Doxolgy
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Intro; Up to this point in our study of “My Life In The Church”, Paul has shared with us the great doctrines of the faith.
Chap. 1 “Connected In Christ” by being chosen by the Father, redeemed through the Son and sealed in the Holy Spirit of God
Chap. 2 “Connected By Grace”, we understand that God’s grace is a gift of His love to unworthy people, yet He still gives it. That grace is like a brilliant shining diamond lay over the darkness of our sin and makes one alive who once was dead.
Chap. 2 “Connected for Good Works”, Good works are not the activity we get involved in, it is the attitude of living productive lives that reflect the “good” love of God.
Chap. 2 “Connected Through Fellowship”, [koi-no-nia] becoming one with God and one another in peace as the family of God, the church.
Chap. 3 “Connected In Prayer”, Prayer is our lifeline to God. For the Christian, praying is supposed to be like breathing, easier to do than to not do. Paul prayer is the upward progression in the power of God in ones life.
Now here we are at the end of chapter 3 and there is something unusual, but so appropriate, in the middle of a letter, a “Doxology”.
The word “doxology” comes from the Greek words “doxa” and “logos.” The word “doxa” refers to “the kingly majesty which belongs to God as supreme ruler and absolute perfection of deity.” It is usually translated “glory” in the New Testament.
The word “logos” means, “collection.” It is often translated “word” in the New Testament, because it speaks of the process of “collecting thoughts in the mind, then expressing those thoughts through words.”
A “doxology” is “a word of glory” a “statement of praise” that honors the Lord’s majesty, that ascribes glory to Him, that exalts His Person.
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. A-men
Paul could not contain himself, therefore he had an outburst of praise to God and tonight, I want us to look at the reason why!
Text; Eph. 3:20-21
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
1. Now to Him; 20a
1. Now to Him; 20a
The direction of Paul’s “doxology” is “Now to Him”. All praise, adoration and glory belong to God the Father and not another!
Praise is a river flowing on joyously in its own channel, banked up on either side that it may run towards its one object, but adoration is the same river overflowing all banks, flooding the soul and covering the entire nature with its great waters;
Spurgeon, C. H. (1875). Paul’s Doxology. In The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 21, p. 662). Passmore & Alabaster.
Doxology is given to God alone because of His divine ability [who is able];
To forgive, deliver, heal, supply our needs, love, guide, protect, preserve, strengthen, comfort, restore, refresh, etc...
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
2. Exceedingly, Abundantly, Above; 20b
2. Exceedingly, Abundantly, Above; 20b
Not only should we praise and adore God for His “Divine Ability”, but also for how He magnifies His grace towards us!
[Charles Haddon Spurgeon] “God’s power to bless us is not bounded by our power to understand the blessing. Grace is not measured to us according to our capacity to receive, but according to his ability to bestow”
God is able to do what we ask and even more;
Exceedingly: to surpass; to go beyond any request;
Abundantly: to overflow and to do more than enough
Above: to go over and beyond, surpassing any need
All that we ask; according to His will
All that we can think; imagine going beyond anything we can think!
The parable of the prodigal son is a picture of God going exceedingly, abundantly, above all anyone can ask in salvation by faith.
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Solomon asked God for an understanding heart to lead His people but God went way beyond.
9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Aren’t you glad that God gives on His grace not by our wants!
3. The Power Working in Us; 20c
3. The Power Working in Us; 20c
What does Paul mean when he says “according to the power that works in us”?
The power that works in the believer to connect us to God is the Holy Spirit!
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
But that power must also work with the way we pray!
The power of the Spirit strengthening us [v.16]
The power of Christ indwelling us [v.17]
The power of love working in us [v. 17b]
The power of understanding all that God does [v.18-19a]
The power of the fullness of God Himself [v.19b]
God can do more in response to one prayer than we can do in a hundred years of planning and plotting.
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
We need a vision of God that increases our faith in God’s greatness, not in ours!
4. Unto Him; 21a
4. Unto Him; 21a
All glory is to be given to God the Father, in the church, by Christ Jesus
In the Church- the summoned ones, the assembly, sinners saved by His grace! In our worship, prayers, preaching, bible study, evangelism, work, finances and family, God is to be given glory!
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
By Christ Jesus- God is glorified the most in the person of His Son, Christ Jesus!
At His Baptism/Righteousness
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
At the Transfiguration/Death
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Our walk, talk, preaching, praising, singing and service need to magnify Christ Jesus to give glory to the Father!
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
5. Forever; 21b
5. Forever; 21b
We are to praise God now and forever.
David describes how we are to do this!
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Close;
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. A-men