God’s Power Strengthens

Ephesians 3:14-21

Introduction: I am behind in the times. For years I’ve tried to exercise at least three times a week and part of that regime is a slow jog for the cardiac work out. However, a person pointed out to me some time ago that I was not jogging…I was power walking! 

This part of the chapter deals with spiritual exercise or “power living”, trying to reach the highest level of our potential in Christ. Just as power walking requires keeping one foot on the ground at all times and move forward so our spiritual growth requires we keep constant contact with God’s supply of strength.

What We Need v. 14-16 “14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,   15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,   16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; “

1. V. 14 He prays to God, the father of the Lord Jesus—we should be aware of whom we are praying to…the God of creation of all things and we should do it with the respect that it deserves.

2. His outward posture---humble and reverent: He bowed on his knees. NOTE: When we come to God we should do it with reverence in our hearts and express that reverence in the most humble and becoming behavior.

   1. Jews bowed on their knees as a sign of utmost respect-you are unworthy to stand before God, you are burdened to the point you cannot stand.

   2. This does not mean one posture is better or more spiritual than another but acknowledges that our posture in prayer reflects the content of our prayers.

   3. By kneeling, it helps us to keep our concentration—so hard to do this day and time as we are so stimulated everyday by constant noise, activities, schedules and responsibilities

3. V. 15 The church has total dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ. This was important to note as the Jews considered Abraham as their father but now Gentile and Jew had one Father under Christ.

4. V. 16 Paul asks for spiritual blessings for the Ephesians. Spiritual blessings are the highest of all blessings.

   1. Spiritual strength for the work and duty they have been called to do

   2. To resist temptation 

   3. Endure persecution

   4. Inner strength is the best and most desirable strength as the body will always fail at some point in time, but not the spiritual part of us

What We Receive v. 17-19 “17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,   18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;   19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

1. Christ is said to dwell in His people by His influence and operations in our lives

2. Where His spirit dwells, Christ swells to the point we reflect physically and spiritually His presence.

3. We are to be rooted and grounded in His love

   1. Many have a love for God and his servants but it is a flash in the pan, a moment of convenience for many----makes a lot of noise but is gone quickly

   2. Our affections should be consistent and settled. NOTE: It is a settled and consistent life for Christ that finds the peace and rest that seems to elusive this day and time

4. V.18 Note how he speaks of the love of Christ

   1. By giving it dimension (breadth, length, depth and height) he signifies the greatness of Christ’s love—it is unsearchable

   2. By breadth-it signifies the extend of it to all ages, nations and ranks of men

   3. By length—the continuance  from everlasting to everlasting

   4. By depth—stooping to the lowest point of sin and misery with a design to relieve and save those in that terrible place

5. By height—entitling and raising us up even to the heights of heaven itself

   NOTE: By dimensions we should want to knowledge to understand these measurements of the love of Christ

Whom We Ask v. 20-21 “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,   21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

1. This is doxology of sorts to end this part of the letter

2. NOTE: This ends in praise teaching us that this is how our prayers should end, in praise of God and His power and love.

3. He ascribes glory and power

4. He states that Christ has an inexhaustible fullness of grace and mercy

5. God is able to do above and beyond what we ask and therefore our prayers should reflect that belief.

6. V. 21 He closes drawing attention to the glory of the church of Christ. 

Conclusion: All of God’s gifts come to us through the hands of Christ. God should and will be praised for all eternity and we should live with that knowledge ever present in our mind. One way to look at it is that the world we now live in will not be the reality for eternity. The spiritual world could be said to be the actual world of existence. We should not forget that and be careful how we pursue things and behavior in this very temporal world we live in.