Three Weeks Ago, We Launched a New Sermon Series on Paul S Letter to the Ephesians. We

More Ephesians 3:14-21 Sunday, July 27, 2014

Three weeks ago, we launched a new sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We’ve looked at our blessings in Christ. We discovered that we are made by God to be demonstrations of God’s grace.

Can you imagine this day: Getting extra time to sleep, going to breakfast and finding that not only did you get what you ordered, but there was a special and they threw in extra bacon and a hot fresh scone, a project at work went super fast because you asked for help and the who department joined in.

Ephesians is an interesting letter. There is some disagreement among scholars concerning Paul’s authorship of the letter, as well as the intended recipients of the letter. The traditional view is that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome to be circulated through the churches in the early 60s. It stands out as a treasury of theology and ethics—what we believe and how those beliefs are played out in life. In Chapter 3, Paul has been looking at the distinction between Gentiles and Jews. Rather than polarizing them, He emphasizes what is common to both groups. Regardless of heritage, we all draw everything we need from God. Himself. This particular section of Chapter Three is the second prayer Paul records in this letter. As he writes, Paul takes time to pray for friends in the church. Let’s look at his second prayer:

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 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 (Ephesians 3:14-21, NIV).

Ephesians 3: “More” Page 1 Why is this included? Look back up at the previous section. Ephesians 3:10. The church has a purpose. It exists to make God’s wisdom known to all. In prayer, Paul approaches God with freedom and confidence. Paul prays for strengthened followers of Christ, Christ living in them, Christ living in the hearts of His people. It’s why Paul does what he does. He preaches the boundless riches of Christ (3:8). His goal is to bring near to God those who have been far from Him.

Paul prays for God to give us more. more strength. More power. More understanding. Fullness of God. More of Him in our lives. A cargo ship that is filled up and ready to sail. Every spot is occupied. Strengthened. Made strong where it counts. With dynamite energy. His totally capable power works within us. Dynamite within. Through the Holy Spirit . God’s agent for change. He is the messenger, the delivery man, for what God intends for us to receive. In the inner man. Down on the inside where it counts.

God gives us more. Out of His glorious riches. Love that is wide, long, high, and deep and also beyond knowledge. “beyond” is surpassing, thrown long past what is expected. We said last week that God is a generous giver. It’s what James says in Chapter 1 of his letter. He gives generously to all without finding fault. He is a Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children. He always has been and always will be. He doesn’t change like shadows through the day. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above.

God is glorified. Doxe. Lifted up. Exalted. Kingly majesty that belongs to Him as the supreme ruler. Majesty in sense of the absolute perfection of deity. This exaltation takes place “in Christ Jesus” and “in the church.” It isn’t hard to see how God is glorified in the birth, life, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus, is it? And sometimes, it isn’t difficult to see how God is glorified in His church. Sometimes. How are you glorifying God, lifting Him up, exalting Him, giving Him what He is due? Does your speech? Do your hobbies? Does your lifestyle? How about your wardrobe?

PRAYER:  With freedom and confidence. o Frank, unreserved speech. o He is favorably inclined to us and grants us trusting access.  For those who preach and teach. o Desire to spread the good news to all we encounter.  For the body of believers o Strengthened o Built up o Empowered o In our inner selves, at our core.  For God’s glory to be revealed in us, right here and now. o God’s ultimate glory when all is said and done. o God expects us to do more.

Ephesians 3: “More” Page 3