WEBVTT

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 It's an understatement to say that self-help books have proliferated over the last several decades.

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 In fact, there are now books that are written solely as references for all the self-help books that are available out there.

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 One such book is entitled Self-Help, 1,400 Best Books on Personal Growth.

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 1,400, and that's whittled down.

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 That's the number that he arrived at after combing through all these books and deciding on the best ones.

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 If you search within Amazon's book category for theology, you get 205,778 results.

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 If you search for Christian theology, you get even less, 146,691.

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 If you search for self-help, you get a staggering 746,824 hits.

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 Now, the good news about that is a lot of people in our culture recognize that they need help.

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 The bad news about that is a lot of people don't know where to find help.

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 This is often true for Christians also.

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 When we are dealing with a sin in our life that we want to overcome,

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 when we're trying to break a bad habit or to heal a pain that's been in our lives and been crippling us,

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 when we want to correct an area of unbelief in our lives,

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 we often turn to our own strength and take things into our own hands.

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 But in order to fulfill God's true design and purpose for our lives,

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 we need more of the Almighty God and less of our feeble selves.

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 And in this passage, Paul teaches us that we need to pray to the Father

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 so that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we may be filled with the presence of Christ.

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 I'm going to follow that as my outline.

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 The first point will be prayer to the Father.

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 The second point will be power through the Spirit.

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 And the third point will be the presence of Christ.

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 Paul had begun chapter 3 with verse 1.

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 He says,

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 And then he digressed to explain his apostleship and his ministry on behalf of the Gentiles in verses 2 to 13.

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 And now here in verse 14 is where he resumes that original thought that he had in verse 1,

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 and he begins that intercessory prayer on behalf of the Ephesians,

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 and he begins with the same phrase.

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 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father,

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 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

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 So for this reason, points us back to what Paul taught us in chapter 2, right?

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 So the basis for his prayer, the reason for his prayer,

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 is that God has taken Jews and Gentiles and reconciled them,

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 and has reconciled them together to God through Jesus Christ.

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 And because we are built up as a new temple of God,

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 what is natural for a temple is to be filled with the presence of God.

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 So that's what he prays for in this passage.

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 Now you are building, Lord, this temple of God, the church.

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 Please fill them.

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 That's what Paul is praying for in this passage.

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 Now, as he prays, following the model of the prayer that taught his disciples in Matthew 6, 9 to 13,

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 Paul addresses his prayer to God, the Father, right?

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 Our Father in heaven.

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 And, of course, since God is one,

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 and each of the three persons of the Trinity is fully God.

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 So it's not inappropriate for us to pray to the Son or to the Holy Spirit.

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 We see an example of the apostles, for example, praying to the Lord, which is the Lord Jesus,

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 in Acts 1, 24.

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 Stephen, while being stoned to death, in Acts 7, 59, prays,

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 Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

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 But there's no example in the Bible of directly praying to the Holy Spirit,

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 but that's been prominent throughout the history of the church as well.

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 So this is true.

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 But with all this said, however, the dominant pattern throughout Scripture is to pray to God the Father,

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 because there is a logical order within the relations of the Trinity

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 that determines how we relate to the persons of the triune God.

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 So in prayer, then, the pattern that is taught in Scripture,

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 we pray to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit.

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 That's the pattern.

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 And C.S. Lewis writes about this extraordinary phenomenon in his book,

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 Mere Christianity.

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 And he says this, quote,

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 An ordinary, simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers.

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 He's trying to get in touch with God.

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 But if he is a Christian, he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God.

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 God, so to speak, inside him.

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 But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ,

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 the man who was God.

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 That Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for him.

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 You see what is happening?

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 God is the thing to which he is praying, the goal he is trying to reach.

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 God is also the thing inside him which is pushing him on, the motive power.

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 God is also the road or bridge along which he is being pushed to that goal.

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 So that the whole threefold life of the three personal beings

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 is actually going on in that ordinary little bedroom

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 where an ordinary man is saying his prayers.

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 The man is being caught up into the higher kinds of life.

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 He is being pulled into God by God while still remaining himself.

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 Isn't that such a beautiful picture of prayer?

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 In prayer, when we pray to God, we're communing with God.

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 In a sense, really, our souls are partaking in his spirit.

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 There's an interchange.

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 There's this conversation, communication,

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 and we experience our union with God through prayer.

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 And if we think about prayer this way, how can we not long to pray,

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 to desperately want to pray, to enjoy this communion with God?

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 What a mystery, right?

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 What a privilege it is that God himself speaks to us and listens to us,

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 that God himself mediates for us and helps us as we pray,

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 and that God himself intercedes for us and energizes us to pray.

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 Isn't that amazing?

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 And Paul gives us more details about this prayer to the Father

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 and why it's appropriate to pray to him in verse 15.

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 From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

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 There's a wordplay here between the word father and the word family.

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 The two words in Greek look and sound almost identical.

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 And what that wordplay is highlighting is that there's an obvious,

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 the logical connection between the fact that God is sovereign creator of all things,

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 and therefore he rules and reigns over all of creation.

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 Right?

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 So he's the household of, so to speak, of all creation.

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 Every family in heaven and on earth.

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 So he's referring to not just earthly beings, but also heavenly beings, spiritual beings.

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 God is over them all.

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 Now, I do need to add a couple qualifiers so that you don't get sidetracked

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 because there's two things that this does not mean.

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 One, it doesn't mean that God has physical, biological kinship ties with all people

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 or with any angels, angels or angelic beings.

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 It's a metaphor.

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 Right?

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 Second thing that it doesn't mean is that everyone in heaven and on earth will be saved in the end,

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 constituting one large family of God.

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 Ephesians makes it abundantly clear that not all belong to the family of God, which is the church.

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 The point that Paul is making here is not that everybody will be saved to be a part of the family,

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 but that everybody is part of the family in the sense that God rules over them all.

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 He's sovereign over them all.

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 That's the point that he's trying to make here.

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 Now, that's why he mentions specifically that God, the Father,

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 is the one from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

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 Right?

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 What's the significance of that?

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 Why are they named by him?

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 When God names something, right, throughout scripture,

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 he's exercising his dominion over them.

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 He's stamping them with his authority saying,

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 I made this.

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 I created this.

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 I saved this.

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 I redeemed this.

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 So I get to name it.

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 Right?

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 I mean, if you make something, you get to name it.

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 Right?

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 I mean, that's the idea behind this.

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 In Isaiah 40, 26, he expresses it.

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 It says,

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 God is the sovereign creator and ruler who named every earthly and heavenly creature.

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 So he is the one to whom we owe all of our allegiance and to whom we owe our very existence.

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 So it makes sense then that we pray to God, the Father.

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 Right?

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 And we could pray with great faith because he is the sovereign ruler.

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 He is powerful to be able to answer our prayers.

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 And it also makes sense that we approach him with great humility.

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 Right?

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 Since we are so weak and insignificant, but we're approaching this powerful almighty creator.

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 That's why Paul says in verse 14,

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 I bow my knees before the Father.

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 Right?

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 This is a well-attested manner of praying throughout scripture.

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 For example, according to Daniel 6.10,

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 the prophet Daniel apparently prayed three times a day on his knees.

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 Right?

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 Paul bows his knees in prayer.

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 And this is, I love that image because it's not just like a rote thing that he was taught,

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 you know, like in Sunday school.

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 Right?

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 When you learn to pray for the first time, they're like,

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 close your eyes.

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 Right?

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 Bow your head.

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 Clasp your hands.

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 And kneel down.

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 Right?

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 I mean, that's not what he's thinking.

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 He's doing this for a reason.

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 And it's the fact that he's imagining himself that as he prays,

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 he's praying as if he's very in front of, before the face of God.

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 He's in the throne room of God himself.

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 And when you approach a king, you kneel or you fall prostrate.

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 Right?

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 That's what Paul's doing.

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 So as he prays, he knows, he's so aware of the presence of God in which he has,

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 whose audience he has, he bows his knees before him to express,

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 one, his submission and two, his humiliation, his humility before God.

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 Right?

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 It's the conquered enemies and subjects of kings who kneel.

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 Right?

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 And scripture elsewhere tells us at the end of time,

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 every knee will bow down before Jesus.

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 But Paul does this willingly, not reluctantly, not begrudgingly,

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 freely, lovingly.

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 He submits to God, expresses his humility before God in prayer.

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 And the fact that Paul substitutes this expression to bow my knees,

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 to stand for the word to pray, suggests that this is probably his regular practice.

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 Like he's like, when he thinks of praying, he's thinking of bowing his knees.

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 So this is something that he regularly does.

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 And this doesn't mean, now, I'm not saying that every time we pray, we have to kneel.

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 Right?

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 There are other manners of praying that's also attested in scripture.

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 However, what it does mean is that there is very good reason to kneel when we pray.

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 Right?

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 And we should consider that as an option when we pray.

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 Because whether we admit it or not, our attitudes are affected by our postures.

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 Are they not?

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 Right?

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 That's why, right, teachers at schools tell their kids to sit up.

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 Right?

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 Because it makes them alert.

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 It makes them learn better.

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 Right?

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 That's why the military commanders tell those soldiers to stand at attention.

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 Right?

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 Because it affects their attitudes.

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 Right?

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 What they do.

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 Right?

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 That's why when a judge tells a witness to raise his right hand,

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 to swear that he will tell nothing but the whole truth,

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 why do you do that physical act?

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 That's not necessary.

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 Because it affects their attitude, adds a solemnity to what they are doing

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 and saying that they're going to do.

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 So our postures affect our attitudes.

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 That's why it matters how we listen to sermons.

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 That's why it matters how we sing and worship.

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 That's why it matters how we pray.

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 And it matters that we're, you know, half asleep in bed

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 and scrolling through our Bible app.

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 Or sitting at a desk with an open Bible with a coffee in hand.

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 It matters.

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 Right?

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 And by kneeling in prayer,

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 we express and reinforce our submission to God

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 and humility before God.

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 Right?

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 And having told us about to whom he prays

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 and how he prays,

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 now Paul tells us about the basis for his prayer in verse 16,

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 that according to the riches of his glory,

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 he may grant you to be strengthened with power

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 through his spirit in your inner being.

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 According to, that's the clue here,

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 that's the basis for Paul's prayer.

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 Why it's worthwhile for him to pray.

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 What fuels his faith for prayer is this,

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 the riches of God's glory.

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 What is that?

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 Right?

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 What are the riches of God's glory?

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 Because glory is the manifestation of God's deity.

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 Right?

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 It's all that is what the means to be God

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 is summarized, summed up in the word glory.

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 So here, it could really refer to any number of his attributes and perfections.

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 So, but thankfully, we're not left in the dark here

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 because there has been a rich history in the context of Ephesians

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 of the use of the word riches, right?

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 The word riches occurs five times in Ephesians.

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 Of particular interest are parallels in 1, 7, 2, 7, and 3, 8.

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 And in chapter 1, verses 6 to 7,

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 he mentions God's glorious grace.

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 And then in the following verse, verse 7, Paul says,

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 In Christ we have redemption through his blood,

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 the forgiveness of our trespasses,

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 according to the riches of his grace.

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 Right?

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 And then in chapter 2, verse 7, he says that God made us alive with Christ

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 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches

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 of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

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 And then similarly, he also said in chapter 3, verse 8,

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 he talked about the unsearchable riches of Christ.

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 So to summarize then, the word riches throughout the book of Ephesians

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 refers to God's bountifulness, right?

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 His generosity toward us.

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 And when it's, and what, it's the glorious grace.

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 And this commentator and pastor Brian Chappell puts it really helpfully.

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 He says, the riches of God are those that cancel spiritual debt.

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 Right?

00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:49.779
 That's the riches of God that he talks about,

00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.480
 Paul talks about in Ephesians.

00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:54.360
 And the riches of God are so abundant

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:58.019
 that not only does it cancel spiritual debt,

00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:00.039
 it enriches us.

00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:03.200
 It makes us heirs of the king

00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:08.580
 with the heavenly inheritance incumbent upon that status.

00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:13.040
 We go from being impoverished, wretched sinners,

00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.520
 paupers in debtors prisoned,

00:15:16.520 --> 00:15:19.759
 to being heirs, children of God,

00:15:21.020 --> 00:15:23.740
 children of the king of all creation,

00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.040
 and heirs of his glorious riches.

00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.020
 That's the basis.

00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:31.379
 That's why it's worthwhile for Paul to pray.

00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.799
 And he prays on behalf of the Ephesian church

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:36.539
 that according to the riches of his glory,

00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:39.319
 he may grant you to be strengthened.

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:43.679
 And if the basis of Paul's prayer is the riches of God's glory,

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:46.079
 the goal, the ultimate goal of Paul's prayer

00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:47.679
 is also God's glory.

00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.360
 Right?

00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:51.480
 So he concludes his prayer in verse 21 by praising God.

00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:55.360
 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:58.940
 throughout all generations forever and ever.

00:15:59.340 --> 00:15:59.840
 Amen.

00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:03.680
 And the whole intercessory prayer actually in this passage

00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:07.480
 from verses 14 to 21 has a chiastic structure.

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:10.620
 And a chiasm is a literary device

00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.480
 where it's structured concentrically

00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:16.200
 so that each element of the first half of the passage

00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:17.800
 has a corresponding element

00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:20.379
 that mirrors that element in the second half.

00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:23.259
 So to kind of show you what I mean by that.

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.600
 So in verses 14 to 16a,

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.919
 okay, so when I use ABC,

00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:29.439
 I'm just kind of numbering the clauses within each verses.

00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.840
 So when it's in verses 14 to 16a,

00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.439
 it says glory of God the Father

00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:35.519
 from whom every family is named.

00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:38.159
 And then the corresponding element of that is verse 21

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:40.659
 where it talks about glory to God the Father

00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:43.679
 throughout all generations and families.

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:46.899
 And then the next element is power through his spirit

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:49.360
 in your inner being in 16b to c.

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.779
 And then the corresponding element to that is verse 20,

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:54.419
 power at work within us,

00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.320
 like inner being.

00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.399
 And then after that,

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:59.039
 it's Christ may dwell in your heart, 17a.

00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:01.180
 And then it's 19b,

00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:03.340
 that would be filled with the fullness of God,

00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.620
 so dwelling, filling.

00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:08.900
 And then the next one is rooted and grounded in love, 17b.

00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:12.339
 And then it's know the love of Christ, 19a.

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.579
 And then what's amazing about this chiastic structure

00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.240
 is that there's one element in the middle

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.319
 that stands out,

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:20.899
 that alone doesn't have a matching corresponding element.

00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:21.939
 And that's the point,

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.619
 that's the main point that Paul emphasizes.

00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:25.279
 And that here is in verse 18.

00:17:25.699 --> 00:17:28.439
 To comprehend with all the saints

00:17:28.439 --> 00:17:31.019
 what is the breadth and length

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:33.439
 and height and depth.

00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:37.580
 And I'm gonna explain that

00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:38.620
 and cover that in a second.

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.019
 So keep that structure in mind

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:42.940
 because that's why I'm covering that last verse now

00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:45.380
 to kind of meet you in the middle as we go.

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:47.640
 Because that's the basis for Paul's prayer

00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:49.299
 is the prayer to the Father

00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.400
 is according to the grace.

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.299
 But how will we be strengthened?

00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:55.360
 By what means will Paul's prayer be answered?

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:57.660
 And the means is spelled out in verse 16.

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.580
 And that's my second point,

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.740
 power through the Spirit.

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:02.720
 That according to the riches of His glory,

00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:06.039
 He may grant you to be strengthened with power

00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:09.920
 through His Spirit in your inner being.

00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.099
 That's the means,

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:13.559
 power through His Spirit.

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:16.339
 So the riches of God's glory is the basis

00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:18.420
 for His prayer to the Father

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:20.559
 and now the means by which that will be accomplished,

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:22.120
 the power through the Spirit.

00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:26.279
 And verse 16 is mirrored by verse 20,

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.740
 which says,

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:30.799
 now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.559
 than all that we ask or think

00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:35.980
 according to the power at work within us.

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.599
 So power,

00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:39.039
 that's a key word in the book of Ephesians.

00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.700
 It's used five times throughout the letter.

00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.620
 And in chapter 1, verse 19,

00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.460
 it was used to describe the power

00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:47.240
 that of this work at work in the lives of believers

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.859
 and the power,

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:52.240
 the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:55.980
 And it's not surprising as we think about this

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:58.339
 that the source of this power is the Spirit,

00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:01.440
 that Spirit is particularly associated with power

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:04.380
 because it's the characteristic of our present age,

00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.599
 this new covenant age,

00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:07.859
 after the time of the death and resurrection

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:09.180
 and ascension of Jesus Christ,

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:11.279
 that God's people are indwelled by

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.680
 and empowered by the Spirit of God.

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.240
 We were actually just talking about this

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.539
 in the membership class this morning,

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:20.059
 is that it's when Jesus ascends to the heavens,

00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:22.700
 that's when he promised that the Spirit of God would descend.

00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:24.339
 And he tells his disciples,

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.240
 he doesn't tell them to,

00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.339
 okay, as soon as I'm gone,

00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:28.259
 just go and start preaching the gospel.

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.019
 He doesn't say that.

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.679
 He tells them to wait

00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:33.500
 until they're closed in power from on high.

00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:35.179
 And he says in Acts 1.8,

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.700
 you will receive power

00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:38.919
 when the Holy Spirit has come upon you

00:19:38.919 --> 00:19:41.139
 and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem

00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.559
 and in all Judea and Samaria

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.940
 and to the ends of the earth.

00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.079
 Throughout the news,

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:48.000
 the word power is almost synonymous

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:50.519
 with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:53.519
 The intervening age between Christ's first coming

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:55.019
 and Christ's second coming

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:58.839
 is the age of the Spirit characterized by his power.

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:04.720
 Now, there's a theologian named John Murray.

00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:08.220
 He was a Scottish-born Calvinist theologian.

00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:10.880
 He taught at Princeton Seminary during its heyday

00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:14.819
 when it was still the bastion of Christian orthodoxy.

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:18.599
 And when Princeton started to stray from that orthodoxy,

00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:21.740
 he left with a whole bunch of other sound teachers

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:26.379
 of the gospel to start Westminster Theological Seminary.

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.879
 So he was a Presbyterian most of his life.

00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:31.839
 He wrote the most often used theological textbook

00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.519
 on the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.500
 All that to say, I'm just trying to show you

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:38.079
 that he's not an unhinged charismatic.

00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:41.799
 Now, but this is what he says in one of his writings.

00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:44.440
 If Pentecost is not repeated,

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:47.480
 which is something that a lot of people like to say, right?

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.879
 Because if Pentecost, that was one sin for all.

00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.859
 So don't expect power now, right?

00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.599
 Don't expect it.

00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:55.079
 So if Pentecost is not repeated,

00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:57.379
 neither is it retracted.

00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:02.159
 This is the era of the Holy Spirit, right?

00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:04.859
 And the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit

00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:07.799
 is the distinctive marker of this particular age.

00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.680
 1 John 4 to 13 says,

00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:13.680
 By this we know that we abide in God and he in us

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:17.340
 because he has given us of his spirit.

00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:20.759
 You're not a Christian if you're not filled

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.720
 with the presence of God, with the spirit of God.

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:26.700
 And you will make no progress in the Christian life

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:29.279
 apart from the power of the spirit.

00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:33.140
 If our life and ministry are not characterized

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.000
 by the spirit's power,

00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:35.820
 then there's something profoundly amiss

00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:37.480
 about our Christianity.

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:45.420
 And we are in dire need of this truth, aren't we?

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.539
 This day and age.

00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:49.480
 Because we're so accustomed to turning to other powers

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.740
 and relying on our own strength.

00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.799
 When people see something wrong with the world today,

00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:57.380
 what's often our first inclination, right?

00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:59.339
 It's to solve it with activism, right?

00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.279
 When we see something wrong with the world,

00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:03.360
 our first inclination is to solve it with activism.

00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:07.219
 You know, people turn to social media to vent about it.

00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:10.599
 Some people who are more involved even blog about it, right?

00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:13.639
 Others will stage a protest

00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:17.619
 or even put on a conference to address it.

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:20.559
 Sure, there's a place for all of those things,

00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:24.419
 but all those things are for not without the spirit's power.

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:27.860
 So why is our first inclination

00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:29.480
 not to turn to concerted prayer?

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:34.019
 When people struggle with addictions,

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:37.320
 maybe to pornography

00:22:37.320 --> 00:22:40.039
 or simply compulsive news feed browsing on your phones,

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:42.940
 often the first inclination is to solve it with technology.

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.440
 Just install this great filter

00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:49.120
 or this thing that blocks you out

00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:51.039
 after you've spent a certain amount of time on your phone.

00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:55.500
 But why?

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:59.200
 That will not offer a lasting solution to the problem.

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:02.619
 Why is our first inclination not to turn to prayer

00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:04.259
 so that God transforms our hearts?

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.960
 When our brothers and sisters are struggling

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:11.559
 to eradicate deeply entrenched patterns of sin in their lives,

00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:14.159
 instead of turning to pragmatic solutions,

00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.440
 sure, use wisdom,

00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:18.920
 sure, use pragmatic things that we have at our disposal,

00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:21.920
 but they cannot replace or precede

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:25.920
 dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:30.279
 The Spirit's power strengthens us in our inner being

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:33.620
 so that the love of Christ takes root in our hearts

00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:36.440
 and grows so that the weeds in our lives,

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.380
 the weeds of sin,

00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:40.800
 they lose hold and they wither away.

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.080
 That's why Paul prays

00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:45.380
 that the Ephesian church would be strengthened with power

00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:47.700
 through His Spirit in your inner being.

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:51.299
 And the inner being is simply a contrast to outer being.

00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.960
 We don't have to go into, you know,

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.660
 details about trying to explain that.

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:58.440
 And it refers to the moral, spiritual side of people

00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.819
 as opposed to the physical side.

00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:02.700
 Paul used the same expression in 2 Corinthians 4, 16,

00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.380
 when he writes,

00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.680
 though our outer self is wasting away,

00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:09.059
 our inner self is being renewed day by day.

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:13.679
 Now, I mentioned earlier that within this chiastic structure,

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.079
 what corresponds, what mirrors,

00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:17.359
 verse 16 is verse 20.

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:21.200
 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly

00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:23.359
 than all that we ask or think,

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:28.279
 according to the power at work within us, right?

00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:31.440
 The power at work within us through the Holy Spirit

00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:34.519
 is such that God is able to do far more abundantly

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:36.660
 than all that we ask or think.

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:40.900
 Sometimes we are too timid and faithless

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.519
 in what we ask of God, aren't we?

00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:46.799
 We don't ask him for much

00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:49.119
 because we don't think that he can do much.

00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:56.539
 But God is able to do far more abundantly

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.859
 than all that we ask,

00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.660
 according to the power at work within us.

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.980
 And God is not merely adequate for the task.

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:04.059
 He's able to do far more abundantly

00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.019
 than all that we think.

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:08.039
 And not only can God do all that we ask,

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.019
 more than we ask,

00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:12.299
 it says he can do more than we can think, right?

00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:15.379
 We think that it's God's power that's limited

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.660
 when we come to him in prayer.

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:19.299
 But it's our imagination that's limited.

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:22.259
 It's our faith that's limited.

00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:27.099
 How this would transform our prayer life

00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.579
 if we really believed it.

00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.859
 God can do far more abundantly

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:32.059
 than all that we ask or think.

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.079
 If we really believed it,

00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.639
 wouldn't we pray far more frequently

00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:36.460
 and far more boldly?

00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:40.259
 Maybe you feel defeated

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:42.200
 by persistent temptation in your life

00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.660
 and you're starting to doubt and despair

00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:46.140
 whether you'll ever be able to overcome

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:48.220
 that sin in your life.

00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.360
 Maybe you feel dejected.

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.059
 Maybe you feel depressed

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:55.160
 from disappointment after disappointment,

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:57.920
 downtrodden by the suffering in your life,

00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.700
 the circumstances.

00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.660
 Maybe you're facing difficulties.

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:02.000
 You have circumstances in your life

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.720
 that seems insurmountable.

00:26:04.080 --> 00:26:05.500
 You don't know how you're going to face them

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.240
 and overcome them.

00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:08.839
 In all of those things,

00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.380
 no matter what you are going through,

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:12.380
 no matter what situation you're in,

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.220
 hear this.

00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.700
 God is able.

00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.460
 He's able

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:19.299
 to do far more abundantly

00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.940
 than all that we ask or think

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:23.160
 according to the power at work with this.

00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.620
 Apply it today.

00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:28.200
 We need to pray to the Father

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:31.039
 for power through the Spirit.

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:35.220
 And then Paul moves on to the core,

00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:37.059
 the crux of his intercity prayer

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.579
 in verses 17 to 19.

00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.379
 And this brings me to my final point,

00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.720
 the presence of Christ.

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:44.240
 Paul says in verses 17 to 19,

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:47.620
 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts

00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.620
 through faith,

00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.779
 that you being rooted and grounded in love

00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:53.759
 may have strength to comprehend

00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:55.200
 with all the saints

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:57.140
 what is the breadth and length

00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:59.299
 and height and depth,

00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:01.240
 and to know the love of Christ

00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.339
 that surpasses knowledge,

00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.839
 that you may be filled

00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:07.299
 with all the fullness of God.

00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:10.259
 In verse 17,

00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:12.240
 Christ dwelling in our hearts

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.720
 corresponds to mirrors,

00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.460
 verse 19,

00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.700
 that you may be filled

00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:17.500
 with all the fullness of God.

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.299
 Both are temple language, right?

00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:21.220
 Because we're temples of God.

00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:23.720
 We were actually one temple of God

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.319
 as the church.

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.880
 Now we should be indwelled by God

00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.859
 and filled by God.

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.980
 So even though this idea

00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.059
 has been much abused,

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.400
 I'm sure you guys have heard this

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.120
 or seen this.

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:35.220
 You know, people say,

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:38.680
 hey, invite Jesus into your heart.

00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:40.299
 Accept him into your heart, right?

00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:42.339
 So this is a little bit overused

00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.259
 and abused sometimes,

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.680
 but there is biblical basis

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.680
 for that teaching, right?

00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:48.399
 It says Christ dwells our hearts.

00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.419
 Now, however,

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.940
 there is a key difference

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.819
 in which Christians

00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:53.559
 usually use that expression

00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.859
 and the way it's used here

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.460
 in Ephesians

00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.359
 is that Christians,

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.759
 we normally tell that

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.279
 to unbelievers, right?

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.480
 We tell unbelievers,

00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.919
 hey, accept Jesus into your heart.

00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.500
 We assume,

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.440
 we take for granted

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.899
 that believers already have

00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.819
 Christ in their hearts.

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.859
 But what's interesting

00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:08.000
 is Paul here

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.939
 is addressing believers.

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.619
 He tells believers,

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.459
 I pray for you

00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:14.359
 that Christ would dwell

00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:14.959
 in your hearts.

00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.379
 What?

00:28:15.459 --> 00:28:16.139
 What's going on?

00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:16.759
 Right?

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.599
 I got Christ, Paul.

00:28:21.199 --> 00:28:21.639
 Right?

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.279
 Because, I mean,

00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.039
 that's very clear

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.500
 from the preceding context, right?

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.679
 In chapter 2, 11, 13,

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.199
 he talked about,

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.659
 remember at one time

00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:29.500
 you were separated from Christ,

00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:30.559
 alienated from Him,

00:28:30.719 --> 00:28:33.000
 but now you have been brought near

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.939
 by the blood of Christ.

00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.860
 So he's talking to those people

00:28:35.860 --> 00:28:37.160
 who have been brought near

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:38.820
 who are now in Christ

00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:40.360
 and he tells these people

00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.320
 they need to be filled

00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:42.980
 with the fullness of God,

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.799
 that they need to be

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:46.360
 indwelled by Christ.

00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.980
 What is going on?

00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.600
 This is similar

00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:51.860
 to Luke's use of the phrase

00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.900
 in the book of Acts,

00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.860
 full of the Holy Spirit.

00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.900
 You guys have heard that

00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:56.420
 used before.

00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.980
 New Testament scholar

00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.660
 Max Turner

00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.460
 puts it this way

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:00.960
 in his book,

00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:02.420
 Power From on High.

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:05.240
 Luke does not believe

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.259
 all Christians

00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:08.380
 to be full of the Spirit.

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.380
 That's why

00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:12.740
 in Acts 6, 3,

00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:14.740
 they select people

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:16.300
 who are full of the Spirit

00:29:16.300 --> 00:29:17.120
 for the task

00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:18.539
 that they have at hand.

00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:19.660
 And he says,

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.259
 this metaphor,

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.200
 I'm continuing to quote,

00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.440
 this metaphor is used

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:24.080
 precisely to distinguish

00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:25.200
 those whose lives

00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.740
 are particularly marked

00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:28.180
 by the work of the Spirit

00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:29.420
 from ordinary Christians.

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.180
 And in Luke,

00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.600
 second terms,

00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:33.000
 the criterion for judging

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.080
 whether it is appropriate

00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:35.100
 to speak of someone

00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:36.100
 as full of the Spirit

00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.560
 is whether the community

00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:38.620
 of Christians felt

00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:40.320
 the impact of the Spirit

00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:41.680
 through that person's life

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.000
 and saw the Spirit's graces

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.000
 and gifts

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.600
 regularly expressed

00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:48.900
 through him or her.

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:49.720
 Right?

00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.840
 Now, don't hear

00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.580
 what I'm not saying.

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.680
 All believers

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:55.240
 are possessed

00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.579
 by the Holy Spirit.

00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.980
 But not all of them

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.859
 are full

00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:01.359
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.140
 Similarly,

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.299
 while it is true

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.700
 that when we repent

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:09.019
 and believe in Jesus Christ,

00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.680
 we are indwelled by Christ

00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.579
 through the infilling

00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.380
 of the Holy Spirit

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.480
 once and for all,

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.160
 that's true,

00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:15.420
 it is nevertheless

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.559
 also true

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.620
 that we must continue

00:30:17.620 --> 00:30:18.420
 to grow

00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:20.380
 in our nearness to God,

00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:22.099
 awareness of His presence,

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.740
 and increasingly submit

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.259
 every area of our lives

00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.579
 to His Lordship.

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.159
 That's what He's talking about.

00:30:29.399 --> 00:30:30.639
 We need to be indwelled

00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.980
 by Christ more and more

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:33.619
 with a greater measure of Christ,

00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:35.119
 filled with more and more

00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:36.259
 of God.

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.279
 We've talked about this before

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.059
 in the Gospel of John.

00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.699
 There's a difference

00:30:41.699 --> 00:30:43.219
 between union with Christ,

00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.959
 which is the objective reality

00:30:44.959 --> 00:30:45.819
 that happens

00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.079
 when we believe in Him,

00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.119
 we're united with Him

00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:49.079
 in faith,

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.119
 and then there's

00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:50.759
 a difference between

00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.639
 that union with Christ

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:53.160
 and communion with Christ.

00:30:53.580 --> 00:30:54.940
 Communion is our subjective

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.980
 experience of that union,

00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.780
 our experience of that fullness,

00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.800
 that indwelling.

00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:02.200
 We need to grow in that,

00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.259
 and we need to pray

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.940
 for everyone

00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.280
 that we would grow in that.

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.480
 And what does it look like?

00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.880
 As Galatians 2.20 says,

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:15.040
 I have been crucified with Christ.

00:31:15.320 --> 00:31:17.740
 It is no longer I who live,

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:20.120
 but Christ who lives in me,

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:21.479
 and the life I now live

00:31:21.479 --> 00:31:21.879
 in the flesh,

00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:23.279
 I live by faith

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.799
 in the Son of God

00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.579
 who loved me

00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:27.759
 and gave Himself for me.

00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:28.919
 What does that mean?

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.519
 When the Bible speaks of

00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.839
 being filled with something,

00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:34.000
 it's speaking of being

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.219
 controlled by it,

00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.059
 dominated by it.

00:31:37.479 --> 00:31:38.759
 When you're filled with joy,

00:31:38.919 --> 00:31:40.379
 you're controlled by that joy.

00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.919
 Your life is defined by it.

00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:44.219
 When you're filled with fear,

00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:46.199
 you're controlled by that fear.

00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:48.799
 When he says,

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:51.059
 be filled with all the fullness of God,

00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:53.039
 he's praying that the Ephesian church

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.200
 would be controlled,

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:56.920
 dominated by God.

00:31:58.500 --> 00:32:00.500
 Likewise, Christ dwelling in our hearts.

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.340
 What does that suggest?

00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:03.580
 It's ownership.

00:32:05.340 --> 00:32:06.539
 He indwells us.

00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.340
 He lives in us.

00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.539
 We belong to Him.

00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:11.539
 So then, of course,

00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.220
 everything we do,

00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.759
 all our resting,

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.599
 all our working,

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.519
 all our playing,

00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.339
 all our listening,

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.339
 all our talking,

00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.559
 all our watching,

00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:21.220
 all of it has to be brought

00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:23.599
 under the lordship of Christ.

00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:24.920
 That's what it means

00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.899
 for Christ to dwell

00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:27.019
 in our hearts through faith.

00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:29.319
 And it's by faith.

00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.539
 We need to believe that

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:32.159
 and live by that.

00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:33.059
 That's what it means

00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:34.220
 to have more and more

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:36.059
 of the fullness of God,

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:38.000
 of the presence of Christ.

00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:41.319
 Are you aware of that?

00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.920
 Are you walking with Christ?

00:32:43.659 --> 00:32:44.839
 Are you keeping in step

00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.399
 with the Spirit?

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.359
 Or are we,

00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:53.920
 or are you acting

00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:55.379
 as if you're taking leave of Him

00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.799
 when you leave the Sunday service

00:32:56.799 --> 00:33:00.639
 until we get back together again?

00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.460
 That kind of life

00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.399
 falls so short

00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.139
 of the fullness

00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:09.400
 of the love of Christ,

00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:11.020
 the joy and power

00:33:11.020 --> 00:33:13.240
 that God desires for us.

00:33:17.020 --> 00:33:18.600
 I pray that we would

00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:20.100
 even today experience

00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:20.960
 a greater measure

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.660
 of Christ dwelling

00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:22.460
 in our hearts through faith.

00:33:22.520 --> 00:33:23.220
 We may be filled

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.980
 with all the fullness of God.

00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.340
 But in our life

00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:28.360
 filled with Christ

00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:29.780
 and to live for Him,

00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.780
 we have to be assured

00:33:30.780 --> 00:33:32.240
 of Christ's love for us.

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.839
 And so Paul continues

00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:35.420
 to pray in verse 17b

00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:36.559
 that we would be rooted

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.420
 and grounded in love.

00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.259
 The word rooted

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.720
 is an agricultural word,

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:41.920
 right?

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.339
 And it's related to

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.279
 earlier word

00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:44.740
 that he used,

00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.400
 strengthen.

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.599
 The word strengthen

00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.220
 can also mean

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.319
 to hold fast

00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:48.960
 onto something,

00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:51.480
 to grasp onto something.

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.539
 So he's saying

00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:54.359
 that we need to be rooted

00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:55.279
 and strengthened

00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:56.700
 in the love of Christ,

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.180
 in love.

00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.819
 And he also said

00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.859
 that we need to be grounded.

00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:01.559
 That's an architectural term

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.119
 which means

00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:03.219
 to lay a foundation.

00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:04.819
 And this also

00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.779
 is conceptually related

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.399
 to the other word

00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:06.859
 that he used

00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:07.779
 which is for Christ

00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.980
 to dwell in us

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:10.380
 because the foundation

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.319
 has to be laid

00:34:11.319 --> 00:34:12.159
 with the love of Christ

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.119
 in order for Christ

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:14.339
 to dwell in that temple,

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.460
 in that house.

00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.480
 So we need to be rooted

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.679
 and grounded.

00:34:18.359 --> 00:34:19.719
 And he's using terms

00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:21.500
 that Jesus himself used.

00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:22.159
 If you remember

00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.259
 the parable of the sower

00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:24.900
 in Matthew 13, 6

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:26.619
 and verse 21,

00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:27.880
 Jesus compared

00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.139
 so-called Christians

00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:30.619
 who lose their faith

00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.379
 when tribulation

00:34:31.379 --> 00:34:32.639
 or persecution come

00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.679
 to plants

00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:34.879
 that wither away

00:34:34.879 --> 00:34:37.119
 because it had no root.

00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:38.619
 It was not rooted.

00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:40.980
 Similarly,

00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:41.539
 in the parable

00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.179
 of the builder

00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:44.000
 in Matthew 7, 24 to 27,

00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:45.480
 Jesus contrasts

00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.519
 so-called Christians

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:48.199
 who hear God's word

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:49.400
 and then don't do

00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.259
 anything about it,

00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:50.980
 don't obey,

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.159
 don't respond to it,

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.079
 to people

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.239
 who build their house

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:55.559
 on the foundation

00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.339
 of sand.

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:58.100
 And he contrasts

00:34:58.100 --> 00:34:59.380
 that with Christians,

00:34:59.480 --> 00:34:59.920
 true Christians,

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:01.240
 who hear the word of God

00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:02.559
 and obey it

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.880
 and respond to it

00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.840
 as people who build,

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.600
 builders who build

00:35:05.600 --> 00:35:06.200
 their foundation

00:35:06.200 --> 00:35:07.300
 on rock.

00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.059
 That's what he's praying

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.460
 for here for the church,

00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.559
 that we'd be rooted

00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:13.240
 and grounded

00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:14.620
 in God's love.

00:35:17.180 --> 00:35:18.559
 And this is mirrored

00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:20.120
 by verse 19,

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:20.660
 which said,

00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.920
 that we might know

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:23.500
 the love of Christ

00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:26.079
 that surpasses knowledge.

00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.659
 Up to this point,

00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:29.980
 Paul had mostly talked

00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:31.319
 about the Father's love,

00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.699
 but it's true

00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.699
 that the Son,

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.359
 Christ,

00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.399
 also loves us

00:35:35.399 --> 00:35:36.379
 because he dies

00:35:36.379 --> 00:35:37.239
 for us willingly.

00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.739
 He takes on the cross

00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:39.759
 for our sake

00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.599
 out of love

00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:42.159
 and out of love

00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:42.719
 for the Father

00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:43.420
 and out of love

00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:43.940
 for us.

00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.819
 And he talks about this

00:35:45.819 --> 00:35:47.019
 later in chapter 5 too.

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:48.619
 Christ loved us

00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:50.380
 and gave himself up

00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:51.500
 for us.

00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.880
 Christ took our place

00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:54.019
 on the cross

00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:55.079
 and he died

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:56.039
 so that sinners like us

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.800
 can be saved

00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:58.079
 and take his place

00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:59.619
 next to the Father's side.

00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:01.139
 That's what this

00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:02.460
 is referring to.

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:04.960
 And he thinks,

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.619
 the way he thinks

00:36:05.619 --> 00:36:06.719
 about the love of Christ

00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.860
 is so grand

00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:09.019
 and immense

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.199
 that he refers

00:36:10.199 --> 00:36:11.420
 to an oxymoron

00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:13.539
 to explain this concept.

00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:16.139
 That we might know

00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:17.539
 the love of Christ

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.019
 that surpasses

00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:20.179
 knowledge.

00:36:21.339 --> 00:36:22.039
 Isn't that great?

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.519
 In effect,

00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.039
 he's praying

00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.960
 that we would know

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:27.359
 the unknowable

00:36:27.359 --> 00:36:28.759
 love of Christ.

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.819
 I want to know

00:36:32.819 --> 00:36:33.920
 that unknowable love.

00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:34.639
 Right?

00:36:35.759 --> 00:36:37.219
 And Paul prays

00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:39.319
 and continues this

00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.440
 in verse 18

00:36:40.440 --> 00:36:41.379
 that brings us

00:36:41.379 --> 00:36:41.940
 to the crux,

00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.759
 the centerfold

00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:44.139
 of this chiastic structure.

00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:45.539
 It says

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.879
 that we may have

00:36:46.879 --> 00:36:47.639
 strength

00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.920
 to comprehend

00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:50.259
 with all the saints

00:36:50.259 --> 00:36:51.679
 what is the breadth

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.539
 and length

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.319
 and height

00:36:53.319 --> 00:36:54.379
 and depth.

00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.579
 Now,

00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:58.199
 I do need to

00:36:58.199 --> 00:37:00.420
 digress a little bit here

00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:00.759
 because

00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:02.000
 I need to explain

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.500
 this to you

00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.440
 because some of you guys

00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.059
 have the NIV.

00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:04.719
 How many of you guys

00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:05.400
 are using the NIV?

00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:07.339
 So if you're using the,

00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.159
 oh, are you the only one?

00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:08.839
 Maybe I won't do it.

00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:09.339
 I'm just kidding.

00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:11.840
 So if you're looking

00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:12.460
 at some of the other

00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:13.100
 translations,

00:37:14.220 --> 00:37:15.039
 so the NIV,

00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:15.680
 for example,

00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.519
 probably the most

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.220
 prominent example

00:37:17.220 --> 00:37:17.700
 of this,

00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.440
 it says,

00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.440
 breadth and length

00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:19.940
 and height

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.559
 and depth

00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:22.220
 of the love of Christ.

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:22.820
 That's what it says

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.120
 on there.

00:37:23.260 --> 00:37:23.980
 That's not what it says

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.600
 in the ESV.

00:37:25.620 --> 00:37:27.579
 And that's actually,

00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:29.480
 that's the wrong translation

00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.059
 just because

00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:32.100
 it's a great example

00:37:32.100 --> 00:37:33.740
 of the interpretation

00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:35.280
 affecting translation

00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:36.800
 because they're assuming

00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:38.560
 that breadth and depth

00:37:38.560 --> 00:37:40.320
 and height and length

00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:41.300
 is referring to

00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:42.400
 the love of Christ

00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:42.940
 which is mentioned

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.900
 in the following verse.

00:37:44.220 --> 00:37:45.120
 So because they're already

00:37:45.120 --> 00:37:46.039
 making that assumption,

00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:46.840
 they're just now

00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:47.960
 interpolating that

00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.680
 to this verse

00:37:48.680 --> 00:37:49.960
 to make sense of it

00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.519
 so that it's clear

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:50.920
 for people

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:52.280
 because in the Greek

00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:52.820
 New Testament,

00:37:53.100 --> 00:37:54.039
 it doesn't tell us

00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:55.640
 what that exactly is.

00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:57.100
 It's just nouns,

00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.800
 the breadth and length

00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:59.900
 and height and depth.

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.320
 It just says,

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.220
 what is the breadth

00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.180
 and length

00:38:02.180 --> 00:38:02.980
 and height and depth?

00:38:04.060 --> 00:38:05.480
 Now, having ruled that out then,

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:07.079
 what does that leave us with?

00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:08.780
 What does it mean?

00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.800
 And how can we find out

00:38:10.800 --> 00:38:11.320
 what this means?

00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:13.019
 And I think this will be

00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:14.199
 a helpful exercise

00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:14.980
 in practicing

00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:17.340
 our commitment

00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:18.460
 to scripture,

00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:20.420
 sola scriptura, right?

00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.579
 Scripture alone

00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:23.039
 is our foundational authority,

00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:24.099
 normative authority.

00:38:24.280 --> 00:38:25.360
 And as we're going through

00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.360
 this Ephesian series,

00:38:26.740 --> 00:38:27.440
 we're celebrating

00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:28.519
 the 500th anniversary

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.860
 of the Protestant Reformation.

00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:31.380
 And one of the core tenets

00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:33.199
 of that was scripture alone.

00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:34.639
 Not pastors,

00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:35.839
 not priests,

00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:37.139
 not church councils,

00:38:37.319 --> 00:38:38.279
 not church traditions,

00:38:38.659 --> 00:38:39.839
 but scripture alone

00:38:39.839 --> 00:38:41.739
 is the foundational authority

00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:42.699
 for our life

00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:43.480
 and practice.

00:38:43.939 --> 00:38:44.859
 And that's why

00:38:44.859 --> 00:38:46.779
 labor to prove things to you

00:38:46.779 --> 00:38:48.119
 instead of just telling you

00:38:48.119 --> 00:38:48.679
 what I think.

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:51.099
 Because if it's not scriptural,

00:38:51.159 --> 00:38:52.119
 then you shouldn't believe it.

00:38:54.399 --> 00:38:55.119
 And so,

00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.359
 how can we tell?

00:38:56.439 --> 00:38:57.079
 So let's look at

00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:58.119
 the immediate context

00:38:58.119 --> 00:38:58.839
 of the verse.

00:38:58.939 --> 00:38:59.859
 Do you notice anything

00:38:59.859 --> 00:39:00.480
 in the verses

00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:02.579
 preceding that?

00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.840
 18 and verses

00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:04.440
 following that,

00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.599
 that might be referred to

00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:07.360
 by the breadth and depth,

00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:08.679
 breadth and length

00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:10.059
 and height and depth.

00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:14.940
 You don't have to respond.

00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.960
 You can if you want to.

00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:16.639
 But,

00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:17.559
 so,

00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:18.659
 look at,

00:39:19.319 --> 00:39:20.900
 look at what it says

00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:21.239
 at the end.

00:39:21.799 --> 00:39:23.619
 That you should be filled

00:39:23.619 --> 00:39:25.539
 with all the fullness

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.699
 of God, right?

00:39:27.420 --> 00:39:28.559
 Fullness is something,

00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:29.400
 it's volume,

00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:31.099
 something you describe

00:39:31.099 --> 00:39:32.139
 with depth,

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:32.920
 breadth,

00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.739
 length and height,

00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.119
 right?

00:39:34.579 --> 00:39:35.159
 And so,

00:39:35.219 --> 00:39:35.779
 so that's,

00:39:35.819 --> 00:39:37.079
 that's a great possibility.

00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:38.319
 So what else can

00:39:38.319 --> 00:39:39.299
 the dimensional language

00:39:39.299 --> 00:39:41.059
 be referring to here?

00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.699
 And if you look at

00:39:42.699 --> 00:39:44.319
 other contexts,

00:39:44.839 --> 00:39:45.059
 like,

00:39:45.199 --> 00:39:46.019
 let's look at the rest

00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.960
 of the book of Ephesians.

00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:47.980
 In chapter 1,

00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:49.119
 verses 19 to 20,

00:39:49.199 --> 00:39:50.799
 it uses measuring language,

00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.579
 dimensional language.

00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:52.219
 It says,

00:39:52.380 --> 00:39:53.539
 let the immeasurable

00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.400
 greatness

00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.880
 of God's power

00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.920
 toward us who believe

00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:57.980
 that he worked in Christ

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.780
 when he raised him

00:39:58.780 --> 00:39:59.480
 from the dead.

00:39:59.820 --> 00:39:59.920
 So,

00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:01.539
 immeasurable power,

00:40:01.639 --> 00:40:02.500
 so that seems to relate

00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:03.220
 to this concept

00:40:03.220 --> 00:40:04.260
 of these dimensions.

00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:05.960
 He uses that word again

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:07.000
 later in chapter 2,

00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:07.559
 verse 7,

00:40:07.820 --> 00:40:08.980
 so that in the coming ages

00:40:08.980 --> 00:40:09.619
 he might show

00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:11.300
 the immeasurable riches

00:40:11.300 --> 00:40:12.700
 of his grace

00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:13.360
 and kindness

00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:14.320
 toward us

00:40:14.320 --> 00:40:15.720
 in Christ Jesus.

00:40:16.180 --> 00:40:17.000
 And that's similar

00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:17.800
 to another thing

00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.180
 that he says,

00:40:18.260 --> 00:40:19.539
 the unsearchable

00:40:19.539 --> 00:40:21.019
 riches of Christ,

00:40:21.119 --> 00:40:21.320
 right?

00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:21.720
 So,

00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:22.340
 all of these things,

00:40:22.340 --> 00:40:23.480
 he's been using these terms

00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.360
 throughout the book,

00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:25.640
 so that's already helpful

00:40:25.640 --> 00:40:26.059
 for us.

00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:27.440
 What can be the breadth

00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:28.519
 and length

00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:29.200
 and depth

00:40:29.200 --> 00:40:30.240
 and height?

00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:31.880
 Another possibility

00:40:31.880 --> 00:40:32.740
 is in 310,

00:40:32.800 --> 00:40:33.160
 he says that

00:40:33.160 --> 00:40:33.780
 through the church,

00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:35.580
 the manifold wisdom

00:40:35.580 --> 00:40:36.080
 of God

00:40:36.080 --> 00:40:37.320
 might now be made known

00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:37.800
 to the rulers

00:40:37.800 --> 00:40:38.300
 and authorities

00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:39.600
 in the heavenly places.

00:40:40.700 --> 00:40:40.960
 Now,

00:40:41.340 --> 00:40:42.440
 that was not exactly

00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:43.080
 a term of measurement,

00:40:43.220 --> 00:40:43.580
 but it's getting

00:40:43.580 --> 00:40:44.360
 at a similar idea.

00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:44.620
 Now,

00:40:44.640 --> 00:40:45.400
 I'm going to show you

00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:46.400
 something that's

00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:46.900
 so helpful

00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.940
 for studying Bible

00:40:47.940 --> 00:40:48.260
 and reading,

00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.000
 learning how to read

00:40:49.000 --> 00:40:49.820
 the Bible on your own,

00:40:49.820 --> 00:40:50.640
 because that's one

00:40:50.640 --> 00:40:51.220
 of my tasks

00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:52.359
 as well as a pastor

00:40:52.359 --> 00:40:54.099
 is not just to teach you

00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:54.899
 what the Bible says,

00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:55.599
 but also teach you

00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.379
 how to read the Bible

00:40:56.379 --> 00:40:56.959
 for yourself,

00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:58.179
 and that's what I do

00:40:58.179 --> 00:40:59.480
 in preaching as well.

00:40:59.599 --> 00:40:59.719
 So,

00:40:59.799 --> 00:41:00.839
 if you look at your Bibles,

00:41:01.019 --> 00:41:02.379
 there's tiny little letters

00:41:02.379 --> 00:41:04.480
 that's next to some words

00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:05.980
 and verses,

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.139
 and in that you,

00:41:07.379 --> 00:41:08.639
 and those are cross-references.

00:41:09.359 --> 00:41:09.519
 Now,

00:41:09.559 --> 00:41:10.199
 if you look at

00:41:10.199 --> 00:41:11.139
 the tiny little letter

00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:12.319
 next to verse 18

00:41:12.319 --> 00:41:13.019
 in the ESV,

00:41:13.159 --> 00:41:14.139
 it's a small letter E

00:41:14.139 --> 00:41:15.179
 before the word height.

00:41:15.459 --> 00:41:16.099
 You guys follow that?

00:41:16.439 --> 00:41:17.579
 And you follow it

00:41:17.579 --> 00:41:18.980
 to where the reference is.

00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:19.740
 It tells you

00:41:19.740 --> 00:41:21.340
 other parts of Scripture

00:41:21.340 --> 00:41:22.139
 that speak about

00:41:22.139 --> 00:41:22.940
 the same issue

00:41:22.940 --> 00:41:23.719
 or that relate

00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.300
 to the language

00:41:24.300 --> 00:41:25.179
 that's used in that.

00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.619
 And it's pointing you

00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:27.480
 to Job 11,

00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:28.300
 5 to 9.

00:41:29.340 --> 00:41:29.840
 It says,

00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:30.619
 but oh,

00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.920
 look for Job 11,

00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:32.440
 5 to 9

00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:33.260
 if you haven't seen that

00:41:33.260 --> 00:41:34.260
 in your reference.

00:41:34.619 --> 00:41:35.500
 If you don't have

00:41:35.500 --> 00:41:36.099
 that reference

00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:37.039
 in your cross-references,

00:41:37.500 --> 00:41:38.079
 then we'll get you

00:41:38.079 --> 00:41:38.619
 a new Bible

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.800
 because that's,

00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:41.280
 you should really

00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:41.719
 have that.

00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:41.919
 Yeah.

00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:43.159
 And so,

00:41:43.299 --> 00:41:43.819
 but oh,

00:41:43.939 --> 00:41:45.239
 that God would speak

00:41:45.239 --> 00:41:46.799
 and open his lips to you

00:41:46.799 --> 00:41:48.059
 and that he would tell you

00:41:48.059 --> 00:41:49.199
 the secrets of wisdom

00:41:49.199 --> 00:41:50.659
 for he is manifold

00:41:50.659 --> 00:41:51.759
 in understanding.

00:41:52.279 --> 00:41:52.819
 Know then

00:41:52.819 --> 00:41:54.719
 that God exacts of you

00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:56.359
 less than your guilt deserves.

00:41:56.779 --> 00:41:57.859
 Can you find out

00:41:57.859 --> 00:41:59.259
 the deep things of God?

00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:00.379
 Can you find out

00:42:00.379 --> 00:42:01.879
 the limit of the Almighty?

00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:03.619
 It is higher than heaven.

00:42:03.919 --> 00:42:04.619
 What can you do?

00:42:04.959 --> 00:42:06.039
 Deeper than Sheol,

00:42:06.219 --> 00:42:07.059
 what can you know?

00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:08.739
 Its measure is longer

00:42:08.739 --> 00:42:09.459
 than the earth

00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:11.360
 and broader than the sea,

00:42:11.699 --> 00:42:11.940
 right?

00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:13.099
 That's helpful,

00:42:13.199 --> 00:42:13.619
 isn't it?

00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:14.480
 Illuminating.

00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:16.900
 Because that's the only place

00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:18.460
 in all of Scripture

00:42:18.460 --> 00:42:20.659
 and in all ancient literature

00:42:20.659 --> 00:42:22.840
 where all four

00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:24.119
 of those dimensions

00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:25.079
 occur together,

00:42:25.460 --> 00:42:27.039
 except for one other instance

00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.599
 that I will mention.

00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.960
 And so here,

00:42:30.079 --> 00:42:31.480
 it's referring in particular

00:42:31.480 --> 00:42:32.760
 to the wisdom of God,

00:42:32.820 --> 00:42:33.880
 the limitless wisdom

00:42:33.880 --> 00:42:34.780
 and knowledge of God,

00:42:34.780 --> 00:42:35.940
 but it's talking

00:42:35.940 --> 00:42:36.780
 more in general

00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:38.639
 about the immensity of God.

00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:40.079
 Can you find out

00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:41.579
 the limit of the Almighty?

00:42:41.779 --> 00:42:42.679
 That Job asks, right?

00:42:42.759 --> 00:42:43.579
 Or the character

00:42:43.579 --> 00:42:44.519
 in Job's book, Acts.

00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:45.799
 So it's talking

00:42:45.799 --> 00:42:46.799
 about the eternality,

00:42:46.960 --> 00:42:47.699
 the infiniteness,

00:42:47.799 --> 00:42:49.279
 the immensity of God.

00:42:49.839 --> 00:42:50.940
 Now, it's interesting

00:42:50.940 --> 00:42:52.099
 that in the context

00:42:52.099 --> 00:42:54.759
 of the Greco-Roman culture

00:42:54.759 --> 00:42:56.299
 in which Paul's writing this,

00:42:56.940 --> 00:42:58.699
 it was very well observed

00:42:58.699 --> 00:42:59.539
 that everything

00:42:59.539 --> 00:43:00.839
 that you see in creation

00:43:00.839 --> 00:43:02.699
 is marked by three dimensions,

00:43:02.839 --> 00:43:03.059
 right?

00:43:03.879 --> 00:43:04.159
 Right?

00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:05.579
 So it has length,

00:43:05.579 --> 00:43:08.000
 and it has breadth,

00:43:08.139 --> 00:43:09.400
 and it has depth, right?

00:43:09.980 --> 00:43:11.500
 And one of the Greek

00:43:11.500 --> 00:43:13.340
 Platonic philosophers

00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:15.980
 argued that it's when

00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:17.940
 you add the fourth dimension,

00:43:18.619 --> 00:43:18.840
 right,

00:43:19.159 --> 00:43:21.039
 that you reach the realm

00:43:21.039 --> 00:43:23.259
 of gods or spirits,

00:43:23.340 --> 00:43:24.719
 as he was arguing, right?

00:43:25.119 --> 00:43:27.960
 And some of the magical papyrus

00:43:27.960 --> 00:43:29.299
 that have been found

00:43:29.299 --> 00:43:30.079
 from this era

00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:31.579
 where people use incantations

00:43:31.579 --> 00:43:32.860
 in magic rituals,

00:43:32.860 --> 00:43:34.599
 there are two examples

00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:35.720
 where people refer

00:43:35.720 --> 00:43:36.480
 to their God

00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:37.640
 as the height,

00:43:37.980 --> 00:43:39.320
 the depth, right?

00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:40.059
 The breadth,

00:43:40.200 --> 00:43:40.680
 the depth,

00:43:40.940 --> 00:43:41.640
 and length,

00:43:41.760 --> 00:43:42.460
 and height, right?

00:43:43.099 --> 00:43:44.519
 So what does that tell us?

00:43:44.559 --> 00:43:45.680
 All of those clues.

00:43:45.840 --> 00:43:46.760
 First, most importantly,

00:43:46.860 --> 00:43:47.840
 the biblical context,

00:43:48.079 --> 00:43:48.800
 and then the historical

00:43:48.800 --> 00:43:49.840
 and cultural context.

00:43:50.200 --> 00:43:51.620
 I think what it's referring to

00:43:51.620 --> 00:43:51.980
 is this.

00:43:52.039 --> 00:43:53.440
 It's the breadth and depth,

00:43:53.539 --> 00:43:54.760
 the length and height and depth.

00:43:54.860 --> 00:43:57.280
 By adding that fourth element,

00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.360
 the height,

00:43:58.820 --> 00:44:00.340
 to what we would normally use

00:44:00.340 --> 00:44:01.599
 to describe all creation,

00:44:01.599 --> 00:44:02.679
 Paul is saying,

00:44:02.860 --> 00:44:04.900
 pointing us to the immensity of God,

00:44:05.139 --> 00:44:05.739
 his infinite,

00:44:06.019 --> 00:44:07.059
 his eternality.

00:44:07.380 --> 00:44:08.099
 God is great.

00:44:08.179 --> 00:44:10.019
 He surpasses your understanding.

00:44:10.119 --> 00:44:11.819
 He surpasses your limits.

00:44:11.940 --> 00:44:12.639
 He's all,

00:44:13.000 --> 00:44:14.139
 he's talking in short

00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:16.119
 and about the fullness of God

00:44:16.119 --> 00:44:17.659
 and the fullness of Christ

00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:19.119
 that he's been talking about

00:44:19.119 --> 00:44:20.860
 throughout this passage.

00:44:21.460 --> 00:44:22.460
 Colossians 1, 19,

00:44:22.539 --> 00:44:22.639
 it says,

00:44:22.739 --> 00:44:23.279
 In Christ,

00:44:23.579 --> 00:44:25.179
 all the fullness of God

00:44:25.179 --> 00:44:26.739
 was pleased to dwell.

00:44:27.860 --> 00:44:28.940
 Ephesians 1, 23,

00:44:29.079 --> 00:44:29.279
 he said,

00:44:29.280 --> 00:44:31.380
 The church is Christ's body,

00:44:31.680 --> 00:44:32.760
 the fullness of him

00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:35.680
 who fills all in all, right?

00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:37.060
 Isn't that similar

00:44:37.060 --> 00:44:37.700
 to the language here?

00:44:38.220 --> 00:44:39.320
 That's what Paul

00:44:39.320 --> 00:44:40.600
 is referring to here,

00:44:40.640 --> 00:44:41.640
 and that's why he prays

00:44:41.640 --> 00:44:43.140
 that along with all the saints,

00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:43.980
 because the church

00:44:43.980 --> 00:44:44.840
 is the body of Christ,

00:44:45.080 --> 00:44:46.240
 that along with all the saints

00:44:46.240 --> 00:44:47.320
 that we would comprehend

00:44:47.320 --> 00:44:48.400
 what is the breadth

00:44:48.400 --> 00:44:49.220
 and length

00:44:49.220 --> 00:44:49.920
 and height

00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:51.180
 and depth.

00:44:51.179 --> 00:44:56.480
 That's a staggering truth,

00:44:56.859 --> 00:44:58.039
 and Paul wants us

00:44:58.039 --> 00:45:00.039
 to take hold of it.

00:45:00.119 --> 00:45:00.739
 That's what the word

00:45:00.739 --> 00:45:01.879
 comprehend means.

00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:04.579
 If only you knew

00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:07.199
 what the breadth,

00:45:08.039 --> 00:45:08.440
 length,

00:45:08.799 --> 00:45:09.519
 and height,

00:45:09.779 --> 00:45:10.619
 and depth

00:45:10.619 --> 00:45:11.980
 of God's love

00:45:11.980 --> 00:45:12.859
 toward you is,

00:45:13.539 --> 00:45:16.500
 you would love him so

00:45:16.500 --> 00:45:18.440
 and long for him

00:45:18.440 --> 00:45:19.820
 and serve him

00:45:19.820 --> 00:45:20.539
 with all your heart,

00:45:20.619 --> 00:45:21.440
 soul, mind, and strength.

00:45:21.639 --> 00:45:23.119
 If you only knew

00:45:23.119 --> 00:45:24.740
 what is the breadth

00:45:24.740 --> 00:45:25.260
 and length

00:45:25.260 --> 00:45:25.740
 and height

00:45:25.740 --> 00:45:26.280
 and depth

00:45:26.280 --> 00:45:27.220
 of God's power

00:45:27.220 --> 00:45:27.840
 toward you,

00:45:28.760 --> 00:45:30.179
 then you would seek him,

00:45:30.860 --> 00:45:31.679
 look to him,

00:45:32.220 --> 00:45:33.119
 depend on him

00:45:33.119 --> 00:45:33.980
 rather than on yourself.

00:45:34.980 --> 00:45:36.480
 If you only knew

00:45:36.480 --> 00:45:38.320
 what is the breadth

00:45:38.320 --> 00:45:39.039
 and length

00:45:39.039 --> 00:45:39.579
 and height

00:45:39.579 --> 00:45:40.260
 and depth

00:45:40.260 --> 00:45:41.420
 of God's wisdom

00:45:41.420 --> 00:45:42.119
 toward you,

00:45:42.940 --> 00:45:44.280
 then you would trust him

00:45:44.280 --> 00:45:45.780
 in all your circumstances,

00:45:45.780 --> 00:45:47.300
 no matter how difficult

00:45:47.300 --> 00:45:48.440
 or puzzling

00:45:48.440 --> 00:45:49.500
 they may be.

00:45:51.560 --> 00:45:52.700
 And you would have

00:45:52.700 --> 00:45:53.560
 no room for bitterness

00:45:53.560 --> 00:45:54.560
 or discontent.

00:45:55.320 --> 00:45:56.980
 If only you knew

00:45:56.980 --> 00:45:57.880
 what is the breadth

00:45:57.880 --> 00:45:58.860
 and length

00:45:58.860 --> 00:45:59.700
 and height

00:45:59.700 --> 00:46:00.480
 and depth

00:46:00.480 --> 00:46:01.519
 of God's grace

00:46:01.519 --> 00:46:02.440
 toward you,

00:46:02.760 --> 00:46:03.460
 then you would not

00:46:03.460 --> 00:46:04.160
 wallow

00:46:04.160 --> 00:46:05.400
 in your guilt.

00:46:10.539 --> 00:46:11.640
 And you would be

00:46:11.640 --> 00:46:12.060
 overcome

00:46:12.060 --> 00:46:13.019
 with gratitude

00:46:13.019 --> 00:46:14.539
 and freedom.

00:46:14.539 --> 00:46:15.539
 And you would be

00:46:15.539 --> 00:46:16.539
 overcome

00:46:16.539 --> 00:46:18.460
 that's what Paul

00:46:18.460 --> 00:46:19.039
 is praying for,

00:46:19.119 --> 00:46:19.639
 that Christ

00:46:19.639 --> 00:46:20.759
 would dwell in us,

00:46:20.820 --> 00:46:21.199
 that God

00:46:21.199 --> 00:46:22.179
 would fill us,

00:46:22.239 --> 00:46:23.279
 that we would know,

00:46:23.639 --> 00:46:24.099
 comprehend,

00:46:24.659 --> 00:46:25.639
 take hold of,

00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:27.000
 capture what is

00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:28.139
 the breadth

00:46:28.139 --> 00:46:29.559
 and length

00:46:29.559 --> 00:46:30.519
 and height

00:46:30.519 --> 00:46:32.219
 and depth.

00:46:33.659 --> 00:46:34.279
 It's like

00:46:34.279 --> 00:46:36.039
 a king

00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:38.380
 with his glorious crown

00:46:38.380 --> 00:46:39.679
 and splendid robe

00:46:39.679 --> 00:46:40.980
 entering in

00:46:40.980 --> 00:46:41.380
 to dwell

00:46:41.380 --> 00:46:43.000
 in a mud hut.

00:46:43.000 --> 00:46:43.099
 earth.

00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:46.239
 It's like

00:46:46.239 --> 00:46:47.639
 pouring a million

00:46:47.639 --> 00:46:48.420
 dollar perfume

00:46:48.420 --> 00:46:49.480
 and there is

00:46:49.480 --> 00:46:50.039
 such a thing

00:46:50.039 --> 00:46:50.599
 as a million

00:46:50.599 --> 00:46:51.320
 dollar perfume

00:46:51.320 --> 00:46:54.840
 into broken

00:46:54.840 --> 00:46:56.460
 jars of clay.

00:47:01.579 --> 00:47:02.579
 It's like God

00:47:02.579 --> 00:47:03.360
 taking on

00:47:03.360 --> 00:47:04.719
 human flesh

00:47:04.719 --> 00:47:06.239
 with all its

00:47:06.239 --> 00:47:06.840
 infirmities.

00:47:06.920 --> 00:47:07.480
 It's like the

00:47:07.480 --> 00:47:08.539
 king of glory

00:47:08.539 --> 00:47:09.539
 taking up the

00:47:09.539 --> 00:47:10.159
 cross,

00:47:10.159 --> 00:47:11.679
 the instrument

00:47:11.679 --> 00:47:12.980
 of execution

00:47:12.980 --> 00:47:14.319
 as his throne.

00:47:15.440 --> 00:47:16.000
 That's

00:47:16.000 --> 00:47:17.059
 the reality

00:47:17.059 --> 00:47:19.299
 Paul wants us

00:47:19.299 --> 00:47:20.259
 to take hold of.

00:47:22.039 --> 00:47:23.039
 That's what Christ

00:47:23.039 --> 00:47:23.879
 did for us

00:47:23.879 --> 00:47:24.619
 and that's what

00:47:24.619 --> 00:47:25.379
 Christ wants

00:47:25.379 --> 00:47:26.079
 to do for us

00:47:26.079 --> 00:47:27.279
 to dwell in our hearts

00:47:27.279 --> 00:47:28.039
 more and more.

00:47:28.139 --> 00:47:29.019
 So let's pray

00:47:29.019 --> 00:47:30.079
 as the church

00:47:30.079 --> 00:47:32.379
 to the Father

00:47:32.379 --> 00:47:33.500
 so that through

00:47:33.500 --> 00:47:34.079
 the power

00:47:34.079 --> 00:47:34.739
 of the Spirit

00:47:34.739 --> 00:47:36.920
 we may be filled

00:47:36.920 --> 00:47:38.539
 with the presence

00:47:38.539 --> 00:47:39.119
 of God.

00:47:39.360 --> 00:47:40.259
 Let's pray together.

00:47:48.139 --> 00:47:48.619
 God,

00:47:48.739 --> 00:47:49.719
 words can't

00:47:49.719 --> 00:47:50.739
 quite describe

00:47:50.739 --> 00:47:51.539
 this privilege.

00:47:52.480 --> 00:47:53.579
 So fittingly,

00:47:54.259 --> 00:47:55.179
 Paul can't say

00:47:55.179 --> 00:47:55.639
 any more

00:47:55.639 --> 00:47:56.460
 than just simply

00:47:56.460 --> 00:47:56.759
 to say,

00:47:56.860 --> 00:47:56.940
 oh,

00:47:57.019 --> 00:47:57.719
 what is

00:47:57.719 --> 00:47:58.519
 the breath,

00:47:59.119 --> 00:47:59.579
 the length,

00:47:59.800 --> 00:48:00.179
 the height,

00:48:00.300 --> 00:48:00.739
 and depth?

00:48:01.500 --> 00:48:01.800
 God,

00:48:01.860 --> 00:48:02.960
 we want to know

00:48:02.960 --> 00:48:05.440
 the love of Christ

00:48:05.440 --> 00:48:06.320
 that surpasses

00:48:06.320 --> 00:48:06.840
 knowledge.

00:48:08.539 --> 00:48:09.820
 We want to know

00:48:09.820 --> 00:48:10.980
 the immeasurable riches

00:48:10.980 --> 00:48:11.960
 of his grace

00:48:11.960 --> 00:48:12.460
 and kindness

00:48:12.460 --> 00:48:13.119
 toward us.

00:48:13.599 --> 00:48:14.420
 We want to know

00:48:14.420 --> 00:48:15.519
 the unsearchable riches

00:48:15.519 --> 00:48:16.699
 of Christ toward us.

00:48:16.940 --> 00:48:17.380
 We want to know

00:48:17.380 --> 00:48:18.599
 the immeasurable power

00:48:18.599 --> 00:48:20.539
 of Christ toward us.

00:48:21.300 --> 00:48:21.619
 Please,

00:48:21.800 --> 00:48:21.960
 Lord,

00:48:22.139 --> 00:48:23.420
 work in us

00:48:23.420 --> 00:48:26.639
 so that our lives

00:48:26.639 --> 00:48:27.179
 will be radically

00:48:27.179 --> 00:48:27.880
 transformed

00:48:27.880 --> 00:48:31.420
 so that we can be

00:48:31.420 --> 00:48:32.639
 Christ's

00:48:32.639 --> 00:48:34.940
 to all

00:48:34.940 --> 00:48:36.820
 those whom

00:48:36.820 --> 00:48:37.580
 we encounter,

00:48:40.559 --> 00:48:41.760
 living by the

00:48:41.760 --> 00:48:42.380
 priorities

00:48:42.380 --> 00:48:44.960
 and the power

00:48:44.960 --> 00:48:46.640
 of the

00:48:46.640 --> 00:48:47.280
 triune God.

00:48:48.600 --> 00:48:49.700
 In Jesus' name

00:48:49.700 --> 00:48:50.080
 we pray.

00:48:50.620 --> 00:48:50.880
 Amen.

00:48:50.880 --> 00:48:50.980
 Amen.