The Grace Journal

"Taking God's Grace To the World"

A Bible study and news publication of Grace Impact Ministries

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Volume 21 No. 1 ~~~ Richard Jordan, Editor ~~~ May/June 2008

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The Power of His Might

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."

--Eph. 6:10

The book of Ephesians begins with a three chapter exposition of the wealth of our calling in Christ as members of His body. This is followed by almost three more full chapters detailing our walk in our conduct as members of that body on planet earth. Paul then concludes the epistle with an exhortation concerning the warfare we face due to our conflict with the adversary the devil.

These final instructions are introduced with the statement:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Eph. 6:10).

This is a twofold declaration. First comes a message of grace: "Be strong in the Lord." As we previouly saw in our study of this phrase, this is an exhortation to be strong in God's grace to us in Christ--to take our stand in the "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" which God's grace has so freely bestowed upon us "in Christ."

To this Paul adds a message of glory: "Be strong in...the power of His might." Although this part of the verse is often mistakenly assumed to be simply a repetition of the first part, we will find great profit in considering it more fully on its own.

A MESSAGE OF GLORY

In speaking of being strong in "the power of His might" Paul is referring back to Eph. 1 and the risen, ascended Lord Jesus as the source of the power which enables us to stand the shock of the battle with the adversary. He does this for a very important reason--one which explains why Satan hates the Body of Christ and the message of grace with such ire.

Eph. 1:15-23 contains the first of two great prayers recorded in this book. It is a prayer for enlightenment: that believers might know what is (1) "the hope of His calling"--the glorious expectation inspired by what God has purposed to do with and through the Body of Christ; (2) "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints"--what God will gain for Himself in all He plans to accomplish; and (3) "the exceeding greatness of His power" in accomplishing it all.

The standard for measuring "the greatness of His power" is then set forth:

"...according to the working of His mighty power,
"Which HE WROUGHT IN CHRIST, WHEN HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, AND SET HIM AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND IN HEAVENLY PLACES,
"FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER, AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION, AND EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED, NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD, BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME:
"AND HATH PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET, AND GAVE HIM TO BE THE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH,
"WHICH IS HIS BODY, THE FULNESS OF HIM THAT FILLETH ALL IN ALL" (Eph. 1:19-23).

God's power has been measured in different ways throughout Scripture. It was manifest in creation. With Israel, when the Lord wanted to cite who He is and what He does, He often pointed to their deliverance through the Red Sea as illustrating His power to deliver them. In the dispensation of grace, however, His power is set forth "when He raised [Christ] from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places."

It is important to read these verses fully and appreciate that much more than simply the resurrection of Christ from the dead is in view here--as glorious as that wonderful truth is!

What is being referred to here is the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ over the government of the universe. The Father "raised Him from the dead"--and not just to "sit on David's throne" (Acts 2:30), as prophecy had predicted. We now know He has "set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion."

For God to have "set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places" and to have "put all things under His feet and [given] Him to be head over all things" signifies that Christ has been placed into a position of governmental headship. Just what government the "principality--power--might--dominion" is referring to is expanded in Col. 1:16,

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers: all things were created by him, and for him."

There is a government not only "in the earth" but also "in heaven." Just as Satan usurped the position of "prince of this world" he has also taken the position of "prince of the power of the air"--the unseen, heavenly realm. But God has a plan and purpose to restore His authority in all these governmental positions--in heaven as well as in the earth.

His prophesied intent is to reclaim the authority in the earth through the instrumentality of a kingdom vested in the nation Israel. This is the subject of prophecy and has been "spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:21).

God also has a purpose and plan to restore His authority in the government in the heavenly places as well. This is the subject of the mystery revealed to Paul and was "kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest" (Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:1-9).1

Eph. 1:19-22 is setting forth the greatness of God's power as demonstrated by making the Lord Jesus Christ the head over a heavenly kingdom. The governmental positions of rank and authority which have been usurped from God's authority by Satan and his host have been reclaimed by the Lord Jesus. Thus Christ now sits as the rightful head of "all things." Note that the context clearly defines "all things" in verse 19--"all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named."

And this is done to the specific advantage of the members of the Body of Christ:

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
"Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (vs. 22,23).

Notice Paul does not here say that Christ is the "head of the church." That is a glorious truth but it isn't the point here. Rather Eph. 1:22 declares Him to be "head over all things to the church." Again, the "all things" over which He is made head is the heavenly government--and it is to the advantage of the church that He is so positioned.

Christ has a two-fold headship that should not be confused. Col. 1:18 declares, "He is head of the body, the church." But he is also the "head of all principality and power," as Col. 2:10 clearly states:

"And ye are complete in him, WHICH IS THE HEAD OF ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER."

It is Col. 2:10 that matches Eph. 1:21,22--not Col. 1:18. At this point perhaps we should examine Col. 1:16-18, for these verses hold the key to how Christ's headship over the heavenly government is for our advantage.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

It is God's intention that Jesus Christ have the preeminence in "all things." Once again, the context of Col. 1:16-18 clearly defines the "all things" being spoken of as those things identified in verse 16 --the positions of government created by Jesus Christ in heaven and earth. These are the "all things" that are to be "reconciled" in Col. 1:20.² The reference is to the future restoration of the system of government originally established over heaven and earth.

It is clear from the prophetic program that Jesus Christ was to be head of "all things" in the earth. When He sits on "the throne of His glory" and reigns from Jerusalem, He will be "King of Kings" and "all nations shall serve Him." What was unknown until the revelation of the mystery was that He also had a plan to reclaim His position in the heavenlies.

From Genesis 1:2 until the raising up of the Apostle Paul, the issue in the program of God was the earth. Now with the revelation of the mystery, the heavenly places have become the focus. God will restore the earth to Himself through the nation Israel; the heavenly places through the Body of Christ. Then Christ will be head of "all things." This is what Eph. 1:9-10 looks to:

"Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are in earth; even in him."

In order for Christ to be preeminent in "all things," He needed the Body of Christ. Israel would be His agency to reclaim the government of the earth. But He would need a "new creature"--a "new man"--to extend His reign into the heavenly places. Thus Christ has been made "head over the body"--"that in all things he might have the preeminence."

Without the Body of Christ He could never reclaim "all" things. Thus Christ has been made "head over all things to the church"--that is, to the advantage of the church, for the church is "His body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

In other words, it will be members of the Body of Christ whom He will use to fill up the positions of governmental authority in the heavenly places and through whom He will carry out the rule and business of His "heavenly kingdom" (II Tim. 4:18).

What a position is ours! What power and authority has been exercised in our behalf! And it is in this power that we are to stand fast.

WHY IT IS NEEDED

Our need for being strong in this power of His might goes much deeper than simply the momentary difficulties and vicissitudes of life. Consider Eph. 3:9,10.

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
"TO THE INTENT THAT NOW UNTO THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN HEAVENLY PLACES MIGHT BE KNOWN BY THE CHURCH THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD."

You see, as we make known"the fellowship of the mystery"--as Body truth works in our lives--we manifest unto the angelic beings currently filling the positions of principalities and powers in the heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God in reconciling even those positions back under His authority through Christ. And what is that "manifold wisdom"? I Cor. 2:6-8 tells us:

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
"WHICH NONE OF THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD KNEW: FOR HAD THEY KNOWN IT, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY."

Simply by keeping a secret about what He would accomplish through the cross-work of Jesus Christ, God "spoiled principality and power" and "made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:15).

At Calvary God took the wise in his own craftiness! In the face of Satan's boasted "wisdom" all God had to do was keep a secret and Satan fooled himself into doing the very thing that resulted in assuring his doom.

Is there any wonder why Satan hates the truth of the mystery so? Is there any question that he would oppose those who proclaim it to others? Thus Paul says,

"...BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT."

Our strength is in what God had done in Christ. It is this message of grace and glory Satan so bitterly hates. Yet this is the very truth that makes us strong as we rest by faith in who God has made us in Christ. It is this message we are privileged to cherish, to guard, to proclaim and with which to fill our lives.
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1. For a detailed study of this topic see the editor's series Eternal Glory. See ad below.

2. Failure to recognize this clear contextual fact has led to such erroneous ideas as the lost or even Satan himself being included in verse 20's "all things." Notice how v.20 tells its reader where to find the identity of the "all things" by repeating the words "things in earth, or things in heaven" from verse 16.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A NOTE OF THANKS AND AN UPDATE: As you may know, last summer the editor was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. Treatments, both medical and natural, have been ongoing and the results so far have been encouraging. It has been a challenging time but God's wonderful grace and the love along with the support of His people have been all the comfort one could ever need. I want to say a special thanks to those who have given so generously to the Medical Fund established to help with the treatment costs. I can't express fully how humbling it is to be cared for in such a touching way. Although I am not back up to full speed yet, my traveling schedule is full. So continue to pray for me and especially for Cynthia as she tends to a rather reluctant patient!

THIS IS THE 25th ANNIVERSARY of the Grace School of the Bible ministry. Please read the article "Lord, send us some preachers!" and rejoice with us as we raise this Ebenezer.

A TOUCHING CONVERSATION with a dear lady who watches our Television broadcast: When she first saw the program she was upset that "such heresy" was being aired. She got her husband to watch the next program with her. This time they noticed that some of their questions were being answered by the rightly divided Word. They wrote for the free material being offered and now have come to rejoice in the message of grace. We thank God that this story is being repeated over and over.

FORGOTTEN TRUTHS HAS BEEN MOVED: It is still on DirectTV but has been moved to channel 362. The time is still Saturday at 11:00 p.m. CT. You can contact Forgotten Truths at 877-GRACE4U if you need more information or perhaps would like to help support this outreach endeavor.

THE REGULAR SERVICES OF SHOREWOOD BIBLE CHURCH are available live via the internet. Real time streaming video is available at ShorewoodBibleChurch.org. There is simply no reason for "stranded grace believers" to be stranded any more!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR BLOG at GraceLifer.blogspot.com. It allows us to keep you up-to-date on the more personal side of things here.

HOW IT WORKS

This ministry continues to expand as more opportunities and resources are made available to take the nearly-too-good-to-be-true message of God's unconditional love and grace to the world. Why not join our campaign "to make all men see!" Your regular financial support is both needed and much appreciated. If you have been "taught," isn't it time you help "teach others also"? Perhaps you should prayerfully consider Galatians 6:6 and its bearing on your life?

A Note from the Leaches:

Hi, Richard.

When we started taping I had no idea how it would grow and be used in the ministry. When I think back of editing and duplicating all of that I don't know how it got done. Between selling engines and installing them and rebuilding them I guess it's a good thing I was a lot younger.

Those 25 years have been a great blessing to me. The fellowship that has come from all the saints we have met and shared with is what it is all about in this present evil age.

I am glad you convinced Cynthia to move to Chicago, because for the first 25 years of my saved life I never heard how to live the Grace Life. I knew how to rightly divide but that was it.

We will watch the meetings on the net thanks to Mr. Gore...haha. Say hi to everyone and give them a holy hand shake--have to be careful you know. And thank Shorewood Bible Church for putting up with all of us for so long.

Maranatha!

Allen and Theresa
Moscow, PA

STRICTLY PERSONAL:

"Lord, send us some preachers!"

My family and I arrived in Chicago August 3, 1979. After being raised in the deep South and ministering there for over a decade, the new surroundings were quite a "cultural shock." Although moving to Chicago to work at Berean Bible Society, it was the early association with the saints at North Shore Church that provided us the needed fellowship and support to make the tremendous adjustments. Almost immediately this wonderful congregation of "O'Hair's people" opened their hearts to the newly arrived young family and made us a welcomed part of the North Shore family.

Before the end of '79 I was functioning as "pulpit pastor" for NSC. In the early 1980's two currents came together: first, NSC sold its historic building at Wilson Avenue and Sheridan Road and in time began meeting with Norwood Bible Church. The first Sunday of January 1983, these two congregations merged to form Shorewood Bible Church. It was a mutual commitment to the message of grace and appreciation for the heritage of these two congregations that resulted in their continued ministry in the form of SBC. It wasn't long before new folks began to join the ministry--folks who only knew "Shorewood," and thus provided the needed life and momentum for the newly formed work to move forward with its own identity.

During this period I had also begun to travel the country holding "regional meetings," the goal being to gather grace believer together in various parts of the country so they could meet one another. "Put saints together and you never know what might happen!" was our philosophy.

An amazing thing occurred in late 1982 and '83: as I traveled the country, no less than eight men stepped forward with the desire to preach. It was frustrating to have no place to point them for sound training. At the same time, two men in the Chicago area (Chuck Wilcher and Ted Fellows) asked if I would train them through the local ministry.

Responding to Chuck and Ted's request, the groundwork was developed for the training class in Chicago. By September 1983 there was a group of some twenty students (six core men along with several others and their wives) ready to begin class.

Allen Leach of Marathon, Florida called just before we began to say he had shipped equipment so the classes could be video recorded. Knowing nothing about video at that time, I was more than a bit hesitant. Allen persisted and the results were that Rick, my thirteen-year-old son, became the cameraman and video producer for the first year classes!

Soon it became apparent that the training class was fulfilling its purpose. The curriculum design we so believed in--that I had first matriculated through myself--was working. It wasn't long before others wanted to join in via video.

Frankly, it was through the vision and work of Allen and Nancy Leach that the video classes were both born and developed into what then was simply called "The Class." They worked tirelessly to edit, copy and distribute the classes.

John Verstegen, then a captain in the Marine Corp, was our first video student. He agreed to monitor the classes for any glitches and problems. Soon he was followed by a trickle--and then a flood--of students taking "The Class."

Since those early beginnings, Grace School of the Bible has emerged. When I launched out on my own in August 1987 staying in Chicago was a natural decision considering the depth of our relationship with Shorewood. The name Grace School of the Bible was eventually chosen and distribution of the classes moved to Chicago (due to Nancy's failing health).

Once on our own, I was asked to conduct a weekly radio program, to produce a Bible study periodical, to make more audio/video studies, to continue the conference ministry, to establish a television ministry--as well as lead the Shorewood Bible Church ministry. Grace Impact Ministries was ultimately set up as an umbrella organization to carry the various outreach ministries and function as an independent adjunct ministry to Shorewood.

Even before coming to Chicago I was struck by the glaring need in the grace movement for preachers, for men who preached and taught God's Word with passion, clarity and conviction. Often I prayed, "Lord, send us some preachers!" Twenty-five years later, the prayer has been answered and the groundwork laid for an ever-expanding future--we can't wait for the next twenty-five years!!

We are certainly not all there is to the grace movement, for which we are sincerely grateful! But we are--and by the grace of God we will continue to be pressing forward"to make all men see."

Eternal Glory
BY RICHARD JORDAN

Ten studies exploring the details of what lies ahead for the Body of Christ after the Rapture as we participate with the Lord Jesus Christ in His "heavenly kingdom." If you have ever wondered where we will be and what we will be doing in the "ages to come," these studies provide answers from God's rightly divided Word.

10 messages on CD or DVD
(Please designate)

PRICE: $18.00

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Don't Waste Your Cancer!

BY RICHARD JORDAN

This was the advice Richard received from a friend just after being diagnosed with cancer. These two messages were given to the congregation of Shorewood Bible Church when he announced to them his condition. You'll find them an encouragement to trust God's grace in the details of life, no matter what you may be facing.

TITLES:
Don't Waste Your Cancer!
God's Word In the Face of Cancer

CD or DVD
(Please designate)

PRICE: $16.00

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Prophecy Pointers #2:
The Ezekiel Chronicles

BY RICHARD JORDAN

Six studies outlining the Book of Ezekiel and its end-time prophesies regarding the final status of the nation Israel and the middle east, the idenity of Gog and Magog and establishing once and for all if Ezekiel foretells a Russian led invasion of Palestine.

TITLES:
A Valley of Dry Bones
Two Sticks
The Gog and Magog Invasions--Pt. 1, 2, 3
The Millennial Memorial Park

CD or DVD
PRICE: $18

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TheGrace Journal
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call (888)535-2300

GRACEIMPACT:2008

Summer Family
Bible Conference

July 12-17,2008

Ephesians One And Three

Means so much to me;

By grace I'm saved through faith in God's
own Son:
These blessings then are mine.
In my risen Christ Divine:
For by the Holy Spirit we are one.
--J. C. O'Hair

The Grace Journal is the offical voice of Grace Impact Ministries and is available both via the internet and printed page. To receive a free print subscription send your mailing address to The Grace Journal, P. O. Box 97, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 or by calling our office during regular business hours at (888)535-2300.