“I Bow My Knees”
Ephesians 3:14-21
10-8-2023 AM
Although there is no designated posture in prayer, we can see that Paul said something about his time in prayer.
I. The Occasion To Pray Vs. 14
What brought Paul to his knees to pray?
We need to look back just a bit to understand the deep devotion to his prayer.
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Salvation was not to just one people group, but to all and for all.
It is sad that although salvation is for all, yet not all will accept this great gift that Christ has given.
Ephesians 3:6-7 “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
What a great burden to Paul, that He would be called to take the message of the Gospel everyplace he went.
II. The Request In Prayer Vss. 16-19 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is 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 fulness of God.
Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Strengthened - power, might: mighty with great power
To give us abundant strength to bear trials; to perform our duties; and to glorify his name.
In the inner man - In the heart, the mind, the soul;
Although the “body” needs to be strengthened every day, in like manner the soul needs constant supplying of grace.
Every Christian needs grace given each day to enable them to bear trials, to resist temptation, to do ones duty, to live a life of faith.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; Eph_2:22 “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
That ye, being rooted - Firmly established - as a tree is whose roots are deep, and extend far.
The expression is rather simple, that his love should be as firm in our hearts, as a tree is in the soil, whose roots drive deep into the earth.
Grounded in love, - founded - as a building is on a foundation.
Christ is our firm foundation and there is no other foundation that will meet these needs.
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the - That all others with you may be able to understand this.
It was his desire that others, as well as they, might appreciate the wonders of redemption.
Breadth, and length, and depth, and height; - The mystery of salvation can never be fully understood, but it can be accepted.
I may know that Jesus loved me so much that he came to die for me; I just stand in awe that He would do such a thing. .
Grace is truly Amazing!
To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, - When a lost person is struggling about their salvation, it is often said, “Why would God do such a thing to send His Son to Die for me?”
That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
(1) They were to be “full of God.” That is, he would dwell in them.
(2) They were to be filled with “the fulness of God” a divine presence of a Holy God.
(3) It was to be with “all” the fulness of God; not with partial measures of his gracious presence, but with “all”
III. Benediction In Prayer Vss. 20-21
Ephesians 3:20 “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,”
Now unto him - It is not uncommon for Paul to utter an acknowledgment of praise in the midst of an argument.
Of the understanding that God communicates to his people such blessings - that they may become filled with all his fulness, he desires that praise should be given to him.
That is able to do – The Power of a Holy God Able to accomplish…
Exceeding abundantly - The compound word used here occurs only in this place, and it means, to an extent which we cannot express.
Above all that we ask or think - More than all that we can desire in our prayers; more than all that we can conceive.
We often ask God why when we fail to understand that He (GOD) will give to us more than we ask for.
We asked for salvation and He gives to us not only eternal life but a home in Glory.
According to the power that worketh in us - The application of that same power can accomplish for us more than we can now conceive.
Ephesians 3:21 “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Glory - doxa (dox’-ah) we get our word Doxology to boast
This is a doxology; glory is to be given to God on account of his perfections, which are to be celebrated.
In the church - The church is to be the instrument by which the glory of God would be shown; and it is by the church that His praise would be celebrated.
Throughout all ages, world without end – The Church has no end so praise shall have no end!
It is literally, “Unto all generations of the age of ages,”
Amen - So be it; or so it will certainly be.
This is a transliterated word that crosses many languages.
It started with the Hebrew and works its way throughout history into the English. “So Be It.”
Conclusion:
Prayer is so much more than just making our request be made known unto God.
It is a time to reflect of God’s Grace and Mercy
It is a time to bring all we are unto Him.
It is a time to just say “God I love you.”
