Deep Roots
Notes
Transcript
Ephesians chapters 1-3 mainly focuses on the Gospel story and our place in it.
Chapter 3 specifically is closing one section before starting a new idea focusing on our story as believers and what that looks like. The first part of chapter 3 is primarily reiterating or repeating what chapters 1-2 covers.
As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
Here, Paul reminds the church that God has His mysterious plan to the apostles and prophets. I love how Paul builds all this suspense then flat out tells them. All of God’s children will share equally in the inheritance of blessings that belong to Jesus.
Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
There is no one and no thing that can keep us from coming to our Heavenly Father. This is why it is so vital to not allow our hurts, our insecurities, our emotions, to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus. The only barriers in place are the ones we put there.
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
This should always be our response when we meditate on the greatness of God and all He has done. It doesn’t mean you have to walk around like someone with their head in the clouds. Whenever we focus our attentions and affections on Jesus, that should illicit awe and wonder from our souls.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
I love trees. I always have. Being born in Payson, it makes sense I guess. My parents and I used to go cut fire wood all over northern Az. Sometimes up near Payson, sometimes over by Stoneman Lake. I loved those times.
There are 2 specific types of trees I really love.
Mangrove Trees. These are seriously unique trees. Usually, they grow in high tide areas of saltwater. Their roots dig deep and can filter out up to 90% of the salt and push it to “sacrificial leaves.”
My favorite part about them is how they effect the ecosystem they are a part of. You see, they grow between salt and fresh water. There are so many things we can learn from them. Their roots actually reinforce land. In Florida, they are a huge defense against hurricanes and tidal waves. They do this by digging deep into the ground and intertwining their roots.
Speaking on intertwining, that brings me to aspens. Did you know that aspen groves are actually all one living organism? In fact, there are large groups of aspens that are all genetically identical. These are called clones. On the surface it looks like a bunch of trees, but they all share a common root system. This enables them to have shallow roots while still being able to withstand the elements.
Followers of Jesus are often referred to as trees in the Bible. We need the living water that Jesus told the woman at the well about in John. We can only survive through our connection with Him through the Holy Spirit.
Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Have you ever wanted to be strong, but felt so weak? This is such a natural part of being human. We often come up against things that are bigger, stronger, and scary than us. The Bible is telling us to grow deep roots into God’s love. And we do that by being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul is making a direct connection with gaining inner strength through the Spirit and understanding God’s love for us.
What does this look like?
God’s love is wide enough for everyone.
You find strength in the fact that God’s love is for everyone, so you are able to release bitterness.
God’s love is long enough to reach you.
There is nowhere to run from the love of God.
God’s love is high enough to give you perspective.
30,000ft perspective
Things change when you see the bigger picture that God is creating
You find purpose in the fact God’s plan involves you.
God’s love is deep enough to destroy your sin.
Your sin doesn’t scare God.
Will drown your sin in the sea of His forgiveness.
