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I. The Prayer (3:14-21). “I bow my knees…” (14). Submission. Solemnity. Adoration. Some things call for prayer and praise Lk.15. One big happy family (15 ). A group united by descent from a common ancestor Named after the father. Ep.2:18-19; 4:6 Church militant / triumphant
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“I bow my knees…” (14) Submission Solemnity Adoration Some things call for prayer and praise Lk.15
One big happy family (15) A group united by descentfrom a common ancestor Named after the father Ep.2:18-19; 4:6 Church militant / triumphant Death does not end our relationship
I. The Prayer (3:14-21) II. The Petitions (3:16-19)
1. That you may be mightily strength- ened with power through Spirit, 16 Opposite oflosing heart (13) Strengthen your inner being w. power through His Spirit (NRSV). 2 Co.4:16 Agent: Holy Spirit Object: strength Sphere: inner being
1. That you may be mightily strength-ened with power through Spirit, 16 According to riches of His glory. His giving does not deplete His resources. Agent: Holy Spirit Object: strength Sphere: inner being Resources: riches of His glory
2. That you may comprehend love of Christ (17-19a) “Metaph., divine powers, influences, etc., are said to dwell in one…to dwell in his soul, to pervade, prompt, govern it” Heart = mind, 4:23; Hb.8:10; 10:16 Agent: Christ Object: dwell in heart
2. That you may comprehend love of Christ (17-19a) Agriculture: rooted, Col.2:7 Architecture: grounded, Col.1:23 Agent: Christ Object: dwell in heart Condition: through faith Result: rooted, grounded in love
2. That you may comprehend love of Christ (17-19a) Agent: Christ Object: dwell in heart Condition: through faith Result: rooted, grounded in love Purpose: comprehend love of Christ
Width, length, height, depth Long enoughfor blessing of eternal life Wide enough to reach whole world Deep enough to release satan’s grip High enough to reach heaven
His love surpasses knowledge To cast beyond, e.g. in a spear-throwing context…to attain a degree that extra-ordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent, go beyond, surpass, outdo” – BDAG Paul preached over their heads . . . and his own
3. That you may be filled with all the fullness of God (19) • Agent: God • Purpose: filled w. all His fullness • Extent: with= up to; in every respect • He fills each to capacity • Be all that you can be • Have everything He has for us
3. That you may be filled with all the fullness of God (19) Ep.1:23 Ep.4:10 Ep.4:13 Ep.4:15 Grow into Him in every respect Col.1:9; 2:9-10 Mt.5:48; Jn.1:16;2 Co.3:18; 1 Pt.1:15-16 Agent: God Purpose: filled w. all His fullness Extent: with = up to; in every respect
I. The Prayer (3:14-21) II. The Petitions (3:16-19) III. The Praise (3:20)
Doxology Has Paul asked too much? Nothing too hard for God(Gn.18; Nu.11; Jg.6; Lk.1, etc.) To Him who is able…
Doxology God can do infinitely more than we can ask or conceive • How powerful is God? • He can do • What we ask • What we think • All we ask or think • More than this • Much more • Very much more
I. The Prayer (3:14-21) II. The Petitions (3:16-19) III. The Praise (3:20) IV. The Purpose (3:21)
To Him be the glory Not to glorify the church : “to Him be the glory” (Ep.3:21) Not to exalt wisdom of man: “The church must change” Ep.1:6, 12, 14 Recognize His honor, splendor… Instrument: in the church
To Him be the glory Missionary societies give gloryto man’s institutions Denominations give gloryto founders, not to God Church: the masterpieceof God’s grace (2:7) Instrument: in the church
To Him be the glory His honor is in our hands. Ep.2:10 No need to change w. times! Man’s glory fades; not God’s Instrument: in the church The head: in Christ To all generations