Ephesians 3:20-21

 

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now unto Him that is Able

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

         1.      What God has Accomplished in the Past

a.      Jesus adopted us into His Family and gave us incredible blessings

                                                              i.      Ephesians 1:5-7

b.      Jesus has conquered all by His power

                                                              i.      Ephesians 1:20-23 

c.       Jesus made us alive again

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:4-5 

d.      Jesus broke down the walls that divide us

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:12-14 

e.      Jesus gives us strengthen when we call out to Him

                                                              i.      Ephesians 3:12-13 

          2.      What God is Doing Right Now

a.      The power we have came through receiving the gospel message

                                                              i.      1 Thessalonians 1:5   

b.      The power we have replaces fear

                                                              i.      2 Timothy 1:7 

c.       The power we have keeps us through the last days

                                                              i.      1 Peter 1:5 

          3.      What is God is Going to Do in the Future?

a.      Jesus is not going to let us fall

                                                              i.      Jude 1:24-25 

b.      Jesus will use His Church to conquer Satan

                                                              i.      Romans 16:20 

c.       Jesus is going to come again soon

                                                              i.      Titus 2:13 

d.      Man cannot imagine what Jesus is going to do in the future

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 2:9-10 

e.      Heaven is for real

                                                              i.      Revelation 21:22-25 

Ephesians 3:19

 

Ephesians 3:19

Paul Prays that They Would Be Filled With God

 

Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 

         1.      That You Would be Able to Know the Love of Christ

a.      There is no hierarchy in Christianity

                                                    i.     Matthew 23:8-12 

b.     Yet at the same time there should be in the life of the believer a desire to draw closer to Jesus

                                                    i.     Philippians 3:7-14 

c.      So how do I draw closer to Jesus?

                                                    i.     By reading and studying God’s word - 2 Timothy 2:15 

                                                  ii.     By keeping the commands of Jesus - John 14:21 

                                                iii.     By not grieving the Spirit - Ephesians 4:30 

                                                iv.     By pursuing Jesus with your whole heart - Jeremiah 29:13 

                                                  v.     By walking in truth - Psalm 86:11 

                                                vi.     By being single minded - Matthew 6:22-24 

         2.     That You Would be Filled with the Fullness of God

a.      Man cannot contain the complete fullness of God

                                                    i.     Genesis 3:5 

b.     If man cannot contain the compete fullness, what attributes of God can man have?

                                                    i.     God’s incommunicable attributes

1.     God is eternal - Isaiah 40:28 

2.     God is Immutable  - Malachi 3:6 

3.     God is Omnipotent - Psalm 33:9 

4.     God is Omniscient - Hebrews 4:13 

                                                  ii.     God’s communicable attributes

1.     God’s Love - 1 John 4:8 

2.     God’s Righteousness - 2 Corinthians 5:21 

3.     God’s Goodness - Galatians 5:22-23 

                                                iii.     These attribute are communicated to us through Jesus Christ

1.      Romans 8:28-30 

Ephesians 3:18

 

Ephesians 3:18

Paul Prays that They Would be Able Fathom the Love of Jesus

 

Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 

            1.      How to Pray that Others Are Able to Comprehend the Amazing Love of Jesus?

a.       Pray that they can enjoy their portion with all the saints

                                                              i.      They already have the down payment of their future inheritance in heaven

1.      Ephesians 1:13-14 

                                                            ii.      All believers are saints

1.      Colossians 1:2 

b.      Pray that they can explore the vastness of its breadth

                                                              i.      Jesus’ love is for all the peoples of the earth

1.      Revelation 5:9-11 

c.       Pray that they would be overwhelmed by the limitlessness of its length

                                                              i.      Jesus’ love is like the number line, infinite in one direction as well as the other

1.      Hebrews 13:8 

2.      Romans 8:38-19 

d.      Pray that they would study the mystery of its depth

                                                              i.      Jesus’ love is a secret love that is only for the recipients

1.      Revelation 2:17 

                                                            ii.      Jesus’ love is for the worthless

1.      Romans 3:10-12 

                                                          iii.      Jesus’ love is for His enemies

1.      Romans 5:8 

e.       Pray that they could climb toward the top of its astonishing height

                                                              i.      Jesus love perfects us into His likeness

1.      John 17:21-24 

                                                            ii.      Jesus’s love cleanses us from all our blemishes

1.       Ephesians 5:25-27 

Ephesians 3:17

 

Ephesians 3:17

Paul Prays that They Would be Filled with the Love of Jesus

 

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

          1.      Pray for Christians to Be Filled Up with Jesus

a.       Can a believer not have Jesus living within them?

                                                              i.      2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 8:9 

b.      Are the people Paul is writing to Christians?

                                                              i.      Ephesians 1:13 

c.       Why then would Paul need to pray that Christ would dwell in them?

                                                              i.      The answer is with the word that Paul uses for “dwell.” It is more than just a simple moving in but rather a making Jesus more comfortable.

1.      This verse is not an evangelistic verse but rather it is written to believers

a.       Revelation 3:20 

2.      Paul’s experience should be the experience of every believer

a.       Galatians 2:20 

3.      How do I make Jesus more at home in my heart?

a.       Stop fellowshipping with darkness - 1 John 1:6-7 

b.      Stop loving the world - 1 John 2:15 

c.       Learn to understand the love of God - 1 John 3:1 

d.      Learn to love the brethren - 1 John 3:16-17 

e.       Learn to abide in Christ - John 15:4-5 

          2.      Pray for Christians to be Rooted and Grounded in Love

a.       We need to be rooted in love

                                                              i.      Knowledge without love simply puffs up - 1 Corinthians 8:1 

                                                            ii.      All the rest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit without love are useless

1.      1 Corinthians 13:1-2 

b.      We need to be grounded in love

                                                              i.      Our only foundation is Jesus - 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 

                                                            ii.      Jesus is love - 1 John 4:7-8 

                                                          iii.      The love of Jesus holds us together - 2 Corinthians 5:14 

                                                          iv.      God’s law can be summarized in one word: love - Galatians 5:14