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River Church Sermons


Jun 9, 2019

Authentic Spirituality Pt. 7

What God Wants For Us, Eph. 3:14-21

By Louie Marsh, 6-9-2019

1) Two things prayer should be …

 

14  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15  from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, Ephesians 3:14-15 (ESV)

 

  • Based on GOD’S WORD

 

  • FERVENT

 

Kneeling indicates that as standing was the normal Jewish stance for prayer.

 

2) God wants me to be MIGHTY!

 

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…  Ephesians 3:16-17a (ESV)

 

  • The source of this strength –  GOD’S GLORIOUS RICHES.

 

Remember – God has all the power you need – and a whole lot more than that!!

 

  • The agent of this enablement – THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

  • The object of this strength – MY HEART.

 

God strengthens our INNER man – which = heart. Christianity is all about the heart – in the words of Charles Spurgeon it’s “a heart religion.”

 

  • The results – Christ is AT HOME IN MY HEART.

 

Greek word here means to be at home in a permanent dwelling – your home, not just a stopping place.

 

3) God wants me to HOLD HIS LOVE AS MY OWN.

 

17  … 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, Ephesians 3:17b-18 (ESV)

 

  • Love is MY FOUNDATION

 

The love of God NOT knowledge of the Word must be my foundation. Why?

 

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.  1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV)

 

  • I need God’s STRENGTH.

 

  • I need God’s PEOPLE.

 

4) God wants me to DESIRE THE IMPOSSIBLE.

 

19  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 (ESV)

 

God wants us raise our sights – to desire and aspire for God to do great things in our lives – things neither I nor anyone else would believe possible!  God can do great things through you and your ministry beyond anything you can believe right now – IF you’ll really let God work in your life!

 

  • Know = KNOW BY EXPERIENCE.

 

  • Surpass = BEYOND, IN ANOTHER SPHERE

 

God’s Goal: That I never stop growing in and knowing more of His love.

 

God’s Goal: - That I continually become more like Christ.

 

5) God ANSWERS PRAYER!

 

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. Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

 

I believe this is very important because I think most people approach prayer like they approach playing the lottery! Very uncertain, hoping to “get lucky!” Paul gives us some real encouragement here!

 

  • God is able to …

 

  • Do – WORK, ACT.
  • What we ASK!
  • What we THINK!
  • To do it ALL!
  • Do MORE THAN THAT!
  • Much MORE THAN THAT!
  • Way Beyond EVEN THAT!

 

  • He does it through HIS power working IN US!

 

I heard a joke the other day referring to the church as the Bride of Christ: “I like Jesus, it’s just his wife I can’t stand.”

 

  • The Result? – PRAISE TO GOD!