Facing Prometheus, Sermons

The Power You’re Looking For | Week 5 | Facing Prometheus

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Facing Prometheus | Week 5 | Pastor Howie Smith

Foundational Scripture: Ephesians 1:19–23

The Ache for Power

Pastor Howie began with something painfully relatable: weakness.

A torn bicep. Struggling to open jars. That small, embarrassing reminder of powerlessness.

But the real issue isn’t jars.

Every human heart aches for power.

We want:

  • Power to protect
  • Power to fix what’s broken
  • Power to feel like we matter
  • Power to not feel small

That ache is not sinful. It’s Genesis.

Genesis 1:26–28 shows that humanity was created in God’s image to exercise dominion under Him. Wanting power is baked into our design.

But the fall twisted that desire.

Instead of stewarding power under God, we chase what Pastor Howie called:

I. Insufficient Power

Because sin distorted us, we now crave power in unhealthy forms:

Control Over Others

Manipulation. Anger rooted in unmet expectations. Blowing up relationships just to feel in control of something.

Reputation Over Righteousness

We fake spiritual fruit.
Instead of love, joy, peace (Gal. 5:22), we project success, influence, toughness, and self-sufficiency.

Domination Over Service

We want to be served, not serve.

Influence Without Submission

We want a platform. We don’t want authority over us.

The world’s model says:

  • Power is platform.
  • Power is visibility.
  • Power is winning.
  • Power is control.

And yet even when people gain that kind of power, they’re restless.

Why?

Because our ache is not for political power.
Not for financial power.
Not for social power.

Our ache is for resurrection power.

II. The Power Adapter

Ephesus was obsessed with spiritual power, magic arts, prestige, and authority. That culture is not far from ours.

Into that world, Paul prays that believers would know:

“the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe.” (Eph. 1:19)

Paul stacks Greek words to describe it: power, working, strength, might. He strains vocabulary to communicate magnitude.

But what kind of power is this?

Not:

  • Military dominance
  • Cultural takeover
  • Charisma
  • Institutional control

Paul defines it in three Christ-centered realities.

A. Resurrection Power

Ephesians 1:20 says God exercised this power by raising Christ from the dead.

The cross looked like weakness.
The resurrection revealed victory.

1 Corinthians 15 makes it clear: if Christ is not raised, our faith is worthless.

The world says:

  • Power avoids weakness.

God says:

  • Power conquers through weakness.

The greatest display of divine power was not preventing the cross, but raising Jesus from the grave.

B. Exalted Authority

Christ is seated at the right hand of God, far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named (Eph. 1:20–21).

Right hand imagery throughout Scripture signals ultimate authority:

  • Exodus 15
  • Psalm 20
  • Psalm 110
  • Isaiah 48
  • Philippians 2

And Paul emphasizes something repeatedly:

All.

All rulers.
All authorities.
All powers.
All dominions.
All titles.

All means all.

This is especially important in Ephesus, where magic and the invoking of spiritual names were common (see Acts 19).

Pastor Howie addressed this directly:
Astrology. Tarot. Crystals. Ouija. Psychics.

They are not neutral.
They are insufficient power.

And if Christ is above every name that is named, why elevate lesser powers?

Christ’s authority is not fragile.
It is not up for election.
It is not threatened by cultural shifts.

C. Headship for the Church

Ephesians 1:22–23 says Christ is head over everything for the church.

Let that land.

The greatest power in the universe is presently operating for the good of His people.

The world hoards power.
Jesus shares it.

The world crushes enemies.
Jesus makes enemies sons.

This power is not against the church.
It is toward us who believe.

III. The Power Conductor

This resurrection power is not earned.
It is received.

In Christ

No Christ → no resurrection power.
In Christ → resurrection life.

Through the Spirit

The Spirit applies resurrection power to believers.

Not emotional hype.
Not personality strength.
Supernatural life.

Power to:

  • Kill sin
  • Endure suffering
  • Love enemies
  • Remain faithful

With Prayer

Notice: this entire passage is within a prayer.

Paul is not praying for more power.
He is praying that believers would know the power already available.

Many Christians live spiritually impoverished not because power is absent, but because awareness is absent.

We grow in awareness through:

  • Scripture
  • Prayer
  • Obedience
  • The life of the church

Not striving.
Abiding.

IV. From Potential to Kinetic

Pastor Howie used a simple illustration: a Tonka truck.

There are believers who say yes to Jesus, but resurrection power sits unused. Potential energy. Revved up on Sunday. Dormant by Wednesday.

Resurrection power becomes kinetic when it shows up in:

A. Power Over Sin

The same power that rolled away the stone now works in you.

You are not powerless against:

  • Addiction
  • Bitterness
  • Lust
  • Fear

White-knuckling is not resurrection power.

B. Power in Suffering

Resurrection only comes after death.

God’s power does not always remove suffering.
It sustains faith through it.

The world sees suffering as weakness.
God uses suffering as a platform for glory.

C. Power in Humility

Christ reigns through sacrifice.

Resurrection power enables:

  • Forgiveness when wronged
  • Faithfulness when unnoticed
  • Courage when opposed
  • Gentleness when attacked

Worldly power demands visibility.
Resurrection power is content with faithfulness.

D. Power Through the Church

Christ expresses His authority through His body.

This is not isolated spirituality.
It is corporate strength.

When the church loves, Christ’s power is displayed.
When the church stands firm, His reign is visible.
When the church proclaims the gospel, resurrection power advances.

A Reordered Ache

Your heart aches for power.

That ache is not wrong.
It is misdirected.

You were not made for fragile, competitive, self-protective power.

You were made to participate in resurrection power under the reign of Christ.

The greatest power in the universe:

  • Has defeated death
  • Is seated above all authority
  • Is ruling for the good of the church
  • Is presently at work in believers

So do not seek smaller power.
Do not envy worldly power.
Do not fear earthly power.

Christ is risen.
Christ is reigning.
Christ is head of the church.

And His immeasurable power is toward us who believe.

The Well