Immeasurably More (2)

Introduction

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.

What is a doxology? A doxology is a New Testament expression of praise. In fact, I would say doxologies are a great way to learn how to pray. A literal translation of the word is, “written glory.”

If you have struggle to pray recently, the answer is not to beat yourself over the head with the knowledge that you are doing wrong. It is to remember that God answers prayers, and He can answer them in a big way.

We come to this doxology, or a moment of praise, as Paul moves from the theology section of his letter to his application section of his letter.

Paul has an interesting characteristic in each of his doxologies. He shares of the infinite nature of God and His promises.

Paul doesn’t wrap his teaching in a nice bow. As teachers, we want to resolve all of the questions that students might have and cultivate curiosity. Instead, Paul says, “I hope you try to wrestle with how big and glorious our God is for the rest of your life.”

CIT: God can do more than we can imagine.

Explanation

“Now to Him who is able to do”

John Stott says, “this means that God is neither idle, nor inactive, nor dead.”

Barriers to believing that God is able.

Longterm sin

Longterm sin robs us of the ability to believe that God can do anything.

If God hasn’t changed me, then He must not be able.

The more we sin, the smaller God looks.

Unanswered prayer

Unanswered prayer places doubt in our minds about God’s ability to move in the world in which we live.

When we ask God for something, and He does not answer in the way we wish, we think that he is unable or unloving.

As a parent, what would your house look like if you said “yes” to everything that your child asked you to do.

Horrible event

If God is able, then why did fill-in-the-blank happen?

We have seen quite a few events in the last month of horrible events? How could God allow that to happen?

The resolution for all of these questions is faith.

Faith in Christ unites us to Him, and union with Christ kills our sin little-by-little.

Faith knows that there are no unanswered prayers for God’s people. Only loving yes’s and no’s.

Faith believes that the horrible things that happen in the world - God will one day make them right.

“far more abundantly”

Theologians call the Greek word for this a “super-superlative”

The first time that this word is used in the Greek language is here and twice in Paul’s letters to Thessaloniki. Scholars believe that Paul coined this word.

John Stott would say, “infinitely more” is the best rendition. We cannot place a cap on what God can do.

No cap exists on what God can do. There is no limit on the power and ability of God.

We settle for less than God wants to give.

We have forgotten to dream wistfully about what God could do.

We think that we spare our hearts hurt if we stay skeptical instead of disappointed.

I pray that the optimism of faith would pervade your life again.

He can heal that broken marriage. He can saved that wayward child. He can heal that illness or disease. He can break the chains of sin in your life.

“Than all we ask or think”

Mrs. Weaver // First B // Speed Drill // Wrong Grade // Reluctant to talk to Mrs. Weaver // Correct Grade

We aren’t willing to ask, because we do not think that it will make a difference.

Have you ever been on your knees before the Lord and struggled with whether to ask God for something? You see it in His Word, but your heart just feels that God cannot do it.

The enemy attempts to speak to our hearts, and keeps us from believing that God can work.

Satan wins a large battle when you stop asking God for big things, but he wins an even larger battle when you stop thinking that God can/will work.

Maybe your heart needs to be rekindled to believe that God will work in and through us.

The man with the demon possessed son in Mark 9 prayed, “I believe - help my unbelief!”

We tend to think of our faith like a light switch. We either have it, or we don’t. But that is only the first step of faith. You either have faith that saves or not faith and are not saved.

I know that this is my life now. We think less that our faith is a light switch and more like a child. A light switch is either on or off. A baby is life. No matter how fragile, no matter how small, no matter how sick - life is there. But you have to nurse that life to strength.

“according to the power at work within us”

a. A spiritually weak life consists of unbelief, unconfessed sin, careless living, worldly action and attitude. These things rob us of power.

b. We have to come back to the gospel, confess our sin and experience grace to walk in the power of Christ again.

c. I want you to know, beloved, that you can walk in power.

“To Him be the glory in the church”

The church must be consumed with God’s glory in the church.

God is not less glorious today that the moment that you are changed forever at the sight of Him in eternity.

He is no less glorious right now than before the angels in glory.

The only difference is that you are looking at your cell phone.

The only difference is that you are thinking about lunch.

The only difference is that you are consumed with a sport, or a slight, or an event, or a life situation.

“and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

May Christ be seen in every generation forever.

Amen. Verily. Truly.

Invitation

Give your life to Jesus.

Will you dare to believe that God can do immeasurably more?

Give your life to Jesus.