“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we pause to remember the events that shaped who we are. Those stories may feel distant from our daily lives, yet they formed the foundation of the people we’ve become.
In today’s communion text, we’re also called to look back—to an event the world cannot comprehend. Many dismiss it as foolishness: that a man would willingly die a criminal’s death, and that his followers would celebrate it. But what the world sees as defeat was, in truth, divine victory.
The cross of Jesus Christ was not tragedy—it was triumph. Through His death, we gained freedom from sin and its consequences. On that cross, God displayed His power—the power of salvation for all who believe. As Paul wrote, the world calls it foolishness, but to those being saved, it is the very power of God.
When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” the debt was paid. His blood was poured out for forgiveness; His body broken for our resurrection.
As we share these emblems today, we remember His sacrifice. For generations we have taught and celebrated this truth—not as ritual, but as remembrance of the greatest event in history.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or understand, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Introduction
The Semiquincentennial of the United States invites us to reflect on the sweep of history. Two hundred and fifty years is a long stretch of human experience—long enough for generations to rise and fall, long enough for ideals to be tested, long enough for a nation to be shaped by triumphs and failures, long enough for stories to be written that no one in 1776 could have foreseen. The anniversary is here, museums have prepared exhibits, communities have planned celebrations, parades and events, and leaders speak about the nation’s past and future. Yet even such a milestone, impressive as it is, becomes small when placed beside the doxology of Ephesians 3:20–21. Paul lifts the eyes of the church beyond centuries, beyond national narratives, beyond human imagination, and anchors hope in the God whose power exceeds all that can be asked or conceived.
Paul writes from a place of worship. He has traced the mystery of the gospel, the uniting of Jew and Gentile, the riches of Christ, the love that surpasses knowledge, and the strengthening work of the Spirit. Then he reaches a point where theology becomes doxology. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that is asked or thought, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” These words are not an appendix to the prayer; they are the heartbeat of Christian confidence. They declare that God’s ability is greater than human imagination, that His work is active within His people, and that His glory stretches across generations without end.
I. God’s Power Exceeds Human Imagination (Ephesians 3:20)
The Semiquincentennial offers a helpful illustration of the limits of human foresight. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the founders saw only the first chapter of a national story. They could not have imagined the size of the nation that would emerge, the ethnic and cultural diversity of its people, the technological advances, the cultural shifts, the conflicts, the reconciliations, or the global influence that would develop. They acted with conviction, but they did not possess omniscience. History unfolded in ways far beyond their expectations. This anniversary reminds observers how small human imagination is when compared to the unfolding of time.
Paul’s doxology presses this truth even further. If a nation can grow in ways its founders never imagined, how much more can the living God accomplish in His church. The church is not built on human ingenuity or insight but on divine power. The gospel does not advance because of human brilliance but because of the Spirit’s work. The mission does not endure because of cultural strength but because Christ is risen and reigning. God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that is asked or thought. The Semiquincentennial becomes a mirror that reflects the limits of human planning and the vastness of divine capability.
II. God’s Power Works Within His People
Paul adds that this power is “at work within us.” The same God who shapes centuries of history is shaping the inner life of believers. His greatest work is not merely in the rise and fall of nations but in the transformation of hearts. The Spirit strengthens the inner person, roots believers in love, and fills them with the fullness of God. This work is often unseen, quiet, and gradual.
National anniversaries highlight visible achievements—documents, monuments, battles, inventions, movements. But behind every visible moment were countless unseen acts: quiet sacrifices, small decisions, prayers whispered, families persevering, communities rebuilding. The visible story rests on hidden foundations.
So it is with the church. The visible witness of God’s people rests on the unseen work of God’s Spirit. The fruit of ministry grows from roots nourished in prayer. The endurance of faith is sustained by grace that no one sees. The Semiquincentennial reminds observers that what is celebrated publicly often began privately. Paul reminds the church that God’s greatest work begins where no one sees.
III. God’s Glory Endures Beyond All Generations (Ephesians 3:21)
Then Paul directs attention to the purpose of this divine power: the glory of God in the church and in Christ Jesus. Nations celebrate their anniversaries to remember identity, ideals, and history. But even a quarter‑millennium is small compared to the scope of God’s redemptive plan. Nations rise and fall; the church endures. Constitutions can be amended; the gospel remains unchanged. Human stories are measured in centuries; God’s story is measured in eternity.
The Semiquincentennial invites reflection on the endurance of a nation, but Paul invites reflection on the endurance of God’s glory. The church exists to display God’s glory across generations. Paul’s doxology stretches beyond the lifespan of any nation, beyond the reach of any historical milestone, beyond the memory of any human institution. “To all generations, forever and ever.” The church is older than any nation and will outlast every nation. Its foundation is Christ. Its mission is the gospel. Its future is secure. The Semiquincentennial becomes a reminder that while national stories matter, the story of God’s glory matters infinitely more.
The widow of Zarephath had only a handful of flour, yet God multiplied it day after day. God is able to do far more. The disciples saw five loaves and two fish, but Jesus saw a feast for thousands. God is able to do far more.
The storm on the Sea of Galilee terrified seasoned fishermen, yet Jesus spoke and the winds obeyed. God is able to do far more.
The cross looked like defeat, yet through it God brought about resurrection life. God brings victory beyond human imagination.
Today we stand in our own uncertainties, limitations, and unanswered questions. But God is already working beyond what we can conceive. God is able to do far more.
IV. The Church’s Responsibility to Future Generations
This leads to a practical question: What kind of church will future generations inherit? As America looks ahead to its next century and beyond, people ask what kind of nation their descendants will receive. What challenges will they face? What opportunities will arise?
Paul asks a deeper question. What spiritual foundations are being laid today? What witness will endure? What faith will be passed on? The Semiquincentennial becomes an illustration of generational responsibility. It invites believers to consider not only the nation’s future but the church’s future. “To Him be the glory in the church” means that we are responsible to glorify God. Are we doing that? I think we have yet to begin to fulfill that text.
Paul’s doxology calls believers to live as people of confidence, humility, and hope. Confidence, because God is able to do far more than imagination can grasp. Humility, because His power—not human strength—is the source of all spiritual fruit. Hope, because His glory in us will shine across generations long after present struggles fade.
Conclusion
Now that the anniversary is here, celebrations are happening, speeches are being given, and reflections are being shared. But for the church, the greatest celebration is not national but global. The greatest story is not political but redemptive. The greatest hope is not rooted in human achievement but in divine ability.
Paul’s doxology lifts the eyes of believers above the horizon of national anniversaries and anchors them in the God who works within His people and displays His glory across generations. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. To Him be the glory in every generation. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Chronicles 12:1 When Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he abandoned Yahveh’s instruction—he and all Israel with him.
2 Chronicles 12:2 Because they were unfaithful to Yahveh, in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, King Shishak of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem
2 Chronicles 12:3 with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 cavalrymen, and countless people who came with him from Egypt– Libyans, Sukkiim, and Cushites.
2 Chronicles 12:4 He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 12:5 Then the prophet Shemaiah went to Rehoboam and the captains of Judah who were gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak. He said to them: “This is what Yahveh says: ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I have abandoned you to Shishak.'”
2 Chronicles 12:6 So the captains of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “Yahveh is righteous.”
2 Chronicles 12:7 When Yahveh saw that they had humbled themselves, Yahveh’s message came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves; I will not put an end to[1] them but will grant them a little deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
2 Chronicles 12:8 However, they will become his slaves so they may recognize the difference between working for me and working for the kingdoms of other lands.”
2 Chronicles 12:9 So King Shishak of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem. He seized the treasuries of Yahveh’s house and the royal house. He took everything, including the gold shields that Solomon had made.
2 Chronicles 12:10 King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and committed them to the care of the captains of the guards who protected the entrance to the king’s house.
2 Chronicles 12:11 Whenever the king entered Yahveh’s house, the guards would carry the shields and take them back to the armory.
2 Chronicles 12:12 When Rehoboam humbled himself, Yahveh’s anger turned away from him, and he did not put an end to him. Besides that, conditions were good in Judah.
2 Chronicles 12:13 King Rehoboam strengthened his royal power in Jerusalem. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city Yahveh had chosen from all the tribes of Israel to place his name. Rehoboam’s mother’s name was Naamah, the Ammonite.
2 Chronicles 12:14 Rehoboam did what was evil because he did not determine in his heart to seek Yahveh.
2 Chronicles 12:15 Rehoboam’s reign, from beginning to end, is written in the Events of the Prophet Shemaiah and of the Seer Iddo concerning genealogies. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their reigns.
2 Chronicles 12:16 Rehoboam lied down with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Abijah became king in his place.
[1] שָׁחַת = spoil, devastate, put an end to, corruptly. 2 Chronicles 12:7, 12; 21:7; 24:23; 25:16; 26:16; 27:2; 34:11; 35:21; 36:19.
2 Chronicles 11:1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he collected the house of Judah and Benjamin—one hundred eighty thousand tried young soldiers—to fight against Israel to restore Rehoboam’s reign.
2 Chronicles 11:2 But the word of Yahveh came to Shemaiah, the man of God:
2 Chronicles 11:3 “Say to Rehoboam, son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people:
2 Chronicles 11:4: ‘This is what Yahveh says: You are not to march up and fight against your brothers. Each of you return to your house, for this incident has come from me.” So, they listened to what Yahveh said and turned back from going against Jeroboam.
2 Chronicles 11:5 Rehoboam stayed in Jerusalem, and he fortified cities in Judah.
2 Chronicles 11:6 He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
2 Chronicles 11:7 Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
2 Chronicles 11:8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
2 Chronicles 11:9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
2 Chronicles 11:10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
2 Chronicles 11:11 He strengthened their fortifications and put leaders in them with supplies of food, oil, and wine.
2 Chronicles 11:12 He also put large shields and spears in every city to make them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.
2 Chronicles 11:13 The priests and Levites from all their regions throughout Israel took their stand with Rehoboam,
2 Chronicles 11:14 for the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons refused to let them serve as priests of Yahveh.
2 Chronicles 11:15 Jeroboam appointed his priests for the high places, the goat-demons, and the golden calves he had made.
2 Chronicles 11:16 Those from every tribe of Israel who had determined in their hearts to seek Yahveh their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahveh, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked in the ways of David and Solomon for three years.
2 Chronicles 11:18 Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and Abihail, daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab.
2 Chronicles 11:19 She gave birth to[1] sons to him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
2 Chronicles 11:20 After her, he married Maacah, daughter of Absalom. She gave birth to Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith to him.
2 Chronicles 11:21 Rehoboam cared for Maacah, daughter of Absalom, more than all his wives and concubines. He acquired eighteen wives and sixty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.
2 Chronicles 11:22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah, son of Maacah, chief and leader among his brothers, intending to make him king.
2 Chronicles 11:23 Rehoboam also showed discernment by dispersing some of his sons to all the regions of Judah and Benjamin and all the fortified cities. He gave them plenty of provisions and sought many wives for them.
[1] יָלַד = give birth to, be born, father. 2 Chronicles 11:19, 20, 21; 13:21; 24:3.
jeffersonvann 