Sunday, May 17, 2015 pm
STUDIES IN EPHESIANS
(17)
Paul’s 2nd Prayer
Ephesians 3:14-21
WE
continue our study through the book of Ephesians.
In chapters 2 & 3, Paul has established how:
1)we are all sinners, 2)we are all saved the same way “by grace
through faith” (our obedient faith that is), 3)as such we are all
brought together as one (united) through the blood of
Christ Jesus, whose sacrifice abolished in the flesh the enmity
(between Jew and Gentile); 4) therefore we are fellow citizens in the
household of God; 5)by the grace of God, Paul was privileged with
revealing “the mystery” of God which in times past was not fully known,
but is now revealed – that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and of the same
body; 6)as a result, he revealed that the church was a part of God’s
plan from the foundation of the world; 7)because of all these things, we
now (all) have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
As a result of this, Paul now pens the purpose of a 2nd
prayer to God for these brethren (the first being recorded in Ephesians
1:15-21). Tonight we want to
notice this prayer, as Paul concludes his doctrinal teaching.
The second half of the book will be a practical application of
this unity.
a.
“For this reason”
ties this to what Paul has previously said – namely Christ died to bring
together all mankind in the church (see introduction of this lesson).
Paul’s prayer, as we study it, is one for qualities that WILL
unify us. That is the theme
of this epistle!
b.
I bow my knees
– a position of reverence.
The expression is found throughout scripture (Jesus – Luke 22:41; Peter
– Acts 9:40; Paul Acts 20:36, Solomon – 1 Kings 8:54, etc.).
We sometimes wonder, is there a set position with which to pray?
The answer is no! In scripture you find different positions in
approaching God (lifting up holy hands – 1 Tim. 2:8, 2 Chron. 6:12;
bowing the head – Gen. 24:26, Exodus 4:31;
stand – Mark 11:25; sitting –
David – 1 Chron. 17:16; falling on one’s face – Mt. 26:39 – Jesus in the
garden, etc.)
THE POINT - the heart needs to “reverently bow” and we must be humble in
our prayers!
ALSO, we MUST be careful to not unduly draw attention to ourselves in
whatever position we assume (cf. Matt. 6:5, Luke 18:10-12 – standing and
boastful).
c.
“To the Father”
– scripture dictates
that our prayers are directed to the Father through Jesus Christ..
Ephesians 2:18, “Through Him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit
to the Father.”
Ephesians 5:20 – we give thanks to God the Father, in the name of Jesus.
Jesus is our Mediator to the Father 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 8:6;
We pray to God through Jesus
– John 14:13-14; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 2:5
d.
“From whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”
– a description of God’s
family, the saved (cf. Eph. 2:19).
While certainly God is ruler over all creation, this text fits
the best as a description of brethren.
This is who Paul is praying for and writing to!
a.
According to the riches
of His glory
– we have emphasized the greatness of God’s blessings to us.
Eph. 1:3-14, etc.
b.
To be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man
– this is a description of the spirit working within us in whatever way
He does. Paul desires that
the Spirit do His work in them to build them up together and to
strengthen them.
We may not fully understand exactly how He works today, but we know He
does (Romans 8:9-11). To
deny that is to dismiss far too many passages of scripture.
1 Corinthians 6:19
AND we know it is not in some miraculous, direct indwelling – we can
eliminate this with an in-depth study of the Spirit.
We must understand that however He works within us it is an influence.
- Galatians 3:2 associates it with “the hearing of faith”;
- 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 – the message is revealed to us “through His
Spirit”.
- John 16:13 - Jesus even emphasized that to His apostles – He would
guide them into all truth.
We have in the word of God all that we need to bring about the unity He
desires of us as brethren!
NOTE also that it is the “inner man” – that which makes us who we are.
c.
That Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith
– Just as the Spirit strengthens us, Paul also mentions Christ dwelling
in us.
AGAIN, we cannot describe this as miraculous or even a direct
indwelling. It is His
influence and relationship with us.
John 14:23, Romans 8:9-10, 2 Corinthians 13:5.
I am convinced that Christ dwells in us much in the same was as God the
Father – see 1 John 4:12 – if we love one another, God abides in us;
4:15 – we confess Jesus is the Son of God; 4:16 – we abide in
love. NOTE: This verse also
tells us that we abide in God.
It is mutual and describes relationship.
That is what Paul desires – that our relationship with God, Jesus and
the Spirit bring us together.
d.
That you, being rooted
and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints that
love – When
the Spirt and Christ are dwelling in our hearts we will be rooted in
love. The “love” here is
agape. When we love God we
will love one another – again 1 John 4:12, John 13:34-35.
If we are NOT loving one another, how can God dwell within us? 1 John
4:20-21.
Vs. 18 speaks of our being able to comprehend the love of Christ – he
speaks of its width, length, depth and height.
Some seek to distinguish these things – width being its breadth
available to all; Length – its existence through eternity; Height – it
position and origin with God, and depth- how incomprehensible it is.
But let’s just say it describes the greatness of His love in all
things. A love we will not
fully comprehend (see vs. 19- His love passes knowledge).
BUT we can get a good grasp of it by considering how God loves us
– Eph. 2:4-5, John 3:16,
Rom. 5:8; John 15:13 – Jesus died for “his friends”, 1 John 4:7-11
actually summarizes this idea well – God IS love!
The better we understand that, the better we can love each other!
And that’s Paul’s point!
e.
That you may be filled with all the fullness of God
– another way of saying we are complete in Him.
Colossians 2:10!
Considering the above verses dealing with love, if we are not treating
each other as brethren, how can we expect God to dwell within us and
bless us????
In addition to this, consider how we are to strive to be like God (and
Christ) – 1 Cor. 11:1, etc. That does not mean we become gods, but we
seek to emulate His qualities in our lives.
That is being a disciple!
Jesus in Matt. 5:48 said, “Therefore you shall be perfect,
just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
a.
Why can Paul offer this
prayer? Because he realizes
who God is. In vs. 20-21
Paul describes the ability of God to help us.
This is a REASON and a source of hope for us to follow Him
b.
To Him who is able – Paul acknowledges, as always, the power of God.
He is able to do these things.
There is nothing too hard for Him (Jer. 32:27, Gen. 18:14).
God is able – Rom. 14:4 – to make me stand; 1 Cor. 10:13 –
deliver me from temptation; 2 Cor. 9:8 to make all grace abound; Heb.
7:25 – to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him
c.
To do exceedingly,
abundantly above all that we ask or think – He can answer our prayers, and do so in ways we don’t understand.
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be
glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
d.
According to the power that works in us – all that we have discussed is inherent in His power!
e.
To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever
and ever –
Paul here concludes this by ascribing glory to God in the church.
FRIENDS, when we realize the church belongs to Him (Eph.
1:22-23), was His pattern according to His eternal purpose (Eph.
3:10-11), and when we treat each other as we ought to within that body,
He will be glorified.
BUT, even if we fail (as we often do), His will shall prevail “forever
and ever”.
And
thus Paul continues his admonition for us to seek to be the church that
belongs to Christ. We do
this be seek unity first with God and then with one another.
Are you doing your part in this?