Sunday Preview: Experiencing God's Power

Salvation is a journey that leads us to live lives that bring glory to God. Ephesians emphasizes our blessings in Christ and calls us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul reminds us that God has purchased us through the blood of Jesus, signifying our freedom from sin and our entrance into a new life with God. Ephesians 1:13 speaks of our sealing by the Holy Spirit, marking us as God's own and guaranteeing our inheritance in Christ. Ephesians 1:18 reveals that we possess the riches of a glorious inheritance, which enriches our lives with purpose and meaning in the present, not just in the future. Chapter 3 of Ephesians is a heartfelt prayer where Paul applies these truths, asking God to strengthen believers to fully grasp the dimensions of Christ's love and live out their calling.

Paul outlines a process in Ephesians 3:16-19 that leads to a life of power, culminating in the powerful declaration of Ephesians 3:20. The first step is inner strength. Paul prays for believers to strengthen their inner being through the Holy Spirit. Our inner person, our true self, must be strong to withstand external challenges. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul notes that while externally we may be wasting away, internally, we are being renewed day by day. This strength comes from the dynamite-like power of the Spirit, resulting in confidence, trust, and assurance, as emphasized in Ephesians 3:16 and demonstrated in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, where we see extraordinary power from God showing the life of Jesus in our bodies.

The second step is the indwelling of Christ. In Ephesians 3:17, Paul prays for Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith. The word "dwell" suggests settling down and making oneself at home. This involves yielding our will to the Spirit, allowing Christ to make His home in our hearts. The third step is comprehending the incomprehensible love of Christ. Paul desires that believers grasp the vastness of this love, which is meant to be experienced deeply. John 13:34-35 commands us to love one another as Jesus has loved us, demonstrating His love to the world. To "comprehend" means to seize or apprehend, making this love personal and transformative.

The fourth step is being filled with God's infinite fullness. Ephesians 3:19b describes God's goal of filling us with His fullness, removing sin, and filling the void with Himself. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul explains that we are being transformed into the image of Christ daily.

Ephesians 3:20 describes a life of power, where God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Paul himself is a living illustration of God's mighty work in a believer's life, as seen in Colossians 1:29. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has given us a spirit of power, not fear.

Isaiah 40:28-31 reminds us of God's unending strength and the renewal He provides to those waiting for Him. Following this path, we can witness God's work in our lives beyond imagination. Ephesians 3:21 emphasizes that God wants to display His glory through the church. The crucial question for us is whether our lives demonstrate His power or something else. Living a life that glorifies God involves understanding and applying the truths of our salvation. By strengthening our inner being, allowing Christ to dwell in our hearts, comprehending His love, and being filled with His fullness, we can live powerfully for His glory.

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please consider these questions:

1. How does understanding our redemption through Christ's blood impact how we view our identity and purpose as Christians?
2. What does it mean to be sealed by the Holy Spirit? How does this assurance influence our daily walk with God?
3. In what ways can we practically strengthen our inner being?
4. How can we better comprehend and experience the vastness of Christ's love in our lives?
5. What are some specific ways we can allow God's fullness to transform us daily so that we can live lives that glorify Him?

1. THOSE SERVING

OPENING / WELCOME
Matthew Allen
SONG LEADER
Titus Sullivan
PRAYER OF PRAISE
Drew Triplett
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Rich Jacobs
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Jeff Livingston
Dru McLaughlin
Brayden Grushon
John Key
SCRIPTURE READING
Kevin Shanesy
Ephesians 3:14-21
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
George Wacks
CLOSING COMMENTS
Mark Ringle
WELCOME CENTER
Judy Hickey / Taylor Robins
USHERS
Rich Jacobs / Justin Spargo
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Jim Grushon
COMMUNION PREP
Josie Armstrong
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Rich Jacobs