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Text to read: Ephesians 3:14 For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character. 16 I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, 17 so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, 18 so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love, 19 yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
Verse 15
[15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Of whom — The Father. The whole family of angels in heaven, saints in paradise, and believers on earth is named. Being the "children of God," (a more honourable title than "children of Abraham,") and depending on him as the Father of the family.
Verse 16
[16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
The riches of his glory — The immense fulness of his glorious wisdom, power, and mercy.
The inner man — The soul.
Verse 17
[17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Dwell — That is, constantly and sensibly abide.
Verse 18
[18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
That being rooted and grounded — That is, deeply fixed and firmly established, in love. Ye may comprehend - So far as an human mind is capable.
What is the breadth of the love of Christ — Embracing all mankind.
And length — From everlasting to everlasting.
And depth — Not to be fathomed by any creature.
And height — Not to be reached by any enemy.
Verse 19
[19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
And to know — But the apostle corrects himself, and immediately observes, it cannot be fully known. This only we know, that the love of Christ surpasses all knowledge. That ye may be filled - Which is the sum of all.
With all the fulness of God — With all his light, love, wisdom, holiness, power, and glory. A perfection far beyond a bare freedom from sin.
Verse 20
[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Now to him — This doxology is admirably adapted to strengthen our faith, that we may not stagger at the great things the apostle has been praying for, as if they were too much for God to give, or for us to expect from him.
That is able — Here is a most beautiful gradation. When he has given us exceeding, yea, abundant blessings, still we may ask for more. And he is able to do it. But we may think of more than we have asked. He is able to do this also. Yea, and above all this.
Above all we ask — Above all we can think. Nay, exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can either ask or think.
Verse 21
[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In the church — On earth and in heaven.
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Daily Devotionals:
Monday, January 11, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- Read the Ephesians text.
- What is Paul’s dream for the Ephesians?
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- What is the dream of your life in a single sentence?
- How does it compare to Ephesians?
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- Do you have joys or regrets concerning the achievement of your dreams?
- What are they?
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- What dream do you still need to realize?
- How might God shape that?
Friday, January 15, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- What kind of resolution or action can you take toward the realization of God’s dream for your life?
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- What is God’s dream for you?
- The world?
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Text to read: Ephesians 3:14-21
- Pray for those whose dreams are being destroyed by despair and injustice.
First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, California, United States
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Sermon Stories "Praying for What Is Beyond Knowing" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 17 January 2016 with Scripture Text to read: Ephesians 3:14 For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character. 16 I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, 17 so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, 18 so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love, 19 yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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