Immeasurably More

Immeasurably More! Ephesians 3:20-21 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 When we kneel before the Father with unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5) and nothing more than filthy rags to offer (Isaiah 64:6), one can’t help but wonder why a holy God would ever listen to our prayers much less take care of us! Even though He made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with honor and glory (Psalms 8:4-5), whom amongst us in our shame and humility have not struggled with finding the right requests and words that are fitting to ask of a sovereign, all knowing God? Sometimes we don’t ask God for the “small” things of our daily lives because we feel our requests are too insignificant to bother, He who holds this entire universe together (Colossians 1:16)! And due to our lack of faith we often don’t ask God for really “big” things in life out of fear that He won’t grant our request and we end up being heartbroken, feeling rejected or looking foolish to ourselves or to others. After all, whom amongst us has not had their faith weakened when they prayed and God took a long time to answer or simply said NO to their request! Even if we get the courage to state our requests to God, what words does one use to make one’s petitions known? If only we knew how to speak in the voices of angels, then our requests could be made with confidence, rejoicing and thanksgiving in our hearts for what God is about to do in our lives (Philippians 4:4-7)! Today’s sermon is going to review Apostle Paul’s great Doxology and in doing so will reveal with what kind of attitude we are to have when praying to a holy God. Paul’s Great Doxology 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, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Perhaps one of the greatest doxologies ever given in the Bible can be found in Ephesians 3:20-21.1 Paul whom “was accustomed to asking God for extravagant blessings on behalf of his Christian readers (Philippians 1:9, 4:19; Colossians 1:9-14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:3),”2 had just finished a prayer in which he knelt and asked the Father to strengthen the Ephesians through the power of the Holy Spirit so that they might come to grasp 1 James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 113. 2 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 266. 1|Page how wide, long, high and deep the love of Christ is and that they might be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God! Whether one “prays on one’s knees (Ezra 9:5; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60, Eph 3:14), lying prostrate (Ezra 10:1; Matt 26:39), with one’s head between one’s knees (1 Kgs 18:42), or standing (1 Sam 1:26; Luke 18:11, 13; 1 Tim 2:8),”3 makes no difference for it was not the kneeling that mattered to Paul but his attitude of prayer, worship and praise4 of his sovereign God! In his doxology Paul goes beyond his initial requests and boldly states that God can do immeasurably more than even these magnificent requests; He can do anything!5 The rest of this sermon is going to examine each phrase of Paul’s doxology that is not only the climax of the first half of Ephesians but of His entire letter!6 Now to Him who is Able Paul starts his doxology by saying that God is sovereign. No matter how chaotic this fallen world might seem God’s majesty, strength and rule over all things seen and unseen has always been and will always be a reality (Psalms 93)! Since most Christians do not question this to be true then why are so few going to God in prayer for every concern they have in life? One possible reason is that in our carnal and lukewarmness we are so embarrassed of our filthy rags that we shy away from the light lest He exposes our darkness and demands us to change! Another reason many Christians shy away from bold requests is our “experience with God’s power” 7 is so limited that we tend to look to ourselves or other people rather than to God for help. And for some Christians they simply can’t imagine God who holds everything together (Colossians 1:16) would be mindful of our petty concerns. 3 Charles H. Talbert, Ephesians and Colossians, Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 102. 4 Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 88. 5 Francis Foulkes, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 10, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 112–113. 6 A. Skevington Wood, “Ephesians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 52–53. 7 Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 227. 2|Page Paul counters these misconceptions by boldly stating that God’s is not merely concerned with taking care of this vast universe but also in loving and providing for those He calls His own!8 He who counts every hair on our heads (Matthew 10:30) and sent His Son to atone for our sins (1 John 2:2) is not only capable but ready to do good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28)! To do Immeasurably More than all we Ask or Imagine With the same power that God governs the universe He can fulfill any request that we might ask or even imagine!9 Trying to overcome the trials and tribulations of life through our own effort or with the help of others is no better than putting one’s trust in idols that do not understand and can do nothing for us (Isaiah 44:18)!10 “All human endeavor is dependent on God’s power”11 (Matthew 19:26)! Through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving we are to make ALL our requests known to God (Philippians 4:6-7) for the “Father’s giving exceeds our capacity for asking or even imagining!”12 Does this mean that Christians can ask anything of God and they will automatically receive their requests as stated in passages such as John 16:24, Matthew 7:7; Mark 11:24 and John 15:7? While there are no limits to God’s power,13 He will say NO when we lack faith (Matthew 21:21-22), ask with selfish motives (James 4:3) 14 or want something that is not in accordance to His will (1 John 5:14). Requests made with faith and of a servant’s, obedient heart can be given boldly (Hebrews 4:16) and even when we don’t know the words to say to our holy, sovereign God the Holy Spirit through wordless groans will make our petitions (Romans 8:26-27) sound far better than the voice of any angel! 8 James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 115. 9 Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 227. 10 James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 114. 11 Charles H. Talbert, Ephesians and Colossians, Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 103. 12 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 266. 13 Francis Foulkes, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 10, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 113. 14 James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 115. 3|Page According to His Power that is at Work Within Us The moment we read the divine words of Paul the Devil will plant doubts in our minds as to how can we know with absolute certainty that God is not too busy governing the universe to take care of our individual needs? The “indwelling of the Spirit of God not only helps, heals, reveals, strengthens and causes us to grow spiritually,”15 but is also a deposit not only guaranteeing our salvation (Ephesians 1:14) but our guide to all truth (John 16:13)! So, when we read that the “same power which raised Christ from the dead, enthroned Him in the heavenlies, and then raised and enthroned us with Him (Ephesians 1:19), is at work within us to achieve infinitely more than we can ask or imagine,”16 does not the Holy Spirit leap for joy upon hearing God’s very own words? The truth is that God does not see us as insignificant even though we are in comparison to the vast universe, but as one who He loves so much that He sent His own Son Jesus to die on the cross (John 3:16)! If God saw us as insignificant then why did Jesus say He was going away to prepare a place for us and would one day return (John 14:2-4) so that we could spend an eternity in a restored Garden of Eden with Him (Revelation 22:1-3)? The truth is that God provides and takes care of our every need because He is our heavenly Father that loves us with an undying love (Jeremiah 31:3)! To Him be Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus Paul now states that we are to give God glory in our prayers. “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus together, in the body and in the Head, in the bride and in the Bridegroom, in the community of peace and in the Peacemaker.”17 Praise and honor are to be offered by the living stones (1 Peter 2:5) or branches (John 15:1-10)18 whom are forever grateful to be in the vine and called the Body of Christ, the People and the Family of God!19 While the church as the “sphere of the outworking of God’s purpose on earth” 20 cannot add anything to 15 Ben Witherington III, The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians : A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007), 277. 16 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 267. 17 John R. W. Stott, God’s New Society: The Message of Ephesians, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 140–141. 18 R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994), 89. 19 R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994), 87–88. 20 Francis Foulkes, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 10, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 113. 4|Page God’s glory21 she must fulfill her role as a constant “testimony to the evil powers concerning God’s salvific plan for the cosmos!” 22 Not only are we to fulfill our role as being a light unto the nations (Matthew 5:16; Acts 13:47) but are to love and build one anther up in the faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11) by offering the same comfort that we have received from Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) to both the tares and wheat of the church23 and this world. When the Devil tries to tell a brother or sister that his/her prayers are vain let us stand firm upon the Rock of our salvation and state the truth – God’s glory and love never fails. O what an honor it is to be a stone “in a building with the Chief Cornerstone” 24 and bow one’s knee to He who created and sustains our very lives! Throughout all Generations, Forever and Ever We who are in union with Christ are to praise God for ever and ever!25 Too often we as Christians lavish heaping praise upon God when we want Him to remove tribulations or give us blessings and then the moment He does we go back to being carnal, lukewarm Christians! Is He not our God in both good and bad times and therefore deserving of praise all the time? Imagine how God must feel when our response to His grace is to walk away and forget He exists! It is not like God wants us to add something to His glory which would be impossible to do26 but to merely acknowledge the blessings we have already received through the sacrifice of His Son and subsequent indwelling of His Spirit. To have every spiritual blessing in Christ given to those (Ephesians 1:3) who have nothing to offer but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) is the essence of not only grace but the foundation of a humble and grateful heart! Since our souls 21 Curtis Vaughan, Ephesians, Founders Study Guide Commentary (Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002), 85. Charles H. Talbert, Ephesians and Colossians, Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 103. 23 R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994), 89. 24 R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994), 89. 25 Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 89. 26 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 268. 22 5|Page are eternal, are not God’s children about to receive the best blessing of all: the privilege of walking in the restored Garden of Eden and praising His name for an eternity? With our lips and hearts may we acknowledge the power that came from Him to us27 by forever glorifying and praising His name! Amen! To finish his glorious doxology Paul simply says the word “amen.” While amen is a typical way that Christians end their prayer,28 do we truly understand what this word means? In the Old Testament amen was the response uttered on solemn occasions to “confirm a curse or adjuration, to accept a blessing, or to associate oneself with a doxology.”29 To “associate” does not mean to merely understand or agree with Paul’s prayer30 but that one truly wants to have the truth he got from the Holy Spirit to shape one’s very life!31 To keep from being accused of being hearers and not doers of God’s word (James 1:22), our prayers must change from being shallow, selfcentered occasional requests from a carnal, lukewarm heart to being bold, humble and thankful requests to have God mold and shape our very being. While we will not always know the right words or requests to make may we always be ready to give praise to God for every spiritual blessing in Christ that we have and will receive. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine may all God’s people say, “Yes indeed, Lord (Amen).”32 27 James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 119. 28 Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 90. 29 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 269. 30 Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 227. 31 Charles H. Talbert, Ephesians and Colossians, Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 103. 32 A. Skevington Wood, “Ephesians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 53. 6|Page 7|Page