Ephesians You Don’t Get Because You Don’t Ask Ephesians 3:14-22

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hat never ceases to amaze me is how often we live in anticipation of trouble. We are afraid we won’t be able deal with what comes into our life. We are afraid because if we don’t have the courage now, we won’t in the future. But only God knows when we are ready to handle the arrows of life. Consider an example Corrie Ten Boom gave. “ Oftentimes I would use the (train)trip home to bring up things that were troubling me, since anything I asked at home was promptly answered by the aunts. Once—I must have been ten or eleven—I asked Father about a poem we had read at school the winter before. One line had described “a young man whose face was not shadowed by sexsin.” I had been far too shy to ask the teacher what it meant, and Mama had blushed scarlet when I consulted her. In those days just after the turn of the century sex was never discussed, even at home. So the line had stuck in my head. “Sex,” I was pretty sure, meant whether you were a boy or a girl, and “sin” made Tante Jans very angry, but what the two together meant I could not imagine. And so, seated next to Father in the train compartment, I suddenly asked, “Father, what is sexsin?” He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor. “Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?” he said. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning. “It’s too heavy,” I said. “Yes,” he said. “And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It’s the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you.” And I was satisfied. More than satisfied—wonderfully at peace. There were answers to this and all my hard questions—for now I was content to leave them in my father’s keeping.” 1

Paul is concerned his readers may be trying to carry to heavy a load and so he gives the reasons we can trust God to let us know when we will be able to carry it. _________________________ I Introduction II A Prayer Verses 14-19 III A Benediction Verses 20-22 IV Conclusion _________________________ Introduction: Paul’s emphasis has been in two areas. The first is how much we have from God to be grateful for. The blessings are first and foremost salvation and second all that benefits which come with it. These blessings come to both Jew and Gentile, which leads to the second major point.

1

Ten Boom, Corrie, The Hiding Place, Crossings Classics, USA, 1984, p. 24-25.

This relates to something new, the Church, This new thing is made up of Jews and Gentiles who relate to and serve God on an equal footing. While Paul is concerned for his Jewish brethren, he has been uniquely called to minister to the Gentiles. This second issue, the mystery of the church, was a side trail, Paul having interrupted himself back in verse 1. “ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—” Verse 14-15: And it is at this point Paul returns to his original thought. This is his prayer for the saints. He is concerned that his suffering for the Lord will discourage them. This is not unreasonable. It is not unreasonable for people to want to avoid suffering. This may be part of the Christian life, but no one in their right mind would say “bring it on” and God doesn’t expect us to. He provides us the courage and strength we need when we need it. The fact Paul is significantly concerned is demonstrated by the fact Paul is kneeling in prayer which was not the normal position of a supplicant. The Jew would normally lift up their hands in supplication. “ Standing was the more normal posture among the Jews but kneeling was not unknown. Eusebius referred to it as the familiar custom of Christians. It symbolizes submissiveness, solemnity, and adoration.” 2 “ Jewish prayers were usually offered standing, but kneeling or prostration was sometimes used (in the Old Testament cf. 1 Kings 8:14, 22, 54; Gentiles typically prostrated themselves also before rulers). Greeks rarely knelt to pray; like Jewish supplicants, they normally stretched out their arms with hands facing the gods being invoked (in the heavens, in the sea or toward statues).” 3

“ While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them.” … “Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven.” … “When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven” (1 Kings 8:14, 22, 54). Wiersbe summaries Scripture and Paul’s discussion of posture by noting: “ The Bible nowhere commands any special posture for prayer. Abraham stood before the Lord when he prayed for Sodom (Gen. 18:22), and Solomon stood when he prayed to dedicate the temple (1 Kings 8:22). David “sat before the Lord” (1 Chron. 17:16) when he prayed about the future of his kingdom. And Jesus “fell on His face” when He prayed in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39). You have noticed no doubt, the emphasis on spiritual posture in Ephesians. As lost sinners, we were buried in the graveyard (Eph. 2:1). But when we trusted Christ, He raised us from the dead and seated us with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:4-6). Because we are seated with Christ, we can walk so as to please 2

3

Wood, A. Skevington, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, “Ephesians,” Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990. Keener, Craig S., IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1993. ) 84 (

Him (Eph. 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15); and we can stand against the devil (Eph. 6:10-13). But the posture that lings “sitting” with “walking” and “standing” is “bowing the knee.” It is through prayer that we lay hold of God’s riches that enable us to behave like Christians and battle like Christians. Whether we actually bow our knees is not the important thing; that we bow our hearts and wills to the Lord and ask Him for what we need is the vital matter.” 4

Paul speaks of God as Father. It is through the shed blood of Christ that all believers, Jew and Gentile have access to God as their Father. God’s family encompasses not only the believers but those who dwell in the heavenlies as well. We referred to this last week when we noted our lives are not only testimonies to those around us, but they are also representations of God’s mercies and love before those around His throne. Paul spoke to this back in verse 10. “ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” MacArthur on the other hand takes a different position when he notes: “ Every family in heaven and on earth refers to the saints of every age—those now in heaven and those still remaining on earth.” 5

Which ever the case it is based on this relationship, Father and child, that Paul, as well as we, can go to the Father in prayer with confidence. So Paul moves into the content of his prayer. There are many who talk of the “Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.” And in one sense this is true. God is the Father of all men and all are brothers, but only in the sense that we have all be created by God and so are His children. But to be truly a child of God one must have accept the blood of Christ for sin. Those who have not yet done so are children of disobedience and wrath (see Ephesians 2:2-3). “ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44). Verse 16-20: Paul’s first request focuses on our spiritual maturity and our relationship to the Tri-unity of God. He prays to the Father for inner strength from the Holy Spirit for believers. This is something we all need if we are to live as God’s ambassador before a fallen world. Can you give any examples of where you really felt like a “fish out of water,” standing as a Christian before unbelievers? New believers in Paul’s time were facing testing. There was persecution of Jewish believers by the Jew and persecution of the Church in general from many corners. The Holy Spirit was the only source of strength to stand before these challenges. 4

Wiersbe, Warren W., The Bible Exposition Commentary, “New Testament ~ Volume 2,” Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1971, p. 31. 5 MacArthur, Jr., John., Ephesians, Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1986, p. 102. ) 85 (

And as we are depending on strength from the Holy Spirit are trust in God grows and we mature as believers ever depending on Christ and so our relationship with him, His dwelling in us, grows deeper. So now the entire Tri-unity is presented. Paul’s second request is for the faith of these believers to be rooted, grounded in love. This is an absolute necessity if there is going to unity within the local congregation and between local bodies. Where infighting is going on, where gossip is prevalent, there is an obvious lack of love among the believers. What is interesting is that the only way we will be able to practice Christian love in our interaction with others is by growing in our understanding of the magnitude of God’s love for us. And even this requires the work of the Holy Spirit for we are incapable of ever fully comprehending God’s love. You can understand how churches can go astray! The problem with much of legalism is it goes hand in hand with a lack of love. And we cannot live as we are called to, we cannot love as we are called to, unless we are living in the experience of God’s love in our lives, for us as individuals, and for us as a body of believers. We talk about biblical wisdom, that knowledge by which we live out God’s call. But there is something so far above this wisdom that we will never fully be able to comprehend it. This is the love of God. There is no way we can make sense of why He would love us, and even more, why that live would cause Him to become incarnate and die for us. But it is vital we focus on this love and in doing so we will grow in our own ability to become a conduit for it towards others. Verse 21-22: Paul ends his doctrinal section and prayer with a benediction which has become very familiar. But if we would live in its reality rather than simply see it as comforting end to a service it would make a radical change in our lives. How can we be fearful when we have a God who will do more for us than we can even imagine. You can’t out give God. And He desires nothing more than our growth and an ever deepening relationship with Him. And beyond us as individuals, Christ is concerned for His body the Church and that it will last until He comes for it. “ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 In spite of the ridiculous teachings of some, that the church age has ended, nothing shall ever cause the church to fail. “ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). ) 86 (

Conclusion: Paul started this section because he was concerned the new believers would become discouraged by the news of Paul’s sufferings. We too can become discouraged by the struggles of those serving the Lord and possible fearful for ourselves. But when we start to meditate on the enormity of God’s love for us, then how can we be fearful? And so … … we’ve been talking a lot about God’s blessings and the need to be thankful. Out of our thankfulness should flow lives committed to peace and love within the community of believers. But as we have seen this morning, to live as God would have us live we have to do so in light of His love and share that love with others, both within the body so others can see it, and towards the non-believer so they might desire to share in God’s love. If we are not experiencing the love and power of God then, as James says: “ You want something but don’t get it. … You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). And like Corrie, sometimes we don’t realized we haven’t reached the point where we can carry that specific load. But we don’t need to. God will know when we are ready and we can trust Him in light of all he has done for us. Meanwhile God intends us to live in the reality of the rich blessings He has given to us. “ A certain rich English eccentric named Julian Ellis Morris liked to dress like a tramp and sell razor blades, soap, and shampoo door-to-door. After a day’s work he would return to his beautiful mansion, put on formal attire and have his chauffeur drive him to an exclusive restaurant in his limousine. Sometimes he would catch a flight to Paris and spend the evening there. Many Christians live something like Mr. Morris, spending their day-by-day lives in apparent spiritual poverty and only occasionally enjoying the vast riches of His glory that their heavenly Father has given them. How tragic to go around in tattered rags of our own inadequacy when we could be living sumptuously in the superabundance of God’s unspeakable riches.” 6

So are you living like a tramp or like a child of the king? My Father is rich in houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full-He has riches untold. My Father's own Son, the Savior of men, Once wandered o'er earth as the poorest of them; But now He is reigning forever on high, And will give me a home in heav'n by and by. I once was an outcast stranger on earth, A sinner by choice and an alien by birth; But I've been adopted; my name's written downAn heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown. A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They're building a palace for me over there! Though exiled from home, yet still I may sing: All glory to God, I'm a child of the King.

Chorus: I'm a child of the King, a child of the King! With Jesus my Savior, I'm a child of the King!

~ Harriett E. Buell (1834-1910) 6

MacArthur, p. 104. ) 87 (

Ephesians You Don’t Get Because You Don’t Ask Ephesians 3:14-22 I II III IV

I

Introduction A Prayer A Benediction Conclusion

Verses 14-19 Verses 20-22

Introduction:

II A Prayer: (1 Kings 8:14, 22, 54; John 8:44; see Genesis 18:22; 1 Kings 8:22; 1 Chronicles 17:16; Matthew 26:39; Ephesians 2:1, 2:4-6, 4:1, 17, 5:2, 8, 15, 6:10-13)

III A Benediction: (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 16:18)

IV Conclusion: (James 4:2)

_____________________ Personal Application: God intends us to live in the reality of the rich blessings He has given to us. So are we living like a tramp or like a child of the king? Prayer for the Week: Lord, help us live in the reality of your many blessings, In Jesus name, amen