Ephesians                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Lesson 8

Paul's Prayer and Doxology (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Outline of the Prayer

Kneeling Before the Father (Ephesians 3:14-15)

God's Resources (Ephesians 3:16)

Strengthening the Inner Being (Ephesians 3:16b-17a)

Q30. (Ephesians 3:16-17) Do the concepts of (a) strengthened by the Spirit in the inner person, and (b) Christ dwelling in our hearts say the same thing, or are they separate and distinct ideas? What do you think?
 

The Process of Sanctification

Spirit-filled Christians

Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17b)

Paul has described a Christian's relationship to God by

1. being empowered by the Spirit in the inner person (verse 16b).

2. by Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith (verse 17a).

Now he adds a third,

3. by being rooted and grounded in love (verse 17b).

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Outcome 1: To Comprehend the Love that Surpasses Knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19a)

Q31. (Ephesians 3:18-19) What kinds of things prevent us from comprehending the far reaches of Christ's love?

What happens in the way we live when we do comprehend, know, and experience this love? What would be different about your life if you could grasp this?
 

Outcome 2: Filled with God (Ephesians 3:19b)

Q32. (Ephesians 3:16, 19) What does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit" (verse 16)?

Is this a one-time experience or a continual reality?

What can we do to be filled with the Spirit?

Is it different or the same as being "filled with all the fullness of God" (verse 19)?
 

Doxology: God's Ability to Answer Abundantly (Ephesians 3:20)

Now Paul concludes his prayer -- and indeed, the first half of the Letter to the Ephesians --

Doxology: Glory in the Church (Ephesians 3:21)

In this doxology there are two sources of glory accruing to God:

1. from the Church and

2. from Christ Jesus.

Q33. (Ephesians 3:21) What might be different in your own congregation if bringing glory to God were considered the very most important function of the church?

What would be different in your life if bringing God glory was your most important job, bar none?
 

Prayer

Father, open our eyes, expand our understanding, help us to comprehend the immensity of both your love and your power. Break us open from our narrow, blindered views of You so that we might see You as you are in all Your glory. And whatever changes in us that this will require, we offer you both our permission and our humble desire that you might complete your full work in our hearts and lives. Fill us afresh with all the fullness of God. In Jesus' name and for his sake, we pray. Amen.

Key Verse

(Ephesians 3:20-21) "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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."