Series: Action [#173]
A CHRISTIAN’S CHECKBOOK- MAXIMIZE YOUR RICHES
Ephesians 3:14-21
Introduction:
Having 6 kids, 3 daughter-in-laws, 2 son-in-laws, and 7 grandchildren changes your perspective on things. Every single 1 of them is completely different than the others, (including the twins). As I watch them each grow up, I see them maturing and I pray that God will bless them as much as He has blessed Karen and I. Although Tyler used to be one of the kids that spent money like crazy; he now, (as a husband and father) is a financial adviser as part of his job and he is very financially responsible. As Tyler and I have conversations once a week or so, he uses a phrase that many financial advisers use, “Maximize your earnings”. The advice that Tyler gives is that you manage what you have as well as possible.
In our text this morning, Paul prayed that believers in Jesus Christ would be spiritually strengthened and that they would recognize how great God’s love is. Paul wanted each Christian to maximize their spiritual riches that they have in Christ. He wanted their inner being to be strong. Let me ask you a question, “How is your spiritual life”?
Ephesians 3:14-16
Maximize…
1. The power of the Holy Spirit that is within you.
Paul begins his prayer by saying, “For this reason I kneel before the Father”. What was his reason? He prayed that Christians be strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit within them. He didn’t pray that they got enough power to make it through each day. He prayed “that their strength come out of God’s glorious riches”. That’s more than just surviving. Christians, when we go around struggling and whining all of the time; what we are saying to everyone is God didn’t give us enough.
Those who are saved, you are a part of the Family that bears our Savior’s Name- We are Christians. Not only should you be strengthen through the power of the Holy Spirit; but you should pray for other Christians that they be strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit also.
Ephesians 3:17-19a
Maximize…
2. The love of Christ that is within you.
As a child of God, His love should be rooted and established in you. When you gave God your heart through faith in Jesus Christ, He placed the Holy Spirit within you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have the love of God rooted in your life. It’s there; but is it established? I have been trying to get my yard looking good this year; but because of our health issues, I never could get my yard established. About the time that it looked like I was going to get everything going, I wouldn’t be able to work at it for 3 or 4 days. By the time I would get back to it, the weeds would have started taking over and choking out my plants.
The love of Christ that is within you, is wider, higher, and deeper than you could ever imagine. That love surpasses knowledge. That kind of love doesn’t make sense to this world; but it is the love that changes people.
Ephesians 3:19b-21
Maximize…
3. The fullness of God that is within you.
How much of God do you want in your life? I know a man who is very direct and to the point about his faith in Jesus Christ. He would tell me that he was serving God with 80% of his life; or sometimes 90% or 50%. I know that this statement bothered people; but he was trying to be honest. He felt like if he was serving God a lot; that he was doing better than most.
God saved 100% of you and that is what He expects to get from you- 100%. If God is not enough for you, that’s because you are not allowing Him to be. I want every one of you to live your life at 100% all of the time; and when you don’t, I pray that you get it right and walk with Jesus once again.
We serve a God who can do anything. There is nothing that He cannot do. God hears and answers our prayers. God knows and understands what you are thinking. God is able to do more than you could ever imagine.
Conclusion:
Christians, we must stop underestimating God and His power. I want each of you to take this verse to heart and keep this in your mind all week.
Philippians 4:13
