation of the Spirit. Gal. 2:20 He was not referring to a physical death but a dying to the environment of this worlds vain pleasures and sins. Gal. 6:14 The work of the Spirit to which he has reference is a complete elimination of any sinful desire from the heart. A dead person cannot be tempted to react to anything in this life. He is dead and cannot respond. The sinful nature with its desires have been eliminated and banished. Gal. 5:24 There is now the sure evidence of that new life in Christ showing its presence in the individual. A life that is real life, eternal, everlasting life. It is not the will of the Lord that Christians live a life of victory and defeat. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Rom. 8:37 Christ will chose a bride in these last days and she will not be of an uncertain nature but will be consistent in her walk and life before the Lord.