Who We Are and What We Have

Series Introduction

Notice our passage begins with the phrase, “for this reason” (v. 14).

Shoots us back

The same phrase (“for this reason”) appears in 3:1 which shoots us back to chapters 1 & 2

What’s made clear there is that God has created a new humanity through His sovereign, redemptive work in Christ. See 1:11-13 & 2:19-22

3:1, Paul indicates he is in prayer for the Ephesian churches, but he takes more to clarify his apostolic ministry as it relates to the gospel and his ministry to the Gentiles.

When we get to 3:14, Paul shares the substance of his prayer for the Ephesians, which is in light of the new humanity that God has created through Christ.

What is the substance of Paul’s prayer, and how might his prayer impact how we pray?

Ephesians 3:14–19 ESV

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Promise

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

God has given us everything we need for life, and what God has given to us is extraordinary.

Introduction

FCF: We often live in light of the ordinary instead of laying hold of the extraordinary we have received from God.

What we possess in Christ is extraordinary.

What do we have in Christ?

Intimacy with the Father (14-15)

Father (v. 14)

Paul is making clear that his petition, his prayer, is directed to the Father

Perhaps you find this statement obvious but keeping this central in our minds is crucial. When we pray, we are praying to our heavenly Father. He is the ultimate Father

In the ancient world, the father was the one who sought the good of his family and ruled his family. “Ruled” can negative connotations in our minds today, but for those hearing Paul refer to God as Father in his prayer for them would have brought this imagery to mind.

God is our Father. What He therefore provides for His people is good, and the way He rules over His people is always good.

Paul reminded himself that the God to whom He was praying was his heavenly Father. The good, sovereign Father of His people.

That God is Father is emphasized further in v. 15 where families in heaven and on earth are said to be named by God. He is the Father of all who truly belong to Him both in heaven and on earth. Those who have passed on and those who are here with us.

The bottom line here is the way we think of to whom we pray has significant impact on our prayer life. If we fail to see God and approach Him as our good and sovereign Father, then our prayers will reflect our lack of understanding of God.

Real and vital knowledge of God not only teaches us what to pray but gives us powerful incentive to pray (Carson).

When we have a biblical perspective of the identity of God, we will pray extraordinary prayers. Prayers for revival in our church and community. Prayers for one another that goes beyond the medications we take and the physical pain with which we contend. We will pray that we will grow in intimacy with God through our trials. That we will be a beacon of light in a dark world for Christ in the way we respond to the unpleasant experiences of life.

To this end, let’s take some time to pray together, that we would grow in our intimacy with God.

Pray for deeper intimacy with God our Father.

The power of Christ (16-17a)

Now Paul begins to describe what he prays for regarding the Ephesian churches. I think we’ll see not only a significant difference between the typical prayer concerns we may be accustomed to hearing but a particular emphasis in his prayers that is often lacking or even absent in our own. There are 2 petitions here, so we’ll consider each one at a time.

Petition #1: For our eternal selves to be empowered by the presence of Christ through faith (16-17a)

Notice in v. 16, Paul prays the Ephesians would be strengthened with power. This is a prayer for power.

The power is received passively. Not from within.

Notice what follows the prayer for power in v. 16: through His Spirit. Paul understands that what he is praying for can only come through the agency of the HS. And notice the passive language: grant you to be strengthened.

But notice what Paul is praying would be strengthened: your inner being (end of v. 16). What is this?

Another place in Scripture this phrase is used is in 2 Cor 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Our inner beings are the eternal part of ourselves. There’s the physical. Our bodies, our cognitive capacities. This is what often occupies our concerns in our prayers. And we should pray for such things.

But our inner beings is that part of us that will last forever. And it should be noted here that every person has an eternal part of themselves. GOSPEL

Here Paul prays their eternal selves will be strengthened by the HS.

We must fix our eyes, our attention on what we cannot see. Are you concerned for your kids? Pray their inner beings are strengthened by the HS. Yourself? Your church?

Despite our best efforts, our outer bodies are wasting away. It does not last forever, and we do not know how long they will last, so let’s not waste time.

BUT, what specifically does Paul pray for regarding their inner beings? First half of v. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

Very quickly, notice the trinity here. Paul prays to the Father (v. 14), and asks his petition be granted through the Spirit (v. 16) and for union with Christ (v. 17).

This is Paul’s concern. That the Ephesians will be empowered by the Sprit to live out their union with Jesus.

Keep in mind all of this is according to the riches of His glory. What are the riches of God’s glory? This kind of power! Strengthened by the Spirit to live in such a way that we are transparently living for and rejoicing in Christ.

Let’s take a moment to pray that Christ’s power would strengthen our inner beings

Pray the the power of Christ would strengthen our inner beings, that is, our eternal selves

And so we are brought to the 2nd petition which begins in the second half od v. 17 and goes through v. 19.

The love of Christ (17b-19)

Petition #2: To grasp the transcendent nature of the love of Christ (17b-19)

Transcendent = beyond the physical. It goes with what Paul was addressing with his reference to our inner beings

This petition is also one for power. V. 18: have strength to comprehend…

The power prayed for is the ability to grasp the limitless dimensions for Christs love for us.

They are rooted grounded in this love (v. 17). Chapter 1 references God’s sovereignty. He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…. In love He predestined us for adoption…

Here, that anyone can presume to begin to grasp the love of Christ must be grounded in His love for His people. That’s the starting point, and what sustains us.

Do we adequately appreciate the love of Christ for us? If you are a Christian, do you spend time considering the love Jesus has for you. If we take time to do so, we will be overwhelmed with joy and humility.

V. 18 – the breadth, length height and depth. Paul prays that they would be able to grasp the dimensions of Christ’s love for them

Seen in double imputation

Seen is penal substitution

Seen in forgiveness

See in eternal life with Him

Seen in being counted as co-heirs with Christ

We cannot comprehend this without God’s help

This is not merely an intellectual exercise. It includes our minds but is meant to engage our inner brings. Our eternal selves So THAT

V. 19 you may be filled with all the fullness of God. The riches of His glory.

This is the kind of people we should desire to be. This is what we should want for our spouses, children, grandchildren. This is the kind of church we should desire to be. One that is filled with the fullness of God. Because when we are, we will be changed and we will be instruments of change for the glory of God. THIS SHOULD OCCUPY OUR PRAYER LIVES

Pray for a deeper, more intimate understanding of the love that Christ has for us.

What we possess in Christ is extraordinary

Conclusion

But why should we presume that any of this is possible. Being people who would not be consumed with our physical selves but our eternal selves. That we would be people who would be empowered by our union with Christ and empowered to grasp the limitless dimensions of Christ’s love for us. That all of this would be what ultimately characterizes us as people… as a church. Why would we think that such things are even possible in the midst of a dark world and distracted lives?

Only extraordinary prayers are fitting to be expressed to an extraordinary God.

And that’s the answer. God is extraordinary. We cannot place our hope for these things in ourselves or anyone else. But we can be confident in these things because God is extraordinary. This focuses us on

The ground (basis) of our prayers (20-21)

Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV

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

Beyond imagination (v. 20): God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. Yes, we can be people, we can be a church that is consumed with Jesus and not the Corona Virus. Consumed with Christ’s love and not getting back to normal.

By the power God works in His people (v. 20) Remember – passive

For His glory (v. 21)