Know To Show

Know To Show – Ephesians 3: 14 - 21

Intro: When I was in junior high school, a friend told about speaking in tongues. He said there were people in his church who did that and wondered if there were such people in my church. I didn’t think there were so, when I got to high school I took French and later in life I took Greek, Hebrew and Spanish. Now, I can proudly say that at least one person in my church does speak in tongues. --- In seminary, I learned that I didn’t really know way back in junior high what “speaking in tongues” was all about. But, I was determined to be able to show to the world that I could speak in tongues.

The letter to the church at Ephesus can easily be divided into two distinct parts. Part 1 I Chapters 1 – 3 / Part 2 is Chapters 4 – 6. But the text for today is a prayer that divides the two sections.

I Chapters 1 – 3 deal with knowing the past.

A The writer reminds the readers of their divisiveness and how far apart they once were emphasizing the differences between Jew and Gentile, etc.

B These chapters are not so much about the people as they are about what God has done with and for the people.

C God has united the people through the gift of God’s Son, Christ Jesus and his atoning death upon the cross.

II Chapters 4 – 6 deal with the responsibilities of the Christian disciple.

A The writer gives specific examples of what a Christian should do and accomplish in the name of Christ Jesus.

B This involves knowing the life and teachings of Jesus.

C The last three chapters give specific examples which instruct the church at Ephesus about what an appropriate response to Chapters 1 – 3 should look like.

III Having a brief outline of the letter to the church at Ephesus will enable us to better understand VV. 14 – 21. This is a prayer for the church at Ephesus and, as such, is also a prayer for us.

A This prayer speaks of the revelation of Christ Jesus. Let me explain: In revelation I am not the one who knows; BUT, the one who is known. That means that what I know is the experience of being known by someone other than myself.

B Are you confused yet? --- What the writer of Ephesians is saying is that knowing Christ Jesus goes beyond the intellect and dwells in the heart through faith.

C I ask you: HAVE YOU REALLY LET CHRIST INTO YOUR LIFE OR MERELY OFFERED A GRUDGING GUEST ROOM OR COUCH OR LIKE HARRY POTTERS’S AUNT AND UNCLE, CLOSED CHRIST JESUS IN A CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS! - The writer of Ephesians prays that readers obtain not just head knowledge of the faith; but, holistic spiritual edification and strength to live the Christian life.

Concl: I have heard it said that, “When you have more memories than dreams, life is coming to an end.”

Not only is that true of individuals; it is also true of churches. Sometimes, I believe that is our problem here. We spend time talking about what used to be in Palestine instead of talking about what we dream for the city as well as our church. If we fail to dream about what God can do through us, we should just hand the keys of the buildings to the presbytery, sign over what money we have and all we will have left is our memories of what First Presbyterian Church once was.

Ben Franklin invented street lights and tried to get the city to install them on all the streets; but, they refused. Undeterred, Franklin put one outside his house which resulted in people demanding the city to do the same throughout the city.

Our guiding principle should be that which is contained in VV. 20 – 21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”