2 …you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, YOU DON’T GET IT BECAUSE YOUR MOTIVES ARE ALL WRONG—you want only what will give you pleasure. —James 4:2-3
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. —Ephesians 3:14-19
1. The inner strength from God’s
– vs. 16
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources HE WILL EMPOWER YOU WITH INNER STRENGTH THROUGH HIS SPIRIT. —Ephesians 3:16
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ HAS BECOME A NEW PERSON. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! —2 Corinthians 5:17
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. —Romans 8:12-14
2. The indwelling presence of God’s
– vs. 17
17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. —Ephesians 3:17
5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. —Matthew 13:5-6
20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But SINCE THEY DON’T HAVE DEEP ROOTS, THEY DON’T LAST LONG. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. —Ephesians 3:20-21
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
3. The power to understand God’s
– vs. 18-19
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully… —Ephesians 3:18-19
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. —Ephesians 3:19