“Immeasurably more!”
- Feb 20
- 6 min read
What would happen if we came alive to God’s power today?
Our Text is Ephesians 3:20: “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
The more we yield to Him, the more we will encounter in a greater way, things we could never imagine. How do I know that? Because Paul said at the beginning of Ephesians, in chapter 1:19-23, "that the power that now works in you" is the power that raised Christ from the dead. That's how we know!
Have we ever limited God, or doubted His ability? How many times have we given up and thought, ‘He can’t do anymore for me now!’
If we have done any of these things, we've made God too small. Can I ask you to look again. Nothing is too difficult for Him. He can do it!
In these hard and challenging times, we need to think big thoughts about God.
J.B. Phillips says, “We have not only to be impressed by the 'size' and unlimited power of God, we have to be moved to genuine admiration, respect, and affection, if we are ever to worship Him.”
Paul is singing or praying a doxology (a short hymn of praise to God), “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work.”
Paul emphasises again (remember last Friday?) the inherent power (dunamis) of God actively working (energeia) within each of us.
How does God work beyond our imagination?
The answer may surprise you!
How would you finish this sentence? ‘According to his power at work…’ when with a word, He hung the stars in their places and called each one by name! Or, when He spoke the universe into being out of nothing?
Let’s try again! How would you finish the sentence?
“According to his power at work…” when with one command, He caused the rains to fall and the floods to rise in the days of Noah. Or, “When the sea suddenly parted and the Israelites crossed over on dry land.”
He is ‘able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine’ according to His supernatural, spectacular, stunning, surprising, out of this world power. Is that what Paul says?
Paul says, God is able (20a)! Notice the descriptions…
To do
To do immeasurably
To do immeasurably more
To do immeasurably more than all we ask
To do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine
The very life of Christ is in us, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s that same power that is at work in us (see Col 1:29).
What is His power? It’s the power which made heaven and earth and everything in them. What is His power? It is the power that governs the universe and brings all things in line with His will and to their appointed end. It’s that same power “that is at work within us.” Wow!
It is the same power used by Jesus so that the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor (Matt 11:5).
By the way, it’s the same power which raised Jesus from the dead.
What a great and awesome power!
Just go back a moment into Ephesians 2, where we read of the transforming power of God. Verse 4 says, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy..."
The emphasis is on the amazing two word summary of the gospel: “but God.” We were dead in sin, but God made us alive in Christ. This signifies divine action that saves, raises, and seats believers in heavenly places.
"But God" transformation includes moving from being slaves to reigning as joint-heirs with Christ (Eph 2:6).
"But God" transformation is seen in us becoming His Masterpiece (2:10).
As followers of Jesus, this very power of God is at work in you to accomplish the ‘immeasurably more.’
Think of what this means!
What is the greatest thing you think we His kingdom people need, or as a church, should be doing?
What about your life? What does "immeasurably more" look like in your life, in your home, in your marriage, in your family, in your business, in your walk with God?
God's great power is extended towards us and also works "within" us as His children. Now don’t think this can’t be true! Even God had to remind Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9).
What about the ‘immeasurably more’ in your life today!
For Paul, it would be of no consequence to tell the church at Ephesus that God had power to
do so much, if there were not an implied assurance that He will do it.
What I always find incredibly exciting is that God uses us to produce all this "according to His power" (v20). And then these words: "that’s at work in us".
Have you ever been totally saturated with God?
I know we think we’re too small, meagre, inadequate for the challenges facing us, but Paul points to a power already at work within us NOW!
So, when God gives us the power to live, to give or reach out, it’s like we’re playing harmoniously in the right key with God’s song that Paul prayed.
Are we really aware of the power that is ours through the risen Christ?
Last year I told you about Annie Dillard, she struggled with what it was to be a Christian. But what she writes about Christians is so insightful: "Does anyone have the foggiest idea of what sort of power we so blithely invoke or as I suspect, does no one really believe a word of it?” She goes onto say, “We should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should be issuing life preservers... lashing us to the pews."
Let me ask you, as indeed I ask myself, do you have any idea or experience of "what sort power" we are talking about here?
Pause for a moment!
His is the kind of power that brings dead things to life, that parts seas, heals the blind, walks on water, commands nature, brings down walls, redeems and renews, and infinitely more besides! Hallelujah!
As you know, this is the second of Paul’s prayers in Ephesians. In the first prayer (Eph 1:15-23), Paul prays that we might come to know God's power. In this second prayer, Paul prays that we might use that power.
Do we worry about asking things of God that are too big?
Philip Brooks says, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be better men and women. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
Our ability to "ask or imagine" may be limited, but God's power definitely is not!
"You are God all powerful
There’s not a stronghold
You won’t break
You are God untameable!"
What a reminder to us that God reigns supreme. He has unlimited power and ultimate sovereignty over all things – Hallelujah!
God is powerful!
It’s a triumphant power! So, when I’m living or saying things opposite to this and I refuse to give or refuse to serve, or in denial of all that He is, I’m essentially out of tune with this song in Ephesians 3 and out of touch with the reality of all that He is!
It's a power that is able to exceed all our expectations.
Oh that we’ll not only be aware of His power in us, but He would in His grace and mercy pour out more so we can accomplish all that He’s asking us to do for HIS glory.
Note the end of chapter 3: "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (v21).
Here’s a triumphant praise to God, who is able to perform tasks far beyond human imagination, with the ultimate goal of bringing glory to Himself.
I was reading of the revival on the Isle of Lewis, early in 1949. Duncan Campbell described a prayer meeting like this -
“God was beginning to move, the heavens were opening, we were there on our faces before God. Three o’clock in the morning came, and God swept in. About a dozen men and women lay prostrate on the floor, speechless. Something had happened; we knew that the forces of darkness were going to be driven back, and men were going to be delivered. We left the cottage at 3 a.m. to discover men and women seeking God.”
Let’s pray: ‘Lord. Move in a radical, powerful and life-changing way first in my life today and then in the lives of those around me, for your glory.’ Amen
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