I had never thought of it like this...

It seems as the church has less and less impact and effect on the world at large. Politics and public policy seem less and less to be in harmony with the timeless truth of the Scripture. It appears we have no power or authority to impact and affect the world we live in. Some seek to change this by doing anything and everything and nothing they all having the same results little to no real change. It’s never been this bad! Or has it?

We are probably like the early church in Ephesus. Small, insignificant composed of non-important people trying to live in a way contrary to their world and culture seemingly having no impact on anything.
Paul writes to this church which he planted and has nurtured.
15That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. Ephesians 1:15 The Message

He has heard of them! He has heard of their expressions of love for others. They are making an impact on lives and changing the world one person at a time. They are trusting Jesus to be real in them and real to others through them. It’s working Paul writes. He then goes on to pray for them to realize and experience the tremendous power of Christ. He prays that they would know more of Him who sits in authority and power over all of the universe. Now that’s a prayer. Where does this energy come from and have we seen it before? Paul continues:

20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. Ephesians 1:20-23 The Message

What I had not thought of is: At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. It sure seems the other way around. It must have seemed like that to the church in Ephesus as well. Two thousand years later we are the evidence of their faithfulness to trust Christ. We are the evidence that the world is peripheral to the church. Christ is the head of the church and the church is the body of Christ. Think of this the church is the crucified, dead, buried and resurrected body of Christ. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. The church is no more insignificant than Christ. We are the world changing agent

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV 1984.

The Ephesian church let the spirit of Christ be their power by placing their solid trust in HIM. They changed the world as we know it.

Let’s do the same.