Summary: Paul’s prayer for us to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man

EXPERIENCING GOD’S FULLNESS

I/ GOD’S POWER STRENGTHENS US:

Ephesians 3:14-16

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, {16} That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

A. WE ARE STRENGTHENED BECAUSE WE KNOW HE HEARS US !

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord over the righteous, and his ears unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord against them that do evil.

1. Some people pray but wonder if God actually hears their petitions. Their faith falters and fails.

2. We must recognize that God hears the faintest cry of those who love him.

3. The Lord is able to hear us at all times. the psalmist says in Psalms 121:3 "he that keepeth thee will not slumber".

B. WE ARE STRENGTHENED BECAUSE WE KNOW HE HELPS US !

Psalms 121:2 My help from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

1. Many people think their own efforts will see them through

2. We cannot do anything in our own strength. We must have God’s help.

3. The Lord is able to help all who trust in him. He promises in Isaiah 41:10 "be not dismayed; for I thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness".

C. WE ARE STRENGTHENED BECAUSE WE KNOW HE HOLDS US !

Psalms 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

1. Ours is a dangerous world, filled with violence and destruction.

2. There is no place to hide except in Christ. He is our defense and protection.

3. God promises in Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I with thee:"

D. WE ARE STRENGTHENED BECAUSE WE KNOW HE HEALS US !

Exodus 15:26 "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I the LORD that healeth thee.

1. When Jesus was on earth, he healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, made the lame walk, and forgave sins.

2. The Lord is the same today. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

3. The Lord is able to hear us, to help us, to hold us and to heal us !

II/ GOD’S PRESENCE

EPH 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

The word "dwell" translates from a Greek verb form that means Paul was praying for Christ to take up permanent abode. He was asking for Jesus to make His home in the hearts of these people. The word "heart" means the center of the will and emotion. Your daughter may approximate this idea when she comes home with an enagement ring and announces, " I love him with all my heart".

III/ GOD’S LOVE

Ephesians 3:18-19

May be able to comprehend with all saints what the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

A. HIS PAST LOVE: - 1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1. Full penalty in our stead; That is LOVE.

2. The Wonder of the Cross. Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed every one that hangeth on a tree:

3. The Glory of the Cross. - Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

B. HIS PRESENT LOVE: - Ephesians 1:18-19

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, {19} And what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe

1. In the Person of the Holy Spirit. John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

2. As our Hope - 1 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, our hope;

C. HIS FUTURE LOVE: - Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

1. "This same Jesus" Acts 1:11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

2. At His coming the believers shall not taste of death.

3. We shall be Present with the Lord forever

4. We shall behold and partake of the eternal glory of Christ

IV/ GOD’S FULLNESS - Ephesians 3:20-21

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, {21} Unto him glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

A. WHEN WE EXPERIANCE HIS FULLNESS WE WILL GIVE GOD THE GLORY:

1. Because of what He is - 1 Timothy 6:15

Which in his times he shall show, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

2. Because of what He did (John 3: 16)

3. Because His promises are true - Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

4. Because of His final triumph -

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 Seeing a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; {7} And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, {8} In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: {9} Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; {10} When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

B. WHEN WE EXPERIANCE HIS FULLNESS WE WILL GLORIFY GOD IN THE CHURCH

1. The music of the worship should glorify God

2. The preaching should glorify God -

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

3. The praying should glorify God - Matthew 6:7

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

A. IF WE EXPERIANCE HIS FULLNESS WE WILL NOT ROB GOD OF HIS GLORY

1 By failing to finance the church - Malachi 3:8

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

2. By failing to attend worship - Jeremiah 2:13

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

3. By failing to live holy lives - 1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

4. By failing to have unity in the church - 1 Corinthians 3:13

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

A. WHEN WE EXPERIANCE HIS FULLNESS WE WILL BRING GLORY TO GOD BY CONSIDERING:

1. What I am in this world - 1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2. How I should think of this world 2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean ; and I will receive you,

3. What my plans for the future are Micah 6:8

He hath showed thee, O man, what good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

4. Where I will find help in times of need - OUR TEXT.