EPHESIANS

Week 8 of EPHESIANS » God’s Ultimate Purpose
Message title: Wind Power: Strength, Love, Knowledge & Fullness
Scriptures: Ephesians 3:14-21
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Patterson
Date: 3/3/13

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Scriptures: Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul is thinking about the Gospel of Grace, and it moves him to pray, and pray in a particular way.

A simple outline:

What is he praying for? That God would strengthen you in your inner being with power through His Spirit. (3:16)

  1. Why is this so important?
  2. Why is it? (What does it mean to be strengthened in our inner being?)
  3. How do we get it?
  • What if by the great power of what God has done for us in Christ, He does something great in us, and then through us?

The prayer ends in congratulating God for His greatness:

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
—Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Note from Jeff: Also recognize that “wind power” ended up not being an integral picture of illustration in the message as preached. The same word is used for “wind” and “spirit” in Greek, so the Spirit is the unseen Mover who guides and fills the sails as we lift them to receive His gusts of wind. We do that through those prerequisites and skills.

Three prerequisites:

  1. Continually seeking and prayer.
  2. Obedience.
  3. Community.

Two skills:

  1. Determined Meditation.
  2. Bringing everything back to the Gospel, to see all things through the prism lens of the Gospel Story & Message.