Stones Hill Community Church
Ephesians - Finding Our New Identity
Welcome to an exciting new sermon series on the Book of Ephesians, one of the Apostle Paul’s most profound letters. Paul proposes that we are "in Christ." We have a new identity. In a sense, he encourages us to become what we already are!
Locations & Times
Ligonier, IN
151 W Stones Hill Rd, Ligonier, IN 46767, USA
Saturday 2:00 PM
MESSAGE TEXT
Ephesians 3:20-21
*
INTRODUCTION
Our passage this week is both "benediction" and "invocation." It draws to a close the first three chapters of Ephesians (1-3 - and what God has done for us). Yet, it also introduces the upcoming three chapters (4-6 - and how we can respond to God in some key life areas - in light of what He has already done for us). And this ordering of things is really how we all must do the spiritual life. We often get it backwards. Performance (do this) then Verdict (you get this). Paul says it’s Verdict (you’ve already got it. God did everything.) then Performance (live in light of it to show gratitude for it).
*
PROPOSITION
We talk about the attributes of God or all the things that God is: holy, just, loving, all-knowing, all-present. The attribute Paul highlights here is the omnipotence of God. He has all power. I like Clark Pinnock’s take on this attribute. He says it this way: There is no situation that we can create for God that He cannot handle. That’s omnipotence for everyday living. There is no situation that you can create for God, or that life can hand to you or drop into your lap - that God cannot handle - and this without exhaustion. No limitations on His power – at work in you. So make much of God. Settle the glory issue.
*
OUTLINE
There are three main divisions in this section: the introduction (3:14–15); the petition (3:16–19); and the benediction (3:20–21). The doxology at the end of Paul's prayer concludes the first half of the letter and introduces the second half. Paul makes a grand overarching statement and here in these verses he reminds us of three things… with exhortations implied…
*
Number One: Paul reminds us of what God is able to do, so pray bigger (v.20a)
*
Number Two: Paul reminds us of how God is able to do it, so worship deeper (v.20b-21a)
*
Number Three: Paul reminds us of the purpose for which God does such things, so shine brighter (v.21b)
*
APPLICATION
God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or think in several key areas. We can glorify God in these ways:
*
In our words and habits.
In our jobs and responsibilities.
In our marriages and relationships.
In our bodies and appearance.
*
SUMMARIZATION
Paul’s prayer began with bowing his knee before the Father of all (3:14). It ends with his looking upward and giving all glory to the Father (3:20–21). In between we are encouraged to claim the Spirit’s strength … to remember Christ’s love … and to seek the Father’s fullness. Only upon this proper theological foundation concerning the nature of God can we build a stable, practical Christian life worthy of the One who has made us a part of His eternal family. “The audience is left at an intense religious and emotional high point where they may be quite easily influenced to agree with what the author may say subsequently.” The prayer and doxology of chapter 3 function in an important preparatory way for the subsequent admonitions to love in the second half of the letter. It’s invocation for what is to come in Ephesians. And it's benediction for what we’ve already been over in chapters 1-3.
*
CONCLUSION
Once the glory issue is settled, all the issues are settled. Have you settled the glory issue? Are you joining in this great doxology? When the glory issues is settled, you’ll pray bigger, worship deeper, and shine brighter. Remember Jesus is waiting for you to finally say “I can’t fix this; I need you.” Our problems have to be measured not by our capacity to deal with them but with His ability to solve them. We cannot create a situation for God that He cannot handle. You need Him today!
Ephesians 3:20-21
*
INTRODUCTION
Our passage this week is both "benediction" and "invocation." It draws to a close the first three chapters of Ephesians (1-3 - and what God has done for us). Yet, it also introduces the upcoming three chapters (4-6 - and how we can respond to God in some key life areas - in light of what He has already done for us). And this ordering of things is really how we all must do the spiritual life. We often get it backwards. Performance (do this) then Verdict (you get this). Paul says it’s Verdict (you’ve already got it. God did everything.) then Performance (live in light of it to show gratitude for it).
*
PROPOSITION
We talk about the attributes of God or all the things that God is: holy, just, loving, all-knowing, all-present. The attribute Paul highlights here is the omnipotence of God. He has all power. I like Clark Pinnock’s take on this attribute. He says it this way: There is no situation that we can create for God that He cannot handle. That’s omnipotence for everyday living. There is no situation that you can create for God, or that life can hand to you or drop into your lap - that God cannot handle - and this without exhaustion. No limitations on His power – at work in you. So make much of God. Settle the glory issue.
*
OUTLINE
There are three main divisions in this section: the introduction (3:14–15); the petition (3:16–19); and the benediction (3:20–21). The doxology at the end of Paul's prayer concludes the first half of the letter and introduces the second half. Paul makes a grand overarching statement and here in these verses he reminds us of three things… with exhortations implied…
*
Number One: Paul reminds us of what God is able to do, so pray bigger (v.20a)
*
Number Two: Paul reminds us of how God is able to do it, so worship deeper (v.20b-21a)
*
Number Three: Paul reminds us of the purpose for which God does such things, so shine brighter (v.21b)
*
APPLICATION
God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or think in several key areas. We can glorify God in these ways:
*
In our words and habits.
In our jobs and responsibilities.
In our marriages and relationships.
In our bodies and appearance.
*
SUMMARIZATION
Paul’s prayer began with bowing his knee before the Father of all (3:14). It ends with his looking upward and giving all glory to the Father (3:20–21). In between we are encouraged to claim the Spirit’s strength … to remember Christ’s love … and to seek the Father’s fullness. Only upon this proper theological foundation concerning the nature of God can we build a stable, practical Christian life worthy of the One who has made us a part of His eternal family. “The audience is left at an intense religious and emotional high point where they may be quite easily influenced to agree with what the author may say subsequently.” The prayer and doxology of chapter 3 function in an important preparatory way for the subsequent admonitions to love in the second half of the letter. It’s invocation for what is to come in Ephesians. And it's benediction for what we’ve already been over in chapters 1-3.
*
CONCLUSION
Once the glory issue is settled, all the issues are settled. Have you settled the glory issue? Are you joining in this great doxology? When the glory issues is settled, you’ll pray bigger, worship deeper, and shine brighter. Remember Jesus is waiting for you to finally say “I can’t fix this; I need you.” Our problems have to be measured not by our capacity to deal with them but with His ability to solve them. We cannot create a situation for God that He cannot handle. You need Him today!