Scripture Reading: Eph 3:14-21

 This passage is the second of two prayers Paul has for the Ephesians  The first deals with the concept of making the brethren aware (knowing) of certain truths ( Eph 1:15-23 )  The second deals not so much with the idea of “Knowing” as “Being” or “Experiencing”  Both of these prayers, as well as Paul’s other prison prayers ( Phil 1:9-11; Col 1:9-12 ) emphasize the spiritual condition of the inner man and not the material needs of the body  It would greatly benefit us to learn to pray as Paul did, asking God for help in our inner person  This is where the greatest needs are

 Posture in prayer  Paul says “I bow my knees” a display commonly found in prayer  Lk 22:41 “ 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,”  Acts 21:5 “…And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.”  This does not however indicate the “Official Posture” for prayer  1 Kngs 8:22-23 “ 22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the L ORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said: “L ORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.”  1 Chron 17:16 “ 16 Then King David went in and sat before the L ORD ; and he said: “Who am I, O L ORD God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?”

 The One to whom we pray  The pattern in the NT Church was “To” the Father “Through” Christ in the Spirit  Eph 5:20 “ 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”  Col 3:17 “ 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Eph 6:18 “ 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”  Rom 8:26-27 “ 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  Christ clearly taught whom we are to pray to in His model prayer  Mt 6:9 “…Our Father in Heaven….”

 Strengthened by the Spirit of God ( Eph 3:16-17 )  Paul had previously discussed God’s power “Toward us who believe” ( Eph 1:19 )  Now Paul prays they be “Strengthened with might” ( Eph 3:16b )  This strength is, “According to the riches of His glory” ( Eph 3:16b )  God’s strength is administered, “Through His Spirit in the inner man,” (Eph 3:16c)  The purpose for this “Strengthening” by the Spirit  “ 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;” ( Eph 3:17a )  “…being rooted and grounded in love,” ( Eph 3:17b )  When strengthened by God through His Spirit in the inner man, one becomes, “Rooted and grounded in love”

 To comprehend the love of Christ ( Eph 3:18-19a )  “…to comprehend”  To understand, or to grasp (To “Get it”)  Paul later uses the term in vs 19 “To know…”  There is a paradox here  Paul wants us to know, “the love of Christ which passes knowledge;” ( Eph 3:19a )  There are dimensions (width, length, depth, and height) but they cannot be measured  This love which passes knowledge parallels, “The unsearchable riches of Christ” ( Eph 3:8 )  We are so rich in Christ that we can calculate these riches even with the most sophisticated computer

 To be filled with all the fullness of God ( Eph 3:19b )  This is the objective/goal of that has been previously said  This begins when  One is strengthened by the Father (God)  Through His Spirit (Holy Spirit)  While Christ dwells within their hearts (Son)  With the help of the Godhead, one is “Filled” the more they begin to comprehend the wonderful, “Love of Christ” (cf Col 2:9 )  It is tragic when Christians use the wrong measurements in examining their spiritual lives  We cannot measure ourselves against our fellow brethren  Paul teaches that the measure is Christ

 Notice again the emphasis of the entire Godhead  Paul prayed to God the Father  Concerning the indwelling power of God, the Spirit  Made available through God the Son  Paul gives praise to God for what he is confident God is able to do  This ability is described by Paul is  “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,” ( Eph 3:20b )  “According to the power that works in us” ( Eph 3:16 )  If Paul’s prayer is answered  The church will have the potential to bring much glory to God (cf 2 Thes 1:11-12 )  This potential is to come by “Christ Jesus”

 Do we desire to give God the glory as Paul teaches?  If so, we must do so by Christ, and that is done when  We come to know the love of Christ which passed knowledge  Allow ourselves to “Be filled with all the fullness of God”  How does one know if they are filled with the fullness of God?  For the Christian, we should follow the example of Paul and begin with prayer  For the non-Christian, they must first become a child of God (cf. Gal 3:26-27 )