THE CHRISTIAN'S POWER PT 2

EPHESIANS 3:14-21

Last week we talked about the power – and we started off talking about Paul and how he viewed his life, his ministry and what he was called to do. He was imprisoned for doing God’s work but he saw that as a privilege. He talked about the power , the boldness, the confidence, the unfathomableness of Jesus and His love for us.

We closed with verse 13 – So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory and this is where we pick up his letter to the church at Ephesus and to us.

As we begin – Let us pray!

The Christian’s Power pt 2

Ephesians 3:14–21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

v13 – 15 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

III. THE PLEA—vv. 14–19

1. Plan—vv. 14–15 – For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

Paul thanks God for His plan.

God’s love and grace is so overwhelming it drives Paul into Prayer

Jews generally prayed standing up – but this a deep reverent prayer

Like bowing before the Lord

His love and grace that brought salvation to everyone now – one family – one household

The Greek pasa patria – means father’s lineage, father’s pedigree

From God everything was created – from God comes fatherhood and from father’s names are derived – and under God the Father all are named

2. Power—v. 16 – that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Christ strengthens us by the Spirit.

Paul again talks about the riches of God – God is infinite – without limit – His riches are without limit – He gives without limit

Paul prays that God gives not only out of riches but according to His riches – His riches are His very nature

The first gift of riches Paul prays for is strength.

The Greek word Paul uses is krataioo (krat – ah yo o) – to be made strong, increase in strength

Followed by the Greek word dynamis – where we get our word for dynamite – power, mighty work

His gift of strengthening us through the Holy Spirit – gives us the ability to stand firm, hold the ground –

Why ?

Look at what we are facing – redefining everything from love and gender to God Himself

Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus – should be our prayer for each other – to be strengthened in Christ through the Holy Spirit so we can stand firm – not be moved or pushed aside or whisked away+8

3. Personal—vv. 17–19

a. Dwelling—v. 17 – so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Dwell in our hearts by faith.

This just reinforces what Paul said in v16 – be strengthened by Christ – only comes from Him dwelling in your heart – cannot have one without the other

Why do we need to be strengthen – why does Christ need to dwell in our hearts

v17 – so you are rooted and grounded in love – rooted and grounded

rooted – rhizoo (rid – zo o) roots are strengthened fixed and established

grounded – themelioo (them e lee o o ) stabilize, stand tall and firm, - the same word Jesus used when describing houses built on rock and not sand

Notice how faith is repeated – what do we need to do – is it a matter of works? No it’s a matter of faith – that is our requirement to receive the love, strength

To really know – have true knowledge of God, His wisdom – understanding – none of it can be attained without love

b. Determining—v. 18 – may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Knowing God’s love.

Truth – faith – love – is not to be done in isolation – Paul is telling us that we need to be rooted and grounded in love – based on faith

SO THAT WE may have the strength to COMPREHEND and not just comprehend but comprehend with all the saints – in communion – with others –

This is why church is so important – Sunday School so important – Bible studies so important – how many times must God tell us through His Word that we are to do this together – WITH ALL THE SAINTS SO THAT WE COULD COMPREHEND THE BREADTH, LENGTH, HEIGHT AND DEPTH

Why is that we can change our schedule on a moment’s notice to do something social but church events have to scheduled months ahead

Why is it we can talk about the game last night and talk about the highlights but not share the highlights of what God is doing in our church, our town, our lives

We are called the body of Christ – we are called to live in communion with other believers, other saints – worship, pray, study, learn, apply with others

Paul introduces the concept of a 4th dimension – thought to be thought of in 1754 and formalized concept in 1854 – Paul talks here 4 dimensions breadth, length, height, depth – how can we comprehend God in isolation – the biblical answer is we can't!

c. Divine—v. 19 – and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Knowing God’s love and fulness.

The love of God – love of Jesus – pouring forth from the Holy Spirit in our lives – surpasses all knowledge –

Paul reminds us and calls us to love like God loved – Paul calls on us to remember the love that God had for us – the love that nailed Jesus to the cross – how Jesus still loves you – we called to that same love –

By knowing the love of Christ that we may be filled with the fullness of God – is the calling card to love like Christ loved –

God First

Others Second

Self last –

At camp we call it JOY – Jesus OTHERS YOURSELF

Paul wants to experience the fullness of God – more than strength, more than any spiritual or physical gift, more than knowledge and more than wisdom,

We should all be focused on this type of prayer –

To be filled with the fullness of God –

It is the fullness of God that allows us to continue when we lose a child, lose a spouse, lose a job, lose our health – it is really the only thing that allows us to continue and it the only thing that can fill the hole left by a loss

IV. THE POWER—vv. 20–21

A doxology is a short hymn of praises to God in various forms of Christian worship, often added to the end of canticles, psalms, and hymns. Paul ends what we call chapter 3 with a doxology

1. Promise—v. 20 – Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

God who is able to do exceeding abundantly, far above all we ask or think. We have a part in God’s power - according to the power within us.

If we have a true concept of God – we believe not only that He is able to do far more abundantly that we can ask or even think of – but that if He doesn’t – it is no indication of His power being limited, His anger towards us, nor His Goodness

The Greek word Paul uses here is hyperekperissou – in very much excess, beyond all measure

He can do it – He can work through us – the Holy Spirit alive and active in us –

Do we allow Him to be armed and ready for action or have we regulated Him to the guest room or dining room table?

2. Praise—v. 21 – to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Praise God through our daily living and Christian living so that God can be praised

The church should be the starting point in which the Glory to God is given – not just within these 4 walls with our study, worship, prayers and praise – but outside these 4 walls – the way we treat other – the way in which we conduct business, if we keep God priority – God first – whatever blesses God and brings others to a deeper understanding and relationship with God – that first – everything else secondary!

Jesus is the unifying power – are we seeking unity in Him – or are dividing over wordly or selfish desires, thoughts, actions?

God is all thus He is in all – do we see there?

The church should mirror God – mirror His love, His strength – are we doing that outside these walls?

Let Us Pray!