Title: Ephesians - Walking In The Power of The Spirit
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21
Date: 02122023
Bible Version: NKJV

BOTTOM LINE: The Power of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the believer.

Three Parts of Paul’s Prayer

1. Invocation (vs.14-15)

Vs. 14

For this reason- Considering the mystery which Paul just revealed.

I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ- Paul’s posture of prayer including him going to his knees. Paul got onto his knees and directed his prayer to the Father.

The Bible has enough prayer not on the knees to show us that it isn’t required but it also has enough prayer on the knees to show us that it is good.—David Guzik

We should consider this fact, that it’s not so much about the bowing of the knees as much it is about bowing your heart.

Vs. 15

The whole family in heaven and earth is named- As followers of Christ, we are brothers and sisters. Paul returns to the idea of Jew and Gentiles being a family through Christ Jesus.

Three Parts of Paul’s Prayer:

2. The Petition (vs. 16-19)

Vs. 16

He would grant you- We are reminded that everything comes for God.

According to the riches of His glory- Think about the riches of His glory. This would be a generous portion that Paul is asking for. If this were according to our riches, it would pale in comparison.

To be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man- Paul was asking for them to be strengthened with might through His Spirit. He was praying for us to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s first petition was for strength.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in the life is evidence of salvation; but the power of the Spirit is enablement for Christian living… —Warren Wiersbe

We need the Holy Spirit for day to day living.

Vs. 17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- Paul asked that Jesus would dwell in the hearts of those who believed. The Ancient Greek word for dwell means permanent home. Paul’s prayer is for Jesus to establish a permanent place in their hearts.

Being rooted and grounded in love- Paul is suggesting that as Christ dwells in their hearts, that their relationships between each other are rooted and grounded in love.

Paul’s second petition was for depth.

What Paul was praying for was a deeper experience between Christ and His people.—Warren Wiersbe

Vs. 18

What is the width and length and depth and height- Paul asks a question that makes us ponder the greatness of God. It’s really a picture of the cross.

You can’t go lower than the death of the cross, and that is how deep the love of Jesus is for us.—David Guzik

Concerning God’s Love (from David Guzik):
-It’s wide enough to include every person.
-It’s long enough to last through all eternity.
-Deep enough to reach the worst sinner.
-High enough to take us to heaven.

Vs. 19

To know the Love of Christ- Despite what the world may tell us, we are capable of knowing the love of Christ.

Which passes knowledge;- The love of Christ passes our knowledge.

Paul’s third petition was for fullness.

That you may be filled with all fullness of God- Paul’s ultimate desire is for us to be filled with the fullness of God.

Paul wanted Christians to experience life in Jesus Christ, the fullness of God. —David Guzik

As believers, we not only have access to God, we can walk in the fullness of God.

Three Parts of Paul’s Prayer:

3. The Benediction (vs. 20-21)

Vs. 20

To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think- Only God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.

According to the power that works in us- The Holy Spirit indwells believers. As believers we can experience this kind of power now as God moves in our lives. It is all according to His will and for His glory.

Vs. 21

To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus- Paul reminds us that this is all for the glory of God.

The only fitting response to this great God is to give Him glory. —David Guzik

The greatest manifestation of God’s glory is through the church, which is why it is absolutely critical for every believer to be an active part of a solid church family. —Tony Evans

To all generations, forever and ever- This answers who and how long. May the church give God the glory through Christ Jesus forever and ever.

When the church understands and walks in God’s eternal purpose, God will be glorified and the church will fulfill its important duty of simply glorifying God. —David Guzik

While many Christians want a tanker full of blessing, they only have a thimble full of relationship with the Lord. —Tony Evans

Three ways that you can grow in your relationship with the Lord.
1. Connect with God daily through His word.
2. Recognize that you need strength and power through the Holy Spirit.
3. Be in community with God’s people.