S.D.G.

Sometimes, I have an introduction tells you about the message title. Not so today. That is the correct title. It is not a typo. If you want to know what it means, you will have to stay, or at least stay awake until the end

Before I begin, let me pray.

Pray

Ephesians 3:20-21

Slide

Ep 3:30-21

Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ep 3:2

Ephesians 3:30-21

Ep 3:30-21

Today we are concluding our series in Ephesians, Paul's Prayer to the Ephesians.

Over the past few weeks, we studied how Paul came to His Father, the Father of whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. He came on his knees before the Father asking for the power to have Christ to dwell in their hearts. Paul asked God for the power of the Holy Spirit so that the Church could know God better.

Today we are concluding our series in Ephesians, Paul's Prayer to the Ephesians.

Today, we will be specifically looking at Chapter 3:20-21. This portion of Paul's prayer is known as a doxology.

We saw last week we saw how Paul came to His Father, the Father of everyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ. We saw him He come on his knees before the Father asking for the power to have Christ to dwell in their hearts. We saw how Paul asked for the power for them to be able to know God more.

Doxologies are an expression of praise to God. They are not uncommon in the Bible, and Paul uses them quite frequently. He even starts the letter to the Ephesians with a doxology.

Today, we will be specifically looking at 3:20-21 known as the doxology.

Slide

Ephesians 1:3 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Doxologies are not uncommon in the Bible, and certainly not uncommon for Paul, they are found in other as well, but this one has a certain appeal. It invokes a certain emotion.It seems to carry with it this building up and exalting worship.

But this doxology here at the end of has a certain majestic appeal to it. The reason this particular doxology so captures our hearts is that it seems to rise spontaneously out of Paul's heart-wrenching request on knees for God to move in the hearts of the people of the Church at Ephesus.

It doesn't just pour out of the heart, or leak out of the heart, but it seems to almost explode from the heart.

It doesn't just leak out of his heart, or even pour out of his heart, but as you take in the whole prayer, it almost seems to explode from his heart. And that, brothers and sisters, is true worship.

This worship has been building since the prayer began. It is the result of everything that Paul has been praying. Paul's pleading with God has transformed into an act of praise, and glory, and honor and worship to God, the Almighty.

This worship has been building since the prayer began. It is the result of everything that Paul has been praying. His begging has been transformed into an act of praise, and glory and honor and worship to God the Almighty Father.

Walk through it with me.

Let me show that to you.

Picture it. Now, I don't know Paul's exact posture, or exactly what it looked like, but we can guess. So, imagine with me for a minute. Paul, a Jewish man, on his knees, in a damp, dark, prison cell, certainly beat up and scarred, dirty, and weak. He is on his knees on a stone floor.

Picture if you will, now I don't know Paul's exact posture or what it looked like, but imagine if you will this man on knees, in a damp, dark, prison cell. Dirty, beat up, and weak. On his knees on a stone floor.

For this reason, he prays, because of the Gospel. Because, God became man, and died a horrible death on the cross for our sins. For this reason, you can almost feel the weight of the prayer pushing Paul down. Paul, a physically broken man in prison, cries out to his Father. He asks that God, out of His INFINITE, GLORIOUS, RICHES will grant this request. He asks that God will give us more of Himself. He asks that Christ will dwell in our hearts by faith, and he asks that the power of the Holy Spirit will help us to know God more.

For this reason, he writes, because of the Gospel. Because God became man, and died a horrible death on the cross for our sins, because of that reason this broken shell of a man in prison cries out to his father and his asks, that God out of His INFINITE GLORIOUS RICHES will grant this request; that God will give us more of Himself. That Christ will dwell in our hearts by faith.

You can almost feel the weight of the prayer pushing Paul down as he prays. But as he focuses on God, it is if the words are starting to lift him up. It is as if the very words are lifting slowly off the page, and beginning to lift heavenward.

You can almost feel the weight of the request pushing Paul down as he prays. But as he focuses on God, it is if the words are starting to lift him up. It is as if the very words are lifting slowly off the page, and beginning to lift heavenward.

And he continues in verse 18,

Being rooted and established in love that we may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

And he continues in verse 18,

Then, in Paul's writing, it is almost as if the prayer is already taking shape in Paul's life as he writes.

Being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Then, in Paul's writing, it is almost as if the prayer is taking shape in Paul's life as he writes.

And it is at that point that Paul doesn't go on. He is done. He has prayed the greatest possible prayer for the Ephesians. He prayed that they will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. He has nothing more to ask.

That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

The New International Version Chapter 3

throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

And now, Paul filled to the measure of the fullness of God, Paul cannot contain himself any longer.

And it is at that point that Paul doesn't go on. He is done. He has prayed the greatest possible prayer for the Ephesians. He prayed that they will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Being filled to the measure of the fullness of God results in only one thing-Worship. It can do nothing else. God cannot be contained. He cannot be held in. What we are seeing is that as Paul's heart is filled, it simply overflows. Worship is giving back to God what he Has given to us.

Brothers and sisters, as you know God more, and as you grasp how long and high and deep is the love of Christ at the cross, and as you experience that forgiveness, as you understand that is by grace alone that Christ invites you in something happens. You are filled with the Holy Spirit. The God that is incomprehensible pours into your heart, and it bursts out of your heart in worship.

And now filled to the measure of the fullness of God, Paul cannot contain himself any longer.

SLIDE

Being filled to the measure of the fullness of God results in only one thing-Worship. It can do nothing else. God cannot be contained. What we are seeing is that as Paul's heart is filled, it simply overflows.

2 Cor chapter 4 verse 15 says,

2 Corinthians 4:15 NIV

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

Brothers and sisters, as you know God more, and as you grasp how long and high and deep is the love of Christ at the cross, and as you experience that forgiveness, as you understand that is by grace alone that Christ invites you in something happens. You are filled with the Holy Spirit. The God that is incomprehensible pours into your heart, and it bursts out of your heart in worship.

As Paul is overflowing with thankfulness to God, look at the picture he uses for God the Father. Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. That is how he describes God. Paul is saying that that is who God is. He is mighty. He is powerful. He is omnipotent.

2 Cor chapter 4 verse 15 says,

Slide

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

Years ago, there was a trick question given to Seminary students. The question was, is God immanent, which means close at hand? Or is God transcendent, which means incomprehensible, unknowable above and beyond? Paul tells us. Clearly, God is both.

Paul begins on his knees before his Father, as he prays to know God more, but by the end of the prayer, Paul is worshiping. Paul started referring to God as the Father; now he refers to God as Him who can do more than all we think or ask or imagine. What started as the request of a child to his Father ends in the worship of one who can do everything.

As Paul is overflowing with thankfulness to God, look at the picture he uses for God the Father. Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. That is how he describes God. It is not a request or a promise, Paul is saying that that is who God is. He is mighty. He is powerful. He is omnipotent.

We can request of our Father as his children. We worship His Greatness, and His Majesty, and His power. We pray to the imminent, and we worship the transcendent.

Years ago, there was a trick question given to Seminary students. The question was, is God immanent, which means close at hand or is God transcendent, which means incomprehensible, unknowable above and beyond? Paul tells us clearly, God is both.

If we could ever really know God, we could not worship him. We can only worship that which is bigger than us. We only worship that which surpasses us. If we can know something, we can contain it.

Paul begins on his knees before his Father, as he prays to know God more, but by the end of the prayer, at the worship, Paul now refers to God as Him who can do more than all we think or ask or imagine. What started as the request of a child to his Father ends in the worship of one who can do everything.

What is so amazing, is that after Paul gives us this picture of the Awesome and mighty God, and He says that God's power is at work with us.

We can request of our Father as his children, and we worship His Greatness, and His majesty, and His power.

Think about that for a minute. Let that one settle in. The all powerful uncontainable unknowable almighty God, for no other reason except by His grace and mercy, decides he is going to work with us to accomplish his will. It is overwhelming.

If we could ever really know God, we could not worship him. We can only worship that which is bigger than us. That which surpasses us, If we can know something, we can contain it.

I mean in one second, in the blink of an eye, with one word God can transform this church. He could transform this community, without any help from us. But instead, he chooses us. He chooses to do it through us. Us, right here, the church, our little church.

Slide

What is so amazing, is that after Paul gives us this picture of the Awesome and mighty God, and He says that God's power is at work with us.

The God of the unimaginable is at work within us. Within you and me. God is doing his work within us, sometimes slowly, sometimes gently, sometimes painfully, but always joyfully. He is doing his work within us.

Think about that for a minute. Let that one settle in. The all powerful uncontainable unknowable almighty God, for no other reason except by His grace and mercy, decides he is going to work with us to accomplish his will. It is overwhelming.

He is taking our hearts, and getting rid of the garbage. He is taking our hearts and removing the selfishness, the lust, the hatred, the fear the anger, the pride. He is taking our tired, broken hearts, and healing them stitching them back together, cleaning off the sin. He is taking our hearts of stone, and making them hearts of flesh. And he is making his home.

I mean in one second, in the blink of an eye, with one word God can transform this church. He could transform this community, he could transform this world, but he chooses instead to do it through us.

I mean in one second, in the blink of an eye, with one word God can transform this church. He could transform this community, he could transform this world, but instead he chooses instead to do it through us.

He is dwelling in our hearts. He is filling our hearts to overflowing. And when he does that. He bursts forth. We burst out in worship.

Us right here. The church. Our little church, the few.

Us right here. The church. Our little church

And as we do that, while we are in the process of doing that God is fulfilling his purposes and his plan for the church, and the community.

The God of the unimaginable is at work within us. WIth you and me Sometimes slowly, sometimes gently, sometimes painfully, but always joyfully. He is doing his work within us.

God's power is at work within us. Sometimes slowly, sometimes gently, sometimes painfully, always joyfully he is doing his work within us.

And Why? Why would he do that? For what purpose would the all powerful, and holy God partner with the weak and unholy? To what end? To Bring Him Glory!

Slide

He is taking our hearts, and getting rid of the garbage. He is taking our hearts and removing the selfishness, the lust, the hatred, the fear the anger, the pride. He is taking our tired, broken hearts, and healing them stitching them back together, cleaning the sin off and he is making his home.

He is taking our hearts, and getting rid of the garbage. The selfishness, the lust, the hatred, the fear the anger. He is taking our tired, broken hearts, and healing them stitching them back together, cleaning the sin off and making a home.

He is doing it for his glory, not for us. It is all for him. It is so that we will praise Him. True worship is a giving back to God what is already HIS. Willfully giving back to God, what he has already given us, not because we have to, but because we want to.

He is dwelling in our hearts. He is filling our hearts to overflowing. And when he does that we burst forth. We burst out in worship.

\He is dwelling in our hearts, and filling them to overflowing. We burst out in worship and service to him.

He provides the way we come to Him, He provides the means to know him more, and he works through us so that we can bring him glory.

Slide

And as we do that, while we are in the process of doing that God is fulfilling his purposes and his plan for the church, and the community.

And as we do that, while we are in the process of doing that God is fulfilling his purposes and his plan for church.

Ephesians 3:21 NIV

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

And Why? Why is he doing that for what purpose? To Bring Him Glory! He is doing it for his glory, not for us. It is all for him.

And Why? Why would he do that? For what purpose would the all powerful, and holy God partner with the weak and unholy? To what end? To Bring Him Glory!

Slide

In Latin, the phrase is Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”).

He is doing it for his glory, not for us. It is all for him. It is so that we will praise Him. True worship is a giving back to God what is alreaDY HIS.

He provides the way we come to Him, He provides the means to know him more, and he works through us so that we can bring him glory.

The Protestant Reformation had what is known as the five Solas.

He provides the way we come to Him, He provides the means to know him more, and he works through us so that we can bring him glory.

The five Solas are five phrases written in Latin that sum up the theological position of the Reformation.

For the glory of God alone.

They are

In Latin the phrase is Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”).

For the glory of God alone.

Sola Scriptura: (Scripture Alone) The Bible alone is our highest authority.

The Protestant Reformation had what is known as the 5 solas.

In Latin the phrase is Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”).

Sola Fide: (Faith Alone) We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Sola Gratia (“grace alone”)

The Protestant Reformation had what is known as the 5 solas.

The five solas as they are called are five phrases written in Latin that sum up the theological position of the Reformation.

Solus Christus (“Christ alone”)

They are

The five solas as they are called are five phrases written in Latin that sum up the theological position of the Reformation.

And Soli Deo Gloria- For the Glory of God alone.

They are

Sola Scriptura: (Scripture Alone) The Bible alone is our highest authority.

SLIDE

Sola Scriptura: (Scripture Alone) The Bible alone is our highest authority.

Sola Fide: (Faith Alone) We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Johann Sebastian Bach, a gifted composer, signed his manuscripts with the letters S.D.G.

Sola Fide: (Faith Alone) We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Sola Gratia (“grace alone”)

When George Fredric Handel finished composing the Messiah, he wrote S.D.G. at the bottom of the manuscript, as did composer Christoph Graupner.

These composers all lived during the late 1600's through the early 1700's. The Protestant Reformation influenced all of them.

Sola Gratia (“grace alone”)

Solus Christus (“Christ alone”)

When these gifted geniuses composed some of the most magnificent, God-exalting pieces of music ever composed, they wrote the initials S.D.G. Soli Deo Gloria, For the glory of God alone.

And Soli Deo Gloria- For the Glory of God alone.

Solus Christus (“Christ alone”)

They took the talent that God gave to them, and used it to give back to God. That is worship, and they signed thier work S.D.G.

And Soli Deo Gloria- For the Glory of God alone.

To Him be the glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus.

Johann Sebastian Bach, a gifted composer, signed his manuscripts with the letters S.D.G.

Slide

When George Fredric Handel finished composing the Messiah, he wrote S.D.G. at the bottom of the manuscript, as did composer Christoph Graupner.

Johann Sebastian Bach, a gifted composer, signed his manuscripts with the letters S.D.G.

The church exists to bring God glory alone, and the Church, the true Church is inseparable from Christ Jesus. The Church only exists because of Jesus himself.

If Christ is separated from the Church, if I am preaching anything other than Christ crucified, we are not bringing God glory.

These composers all lived during the late 1600's through the early 1700's. The Protestant Reformation influenced all of them.

When George Fredric Handel finished composing the Messiah, he wrote S.D.G. at the bottom of the manuscript, as did composer Christoph Graupner.

The glory in Christ Jesus is not meant to stand alone. The glory of Christ Jesus is displayed as it is worked out in the church.

When these gifted geniuses composed some of the most magnificent, God exalting pieces of music ever composed, they wrote the initials S.D.G. Soli Deo Gloria, For the glory of God alone.

These composers all lived during the late 1600's through the early 1700's. The Protestant Reformation influenced all of them.

We are meant to work with God together in community, in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring God Glory.

When these gifted geniuses composed some of the most magnificent, God-exalting pieces of music ever composed, they wrote the initials S.D.G. Soli Deo Gloria, For the glory of God alone.

Throughout all generations forever and ever Amen.

To Him be the glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus. The church exists to bring God glory alone, and the church the true church is inseparable from Christ Jesus. The Church is from Jesus himself.

For all generations for ever and ever. This picture of the Church displaying God's glory is inseparable from Christ Jesus and continues through time. Both past and present.

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

If Christ is separated from the Church, if I am preaching anything other than Christ crucified, we are not bringing God glory.

Jesus said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it."

, Jesus said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it."

Over time the church hasn't always been part of Christ Jesus. But over time the true church, the one in Christ Jesus always brought God Glory.

The glory in Christ Jesus is not meant to stand alone. The glory of Christ Jesus is displayed as it is worked out in the church.

Sometimes, this was easy to see. In the Book of Acts, the Church exploded, and it was easy to see the church bringing God glory. Other times in history, Christ Jesus wasn't always in the Church. Think about the Crusades, or the Spanish Inquisition, defintely Christ Jesus wasn't a part of that church.

We are meant to work with God, together in community, in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring God Glory.

But wherever the true church was, the church inseparable from Christ Jesus. In that true church there was the Almighty. So somehow during that time, the All-powerful the God who could do above and beyond all we can think or imagine, that God was at work. It was by His power, at work within the small remnant of believers, to bring Himself Glory, and the true church survived.

Throughout all generations forever and ever Amen.

Somehow, during the Reformation the power of God was at work in the hearts of Huss, and Luther and Calvin, to bring God glory and the church survived.

For all generations for ever and ever. This picture of the Church displaying God's glory is inseparable from Christ Jesus and continues through time. Both past and present.

Today, brothers and sisters I pray that the power of God is at work within our hearts. I pray that the power of God is at work in our hearts here in his Church to bring Glory to God.

In , Jesus said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it."

So why do we do what we do? Why do we, spend our time and our money and sweat and our tears to do the things we do?

Slide

Colossians 3:17 NIV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Over time the church hasn't always been part of Christ Jesus. But over time the true church, the one in Christ Jesus always brought God Glory.

says,

It is like this church. Because the power of God was at work in the hearts of this local group belonging to Jesus Christ, God is glorified. God was glorified when a check was sent the Loving Hearts Babies Home in Africa.

Sometimes, the Church exploded like in the book of Acts, and it was easy to see the church bringing God glory. Other times in history, Christ Jesus wasn't in the Church, perhaps the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition, but wherever the true church was, the church inseparable from Christ Jesus there the Almighty, the All-powerful God was by his power at work within the small remnant of believers to bring Himself Glory, and the true church survived. Somehow, during the Reformation the power of God was at work in the hearts of Huss, and Luther and Calvin, and to bring God glory and the church survived.

Because the power of God was at work in the hearts of the believers here, God was glorified as children came here to learn about Him and to pray and play during a basketball camp.

Today, brothers and sisters I pray that the power of God is at work within our hearts. I pray that the power of God works in our hearts in his Church to bring Glory God.

Because God is at work in the hearts of the believers, we are able to spread the message of VBS to the community, through the handouts at the parade. God may already be at work in the hearts of those kids that were invited. Perhaps God will bring us kids that we can tell the gospel. He does that so that God will be glorified in the next generation.

So why do we do what we do? Why do we break ou backs, spend our time and our money and sweat and our tears?

And it just starts there. We have the fair stand and VBS coming up. Why? Why do we do the things we do?

It os like this church. Becasue the power of God was at work in the hearts of this local group belonging to Jesus Christ, God was glorified, when a check was sent the Loving Hearts babies Home in Africa. Becasue the power of God was at work in the hearts of the believers here, God was glorified as children cam e together to learn about Him and pray and play during our basketball camp.

Soli Deo Gloria.

To God alone be the Glory in Christ Jesus and in the Church. Amen

Becasue God was at work in the hearts of the believers, we were able to spread the message of VBS to the community and possibly God is already at work in the hearts of those kids, and perhaps if he will he will bring us kids that we can tell the gospel to. So that God will be glorified in the next generation.

And it just starts there. We have the fairstand and VBS coming up. Why? Why do we do the things we do?

Soli Deo Gloria?

To God alone be the Glory in Christ Jesus and in Church. Amen

S.D.G.

God is All Powerful

God transforms through the Church

To Bring Glory to Himself

For the glory of God alone.

S.D.G.

Glory in the Church and In Christ Jesus