More: A Call for MORE Kingdom work

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

And you were deadaj in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,ak according to the ruler of the power of the air,al the spiritam now working in the disobedient.L 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshlyan desires, carrying out the inclinationsao of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrathap as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy,aq because of his great lovear that he had for us,M 5 made us aliveas with Christ even though we were deadat in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,au 7 so that in the coming agesav he might display the immeasurable richesaw of his grace through his kindnessa to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by graceb through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, createdc in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of timed for us to do.

“A Call for MORE Kingdom Work”

Ephesians 2:1-10

The focus is mainly on Verse 10, but the preceding verses set the context and the tone.

In this passage, Paul writes about the spiritual condition of those in Ephesus:

He diagnosed them as spiritually dead. Verses 1-3:

Trespasses are direct sins; Sins are comprehensive sins

Layout:

You were dead [v.1]

[v. 2]In the occasion that you lived acc. to the world

acc. to (satan)

working in disobedient

[we also did this and were children of wrath v.3]

He offered to them a cure. Verses 4-7:

but God in the locative realm of His great mercy because of His great love He made us alive with Christ.

[Verses 5-6] God made us alive, raised us up, seated us with Christ.

WHY?

[Verse 7] So that He could display His grace for generations to come

He informed them of their responsibility. Verses 8-10:

Notice the sequential order: While verse 10 is key for this sermon, it must not be confused that salvation results from works. Verse 8 clarifies that salvation is not a result of works, but a result and gift of God’s grace- grace through faith. However, upon receiving this gift, we are to walk in the works God created for us (Romans 6:4)

ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν1

So that in them (the good works) we may go on walking

Dependent subjunctive of purpose: God purposed salvation not for us to be happy, complacent, and live however we want. No, God purposed salvation so that we could know Him- and through knowing Him we might know our purpose, the works He created for us- and through those, to make Him known!

Conclusion: Each of us are called to do MORE Kingdom Work. That’s why God created us: to know Him and to make Him known. You are all capable of MORE. Will you accept the call to do MORE now?

Father God, help us to not settle. Help us all to do MORE for you in Jesus’ name.

1 Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (Eph 2:10). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 3

14 For this reason I kneelak before the FatherD 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the richesal of his glory,am to be strengthened with poweran in your inner beingao through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,ap 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is ableaq to do above and beyond all that we ask or thinkar according to the poweras that works in us—21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.at

Session Three

“A Prayer for MORE Spiritual Power”

Ephesians 3:14-21

>The prayer actually began in 3:1, “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-”

>He picks up the prayer and resumes it here, praying for MORE spiritual power in the Ephesian believers.

>Pattern Observation: Paul prays, teaches/writes about spiritual truths, then prays again. This is a pattern throughout the early part of this letter. Chapters 1-3 lay the foundation for the practical truth and teaching in 4-6: {1-3: Spiritual foundation, identity; 4-6: Practical application, active living}

Paul begins praying, “For this reason...”

>For what reason? Look back at ch. 2: Christ came for all people and to unite all people. Look forward to ch. 3:1-13: Paul was given revelation that not all people had at the present time, and he was called and entrusted to share it with the Gentiles. Revelation: GOSPEL.

Why does Paul pray? Let’s examine together a few purposes for Paul’s prayer:

**Notice: Paul prays purposefully, intently, expectantly. He prays towards results.

Paul prayed for God to grant the Ephesian believers a few things:

a. To be strengthened [according to God’s riches of glory, not their own]

b. To be indwelt with Christ’s presence [in their hearts through faith]

Paul Prayed for the Ephesian believers to be enabled:

a. To comprehend (grasp) God’s love that is of great depth

b. To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge [for the purpose that they may be filled with the fullness of God]

<vv. 20-21> Parenthetically, Paul concludes this section giving glory to God, “who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think “ (exceedingly, abundantly more [NKJV, ASV])

>Notice, then, the book end (inclusio): Paul begins in 1:17 with his first prayer, praying to “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father” and he concludes this first section of the letter with a praise to “Him [God] who is able to do above and beyond...”

CONCLUSION: We serve the God is all about MORE. He is bigger than we can fathom, and He is able to do more than we can fathom. I titled this message, “A Prayer for MORE spiritual Power” because it is when this prayer of Paul is fulfilled in both the lives of the Ephesian believers and our own lives that we will truly have more spiritual power. Breakdown:

When God grants us His strength and the indwelling of Christ, then we will have MORE spiritual power

When God enables us to grasp His love and Christ’s love, we will then be filled with the fullness of God, possessing not only MORE spiritual power, but ALL spiritual power.

Now, to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us- to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. AMEN.