momentum moved by love Theme: Heart momentum – moved by love

momentum love unlimited Sermon: Love unlimited   Date: 23 June 2013 – morning service Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk Introduction There is a need for God’s love – not only in our own lives, but also in the world. The only way to experience God’s love, and to express the same kind of love, is to truly know Jesus! To live a life of love we need to follow the trail the Apostle Paul left for us in his prayer to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) ‘For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height ̶

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV) 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

THE NEED FOR ENCOURAGEMENT Main points The need for encouragement There is a great need for encouragement in a world where we see hardship, injustice and failure around us every day. Paul recognises this and knows where we can find what is needed.   ‘Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.’ Ephesians 3:13 (NKJV) He starts with prayer. momentum

Prayer HUMILITY & momentum 2. Prayer and humility In Verse 14 he says, ‘I bow my knee …’ This is not just any prayer, it is prayer from a position of humility. From this position we can pray, ‘Lord. I am a servant of Your love. I offer my life in service of Your love.’ momentum

Ephesians 3:14 (NKJV) ‘For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ …’

INNER PREPARATION momentum 3. Inner preparation Paul prays for inner preparation (Verse 16) – an inner encounter with the Holy Spirit to prepare the heart of every person to receive the ultimate revelation.   momentum

Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV) ‘… strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man …’

It is almost as if a nest needs to be prepared in our hearts to receive this revelation.  

GREATEST REVELATION momentum 4. Greatest revelation Christ has come to live in our hearts. All that is needed is simple faith (Verse 17a). momentum

Ephesians 3:17a (NKJV) ‘that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith …’

In the same way a nest is built in anticipation of a precious egg, our hearts are prepared in anticipation of receiving the treasure and promise of life.

IN YOU WHAT CHRIST WANTS TO DO momentum 5. What Christ wants to do in us He wants to root and ground us in His love (Verse 17b). momentum

Ephesians 3:17b (NKJV) ‘… that you, being rooted and grounded in love …’ He wants to root and ground us in His love (Verse 17b). This means to be cemented, secure and stable in His love.

Ephesians 3:18-19 (NKJV) ‘may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height ̶ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ He also wants us to grow in our understanding of His love. We shouldn’t stop at the knowledge of His love, but allow Him to take us to a place of fullness where we experience His love (Verse 18-19).

HIGHER DIMENSION IN LIFE unlimited love experienced & expressed 6. Life on a higher dimension This is a level of unlimited experience and expression of love. The fullness of His love positions us to express God’s love and power in a whole new dimension (Verse 20). Paul describes this happening from within – where the living Christ and His love dwell in their fullness. This is where the exceedingly abundantly above dimension begins to work in and, ultimately, through us. momentum

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us …’

GLORY TO GOD momentum 7. Glory to God! Now the focus becomes, ‘What does God want to do through me?’ God receives glory when His Church is filled with His love and power and expresses it! He will use our Christ-filled lives and the love that flows from them to bring eternal encouragement to this world (Verse 21). momentum

Ephesians 3:21 (NKJV) ‘… to Him be glory …’ Application: Living in the fullness of God and His love, with Christ in you, brings forth a different kind of Christian – the kind who is unashamed, unafraid and courageous to show God’s love without limits! Is Jesus living inside of you? Are you rooted and grounded in His love? Do you know His love and have you experienced the fullness of it? Now step into the exceedingly abundantly above level!  

‘Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go ‘Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your Spirit and love. Shine through me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, so to be a light to others. Amen.’ Prayer: In the words of Mother Theresa, let’s pray:   ‘Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your Spirit and love. Shine through me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, so to be a light to others. Amen.’