BIG IDEA: PRAYER FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN CONNECT US TO THE LOVE OF CHRIST SO THAT WE CAN EXPERIENCE ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR US
(:14-15) INTRODUCTION — THE DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH SHOULD MOTIVATE US TO PRAY TO OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER
(for our own growth and here: for the growth of others)
A. Context– Spiritual Need: “For this reason” — resuming the thought of 3:1
How are we going to accomplish the Father’s goal of being built up together
– “into a holy temple in the Lord”
– “into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”
B. Spiritual Posture — “I bow my knees” — Must take the necessary action and Pray
1. Dependent Prayer
2. Worshipful Prayer
3. Submissive Prayer
C. Spiritual Family Relationship — “before the Father”
Remember our “bold and confident access”
No Insecurity here
D. Universal and Exclusive Source of Spiritual Blessing
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name”
Same approach will work for anyone;
No other approach will work for anyone
Wuest: “The various classes of men on earth, Jew, Gentile, and others, and the various orders of angels in heaven, are related to God, the common Father, and only in virtue of that relation has any of them the name of family. But we must be careful here to note that the fatherhood of God over all created intelligences is in the sense of Creator, as in Paul’s word to the Athenians, ‘We are the offspring of God,’ not at all in the sense of salvation where only saved individuals are children of God.”
Or Martin: “That is, the whole family of the redeemed–those who have gone before and those who are still alive here on earth–are under the one Father…”
I. (:16) THE REQUEST: HOLY SPIRIT POWER
A. Comes as a Gift from God
“that He would grant you”
B. Cannot be Measured in Human Terms
“according to the riches of His glory”
Not asking for some small dose of power here
C. Consists in Holy Spirit Power
“to be strengthened with power through His Spirit”
D. Changes and Transforms the Inner Man
“in the inner man”
II. (:17-19a) THE REASON: CONNECTION TO THE LOVE OF CHRIST
A. Goal of Deepened Intimacy with Christ — Requires Faith
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”
B. Goal of Deepened Roots and Foundation of Love
“that you, being rooted and grounded in love”
2 metaphors: tree and building
C. Goal of Deepened Comprehension of the Love of Christ
“may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge”
III. (19b) THE RESULT: EXPERIENCING ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU
“that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God”
(:20-21) DOXOLOGY: “TO HIM BE THE GLORY IN THE CHURCH”
A. (:20) Reason for Hope and Optimism
“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”
Wuest: “Paul says that God is able to do super-abundantly above and beyond what we ask or think, and then some on top of that.”
B. (:21) Ultimate Goal
“to Hm be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”