According to the power that works within us

Now to Him Who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Who is able?

God the Father.

His arm is not too short to do the impossible. Genesis 18:14; Numbers 11:23; Isaiah 59:1; Jeremiah 32:17, 27 

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

He is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine [or think].

The Bible does NOT say that the Lord is able to do so much more than all we CAN or COULD ask or imagine or think.

It means that whatever we would normally ask or imagine or think in believing prayer Matthew 21:22 to God the Father John 16:23-24 in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is His authority, power, and character, Colossians 3:17 this is what can be answered beyond our petition.

This request in the Savior's name would be in harmony with His will and desire for us. 1 John 5:14-15 

This type of prayer is what He can supernaturally surpass for us in His answer.

The love of Christ surpasses knowledge Ephesians 3:19 so why not divine answers?

POWER TOWARD US

The idea is similar to what Paul wrote about the Lord's power being great toward believers.

How great?

Strong enough resurrection and seating power to raise Jesus from the dead and place Him at the Father's right hand. Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 

And the surpassing greatness of His power [God the Father's] to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:19-21

So, God the Father is able to do more than we ask, imagine, or think.

But how?

Notice that He brings us into it.

It's "according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

It's NOT some outside power; but it's His inside power.

In another letter, Paul wrote that it was the Lord's power that worked mightily in him. 

To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me. Colossians 1:29  

What could His power give to us?

Power to believe. Luke 17:6

Immediately the boy's father cried out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

Power to obey. John 14:14; Hebrews 5:9

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

Power to hope. Romans 5:5; 1 Peter 1:3

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Power to love. Romans 12:10; 13:8-10

But to those of you who will listen, I [Jesus] say: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." Luke 6:27

Power to forgive. Matthew 6:12, 14-15 

Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Power to receive from Him. Mark 11:24; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Galatians 3:2

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12

Power to endure patiently. James 1:3-4

For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.

How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:19-20

Power to give thanks and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

What if we believed, obeyed, hoped, loved, forgave, received, endured, and gave thanks?

Could the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ DO much more than what we asked or imagined? Ephesians 3:20 

He [God the Father] Who did not spare His own Son [Jesus] but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

HIS POWER AT WORK

Consider some examples of His power that worked within people that provided much more.

Abram's name was changed by the Father to Abraham. 

Why?

No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I [God the Father] have made you a father of many nations. Genesis 17:5

Abraham would be the father of many nations Genesis 17:2-3, 6 even though up to that time his wife couldn't conceive Genesis 15:2; 16:1 and they were both old. Genesis 17:17; Hebrews 11:12 

In Abraham's seed, which was Christ, the Messiah, Jesus, John 1:41; Galatians 3:16 all nations would be blessed. Acts 3:25-26; Galatians 3:7-9

Abraham's wife, Sarai, also had her name changed by the Lord to be Sarah. Genesis 17:15-16  By faith, she would receive strength to conceive a child in their old age, Genesis 17:19, 21; Hebrews 11:11 who would be Isaac, to whom the Lord's promise was also made. Genesis 26:2-5; Hebrews 11:9

Isaac was told by the Lord to stay in a certain place where he planted seed during a famine [little or no rain, so no crops] James 5:17-18 and received a harvest that was 100 times greater than his seed. Genesis 26:1-3, 6, 12-14

In the New Testament, a priest named Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were righteous and blameless but childless Luke 1:5-7 and were old. Luke 1:18

Before they became too old to have children, surely they prayed for a child but nothing happened, which disgraced her. Luke 1:25

An angel appeared to Zacharias and told him, "Your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13

Did God the Father do so much more than what this man prayed?

His old wife would have a child who would be John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ, preparing His way before Him. Luke 1:13-15, 76-80 

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:16

They wanted a child and they received one who was foretold of in the Bible Isaiah 40:3-8; John 1:23 to be a burning and a shining light. John 5:35

CAN NON-JEWS BE SAVED?

One more example of the Lord doing so much more that someone asks, imagines, or thinks according to His power at work in them.

A military officer, Cornelius, a non-Jew, Acts 10:1 knew of the message about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 10:37-38

But this man wasn't yet a believer even though he was described as devout, gave special gifts to the poor, and always prayed. Acts 10:2

Do you think one of his prayers might have been, 

"Lord God of the Jews, is this Jesus of Nazareth, the waited-for Messiah, the Savior of the world?" John 1:41, 45-49; 4:25-26, 39-42 

An angel appeared to Cornelius and said, 

"Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God." Acts 10:4

What did God the Father do for this man that was so much more than he asked?

Peter was sent to Cornelius who gathered together his relatives and friends with him to hear all things commanded by God. Acts 10:5, 17-24, 33

They listened to Peter's message about Jesus that "All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." Acts 10:43

They believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:44-48; 11:1, 13-17

As a major other benefit as a result of the prayers of Cornelius and the Lord's exceedingly abundant answers, Peter learned how the Lord viewed people Acts 10:15-16 and this opened the door of salvation to the non-Jews. Acts 11:18

He [Peter] said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." Acts 10:28

Yes, God the Father does NOT show favoritism. Acts 10:34

Instead, He is able to do so much more for you and me according to His power that works within us.

To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Your thoughts?

R. Jason