A Prayer for the Ephesians

June 5, 2016

Ephesians

Chapter 3, Part 2
A Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family 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.

Paul starts off talking about God as “father” which he does 42 times in his letters, 8 of which are in Ephesians.  “Father” is a very personal and laid back term. Paul then clarifies it to make the idea of Father larger, but he also clarifies it to make it smaller.

...Everyone in heaven and on earth means, think huge!
...Every family means, we’re all one family, bring it down smaller.

Ephesians 3:16-17a
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.

The main intent of his prayer is that people reading it would be strengthened by God’s spirit and would intimately know Christ’s presence and love.

This passage focuses on what God does in your “inner being” or in your “heart.”  Understanding God doesn’t start with outward actions, that comes later. It starts with God affecting your inner being and hitting you where you really are.

Ephesians 3:17b-19
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.

Paul is praying that the Ephesians would understand the fullness of the love of God.  How can we do that?

1. We're rooted and established in love.

2. We grasp it together with all the Lord’s holy people.

3. We have the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:20-21
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.

This part of the passage is a doxology, which literally means “a study of praise.”

The basis of this entire section is that we need to learn how to pray and how to worship. Sometimes we tend to focus on the works of his hands, not who HE is Himself. Worship and prayer are always at the base of our relationship with him.

Worship doesn't just happen because you are in this room, it’s a choice to be authentic in worship. It’s about you being involved, not you watching.  Our goal is to connect with the pulse of God’s heart.

Communication Card

I will make steps to further dive into the depths of God’s love.
I will make prayer and worship a part of my lifestyle.
I will read through Ephesians once this week.