The Letter to the Ephesians  Message Thirteen

VII.  Perception.  Ephesians 3:14-21

  A.  We learned of Paul’s reliance upon God  Ephesians 3:1-13

  B.  We learned of Paul’s Request from God   Ephesians 3:14-19

Today we will learn of –

  C.  Paul’s Regard for God –

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding (huper) abundantly above (huper) all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Remember that we are rooted in Him and all that we are is provided by Him)

    1.  The Person regarded “…unto Him…”

When the Apostle Paul wrote these words – “…unto him…”, who was he thinking about and what was he thinking?

      a.  He who he had learned of through education in the Word of God.

        1).  Abraham      Promises

Genesis 17:1-3  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

        2).  Moses at the burning bush      Amazement

Exodus 3:3  “…I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”

        3).  Israel at Mount Sinai   Exodus 19:16     Power

        4).  Isaiah in the Temple    Conviction

Isaiah 6:1,5  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple………Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

        5).  Ezekiel      Beauty

Ezekiel 1:27-28  And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

        6).  Daniel     Majesty

Daniel 10:5-9  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude…….and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

    b.  He who he had learned of through experience.

        1).  I believe he was thinking of the One who sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for his sins.

        2).  I believe he was thinking of the One who sent faithful men to preach the truth to him, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

        3).  I believe he was thinking of the One who met him on the road just outside the city of Damascus, confronting him about the conviction that had been troubling him for so long.

        4).  I believe he was thinking about the One who sent the faithful servant, Annanias, to him with the message of his need to be baptized.

        5).  I believe he was thinking about the One who sent His Son to teach him the truth of the Word of God and call him into the ministry of that truth to the world, especially the Gentiles.

        6).  I believe he was thinking about the One who gave him power to preach, provision to go, partners to minister with, peace when he was afraid, perseverance in illness, and patience to wait on the Lord for direction.

    2.  The Potential   “…that is able to”

      a.  Could He command the storm to stop?   “…We perish…”

      b.  Could He feed five thousand men along with their families?

            “…what are these among so many…”

      c.  Could He raise the dead.  “…if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”

      d.  Could He heal the diseased, give sight to the blind, give hearing to the deaf, give the lame strength to walk?

Yes, He could, and He can do that and more – “…that is able to…”

Colossians 2:9-10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

From Him into us and unto one another, the church!

Colossians 2:19  And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

    3. The Portion  This word is defined as “a part of a whole”.  I use in the context of God have all and from that all, He supplies to us that part according to His will.

“…exceeding (huper) abundantly above (huper)…”

Illustrate with needing a drink of water

    4.  The Power.  The Holy Spirit in us

          “…according to the power…”   infinite power, only limited by us

    5.  The Process.   “…that worketh in us…”

How does God work these things in our lives?

 – refer back to Ephesians 3:17

  “…rooted and grounded in love…”  When we are saved, we are attached to Him.  Where He is, there we should be!

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake…”

Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Walvoord stated –

Closely related to the teaching work of the Holy Spirit is the work of the Spirit in guiding the Christian. Guidance is a most important element in Christian experience, and it is essential to a life in the will of God. Guidance while similar to the teaching work of the Spirit has a distinct character. While the teaching ministry of the Spirit in this age is directed to making clear the content of the Word of God, guidance is the application of the truths thus known to the individual problems of each life. While the Word of God may reveal the purpose of God to preach the Gospel throughout the world, only the Spirit of God can call an individual life to an appointed field of service. In the many details of each life, only the Spirit of God can provide the necessary guidance.

Genesis 24:27  And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

In love,  He came to this earth to live and to die for mankind according to the eternal plan of God – to lead us in the way!

Ephesians 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

All that come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, because of His love are blessed above measure in being –

Forgiven, are holy and without blame before Him

Adopted into His family

Made accepted in the beloved

Sealed us with the Holy Spirit

Moved us from death unto life

Instructed us as to His will

Given us an inheritance

Set us in heavenly places with Christ

Showing us the exceeding riches of His kindness

As Christians, this is the love we are planted in, He who from which we receive our life.

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus of the results of the love of God –

  D.  Paul’s Rejoicing in God.

Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

What do you think of when you think of God?  Is He glory to you?

Conclusion Romans 12:1,2  Why do we challenge ourselves with this portion of Scripture so often?  Because of the importance to our daily lives!