Living the Power of Pentecost

 

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:4 

This morning, our pastor reminded us that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. And indeed, what a birth it was—marked not by candles and cake, but by rushing wind and tongues of fire, by bold proclamations and hearts set ablaze with the living presence of God. It wasn’t the launch of a denomination or a religious system—it was the arrival of the Holy Spirit to dwell within God’s people, empowering them to become the living body of Christ in the world.

On that day, Jerusalem was filled with people from every nation under heaven. They had come speaking many different languages. Yet when the Holy Spirit descended, the disciples stood up and spoke in other tongues—and everyone heard the message in their own language. It was a miracle of understanding, a divine sign that the gospel transcends cultural boundaries. From the beginning, the Church was born multilingual, multicultural, and missional.

Pentecost is not a memory to observe but a power to receive. The same Spirit who transformed timid disciples into bold witnesses is still at work today—equipping, uniting, and sending God’s people into the world.

The sound of wind and the sight of fire remind us that God moves by divine initiative, not human effort. The disciples were not strategizing; they were praying and waiting. The Spirit came in God’s time, to praying hearts. And when He came, everything changed.

Fear turned to boldness. Silence gave way to proclamation. Division became unity. The Spirit filled ordinary people with extraordinary power—not for personal gain, but for gospel mission. Pentecost reminds us that Christianity is not just about believing the right things, but about being indwelt and led by the living God.

We too are called to live Pentecost daily—to be open to the Spirit’s guidance, to speak truth in love, and to carry the good news across every barrier. The Church was born in fire, and that fire is meant to keep burning.

Prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, fall on us anew,

Fill our hearts like You once filled that upper room.

Make us bold where fear has grown,

Give us joy when strength feels gone.

Unite our hearts where we’ve been torn apart,

And send us out to shine Your light afar—

‘Til all the world has heard of Jesus’ name,

Empowered by Your fire, we burn with holy flame.

Heavenly Identity, Earthly Mission

 His Work, Our Walk

Bible Study on Ephesians 2:1–10

From Death to Life, from Grace to Purpose

Ephesians 2:1–10 is one of the most concise and powerful summaries of the Christian gospel. In ten verses, Paul moves from the depths of human sin to the heights of God’s grace, ending with the call to walk in the good works God has prepared. This passage is not only theological; it is deeply pastoral. It reminds us where we came from, what God has done, and who we are now called to be.

1. Remembering Our Past: Dead in Sin (vv. 1–3)

Paul opens Ephesians 2 not with encouragement, but with spiritual realism: “You were dead in your transgressions and sins” (v. 1). This diagnosis is foundational to understanding the gospel. Paul is not saying we were morally confused or spiritually weak; he is saying we were utterly lifeless in relation to God. Dead people cannot revive themselves. Our condition was helpless, and our only hope lay in divine intervention. As Matthew Henry writes, “The conversion of a soul is a resurrection from the dead. None can quicken the soul but God.” This honest remembrance of our spiritual state is not to induce despair, but to stir gratitude. Only by remembering the pit from which we were lifted can we begin to comprehend the height of God’s mercy.

In verse 2, Paul identifies the first two forces of this spiritual death—the world and the devil. We “followed the ways of this world,” Paul writes, describing the cultural pressures and godless systems that normalize sin and suppress truth. J.B. Phillips translates this vividly: “You drifted along on the stream of this world’s ideas of living.” Like debris in a current, we were swept along by the prevailing ideologies and moral compromises of our age. Then Paul adds, “you followed the ruler of the kingdom of the air”—a reference to Satan, whom Jesus called the “father of lies” (John 8:44). The devil is not a myth but a malevolent reality, orchestrating rebellion against God in unseen realms. As William Barclay explains, “Paul saw the power of evil as a personal force… a malignant intelligence working to seduce and destroy.” Though Satan’s reign is temporary and limited, his influence is pervasive. The spiritual warfare we face is real—and apart from Christ, we had no defense.

Finally, Paul addresses the third force, the flesh, the internal enemy within: “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh” (v. 3). This is not merely about physical desires but the deep self-centered orientation of a life without God. We weren’t just victims of external forces; we were complicit, delighting in what dishonors God. J.B. Phillips puts it plainly: “We all lived like that in the past, and followed the impulses and imaginations of our evil nature.” The result? “We were by nature deserving of wrath.” No one is exempt. Barclay writes, “There is no room for human pride. The whole world lies under sin.” On the surface, people may appear decent, moral, even admirable—but on God’s absolute scale of holiness, all fall short (Romans 3:10–12). Recognizing this universal condition doesn’t crush our hope—it magnifies our need for grace. Before Paul speaks the healing words But God, he makes sure we know just how desperate our need was. And that is why the gospel is not just good advice—it is good news.

2. The Greatest Turning Point: But God (vv. 4–5)

After laying bare the hopelessness of our former condition, Paul shifts with two of the most powerful words in Scripture: But God. These words signal divine interruption—God’s mercy breaking into human misery. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ…” (vv. 4–5). We were rebels deserving wrath, enslaved to sin, and spiritually lifeless—but God did not leave us there. His intervention was not motivated by our goodness, but by His own. It was not our repentance that stirred His love—it was His love that made our repentance possible. The miracle of grace is not that God loved us when we were lovable, but that He loved us when we were dead in sin. As one commentator put it, “The only thing we contributed to our salvation was the sin that made it necessary.”

Eugene Peterson captures the wonder of this grace in The Message: “Instead of pouring out anger, God took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ.” This new life is not a metaphor but a spiritual reality. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, so we too have been made alive with Him. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the grave now lives in us (Romans 8:11). We are no longer defined by guilt, failure, or bondage, but by grace. As Paul declares in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” This means sin no longer has the final word. We are not who we once were. We have been remade by mercy, raised by love, and sustained by the life of Christ within us. Grace doesn’t just forgive—it resurrects.

3. Seated with Christ: A New Position (v. 6)

Paul continues unfolding the astonishing grace of God by declaring, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” This is not merely a promise about our future in heaven—it’s a declaration of our present spiritual reality. Because we are united with Christ, His resurrection becomes our resurrection, and His exaltation becomes our exaltation. We are not groveling toward God’s acceptance; we are already seated with Christ in the place of honor and authority. This truth transforms how we see ourselves. Our identity is no longer defined by shame, failure, or sin, but by our position in Christ. We live not from a place of defeat, but from a posture of victory.

Alexander Maclaren captures this beautifully when he writes, “He who is joined to Christ is already enthroned with Him. Heaven is not merely a future destiny—it is a present possession.” Though our bodies remain on earth, our spiritual standing is secure in the heavenly realm. This means we are called to live now as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), empowered by the Spirit to walk in holiness, purpose, and hope. Eugene Peterson paraphrases the idea in The Message: “He picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus.” This heavenly citizenship shapes our mindset and conduct—it lifts our eyes above earthly struggles and reorients our hearts to eternal realities. To be seated with Christ is to share in His peace, authority, and perspective even now.

4. Grace Alone: No Boasting (vv. 8–9)

Paul leaves no room for confusion about the source of salvation: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Grace is unearned, undeserved, and completely initiated by God. Even the faith by which we receive salvation is not a human accomplishment—it is a gift. This truth strikes at the root of all pride. Salvation is not a transaction; it is a miracle of mercy. As Paul reminds Titus, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5). When someone gives you a gift, you don’t respond with repayment—you respond with gratitude. The only fitting response to the gift of grace is joyful thanks and surrendered trust.

Matthew Henry reflects, “The grace that saves us does not leave us as we are. It humbles, transforms, and points us upward.” Grace does not merely forgive—it reshapes us. As William Barclay puts it, “Faith is not the product of man’s effort—it is the opening of the heart to the gift of God.” Once grace is received, it awakens a new desire to live for God, not as a way of earning love, but as a grateful response to love already given. There is no room for boasting—no spiritual resumes or moral ladders. Grace levels the playing field and elevates the humble. In a world obsessed with achievement, the gospel reminds us that the most important thing about us is not what we’ve done for God, but what God has done for us in Christ.

5. Masterpieces on Mission (v. 10)

Paul concludes this section with a glorious affirmation of purpose: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The Greek word poiēma, translated “handiwork,” evokes the image of a carefully crafted masterpiece—a work of art, a divine poem. We are not random accidents rescued from destruction; we are intentional creations, shaped by the loving hands of God. Salvation is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new one. We are not only saved from something, but saved for something—to reflect the beauty and character of Christ through lives of goodness and grace.

Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way in The Message: “God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the good work He has gotten ready for us to do.” These “good works” are not tasks we invent to impress God, but paths He has already laid out—custom-fit assignments that align with our redeemed identity. We are not saved by good works, but we are certainly saved unto them. The life of the believer is one of grateful response—living lives marked by compassion, justice, humility, and love. To be God’s masterpiece means we carry His fingerprints into the world, bearing witness through both word and deed to the One who made us new. As His living poetry, we are called to walk boldly in the good He has prepared, not to earn His favor, but to echo His grace.

Conclusion: The Journey from Grace to Goodness

Ephesians 2:1–10 tells the whole gospel story in miniature:

• We were dead (vv. 1–3)
  
  
• God intervened (vv. 4–7)
  
  
• We are saved by grace (vv. 8–9)
  
  
• And we are sent for good works (v. 10)
  
  

As we reflect on what Christ has done for us, let our gratitude overflow into compassion for others. If God loved us when we were dead in sin, how can we withhold love from others who are still on their way to grace?

Reflection Questions

1. Do I still try to earn God’s favor through performance?
   
   
2. How does remembering my past without Christ deepen my gratitude today?
   
   
3. What “good works” has God prepared for me to walk in this week?
   
   

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You that though we were dead in our sins, You made us alive in Christ. Not because of who we were, but because of who You are—rich in mercy, abounding in love. Help us now to walk in the good works You’ve prepared for us, not to earn Your love, but to reflect it. Let our lives become the poetry of Your grace. Amen.

Enlightened Eyes, Empowered Lives

Knowing Christ with the Heart

Living with Resurrection Eyes

Bible Study on Ephesians 1:15–23 (NIV)

Introduction: A Prayer for Revelation

In Ephesians 1:15–23, Paul transitions from praising God for spiritual blessings (vv.3–14) to praying that believers would truly comprehend them. His longing is not for new gifts, but for illumination—that the truths they already possess in Christ would move from their minds into their hearts. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (v.17). Paul’s central desire is for deeper relational knowledge of Christ, not just theological understanding.

William Barclay writes, “It is not enough to know about Christ; we must know Him.” True discipleship is more than study; it is intimacy with the risen Lord. The Christian life begins to flourish when “the eyes of your heart” (v.18) are enlightened—when we see God’s glory, our secure identity in Christ, and the power that sustains us. This prayer is also a commissioning: to live with hearts illuminated by resurrection truth, and to see life, worship, and mission through the lens of Christ’s victory.

1. Faith and Love (vv.15–16): The Fruit of Knowing Christ

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:15–16, NIV)

Paul begins with thanksgiving, not for general good behavior, but for two unmistakable signs of genuine Christian transformation: faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints. These are the first evidences of grace at work. Faith unites us to Christ; love demonstrates that union by flowing outward to others. This kind of love is not selective—it is the fruit of being rooted in Christ, embracing the Church in all its diversity.

Matthew Henry observes, “Where there is true faith in Christ, there will be a love to all the saints.” The apostle John agrees: “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). True Christianity cannot exist in private isolation. Faith and love together form the living witness that Christ dwells among His people.

2. Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (v.17): Seeing with the Soul

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)

Paul’s intercession focuses on a Spirit-enabled knowing—a heart-deep recognition of who God is. He prays not for facts, but for revelation that leads to intimacy. Eugene Peterson paraphrases: “I ask… to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally” (The Message). It’s about seeing with the soul—where the Spirit opens our spiritual senses to grasp the mystery and majesty of God.

Alexander Maclaren notes, “The revelation of God is not merely intellectual but moral and spiritual. It requires a purified heart to behold a pure God.” This echoes Jeremiah 24:7: “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.” Such wisdom changes how we think, how we live, and how we relate to others.

3. The Eyes of Your Heart Enlightened (v.18): Divine Perspective

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)

Biblically, the heart is the seat of thought, will, and emotion. For the “eyes of the heart” to be enlightened is to see with God’s clarity. Paul wants the believers to grasp three life-shaping truths: the hope of God’s calling, the riches of His inheritance in the saints, and the power available to them as believers.

Matthew Henry notes, “God enlightens the understanding by the Holy Spirit, that we may know the hope of our calling, the riches of our inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power.” Psalm 119:18 models this kind of prayer: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Such divine perspective anchors us in confidence, purpose, and joy—even amid uncertainty.

4. The Power That Raised Jesus (vv.19–20): Resurrection Power in Us

“…and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:19–20a, NIV)

Paul now describes this power in breathtaking terms. It is not a lesser strength, but the very power that raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to God’s right hand. This resurrection power is for us who believe. It breaks the chains of sin, empowers our obedience, and gives courage in weakness. It is not reserved for the next life—it is the power by which we live now.

William Barclay writes, “There is no need which is beyond the power of God.” Romans 8:11 confirms, “The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.” This divine energy transforms a struggling believer into a Spirit-filled witness, not relying on human strength but walking in victory.

5. Christ Exalted Over All (vv.21–22): Lord of Church and Cosmos

“…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. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church…” (Ephesians 1:21–22, NIV)

Paul lifts our gaze to Christ’s universal reign. Every power—earthly or spiritual—is under His authority. Christ is not only risen but enthroned, actively ruling over history. His dominion is supreme, unthreatened by any force in this age or the next. And stunningly, He is given as Head “for the church”—His people.

Eugene Peterson paraphrases: “The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.” Alexander Maclaren affirms, “The risen Christ is the source of the Church’s life, and the channel through which divine power flows into its members.” As Colossians 1:18 declares, “so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

6. The Fullness of Him Who Fills All (v.23): A Living, Active Body

“…which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:23, NIV)

This verse gives us a staggering picture of the Church. Christ fills the universe—and His fullness is made visible through His people. The Church is not an institution or gathering alone; it is the living expression of Jesus on earth. Through us, He touches, teaches, comforts, and heals. Our lives, lived together in Christ, become vessels of His presence.

Eugene Peterson states, “The Church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the Church.” We are Christ’s body—each member vital, each act of faith a testimony of His reign. As 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” In this world, the Church is Christ’s strategy for filling all things with His light and love.

Conclusion: A Prayer and a Commission

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 is not simply about knowing more—it’s about seeing differently. With enlightened hearts, we begin to live from a place of confidence in Christ’s victory, not our circumstances. We see that we are chosen, empowered, and sent. This vision shapes how we worship, how we endure hardship, and how we love one another.

This is not just Paul’s prayer—it is God’s desire for all His people. Let us, like Paul, ask God to open the eyes of our hearts so that we may live with hope, rooted in the riches of our identity, and energized by resurrection power. As we do, may the risen Christ be clearly seen in us and through us.

Closing Prayer

Lord, open the eyes of our hearts. Let us see You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly. Help us grasp the greatness of our calling, the richness of Your inheritance, and the power You have given us in Christ. Amen