We are Built For More

🎯 Title & Subtitle

Series: Who are We?

Title: We Are Built for More Subtitle: Living Beyond Limits by the Power of God Within

🧭 Who Are We?— Series Recap

Week 1: We Are Chosen and Blessed

👉 Adopted by God, sealed by the Spirit

Week 2: We Are Alive in Christ

👉 Raised from death to new life

Week 3: We Are From Outsiders to Insiders

👉 Reconciled and united in Christ

Week 4: We Are Stewards of God’s Mystery

👉 Called to reveal the Gospel to the world

Today, we’ll take the next step by seeing this: We Are Built for More—God desires to strengthen us inwardly so we can live outwardly with faith and purpose. Because here’s the truth: Inner strength produces outer faith."

🎬 Opening Paragraph

Today is Father’s Day—a day when we celebrate and honor the dads, grandfathers, mentors, and spiritual fathers who’ve shaped our lives. And if we’re honest, fatherhood—and life itself—can feel a lot like running a marathon. At the starting line, you’re full of energy and resolve. But as the race wears on—through sleepless nights, career demands, family challenges, and personal doubts—you discover that what matters most isn’t how fast you sprint for a season, but having the stamina to run strong for the long haul.

And that’s not just true for dads—it’s true for all of us. Outward effort alone won’t sustain a life of faith. You need strength that comes from within. Jason and Kendal Kensey ran a 5K a week ago and Kendal was so excited because she finished the race running the whole time. She had the stamina to keep going.

That’s exactly what Paul prays for us in Ephesians 3: that we would be strengthened in our inner being through the Spirit of God, rooted in His love, and filled with His fullness—so that we can live and lead with unshakable faith.

Here’s the truth I want you to hold onto today—and dads, I hope this especially encourages you: Inner strength produces outer faith. In contrast outer strength never produces inner faith.

🧭 Sermon Outline

📌 Prayer Positions the Heart for Power (vv. 14–16)

Ephesians 3:14–16 ESV

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

Posture of Humility

Paul was humbled by the responsibility of grace

The reason Paul bowed his knee to the Father was because God chose him to take his message to the Gentiles. He had become a steward of the mysteries of God.

Bowing is a sign of submission to the king.

It reminds me of Daniel choosing which King to bow to.

Daniel 6:10 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

We get down on our knees knowing the Lord will lift us up.

Let your outer man reflect the posture of the inner man.

"Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness." — Martin Luther

Provision of the Spirit

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

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,

God strengthens us with internal power not just external provision.

Joshua taking over for Moses

Joshua 1:6–7 ESV

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

The inner strength of the Spirit produces outer strength of faith.

The Spirit provides:

Belonging / Acceptance

Love for God and your neighbor

Hope for today and the future

Peace with God, yourself, others, and creation

Wisdom and truth

Purpose and meaning

Guidance and direction

A person is considered weak when they try and get these things externally

You are more vulnerable to manipulation and hurt when you trust in others to provide your inner strength.

Application:

Am I positioning my heart daily in prayer to receive God’s power within?

Hook: Inner strength produces outer fatih!

📌 Depth Determines Your Faith Capacity (vv. 17–19)

Ephesians 3:17–19 ESV

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Inner Power leads to Inner Presence

We must learn to abide in Christ

John 15:4–5 ESV

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

When we abide we bear much Fruit.

The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The Fruit of Christ

Faith

Rooted and grounded in love

"The love of God is not a reward for our performance—it is the root of our transformation." — Tim Keller

Inner Presence leads to the Power of God’s Love

Ephesians 3:18 ESV

18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Strength to comprehend the love of Christ.

Unity with the Saints

Deeper than you could ever imagine

Knowledge that surpasses knowledge

Ephesians 3:19 ESV

19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Application:

Am I intentionally rooting my identity and worth in God’s unchanging love, in the shifting sands of opinions, or my own performance?

📌 Fullness Fuels Fruitfulness (vv. 19–21)

Ephesians 3:19–20 ESV

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

Empty of self and Full of God

This is not perfection—it’s wholeness, flourishing, and spiritual vitality.

Colossians 2:9–10 ESV

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

"When you are full of God, you overflow with His presence into the lives of others." — D.L. Moody

Now you are full of the faith of Christ

Does Jesus struggle to honor the Father with the tithe or is that you.

Does Jesus struggle to obey the Father or is that you.

Does Jesus struggle to love and forgive or is that you.

Does Jesus struggle to share faith or is that you.

When you are full of Jesus and abiding in him faith is easy.

Application: The goal is not a list of do’s and don’ts but the fullness of Christ in you.

Faith-Fueled Impact

God’s work in us overflows into faith-filled impact around us.

John 7:38 ESV

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

📷 Illustration: The Hand-Pumped Well vs. an Artesian Well Picture two wells. One is an old-fashioned hand-pumped well—you have to work hard, pumping and pumping, to draw up a little water. It’s exhausting, and sometimes you barely get enough. The other is an artesian well—because of pressure deep underground, water flows up naturally without effort, constantly replenishing itself.

Many Christians are living the 'hand-pumped' life—trying hard to live for God, producing faith by effort alone. But Paul shows us that when we are filled with all the fullness of God, we become like the artesian well. Inner strength produces outer faith—and when God fills us, His faith, love, joy, and power overflow naturally into our relationships, our witness, and our mission.

God’s work in us is greater than we could ever imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

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,

When people ask me, “What are your plans for the church?” To give an answer would be to limit God. ‘God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or even think.’

God gets all the glory for generations to come.

Ephesians 3:21 ESV

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Application:

Am I daily seeking to be filled with God’s fullness so my life overflows with His grace, love, and power to others?

Conclusion & Next Steps

Paul ends this section with worship: “To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations.”

Friends, God is ready to strengthen you on the inside so your faith shines brightly on the outside.

But here’s the key: Inner strength produces outer faith. Stop trying to perform faith outwardly. Start seeking God inwardly—and watch what He does through you.

📷 Closing Story: The Lighthouse That Withstood the Storm *"There’s a lighthouse on the coast of Brittany, France called La Jument. In one famous photo, the lighthouse is completely engulfed by monstrous waves during a violent storm—but it stands firm. Why? Because deep beneath the surface, its foundation is anchored in solid rock.

In the same way, Paul prays that you and I will be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ and filled with the fullness of God. Why? Because storms will come. And only inner strength will produce enduring outer faith.

So the next time life crashes over you like a wave, remember this: inner strength produces outer faith—and Christ is the Rock you are anchored to."*

Next Steps (Applying the Change Model):

And dads—if I can speak to you for a moment—your family needs to see you walking this out: not perfectly, but authentically. Here are three simple ways you can begin this week:

Dissatisfaction: Identify one area where you’ve been relying on your own strength more than God’s—whether at home, at work, or in relationships.

Vision: Picture the legacy you want to leave for your children or spiritual sons and daughters—men and women who have seen Christ’s strength at work in you.

First Concrete Step: Commit to a daily rhythm of prayer and Scripture this week. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16) so that your heart can be strengthened and your life can overflow.

Because remember, dads—inner strength produces outer faith—and your family will be blessed as they see that faith lived out in you.

“Train up a child in the way he should go—but be sure you go that way yourself.” — Charles Spurgeon

🙏 Altar Call / Gospel Invitation

Today, whether you’ve followed Jesus for decades or are exploring faith, hear this truth: Inner strength produces outer faith. But that strength comes not from trying harder—but from receiving the love, forgiveness, and life of Jesus Christ.

Have you been rooted in His love? Or have you been striving in your own strength? Today, surrender your heart to Jesus. Invite Him to dwell in you through faith, so He can fill you with His Spirit and love.

Reflection Questions:

Am I seeking outer strength from people or inner strength from Christ?

Am I trusting in Jesus’ love or my own efforts?

Where do I need to invite His Spirit to strengthen me?

Have I postured my heart to be filled with his power?

Come to Him. Let His love transform your inner being—and watch your outer faith flourish.

Inner strength produces outer faith. Let Him begin that work in you today.

🙏 Father’s Day-Specific Blessing / Prayer

Before we close today, I want to speak a word of blessing over every dad, grandfather, and spiritual father in the room—and over every man who desires to lead well in life and faith.

Fathers, your family needs more than your strength of body or provision—they need your strength of soul. They need to see a man who is rooted in God’s love, strengthened by His Spirit, and living out faith with courage and humility.

So today I pray: May the Lord strengthen you in your inner being. May His love anchor you and His Spirit empower you. May your life be a living example to your children, your spouse, your friends, and your community. And when the storms of life come—and they will—may you stand firm, because your inner strength produces outer faith.

We honor you today. We’re grateful for you. And we believe God has built you for more.