Experiencing the Depths of God's Love and Power
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth of God's love as expressed in Ephesians 3:20. This passage reminds us of the immeasurable power and love of God, who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think. We began by acknowledging the importance of focusing on Him—Jesus Christ—as the center of our lives and faith. In a world that often distracts us from this truth, we must remember that everything we do and say should be about Him. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, exemplifies this focus by interceding for the believers in Ephesus, praying that they would comprehend the vastness of God's love.
Paul's prayer is a powerful reminder that God's love is foundational to our faith. He prays for the Ephesians to be strengthened in their inner being, rooted and grounded in love, and to grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love. This love surpasses knowledge, yet it fills us with the fullness of God. It is a love that is not based on our feelings or circumstances but is a constant truth that we can rely on.
We also reflected on the story of Dr. E.V. Hill, who emphasized the importance of being with Jesus. Just as Dr. Hill was granted access because he was with Jesse Jackson, we have access to God because we are with Christ. This relationship assures us that no matter our background or current situation, we are loved and interceded for by Jesus, who is always praying on our behalf.
Finally, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, which is the ultimate demonstration of God's power and love. His resurrection assures us that we have victory over sin and death, and it empowers us to live confidently in the power of God working within us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Focus on Him: In a world full of distractions, it's crucial to keep Jesus at the center of our lives. Everything we do should be about Him, as He is the purpose and aim of our existence. This focus helps us align our lives with God's will and experience His abundant love. [08:14]
2. God's Love is Foundational: The Apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesians highlights the importance of understanding God's love. This love is vast and surpasses knowledge, yet it is the foundation of our faith. Being rooted and grounded in this love gives us stability and strength. [18:30]
3. Intercession and Prayer: Paul's example of praying for others, even while in prison, teaches us the power of intercession. Praying for others can be an antidote to depression and a source of strength in difficult times. It reminds us that we are not alone and that God is always with us. [14:20]
4. Access Through Christ: Just as Dr. E.V. Hill had access because he was with Jesse Jackson, we have access to God because we are with Christ. This relationship assures us of God's love and intercession on our behalf, giving us confidence and peace. [24:57]
5. Resurrection Power: The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God's power and love. It assures us of victory over sin and death and empowers us to live confidently in the power of God working within us. This truth should fill us with gratitude and joy. [30:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Gratitude and Acknowledgments
[02:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 3:20
[03:41] - Focus on Him
[04:39] - Prayer and Worship
[06:31] - The Story of the Father and Son
[08:14] - The Centrality of Jesus
[09:32] - Understanding God's Love
[10:46] - Paul's Intercession
[14:20] - Prayer as an Antidote
[15:17] - God's Fatherhood
[16:38] - Inner Strength and Power
[18:30] - Rooted and Grounded in Love
[20:19] - The Vastness of God's Love
[21:48] - Comprehending God's Love
[24:57] - Access Through Christ
[28:00] - God's Ability and Power
[30:20] - Resurrection and Victory
[32:03] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 3:20-21 say about God's ability and power? How is this power described in the sermon? [28:00]
2. How does the Apostle Paul demonstrate his focus on Jesus while he is in prison, according to the sermon? [10:46]
3. What analogy is used in the sermon to illustrate our access to God through Christ? [24:57]
4. How does the sermon describe the vastness of God's love, and what are the dimensions mentioned? [20:19]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that focusing on Jesus can help us navigate a world full of distractions? [08:14]
2. How does the sermon explain the role of intercession and prayer in strengthening our faith and combating depression? [14:20]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between understanding God's love and being rooted and grounded in faith? [18:30]
4. How does the story of Dr. E.V. Hill and Jesse Jackson illustrate our relationship with Christ and access to God? [24:57]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life: What are some distractions that prevent you from keeping Jesus at the center? How can you address these distractions this week? [08:14]
2. Think of a time when you felt distant from God's love. How can you remind yourself of the vastness and constancy of His love in those moments? [20:19]
3. How can you incorporate intercessory prayer into your routine to support others and strengthen your own faith? [14:20]
4. In what ways can you rely on the resurrection power of Jesus to overcome challenges in your life? [30:20]
5. Consider your current circumstances. How does knowing that Jesus intercedes for you change your perspective on your situation? [24:57]
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to experience God's abundant power. What steps can you take to invite His power into that area? [28:00]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and words reflect the love and power of God in your interactions with others this week? [18:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Centering Life on Christ
In a world filled with distractions, it is essential to keep Jesus at the center of our lives. This focus is not just about acknowledging His presence but making Him the purpose and aim of our existence. By aligning our lives with God's will, we experience His abundant love and guidance. The Apostle Paul, even while imprisoned, exemplified this focus by praying for the believers in Ephesus, urging them to comprehend the vastness of God's love. This centrality of Jesus helps us navigate life's challenges with a clear sense of purpose and direction. [08:14]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to refocus your life on Jesus, making Him the center of your daily decisions and actions?
Day 2: The Foundation of God's Love
Understanding God's love is crucial to our faith. The Apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesians highlights the vastness of this love, which surpasses knowledge yet is foundational to our spiritual stability and strength. Being rooted and grounded in God's love means that our faith is not swayed by circumstances or emotions. Instead, it is anchored in the constant truth of His love for us. This understanding empowers us to live confidently, knowing that we are deeply loved and cherished by God. [18:30]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's unwavering love in moments of doubt or fear? What specific action can you take to root yourself more deeply in His love today?
Day 3: The Power of Intercession
Paul's example of praying for others, even while in prison, teaches us the transformative power of intercession. Praying for others not only strengthens them but also uplifts us, serving as an antidote to depression and a source of strength in difficult times. Intercession reminds us that we are not alone and that God is always with us, working through our prayers to bring about His will. This practice of praying for others can deepen our connection with God and with those we lift up in prayer. [14:20]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can commit to praying for this week? How can you make intercession a regular part of your prayer life?
Day 4: Access to God Through Christ
Just as Dr. E.V. Hill had access because he was with Jesse Jackson, we have access to God because we are with Christ. This relationship assures us of God's love and intercession on our behalf, giving us confidence and peace. Through Christ, we are granted the privilege of approaching God with boldness, knowing that we are loved and accepted. This access is not based on our merit but on our relationship with Jesus, who continually intercedes for us. [24:57]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: How does knowing you have direct access to God through Christ change the way you approach prayer and your relationship with Him? What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God today?
Day 5: Living in Resurrection Power
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God's power and love. It assures us of victory over sin and death and empowers us to live confidently in the power of God working within us. This truth should fill us with gratitude and joy, knowing that we are not bound by our past or present struggles. Instead, we are empowered to live a life of purpose and victory, reflecting the transformative power of the resurrection in our daily lives. [30:20]
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the resurrection power of Jesus in your daily life? What is one area where you need to embrace this victory and allow God's power to transform you?
Quotes
"We live in a culture to where we seemingly have forgotten it's all about him. He is indeed the feature, the focus, the function of all that needs to be and we say and do. Jesus is the purpose, the scope, and the aim." [00:08:03] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God loves you. You do a class exercise with me, just pat yourself on your chest and say God loves me. I know that might be difficult for some but hear me when I say God loves you." [00:09:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul is in prison. You would have to read Acts 18, Acts 19 and Acts 20. Luke writes the Theophilus there of the Holy Spirit's Acts through the Apostles. And he gives a description of Paul being a minister, an Apostle." [00:11:15] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Are you able to pray when life puts the squeeze on you? Are you able to talk to God in unfavorable circumstances? God is using the apostle to intercede so that they won't be depressed." [00:13:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul is praying as an antidote to their depression. Paul is praying. He's interceding on their behalf. He's talking to God for them so that they won't be depressed." [00:14:31] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He wants them to be established, sturdy, strong, and stable. Watch this. You can't hold your security of your salvation in the love of God if you are not rooted and grounded in his love." [00:17:45] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Our love is in response to the initial love that he's demonstrated unto us. Verse 18, I'm halfway done. May have strength to compare, to comprehend, brother, with all the saints. What is the breadth and the length and the height and the depth?" [00:18:57] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Listen to the Hebrew The anonymous author of Hebrews Tell us that he intercedes for us That he is ever making intercession On our behalf I know you may feel depressed I know you may feel down I know you may feel concerned and worried and anxious But I need to tell you God in heaven is praying for you You got a pastor in this pulpit That's praying for you" [00:27:10] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You have strength and power inside of you. You have the power of God on the inside. You never should fret. You never should be worried. You should always walk into a room confident, not arrogant, but confident in what God has done through Christ for your salvation." [00:29:06] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Anybody happy about it? Anybody want to say thank you, Jesus, for what you did on Calvary? And thanks be to God, he didn't He died. He got up." [00:31:23] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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