"for This Reason" Series

“For this Reason”

Ephesians 3:14-21

Paul begins this passage with the phrase “for this reason.” He used that phrase in chapter one to tell the people ---for this reason---because of your love for all of God’s people and because of your faith---I haven’t stopped praying for you. He uses to again in chapter 3 and verse 1 as he begins with the phrase “for this reason.” He has just finished telling us that Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers to one another----we are all citizens of the same family---built on the cornerstone---Jesus Christ for the purpose of becoming holy like the Jews.

He uses it today to start this passage of scripture and will use it again in chapter 5. “For this reason.” Now I believe there is a reason Paul keeps using the phrase “for this reason.” In fact I found 20 different times Paul uses this word reason in his writings.

Paul wants us to know and understand that these are not idol words that carry no meaning; they are not words that are spoken carelessly without thought---when Paul speaks he has a reason. When he acts on his convictions, he has reason. Reason is defined as a statement that justifies why you are saying something.

Reason is tied to purpose---what drives us?

Reason is tied to conviction---why we believe?

Reason is tied to passion---why we feel something so powerfully.

We search for reason in life---we search for meaning in life because without it life is useless; life is meaningless. Paul writes to tell us the reason he has sacrificed his life, the reason he continues to preach the gospel in the face of persecution, the reason he travels constantly and the reason is simple---it’s Jesus. Paul has been changed.

You see formerly his name was Saul of Tarsus. He was one of the most feared men alive. He persecuted believers, saw to it that many were killed; stoned to death. But a day came when he was on the road to Damascus. He had just witnessed the stoning of Stephen---in fact Paul was responsible for it. The Bible tells us that all of the witnesses laid down their coats at the feet of this man named Saul. Now these were not just witnesses; these were the very men who stoned the first martyr of the church Stephen. And they laid their coats at the feet of Saul to show his authority. Saul was the leader of this movement. The scripture tells us he would enter the houses of believers, take them into custody and commit them to prison.

But with Stephen it was different. Stephen was bold. He spoke up for his faith so Saul made an example of him and Stephen was stoned to death. When Saul left, he was traveling on the road to Damascus and God stopped him dead in his tracks. And he asked him a simple question, “Saul why are you persecuting me?” It’s a great question and it reminds us that when we persecute another believer, we are actually persecuting Jesus Himself. Likewise the opposite is true also---Jesus said if everyone gives you even a cup of cold water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will be rewarded. Here’s a truth you may want to write down.

It really matters to God how we treat other believers.

How we treat His children.

It was on the road to Damascus that Saul’s life was forever changed----He met God in a face to face encounter and he surrendered the rest of His life to Jesus for this reason: to turn unbelievers into believers and help them become like Jesus. So He lived the remainder of his life for this reason. Now back to Ephesians chapter 3. He says for this reason I kneel before the Father…..Paul is praying for at least two reasons.

1. I kneel before the Father and pray that He may strengthen your faith with power in your inner being. From time to time we may choose to keep it to ourselves that we feel:

• Physically or emotionally weak

• Empty

• Lonely

• Disconnected to others

Perhaps we don’t really know how to express it but there is something inside that just isn’t right. I think Paul hits it on the head right here. Paul is praying for strength in your inner being so that Jesus will dwell in your heart. Now what is Paul asking for in this prayer. I believe first of all he is praying that everyone will come into a relationship with Jesus Christ. We use the phrase that we have invited Jesus to come into our hearts and dwell/take up residence inside of us. We can put the past behind us and start fresh. This is what Jesus told Nicodemus. You wanna be saved? Here it is. You must be born again. A whole new life is available to us. You see …