And Let Us Go To The Father

Text: Ephesians 3:9-19

Introduction: We come to a special time of year when we give honor and celebrate our Mother’s and Father’s. Just over a month ago we celebrated Mother’s Day (May 14th). And today we have set aside to honor Father’s.

It is interesting to look at the origin of this celebration.

“The woman given credit for creating Father’s Day was Sonora Smart Dodd, who grew up in Spokane, Washington. She was one of six children raised single-handedly by her widowed, Civil War veteran father on a farm. While listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at her church in 1909, Dodd was inspired to create a special day to honor her father as well as others. She held the first Father’s Day celebration on June 19, 1910, her father’s birthday. The idea caught on, and in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported a petition Dodd sent to him about a national Father’s Day. A National Father’s Day Committee was formed in New York City in 1926.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Yet it wasn’t until 1972, after Mother’s Day had been in full swing for more than 50 years, that President Richard Nixon established Father’s Day as a national holiday to be observed on the third Sunday in June in honor of all good fathers.”

It is right biblically that we should give honor to our Father’s for all they have done and all they have sacrificed.

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:2 that we ought to“2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)”

And so we do this morning honor our fathers. We have much to be thankful for.

We have three categories of Father’s to whom we honor.

First we have our father’s according to the flesh. These our those who are our father’s by physical birth.

Then there is sense in which many of us our spiritual father’s to others. I am reminded of the apostle Paul’s words to Timothy in I Timothy 1:2 “2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

But I would like to speak about the third relationship that transcends all our earthly family relationships and that is found in our text.

Would you stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Ephesians 3:9-19 “9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Let’s Pray

ILLUSTRATION: There was a series on British television called Heir Hunters that is all about teams who set out to trace individuals who have been named as beneficiaries in someone’s will, but are unaware of it. The key moment in each episode is when the camera zooms in on the face of the person who has just been told, ‘You are an heir to a small (or sometimes a large) fortune!’ Mark Johnston, No Longer Slaves, but Sons: A Commentary on Galatians, Welwyn Commentary Series (Welwyn Garden City, UK: Evangelical Press, 2018), 147.

Can you imagine the surprise that would be to find out that someone has left a small fortune for you?

But I am here to declare to you this morning a relationship that the Christian is privileged to have, being able to go unto the heavenly Father.

We notice this morning one particular phrase found in verse 14, would you look at with me. The Bible says, “…I bow my knees unto the Father....”

As we consider Father’s Day and those earthly relationships that God has given to us, we see here in our text a relationship that exceeds in glory that which we have enjoyed on earth in our families.

We discover a precious truth here, and that is for the Christian we rightfully can look at God and call to Him saying “Abba, Father...”

I want you to consider a few points this morning concerning this precious truth that is given us to in this passage concerning God the Father.

The first is this:

I. Mystery of Our Fellowship with God v9

What is the mystery of our fellowship?

We understand the the first word ‘mystery’ means something that was previously unknown or hidden. And so what Paul is speaking of here is something that was hidden with God, but now is revealed.

The second word, fellowship gives the idea of communication and partnership… converse one with another…

So what is the mystery of our fellowship with God?

Is it not that we as stricken fallen creatures could somehow, someway, be reconciled to a thrice holy God?

The Bible tells in Romans 3:23 “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

This presents a problem for every son of Adam....which let me help you that is you, for the Bible tells us: “that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5)

We find further that since the fall of man in Genesis chapter 3, that ever man is under the condemnation of God because of sin.

There is not one person here present today, that could claim sinless perfection.

Not one of us could walk into God’s presence and rightfully stake are place alongside of our perfect almighty God.

And yet when get down to verse 14, we find out of the mouth of Paul the apostle, who was a persecutor and murderer the marvelous phrase, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father...”

In the book of Matthew the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, was asked of the disciples to be taught how to pray.

They had observed that the disciples of John the Baptist had been taught how to pray to God… perhaps they looked at the Jewish Rabbi’s, those master teachers and understood that their students were taught to pray… and so they look to the Lord and ask Him to teach them....

The Lord stated in Matthew 6:9 “9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

The fellowship of the mystery is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the good news of Salvation that man can be reconciled to God. Yea born again as is stated in John chapter 3.

We discover in John 1:12 that we are adopted into the family of God.

It is in this, that Paul could pray to ‘God the Father’… being a joint-heir with the Lord Jesus Christ according to Romans 8:12.

You may be here this morning and do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and that God is your heavenly Father,

This mystery is revealed unto you which has been hid with God fully revealed unto us that both Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, circumcision or uncircumcision, rich or poor are fellow heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The church that is mentioned here in verse 10 are Christians… they were both Jews and Gentiles… they were now one in Christ… an assembly of believers… and there was a new fellowship which had not been before.

And because of their common bond now in Christ, like Paul they could pray to God the Father....

Let me encourage you this morning, you too can be reconciled to God.

You too can be part of the family of God. There is only two choices for every man that enters this world. And the choices are these:

You can pay your sin debt yourself, of which the Bible says, the wages of sin is death....

Or you can receive eternal life, reconciled to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because the Lord Jesus Christ has paid for your sin debt you can turn to God and receive Jesus as your Savior.

You must: Admit your sinner…realize that you are guilty before God and agree with God concerning your sin… 2. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son who was none other than God in the flesh who dwelt among us and died on a cruel cross paying for your sin debt… he was buried and He arose fro the grave having triumphed of death, hell and the grave, and thirdly you must personally cry out to God for Salvation trusting in Him to save you!

The Bible tells us that as many as receive “him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

It further tells us that Romans 10:12-13 “12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

In other words, there is no impossible case with God, He is able to save all who call upon Him...

For the Christian this is the mystery of our fellowship with God.

Not only do we see the mystery of our fellowship with God, but notice next concerning our wonderful Father the:

II. Manifold Wisdom of God v10-13

Oftentimes it is remarked when we think of our earthly fathers how they have passed on to us wisdom in the crucial moments of life.

And we can thank the Lord for earthly fathers that have helped us by teaching us and imparting wisdom to us.

By expressing warnings and also instruction.

Many of us here today can point to a father or father figure that they could go to and receive sage advice.

There are some even now who we would immediately think of to go to whom we would seek wisdom and counsel.

But this manifold wisdom of God that is spoken of here far surpasses any earthly wisdom which we have ever received.

Some have translated this word manifold as many-splendoured to try to express the magnitude of the Greek word that is used in verse 10 of our text...

When try to imagine what this means we may thing of a diamond.

ILLUSTRATION: “One diamond can be breathtaking in its beauty. It can sparkle with a thousand colours as its many facets reflect and refract a single light. But a diamond is nothing compared with the wisdom of God. It has so many facets that not even the angels have seen them all. They have not even seen all the colours that come from just one side.”

I will have you notice that the wisdom of our Heavenly Father is illustrated here as teaching the angels. The angels exceed in power and wisdom and yet our Father’s manifold wisdom is displayed “unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places…” (Ephesians 3:10)

I am simply trying to say, that our Heavenly Father, that you and I have the privilege to go to for guidance, direction and help possesses all wisdom.

The Bible expresses it this way in Romans chapter 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

David in Psalm 139 penned down His attempt to grapple with His wisdom, only to come to the conclusion that His wisdom is too wonderful.

Psalm 139:1-6 “1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

Again, could I remind you that this is the privilege of the child of God. Those that are without Christ cannot claim to be part of the family of God.

According to this passage we do not have to go any farther then examine God’s glorious Gospel to realize that God’s wisdom possesses depths we cannot plunge.

When I think about

But lastly I would like you to consider really the main point of this message:

III. Marvelous Privilege of Prayer to God v14-19

This is really the central theme of this message. I am thankful for the mystery of fellowship which we enjoy with one another because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…for He is our common bond and I am thankful to know that I am part of the family of God, having been “...reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10) Much more I enjoy life, because my Redeemer liveth!

I am thankful to understand that God is omniscient. And that His ways are pure, precious and profound.

But what good is this understanding to us this morning?

I am reminded of the many poor decisions that young people make, because they fail to get good godly council from their mothers and fathers.

God has given to us these earthly relationships to help us.

But then we also understand, that we have a higher relationship that transcends this. We have a Father in heaven.

But I want you to notice what Paul is doing here in verse 14 and 15.

Ephesians 3:14-15 “14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”

You know what Paul is doing… He is going to the heavenly Father in prayer...

He understood going to the Father in prayer was the best thing He could do for His fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in that local church in Ephesus.

He understood that it is the privilege of the child of God to intercede on the behalf of others, and also to seek the Father Himself in prayer.

And I say to you this morning, we who are saved who understand the mystery of our fellowship with God.

Who understand as much as we can, the manifold wisdom of God.... what good is all of this knowledge if we do not take advantage of the Marvelous privilege of Prayer.

Our Father in heaven has made it abundantly clear in His Word of our need to pray, to go to the heavenly Father.

And scattered all throughout Scripture, we have example after example of prayers that were answered by God.

Abraham prayed for a son and God gave him seed like the sands of the sea.

Abraham prayed for Ishamael and God made Him a great nation.

Abraham prayed for Sodom and God spared Lot.

Jacob prayed for favorable reception from Esau and God and provided.

Moses prayed for the forgiveness of the people and God spared the people.

Gideon prayed to God to overthrow the Midianites, and God used Gideon in a marvelous way to accomplish their defeat.

Elijah prayed and God answered with fire burning up a soaking wet altar in presence of idolaters.

Joshua prayed and Achan was discovered.

Hannah prayed and God gave them a son Samuel.

Hezekiah prayed and 185,000 Assyrians were slain by an angel.

Daniel prayed and the lions were muzzled.

The apostles prayed and the Holy Spirit came down.

Charles Spurgeon had scores of people praying during every service and thousands upon thousands came to Christ.

David Brainerd prayed and the Indians were subdued.

John Wesley prayed and millions were moved toward God.

George Whitfield prayed and thousands were saved.

Charles Finney prayed and mighty revivals resulted.

Hudson Taylor prayed and the China Inland Mission was born.

George Mueller prayed and more than 7 million dollars were sent to feed and meet the need of orphans.

Your pastor prays and peoples lives are changed, people are helped, strength is given, direction and wisdom for life is illuminated out of the scriptures, and opportunities and blessings are afforded.

One preacher has said this, “prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold on His willingness.”

And I want you to understand several things about this prayer:

A. There is a cause for prayer.

As you seen there in verse number 14, there was great cause to pray. Could I exhort us this day to understand there is great cause for you and I to pray.

When the cause shows up, God’s people ought to pray. We already understood that God’s wisdom is far beyond our wisdom, so it makes sense that He is the One whom we should go to.

B. There is an invitation to the whole family.

As part of God’s family, I can go to God the Father, you can go to God the Father. All of us, who are His children can go to God that Father, and He is able to hear and answer all of our prayers.

Have you ever considered the truth that people are praying all over the world, His children and yet God the Father discerns each prayer? He made it possible through our wonderful Savior for us to speak to Him.

C. There are blessings to be secured.

Here in our text in verses 16-19, Paul is praying for some of the most blessed requests I have ever set my eyes upon.

We pray so often for temporal things, but here Paul reaches to immensely high things...

He asks that they would be spiritually strengthened.

He asks that they would be spiritually minded.

He asks that they would be overcome with God’s love.

He asks that they would be fully yielded to God in perfect communion.

Not only is there a cause for prayer, an invitation to the whole family, and blessings to be secured.

But I want you to notice lastly the ability and abundance of God’s provision!

You and I have not, because we ask not… and because we ask amiss. (James 4:3-4)

When is the last time you asked to be spiritually strengthened in the inner man?

When is the last time you asked to be spiritually minded....Christ dwelling in your heart by faith…rooted and grounded in love...

When is the last time that you asked to be fully yielded to God’s design and purpose…knowing the fulness of blessed communion with God?

And we could pray for those same blessed things for others?

I surmise based on my own life as a Christian that we fall into one of two camps concerning prayer:

We do not pray or do not pray as much as we should. And my message to you is simply this, “Let us go to the Father...”

Perhaps that is not you this morning, you go to the Father in prayer. Well the second group may be this,

b. We do not pray for that which matters most.

You and I can and should pray about all matters. It is right that we should pray about such things as health matters, substance matters (home and possessions), and money matters.

But do we pray about spiritual matters? Are we seeking those which are above?

I can remember going to a conference on Revival and Evangelism and at that conference one of the speakers said this,

When I go to a church for a meeting, I take a look at their prayer bulletin to see where the heart of the people is.

I look and see what is on that prayer sheet in particular… Are there spiritual matters there?

He stated, sadly what I discover is fervent prayer concerning temporal matters and very few if any spiritual matters.

Could we say then that if we do not pray for spiritual concerns, we are not spiritually minded?

I pray that would not be the case for you and I.

Here today on Father’s day, we celebrate God’s gift to us our fathers.

We have our earthly fathers.

We have our spiritual fathers.

But lastly, for the Christian we have our Heavenly Father.

Oh how blessed it is to know we can go to our heavenly Father.

It is the mystery of the fellowship we have with Him.

We are to both this world, and heaven living examples of God’s manifold wisdom.

But lastly, we have the high marvelous privilege of prayer to the Father.

Our we faithful to go to the father for all things, our temporal needs, our physical needs, but then lastly, also our spiritual needs?

Let’s pray.