Be Blessed: He Is Able! Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). He is able.

(2). He is able to do.

(3). He is able to do immeasurably more.

(4). He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask.

(5). He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

(6). He is able to do this…according to his power that is at work within us.

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• A woman approached the famous preacher, G. Campbell Morgan,

• (British evangelist, preacher, Bible teacher, and author.)

• After he spoke and asked,

“Do you think we should pray for even the little things in our lives, or just for the big things?”

• In his dignified British manner he replied,

• “Madam, can you think of anything in your life that is big to God?”

• TRANSITION: This little benediction,

• Reminds us of that truth,

• “Can you think of anything in your life that is big to God?”

• Answer: Of course not!

• Our mountains are not even molehills to him!

Question: What is a benediction?

Answer:

• Our word ‘Benediction’ comes from two Latin words:

• ‘Bene’ which means ‘well’.

• And ‘Dicere’ which means ‘to speak.’

• A ‘benediction’ is simply ‘a short request to speak well’.

• As Christians, we often use them in the form of a prayer, a blessing;

• Usually at the conclusion of a service.

• Now a blessing is more than just a good wish,

• It is a request, a desire to God,

• To show favour and grace to an individual or group of people.

Ill:

• Trivia question.

• Question: Does anyone know what is the first blessing is in the Bible?

• Answer: Genesis chapter 1 verse 22.

“God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.’”

We have a God who enjoys blessing his creation.

• e.g. God blessed the sea creatures and birds,

• Telling them to be fruitful and multiply in the earth.

• e.g. Then likewise, in verse 28,

• God gave the similar blessing to Adam and Eve,

Note: Keep in mind the context of this ‘Ephesian’ blessing.

• The apostle Paul’s prayer,

• Is for God to do abundantly beyond what we ask or think,

• Is not a prayer for physical miracles & even more possessions.

• i.e. You might want a new car or a bigger house,

• But this benediction will not guarantee you one!

Rather notice the context that the blessing is set in makes it a spiritual blessing.

• Verse 16:

• “I pray…he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

• Verse 17:

• “…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

• Verse 19:

• “…that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

• This blessing comes with a specific purpose…

• That we may understand, appreciate, grasp, God’s great love for us,

• And that understanding,

• Will help us to grow up in our faith instead of just growing older.

Ill:

• Pablo Casals was considered the greatest cellist of the 20th century.

• Some say the greatest cellist who ever lived.

• When he was 95 years old,

• He was asked why he continued to practice 6 hours a day.

• He answered, “Because I think I’m making progress.”

• TRANSITION:

• Progress and improvement are never automatic in the Christian life.

• In the Bible there is no short cut to maturity and growth,

• To make progress in the Christian life,

• You have to work at it!

Quote:

• As a young Christian,

• I can remember hearing the preacher Alan Redpath.

• (British pastor, author, and evangelist - 1907 - 1989)

• Say these words,

“"The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment;

the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime."

• TRANSITION:

• The point he was emphasising was simple,

• We are always ongoing if we want spiritual growth & maturity.

• No Christian ever arrives in this life,

• We must be always pressing on, moving forward.

• Desiring to grow more like Christ day by day.

This prayer of the apostle Paul for God,

• “to do abundantly more beyond what we ask or think,”

• Is not a prayer for physical miracles & for more possessions.

• But rather for spiritual growth and maturity.

Now, don’t get disappointed by that!

• We tend to want the material over the spiritual,

• We won’t admit it publicly but if we are honest!

• We look at what other people have and think,

• I wouldn’t mind a bit of that!