WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:07.060 Good morning, Watermark. Today the scripture reading comes from the book of Ephesians, chapter 3. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:10.980 You can follow along on your own Bible or the screen here. 00:00:12.599 --> 00:00:15.120 Starting in verse 14, we read, 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:23.379 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:32.079 that according to the riches of His glory, He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:36.119 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, 00:00:36.759 --> 00:00:43.840 that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:51.700 what is the breadth, the length, the height, and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:55.540 that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:02.180 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 00:01:02.620 --> 00:01:05.140 according to the power at work within us, 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:13.079 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:15.520 Amen. This is the Word of God. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:19.620 Great. Thank you so much, Soda. 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:23.200 Let's pray together as we come and look at this passage. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:28.060 Oh, Lord Jesus, this is an amazing, amazing passage of Scripture, 00:01:28.380 --> 00:01:34.280 and we thank you so much that you've included it in your Scripture, in your Word to us. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:42.000 God, I pray, won't you open the eyes of our hearts to see and to comprehend and to understand this, God. 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:49.120 Help me to make it clear, but God, won't you take the words of Scripture and write them deeply in our hearts. 00:01:49.120 --> 00:02:00.820 Lord, I pray that we will leave church this morning with just a deep conviction and assurance of what it means to be your church and to be your people, 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:04.500 what it means to be anchored and grounded in your love. 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:07.880 Christ, come and have your way this morning, we pray. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:10.340 In your wonderful name, amen. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:20.280 If we were to take stock of our prayers, I wonder what our prayers would say about us. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:25.819 You know, you pray for the things that are most important to you, most pressing on your heart. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:27.520 We pray for our children. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:30.039 We pray for that job interview that's coming up. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:31.280 We pray for our careers. 00:02:32.379 --> 00:02:36.020 Our prayers reveal what is most important to us. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:39.659 Our lack of prayers reveal a lot about us as well. 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:48.660 Well, in this passage today, we get a deep view into the prayer life and the prayer journal of the Apostle Paul. 00:02:49.320 --> 00:02:55.400 Paul opens up his journal and he lets us see into what are the things that he's praying about. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:58.020 Remember, Paul's in prison here. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:02.520 If you look back at chapter 3, verse 1, he says, 00:03:02.920 --> 00:03:06.360 Therefore, I, Paul, a prisoner for your sake. 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:07.879 Paul's in prison. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:10.879 If you and I were in prison, I wonder what our prayers would look like. 00:03:11.260 --> 00:03:12.660 I can tell you what my prayers would be. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:14.480 God, get me out of here. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:16.240 Make some plan. 00:03:17.320 --> 00:03:19.480 Send an angel like you did with Peter, right? 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:20.420 It's about time. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:21.660 I've been in here long enough. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:22.900 Let's get going. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:26.379 God, now's a good time to do one of those miracles. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:30.120 Well, Paul's in prison and he prays. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:31.400 And look what he prays. 00:03:32.299 --> 00:03:32.939 He says here, 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:37.539 For this reason, I bow on my knees before the Father. 00:03:38.460 --> 00:03:39.340 And what is the reason? 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:43.219 Well, if you've been on this journey with us through Ephesians, 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:45.259 Paul's been saying some pretty remarkable things. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:50.180 He's been revealing God's cosmic plan for the whole of creation. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:56.379 This grand teleos to unite all things in creation under Christ. 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:00.319 And he's doing this through the church, amazingly. 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:07.780 The church has got this instrumental role and part to play in God's cosmic plan for all creation. 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:12.840 God's plan for those of us that are Christians isn't just to say a quick prayer, 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:16.180 to not go to hell and try and be good people. 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:20.060 That he's working all things to unite things under Christ. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:23.280 And this happens through the church as the gospel is proclaimed, 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:24.920 as the gospel gets into our heart. 00:04:25.400 --> 00:04:30.280 God is forming a new humanity, a new people called the church. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:32.319 A foretaste of what heaven's going to be like. 00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:35.100 A picture of heaven on earth called the church. 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:38.920 And through this church, he is working his cosmic plan. 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:42.439 Mark Ross, a pastor, put it like this. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:42.759 He said, 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:49.000 Paul's great concern is that the church manifests and displayed the glory of God, 00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:51.360 thus vindicating God's character. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:55.160 Against all the slander of demonic realms, 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:58.019 the slander that God is not worthy living for, 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:02.500 God has entrusted to his church the glory of his name. 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:04.579 I mean, that's a remarkable thing. 00:05:04.740 --> 00:05:05.959 Remember, we heard two weeks ago, 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:08.360 Neil said that through the church, 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:14.100 the manifold wisdom of God is being made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:18.939 So demons can accuse God of all sorts of things. 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:20.860 God, you think you're so good. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:22.480 You taught what your gospel, 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:24.240 what has your gospel really achieved? 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:26.360 And God can look at the church and say, 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:27.879 see that group of people, 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:30.759 diverse, different cultures, different backgrounds. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:32.780 See how they forgive one another. 00:05:33.460 --> 00:05:34.740 See how they love one another. 00:05:35.460 --> 00:05:37.000 See how I'm changing them. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:40.740 Listen, the church is a proclamation, 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:42.579 a vindication of God's glory. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:46.680 And so Paul writes for this reason, 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:48.279 because when you hear that, 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:48.699 you can think, 00:05:48.779 --> 00:05:49.319 oh my goodness, 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:50.600 that's a little overwhelming. 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:51.060 I mean, 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.920 who is worthy of such a task of that? 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:59.279 That you and your life should be an instrumental part of God's cosmic plan. 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:01.379 And so Paul says, 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:02.939 what does Paul do in light of this? 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:06.500 He gets on his knees and he prays. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:16.379 He says, in light of this, if we as a church are to be anything like what God is calling us to be, we need to pray. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:20.699 And so he gets on his knees and says, for this reason I bow my knees. 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:26.500 John Stott says that in Scripture, very few people get on their knees to pray. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:29.300 They only get on their knees in desperate situations. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:32.139 In the synagogue, most men would stand praying. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:36.100 Some people would sit down to pray. 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:38.240 Very few people in Scripture get on their knees. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.060 They do so in desperate situations. 00:06:40.280 --> 00:06:42.540 And Paul here, he's almost, he's earnest. 00:06:42.700 --> 00:06:44.240 He's pleading with God. 00:06:44.820 --> 00:06:51.960 Because if God doesn't answer this prayer, there is no way that the church can be anything like what God calls it to be. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:54.260 And so Paul prays. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:55.860 And what does he pray? 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:58.840 Well, when you look at this prayer, there are three sections. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:07:00.680 It's broken up by the word that. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:04.920 He says, I get on my knees and ask the Father that, verse 16, 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:10.620 that according to his glory, he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:20.379 Verse 17b, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints the love of Christ 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:22.520 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:27.500 And verse 19, that you may be filled with the fullness of God. 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:29.020 Okay, so three things. 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:31.500 And we're going to look at them in reverse. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:34.800 We're going to start at the last one because I think the flow of thought is better. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:37.019 So let's see what Paul prays. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:40.720 He says, firstly, that we will grow into spiritual maturity. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:43.740 Verse 19, Paul says, 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:51.980 I get on my knees before the Father and I pray that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:54.600 Now that's a strange sentence, right? 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:56.160 What on earth does that mean? 00:07:56.199 --> 00:07:59.600 I pray that you'll be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:03.900 Well, my Greek professor, by the name of Niels van der Kastele, 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:10.840 tells me that the ESV translation, which is what we use, is actually not the best one. 00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:13.879 That word with is actually better translated to. 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:16.460 Almost nowhere in the New Testament is translated with. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:24.640 In other words, I pray that you'll be filled to or unto or until you get to the fullness of God. 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:26.620 Okay, well, what does that mean? 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:27.879 I mean, that's still pretty hard. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:35.259 Well, if you've got one of these Ephesians booklets, turn off the page to next week's passage. 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:36.919 Look at verse 13. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:38.480 He says the same thing. 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:38.919 He says, 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:42.320 Leaders have been given to equip the saints, verse 13, 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:46.240 Until we attain to the unity of the faith, the knowledge of God, 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:52.320 to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.759 It's almost the same sentence. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:59.500 He's saying that I pray that you will grow into maturity, 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:02.120 till you become the people that you're called to be. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:06.460 So, Claire and I have got two daughters, age 8 and 10. 00:09:07.059 --> 00:09:11.100 And even at this age, we can start to see their personalities. 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:13.580 If you know them, you'll know Sierra. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:16.120 Sierra likes to be in charge of everything, right? 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:22.540 She loves to be the center of the room and calling all the shots. 00:09:22.800 --> 00:09:25.400 And she sometimes, you know, thinks she's an adult. 00:09:25.780 --> 00:09:27.480 And we've got a reminder, okay, you're only 10. 00:09:27.900 --> 00:09:28.759 That's her personality. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:31.840 Shiloh likes to just retreat into corners. 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:33.480 She doesn't like to be sent to retention. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:37.580 But she'll just cuddle up to someone and make good friends that way. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:40.019 These diverse personalities. 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:42.240 And often I will say to my girls, 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:45.899 I'm so excited to see the woman that God's calling you to be. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:48.759 I'm excited to see your personality grow to you, 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:51.860 grow to the fullness of the person that you're called to be. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:54.240 At this stage, we can see their personalities, 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:56.139 but they're not fully mature yet. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.519 They've still got some growing to do. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:59.360 Well, that's what Paul prays. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.899 He looks at this church in Ephesus and he says, 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.740 you're not who God has called you to be yet, 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:08.360 but I pray that God is going to mature you and grow you 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:13.759 so that you can attain the fullness of what God has called you to be. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:16.440 Paul sits in his prison cell. 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:18.899 He's praying for these guys to mature. 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:21.639 He's got this grand vision for the church, 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:22.659 but it's not automatic. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:25.440 It's not just attend church once a week, 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:27.279 go to CG, and that will happen. 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:28.860 It's not just plug and play. 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:32.080 No, Christians grow in a process, 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:33.560 and this is his prayer. 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:36.080 If you've recently become a Christian, 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:36.860 you may think, 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:38.340 okay, I've become a Christian. 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.200 I go to church. 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:39.879 I go to CG. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.919 I try not to swear or do bad things, 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:44.820 and that's the end of the plan. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:48.080 Actually, you're maybe like a child, 00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:50.440 two or three, maybe five years old, 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:52.519 and God has got a plan for you to grow 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:56.420 into the fullness of maturity that God has planned for you. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:58.360 And how does he describe this? 00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:58.800 He says, 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.980 the fullness of God, 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:03.720 or the fullness of the stature of Christ. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:04.899 In other words, 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:07.180 what does spiritual maturity look like? 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:10.139 Does it look like getting super involved in church? 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:12.019 So, Monday night you're at prayer meeting, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.340 and Tuesday night you're in CG, 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:15.259 and Wednesday night you're at this course, 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.159 and Thursday night you're, 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.799 no, no, that's not what it means. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:20.279 What does spiritual maturity look like? 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:24.139 It looks like becoming more like Christ, 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:26.919 becoming more like God himself. 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:27.980 That's what he means when he says, 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:31.100 to grow into the fullness of God himself, 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:34.600 that we would become holy like God is holy, 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:37.980 that we would become gracious like God is gracious, 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:41.080 that we would become compassionate, 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:42.500 and tender, 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:43.840 and forgiving, 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.879 and pure, 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:48.120 and holy like him. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:51.340 Like most parents, 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:53.620 Claire and I have got great hopes for our children, 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:56.039 and when our girls were born, 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:56.879 we didn't just think, 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:57.240 okay, 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:00.539 our job is just to make sure that we feed them, 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:02.100 give them education, 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:05.779 and hope that they don't stuff up before they're 20, 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.159 right? 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.159 Okay, 00:12:07.219 --> 00:12:08.839 that's like the lowest bar, 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.879 that's the bare minimum, 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:10.139 right? 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:10.699 As parents, 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:12.819 you hope for more than that for your kids. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:13.779 No, 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:13.879 no, 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.480 our prayer is that our girls will grow to be mature, 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.620 contributing members of society, 00:12:19.339 --> 00:12:20.419 that they will fear God, 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.179 and love God, 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.019 and love people, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.779 that they'll have heart for others, 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.579 and compassionate, 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:27.339 that they'll be responsible contributors, 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.939 walk with wisdom in the world, 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.480 and it's the same. 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:30.959 Paul says, 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:31.620 he looks at the church, 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:31.860 he says, 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:32.679 I pray, 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.299 that I know what you are now, 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:36.219 but this is God's plan for you, 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:38.659 to be part of God's plan for the world, 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:42.059 and I pray that you will grow to spiritual maturity. 00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:43.419 Okay, 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:45.799 so that's the first part of Paul's prayer. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:48.199 But look at the second thing he says. 00:12:48.719 --> 00:12:50.159 He says in verse 17, 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:50.859 I pray, 00:12:50.959 --> 00:12:51.500 get on my knees, 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:56.779 and I pray that you being rooted and grounded in love. 00:12:58.059 --> 00:13:00.120 Paul prays for this church community, 00:13:00.219 --> 00:13:02.500 and it's such a great picture or image, 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:02.959 isn't it? 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:03.120 I mean, 00:13:03.400 --> 00:13:06.259 think of these massive old trees, 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.820 like a hundred year old tree, 00:13:07.900 --> 00:13:09.980 or these ginormous redwoods. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.460 What makes them strong? 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.580 It's not the size of their trunk, 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.660 it's their root system, 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:14.879 right? 00:13:14.900 --> 00:13:17.060 What makes them withstand typhoons, 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:17.879 and storms, 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:19.420 and all sorts of other things? 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:21.620 It's their profound root system. 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:24.740 Or think of these great big buildings in Hong Kong, 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:24.940 right? 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:27.820 One of the amazing things that I love about the buildings of Hong Kong, 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:30.560 if you've had a building site go up next door to you, 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.179 it feels like for years, 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.099 they're not doing anything, 00:13:33.219 --> 00:13:33.839 they're just drilling, 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:34.459 right? 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:37.919 You just hear drilling for years and years and years, 00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:39.199 and nobody's building anything. 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:40.619 And then suddenly, 00:13:40.739 --> 00:13:41.739 one day they start building, 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.419 and the building just shoots up. 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:44.839 It's amazing how quickly it goes up. 00:13:45.579 --> 00:13:46.519 But the reason is, 00:13:46.579 --> 00:13:47.579 for years, 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:49.739 they are laboring at this foundation. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.139 Why? 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.560 Because that's the strength, 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.620 the stability of the building. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:54.600 Well, 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.519 look what Paul says here. 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:59.379 He uses these two images of deep roots and firm foundations. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:13:59.799 And he says, 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:02.740 I pray you'll be rooted and grounded, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.419 firm foundations in love. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:06.799 Now, 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:08.919 whose love is he talking about here? 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.200 Is Paul saying, 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.419 I love for one another? 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.360 So, 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.120 I pray that, 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.500 Watermark, 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:17.379 you as a church will be overflowing with love for one another. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.139 Well, 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:18.700 that's true, 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.860 that Paul does want that. 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:20.100 Okay, 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.559 we may not be a foretaste of heaven, 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:23.080 but that's not what he's saying. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.100 He's saying, 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.840 I pray that you'll be rooted and grounded, 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.539 firmly established, 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:30.360 in Christ's love. 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.679 In Christ's love, 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:35.759 let this be the bedrock foundation of this church. 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:36.620 Yeah, 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.740 the church isn't perfect. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:38.419 Okay, 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:40.320 we are made up of 100% sinners. 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.620 We're not perfect. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.500 We're going to have mistakes. 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.700 We're going to misunderstand and hurt each other. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:48.140 We're going to say silly things from time to time. 00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:48.940 Yeah, 00:14:49.020 --> 00:14:49.960 our hearts will be selfish. 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:56.180 But I pray the bedrock foundation of this church is not how good looking you are. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.540 That would be disastrous, 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.200 right? 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.700 It's not how good your musicians are. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:04.020 It's not how eloquent a speaker the leaders are. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:06.379 Not how wonderful your building is. 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:10.340 Good thing Paul doesn't pray that how good the coffee would be, 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:11.580 because we don't have coffee. 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.700 That would be disastrous, 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.060 right? 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:14.060 If that was the foundation. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:17.079 Now I pray the bedrock foundation of this church, 00:15:17.339 --> 00:15:19.399 the thing that keeps you together, 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:23.459 the thing that's going to allow you to weather the storms and the typhoons, 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:24.979 and COVID-19, 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.699 and all sorts of other things, 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:30.839 is Christ's profound love for sinners like us. 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:34.960 that you, 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:37.420 being rooted and grounded in love, 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:37.980 then he says, 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:38.600 verse 18, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:46.460 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and the length and the height and the depth, 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:50.620 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:55.399 And so what is it about Christ's love that he wants us to know? 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.799 Well, 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:59.980 the point here is to know the immensity of it, 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:02.320 the all-encompassing, 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:04.779 all-sufficient nature of it. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.039 John Stott says, 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:08.659 the fact that God's love is so broad, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:11.480 it encompasses all sorts of people. 00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.120 Chinese, 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.620 Indonesians, 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.500 Filipinos, 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.439 Africans, 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:17.339 Indians, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.079 Americans, 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:20.059 all sorts of people. 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:21.819 The smartest in the room, 00:16:22.219 --> 00:16:23.639 and the least smartest, 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:25.319 the most aged, 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:27.199 and Chloe, 00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:27.699 right? 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:30.120 That God's love is so broad, 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:34.879 there is nobody that is beyond its reach. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.060 That God's love, 00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:38.400 Christ's love is so long, 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:40.700 it can reach for all eternity, 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.700 never ending, 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:42.680 forever, 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.920 and ever, 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:44.860 and ever, 00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:48.180 God's people will dwell in his love. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.259 It is so deep, 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:55.320 it is able to reach to the bottom despairs of life. 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.460 Friends, 00:16:56.460 --> 00:17:00.040 some of us feel deeply despairing of life. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:02.560 You feel like you are in the deepest pit, 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:05.059 and you wonder how you are ever going to get out. 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:08.400 Christ's love is able to reach you, 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.680 and minister to you there. 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:14.900 Christ's love is able to reach into the lowest of sinners, 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:17.340 the worst of sinners in the world. 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.140 Friends, 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.120 maybe you feel like, 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.779 the things that I have done, 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.620 nobody can forgive me. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:22.840 No, 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.380 that is not true, 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.519 Christ can forgive you. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:27.519 Christ loves even the worst of sinners. 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:29.359 Christ's love is so high, 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.879 that it can take the worst of sinners, 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.059 like me and you, 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:34.000 and raise us up with Christ, 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.400 and seat us with Christ, 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.900 in the heavenly places, 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.619 for all eternity. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.339 The breadth, 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.279 Paul's point here, 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:44.039 is that Christ's love is so all-encompassing, 00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:45.000 so vast, 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:46.159 all-sufficient, 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:49.099 it is able to cover every person, 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.659 every scenario, 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.279 every situation, 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.859 every problem, 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.159 every fear, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:58.379 every objection to His love, 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:01.079 including how much you love yourself. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.919 You may feel like, 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.119 okay, 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:05.139 I know Christ loves those people, 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.719 but surely not me. 00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:07.319 No, 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:07.459 no, 00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:08.519 Christ's love, 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:10.979 is sufficient for you. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.979 Do you remember what Paul writes, 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.159 in Romans 5, 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:14.539 verse 8, 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:16.299 God showed His love for us in this, 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:18.219 that while we were still sinners, 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.159 while we were His enemies, 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:22.699 while we were shaking our fists at God, 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.379 and rebels, 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.299 Christ went to the cross, 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.359 and said, 00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:27.679 I love them this much. 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.400 And friends, 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:32.180 the basis of God's love for you, 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:34.400 is because Christ loves you, 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:37.779 not because of what's in your heart, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.580 or in your life, 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:41.720 but what's in His heart, 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.220 and His life. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.100 See, 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:44.779 if Christ's love was, 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.660 for me, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:48.100 was based on my condition, 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:49.060 or my faithfulness, 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.320 man, 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.420 it would go up and down, 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:50.820 right? 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:54.420 But if it's based on His heart, 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.860 His heart is steadfast. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:58.799 And friends, 00:18:58.860 --> 00:18:59.519 I know that, 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.440 many of us struggle, 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.180 to receive, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.460 and comprehend, 00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:05.820 Christ's love for us. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.440 Sometimes it feels like, 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.680 it's just too good for it, 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.779 to be true, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.100 right? 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.200 Or maybe you grew up in a home, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:15.080 that was devoid of much love. 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:17.140 Maybe you grew up in a home, 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.940 where our parents' love for us, 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.539 was conditional. 00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:21.060 Conditional on our grades. 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:23.340 Conditional how well we did, 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.680 or how well we behaved. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:26.740 Or maybe it's conditional on how, 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:28.019 well our parents were doing. 00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:29.940 Maybe it's conditional on how, 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.320 well our parents' business was doing. 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:32.660 So when business was going well, 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:32.940 yeah, 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.539 they were good. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.960 But when it wasn't, 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.860 actually they withdrew their life. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.039 Friends, 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:39.060 some of us grew up in homes, 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:40.400 that were very fractured. 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:42.160 You're always walking on eggshells, 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.039 never sure when, 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.980 mom or dad are going to explode. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.019 Maybe you grew up in a home, 00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:48.580 where you were blamed for everything, 00:19:49.100 --> 00:19:50.580 or accused for everything. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:53.579 And many of us instinctively feel, 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.579 in our hearts, 00:19:55.679 --> 00:19:56.659 that God's love for us, 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.559 must be the same. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.279 Yes, 00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:59.220 we've heard the sermons, 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.439 we've read the Bible verse, 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:00.740 but, 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:03.399 but surely God's love is the same. 00:20:05.179 --> 00:20:07.079 And the functional reality of our hearts, 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.919 is that we don't truly believe it, 00:20:08.939 --> 00:20:09.759 or receive it. 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.679 And the consequence, 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.500 is that our relationship with God, 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.679 is very anemic. 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:16.519 It's very weak. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.460 Because we can never really, 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.439 open up our hearts, 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:19.740 and say, 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.460 Christ have your way in my life. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.779 Because what happens, 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:24.320 if he's going to take advantage of you? 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.420 What happens, 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.700 if he's just going to point his finger, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.779 in your face once again, 00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:29.380 like everyone else has? 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.279 And that's why God, 00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:32.660 puts this in the Bible. 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:34.380 Because we will never, 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:35.360 grow into maturity. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.680 We will never be the church, 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.740 God's called us to be. 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:40.279 Unless we are deeply rooted, 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.960 and anchored in the gospel, 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.440 or Christ's love for us. 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:44.400 And that, 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.500 and Christ's love requires, 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.320 more than just cognitive understanding. 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:48.480 It requires our hearts, 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.259 to grasp it. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:51.019 And that's why Paul prays. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.840 Look what he says in verse 19. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.940 There's an amazing line here. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.259 He says, 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.559 I pray that you will, 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.940 know the love of Christ, 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.259 that surpasses knowledge. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.580 And that's interesting. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.700 How do you know something, 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.759 that is unknowable? 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.279 I mean, 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.160 that doesn't make sense, 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.420 right? 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.039 But Paul's point here, 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.480 is that, 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.080 you can, 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.340 you might not understand, 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.960 in your head. 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.460 You can read all the books, 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:10.880 but you might not get it. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.900 But in your heart, 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.259 he wants us to have the conviction, 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:13.759 the deep, 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.600 rooted, 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.840 anchored conviction, 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.159 that, 00:21:16.959 --> 00:21:17.819 come what may, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:20.019 there is a God in heaven. 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:21.099 His name is Jesus, 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.559 and his love, 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.599 is an anchor, 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:25.079 for your soul. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.000 A love, 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.939 that transcends, 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.500 all understanding. 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.199 He wants them, 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.500 and us, 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.779 to experientially, 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.240 know, 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.679 what we cannot explain, 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.899 with words, 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.720 Christ's love. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:38.980 Now, 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.399 briefly, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.879 how do we grow, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.819 in knowing Christ's love? 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.919 How do we know this? 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.119 Well, 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:45.179 a couple of things. 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.579 First thing is this, 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.019 you look at the cross. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:50.240 You look at the cross, 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:50.460 right? 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.299 Romans 5, 00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.779 when we were God's enemies, 00:21:52.939 --> 00:21:54.659 Christ died for us. 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.619 We looked at Jesus, 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.759 what he's done on the cross. 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.619 Robert Murray McShane, 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.759 one of my favorite quotes, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.019 for everyone, 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.720 look at yourself, 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:04.500 take ten looks at Christ. 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.519 He is altogether lovely, 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.859 altogether tender, 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.159 altogether beautiful. 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.919 You look at what Jesus did, 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:11.439 on the cross. 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.580 But secondly, 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.039 look here, 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.480 you stay in community, 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.759 because look at what Paul says, 00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.500 in verse 18. 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.160 I pray, 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.900 that you may have strength, 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.660 to comprehend, 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:21.799 and then look at the next four words, 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:25.259 together with all the saints, 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.200 the breadth, 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:26.519 length, 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:26.820 height, 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.960 depth of Christ's love. 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.900 Do you know what that means? 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:30.799 It means, 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.100 it's almost impossible, 00:22:32.320 --> 00:22:34.140 to know the love of God deeply, 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.640 apart from Christian community. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.680 It means, 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:36.920 you know, 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.960 you need the whole people of God, 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.620 to know the whole love of God. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:41.700 And so, 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.400 Christian community, 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.259 is a vital way, 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:44.539 to know God's love. 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.460 The breadth, 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:45.900 and length, 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.340 and height, 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.140 and depth of it. 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:48.220 But then, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.360 there's a third way we know it, 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:49.840 and that is, 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.340 to do what Paul does, 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:53.360 and that's to pray for it. 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.680 To get on our knees, 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.039 and say, 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.660 God, 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.500 we need you, 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.220 Holy Spirit. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.720 Romans 5, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.279 verse 5 says, 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:01.400 the love of God, 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:03.160 is poured into our hearts, 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.340 via the Holy Spirit, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.500 by the Holy Spirit. 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:05.740 And so, 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.559 we pray, 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.159 God, 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.440 we need you. 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:09.879 And that leads us, 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:11.279 to the third part of Paul's prayer, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:11.940 which is this, 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.399 to be empowered, 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.679 by the Spirit. 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.579 Look what Paul, 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:17.399 says here, 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.980 I think it's verse 14, 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.339 he says, 00:23:19.399 --> 00:23:19.940 for this reason, 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.819 I get on my knees, 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.279 and I pray, 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.119 the Father, 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:25.099 from whom every church is named, 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:26.299 every church is established, 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:29.059 verse 16, 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.960 that he may grant you, 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.079 to be strengthened, 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.220 with power, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.819 through his Spirit, 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.179 in your inner being, 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.379 that is, 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:39.139 that Christ may dwell, 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.960 in your hearts, 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.700 through faith. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.759 Now once again, 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.639 this is one of Paul's, 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.980 long sentences, 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.119 that you need to, 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:45.579 kind of like, 00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:47.259 what is he actually saying? 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.319 Think of this, 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:50.139 high calling, 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.359 that Paul has for the church, 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:51.619 right? 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.839 To be an ambassador, 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:54.460 for heaven on earth. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.179 That through the church, 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.599 God is, 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.440 bringing about, 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.460 this cosmic plan. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.299 We are, 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.420 this new humanity, 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:03.120 a billboard of his grace. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.539 Paul's painted, 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.880 this extremely high, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.559 view of the church, 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:08.000 and what it means, 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.580 to be a Christian. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.960 As we said earlier, 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.519 it's not just, 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.600 hold on to one day, 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.500 I get to heaven. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.360 Actually, 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.320 a Christian is someone, 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.039 who's been delivered, 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.380 from darkness to light, 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.600 from death to life. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.600 You're an agent, 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.400 of his grace. 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:21.360 And now Paul gets on his knees, 00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.279 and he prays, 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.480 for God's power, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.539 and God's Spirit, 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.799 to be at work, 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:27.340 in these new believers, 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:30.599 that God will do something, 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.279 inside of them. 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.079 And he prays this, 00:24:32.459 --> 00:24:33.439 I pray that God, 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.539 will grant you, 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.379 to be strengthened, 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.039 with power, 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:37.359 through his Spirit, 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.980 in your inner being. 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.720 The Greek word, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.740 for power there, 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.259 is the word, 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.159 dunamis, 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.879 dunamis, 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.079 which is where we get, 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.720 our English word, 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.539 dynamite. 00:24:46.959 --> 00:24:48.459 This burst of explosion, 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.619 this burst of energy, 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.179 and power. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.879 That's what Paul prays, 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.199 is that, 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.880 you, 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.400 me, 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:53.900 us, 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.460 Christians, 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.340 will have this, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.319 power, 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.420 inside of us, 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.360 deep in our hearts, 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.920 that changes us, 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:00.779 and, 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.700 calls us to be, 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.960 the people he's called us to be. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.960 In Colossians 1, 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.840 Paul prays, 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.500 almost the same thing, 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.640 he's got almost the same words, 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.620 listen to how he says it, 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.460 actually, 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.740 I don't know if it's up there, 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.380 there it is. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.000 He says, 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:15.580 I pray that you may be strengthened, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.940 with power, 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:19.140 according to his glorious might, 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.620 for all endurance, 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:21.959 and patience. 00:25:22.959 --> 00:25:23.859 That's what we need, 00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:24.099 right? 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:26.919 Many of us have become Christians, 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:27.439 recently, 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.519 in the last few months, 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.619 or few years. 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.699 The Christian journey, 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.759 is a marathon, 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.679 it's not a sprint. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.939 When my dad, 00:25:35.959 --> 00:25:36.639 became a Christian, 00:25:36.739 --> 00:25:37.939 he was 19 years old, 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:38.899 and he was, 00:25:39.459 --> 00:25:40.799 a real mess, 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.879 he became a Christian, 00:25:41.979 --> 00:25:42.559 at university, 00:25:43.239 --> 00:25:43.759 and he, 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:46.139 he dropped out, 00:25:46.239 --> 00:25:46.799 of university, 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.519 because, 00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:48.979 he got so involved, 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.199 in church life, 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.659 like every day, 00:25:51.739 --> 00:25:52.119 he was just, 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.959 at church meetings, 00:25:52.959 --> 00:25:54.019 and he, 00:25:54.239 --> 00:25:54.839 pretty much failed, 00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.759 first year university, 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:56.739 and, 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:58.399 that was the end, 00:25:58.459 --> 00:25:59.059 of his university, 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.159 because he, 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.259 just became this Christian, 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:01.639 and he thought, 00:26:01.739 --> 00:26:02.179 it's a sprint, 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.259 I'm going to change the world, 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:03.939 now, 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.379 today, 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:04.979 no, 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.119 no, 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.239 no, 00:26:05.239 --> 00:26:05.939 it's not a sprint, 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.979 it's a marathon, 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:08.599 and what that means, 00:26:08.679 --> 00:26:09.759 we need endurance, 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.779 we need steadfastness, 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:13.219 we need patience, 00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:14.139 to become the people, 00:26:14.239 --> 00:26:15.099 God's called us to be, 00:26:15.719 --> 00:26:16.159 the vision, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.979 of the Christian life, 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.639 Paul paints, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.700 is not something, 00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:19.340 you can do, 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.000 or accomplish, 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.660 on your own, 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.200 it requires this deep, 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.640 Holy Spirit's power, 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.880 the resurrected, 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:25.680 living God, 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.440 inside of us, 00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:28.860 and as God's spirit, 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.880 has a work in us, 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.860 he will, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.880 do the work, 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.540 that we can't do, 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:32.980 on our own, 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.380 you know, 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.220 I was recently, 00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:36.680 at a meeting, 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.700 with a bunch of pastors, 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.580 in Hong Kong, 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.580 and one of the pastors, 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:40.960 stood up, 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.120 he's a big guy, 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.080 and, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.039 he, 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.519 he, 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:46.559 he was very stirring, 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.039 and he said, 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.179 I know it's been a, 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.119 it's a tough time, 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.399 it's been difficult, 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.699 but come on, 00:26:52.199 --> 00:26:53.059 put yourself together, 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.919 we need some fire, 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.639 in our bones, 00:26:55.699 --> 00:26:56.919 and we can do this, 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.240 you've been called here, 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.759 for a reason, 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.279 come on pastors, 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.639 you can do it, 00:27:01.679 --> 00:27:02.439 get some fire, 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.079 in your bones, 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.659 that was his, 00:27:03.699 --> 00:27:04.559 his phrase, 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.199 that he used, 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.399 and, 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.839 and I thought to myself, 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.659 that's not what Paul does, 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.439 Paul doesn't, 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:12.019 give this rousing speech, 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.240 and, 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.599 Paul on their emotions, 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.519 say come on, 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.500 toughen up, 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.440 we can do it, 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.039 what does Paul do, 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:20.279 he gets on his knees, 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.460 and he prays, 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.720 and he says, 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.700 God this church, 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.200 in Ephesus, 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.160 this young, 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.240 small church, 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.900 if they to become, 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.379 the church, 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.480 that you called them to be, 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.599 they need something, 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.639 that they don't have, 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.180 on their own, 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:35.099 they need you, 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.859 to do something, 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.639 inside of them, 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.119 that they can't accomplish, 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.980 on their own, 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.759 they need your power, 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.000 and they need your strength, 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:43.039 and so Paul gets, 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:43.720 on his knees, 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.240 and he prays, 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.180 and he says, 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.960 I pray, 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.480 that God, 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.639 will strengthen you, 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.319 with power, 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.619 through his spirit, 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.599 in your inner being, 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.160 and then he says, 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.000 the same thing, 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.460 another way, 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.680 that Christ, 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:56.819 may dwell, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.099 in your hearts, 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.859 in John 15, 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.500 Jesus says, 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.799 abide in Christ, 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.740 and here he prays, 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.420 that Christ, 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.500 will abide, 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.559 in them, 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:09.200 in 2 Corinthians chapter 4, 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.039 there's this amazing, 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.659 verse, 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.779 I forgot to put on the slide, 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.319 so you're going to have, 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:13.779 to listen up, 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.440 he says this, 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.379 Paul says, 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.480 we are afflicted, 00:28:16.540 --> 00:28:17.520 in every way, 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.700 but we're not crushed, 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.320 we are perplexed, 00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:21.040 but we're not driven, 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.700 to despair, 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.300 we are persecuted, 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:25.080 but we're not yet forsaken, 00:28:25.540 --> 00:28:26.580 we're struck down, 00:28:27.020 --> 00:28:28.060 but we're not destroyed, 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.200 so he's talking, 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.039 about the difficulty, 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.080 of the Christian life, 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.319 right, 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:31.640 I mean, 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.620 he's going through, 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.400 a tough time, 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.460 afflicted, 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:37.519 perplexed, 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.240 persecuted, 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.299 struck down, 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.500 life is tough, 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.740 and then he says, 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.559 this amazing thing, 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:42.980 he says, 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.900 but we do not lose heart, 00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:47.720 though our outer self, 00:28:47.840 --> 00:28:49.039 is wasting away, 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.660 our inner self, 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.660 is being renewed, 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:53.240 day by day, 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.500 isn't that an amazing thing, 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:56.759 because as you get, 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.799 older in life, 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.180 your body starts to, 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.519 age, 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:00.980 right, 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:03.140 I'm not looking at any of you, 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.640 in particular, 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.720 I'm just going to keep my eyes, 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.580 to myself, 00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:08.000 as you get older, 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:09.460 your body starts to, 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.200 waste away, 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.980 starts to age, 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.000 creaks, 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:13.920 aches, 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.299 lose your hair, 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.819 right, 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.720 but, 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.200 he says, 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:20.480 our inner self, 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.480 gets renewed, 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:24.000 and isn't that an amazing thing, 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:25.039 have you ever seen somebody, 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:25.279 who, 00:29:25.840 --> 00:29:26.720 the older they get, 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:28.140 the more passionate they get, 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:30.220 the more gracious they get, 00:29:30.820 --> 00:29:32.180 the more in love with Christ, 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.700 they get, 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:34.700 the more like Christ, 00:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.440 they become, 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.820 that's what Paul prays, 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.940 that as God, 00:29:39.040 --> 00:29:39.680 by his spirit, 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.960 as Christ dwells, 00:29:41.020 --> 00:29:42.400 in our inner being, 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.380 in our hearts, 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.580 through his spirit, 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.360 he renews us, 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.660 and he sanctifies us, 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.780 and he changes us, 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.960 friends, 00:29:50.020 --> 00:29:50.900 this is the kind of prayer, 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.680 that we should pray, 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:52.460 for Watermark, 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.400 for our children, 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.440 for our families, 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.680 as your children grow up, 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.700 Mick and Graham, 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.039 you're going to be, 00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:59.440 dedicating Calum next week, 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:01.240 as your children grow up, 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.940 don't just pray, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.720 for their teachers, 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.240 and that they get, 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.039 into a good school, 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.740 and they get a good job, 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.500 yes, 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.380 those things are good, 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.440 friends, 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.319 what we should be praying, 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.019 for our families, 00:30:10.100 --> 00:30:10.779 and for our church, 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.660 is that Christ, 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.519 by his spirit, 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.620 will indwell our hearts, 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.079 that his power, 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.740 will be at work, 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:16.340 in our lives, 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.660 that we will be rooted, 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.480 and grounded, 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.539 in the gospel, 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.480 in Christ's love, 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.700 that we will grow, 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.500 to become mature, 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.079 that we will become, 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:24.500 the fullness of God, 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:24.839 that when, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.740 when the world looks at us, 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.819 and our children, 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:30.039 they will see something of Christ, 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.539 that we will grow, 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.319 into maturity, 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.360 and can change, 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:33.660 friends, 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:35.759 this is Christ's high calling, 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.940 for us in the church, 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.519 this is nothing less, 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.640 than what God envisions, 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.360 for us, 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.420 and for that, 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.559 we need the spirit's power, 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.839 and for that, 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.940 we need to pray, 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.839 now there's one last part, 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.339 of this verse, 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.180 that we didn't look at, 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:51.640 verse 20 and 21, 00:30:51.820 --> 00:30:52.640 and that's this, 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:54.160 now this call, 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.340 to become mature, 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:56.519 disciples, 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.320 to be rooted, 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.680 and anchored, 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.360 God's love, 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.759 to be filled, 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.740 with God's power, 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:01.519 and his spirit, 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.779 and this vision, 00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:04.660 how are we going to, 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.779 become these kinds of people, 00:31:05.820 --> 00:31:06.779 feels overwhelming, 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:08.740 and why should God, 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.580 answer our prayer, 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.440 I mean maybe you feel like, 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.440 life is hard enough, 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.000 as it is, 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.400 and now I've just come to church, 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.140 now the pastor, 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.019 just told me to do, 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.779 a whole lot more, 00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:18.100 and you can feel like, 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.820 oh my God, 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:20.119 just add another weight, 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.859 to my load, 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.220 pastor, 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.480 thank you very much, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.559 well look at verse 20, 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.480 Paul prays this, 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:26.819 he says, 00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:28.200 now to him, 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.859 that's God, 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.539 who is able to do, 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.980 far more abundantly, 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:33.379 than all we ask, 00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:33.960 or think, 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.859 according to the power, 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.619 the dunamis, 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.720 the dynamite, 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.000 and work with this, 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.240 that is within us, 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.980 to him be glory, 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.759 in the church, 00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:44.000 and in Christ Jesus, 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.179 through all generations, 00:31:45.419 --> 00:31:46.279 forever and ever, 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.240 amen, 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.980 Paul ends this great prayer, 00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:50.879 with the doxology, 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.819 doxology is a burst of praise, 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:56.839 and he praises God, 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.519 for the fact that, 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.519 God is able to do, 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.859 more than we can do on our own, 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.019 more than we can imagine, 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.839 and this verse of verse, 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.920 we love to use, 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.059 when we're facing difficulty, 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.359 right, 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.639 God I've got a job interview, 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.079 tomorrow, 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.440 but thank God, 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.619 that you are able to do, 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.460 abundantly more, 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.420 than even I could ask, 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:11.879 or imagine, 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:13.260 or God, 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.480 I really want my kids, 00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:15.580 to get into that school, 00:32:16.100 --> 00:32:16.900 please God, 00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:18.040 well you are able, 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.120 to do abundantly more, 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.800 than I could ask, 00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:20.360 or imagine, 00:32:21.760 --> 00:32:23.660 or God, 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.280 I know I've committed, 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.880 this crime, 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.040 Lord I need the judge, 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:26.660 to let me off, 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.600 please you can do, 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.440 abundantly more, 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.200 than I could ask, 00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:29.840 or imagine, 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.040 no that's not, 00:32:31.040 --> 00:32:31.760 what Paul's saying, 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:32.900 he's saying, 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.800 this vision, 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.640 for the church, 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:36.500 to be heaven on earth, 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:38.000 it's impossible, 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.940 never going to happen, 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.200 unless, 00:32:42.100 --> 00:32:43.259 he who is able, 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.580 to do abundantly more, 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.240 than we are able, 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:45.920 to ask, 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.460 or imagine, 00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.900 by his power, 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:49.000 and his spirit, 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.340 and work within us, 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:51.320 can change us, 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:52.240 and mature us, 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.000 and grow us, 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.380 to become the church, 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.660 that we call to be, 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.799 and so Paul prays, 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.640 and he gets on his knees, 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.680 and he prays that, 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.279 God will do this, 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:02.940 and his confidence, 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.900 is that God is able, 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:04.400 to do it, 00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:05.779 but also, 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.539 his confidence, 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.660 that God is committed, 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.120 to do it, 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.440 why? 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:10.100 Because God is committed, 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.019 to his own glory, 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.680 he's so committed, 00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.340 to his own glory, 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.019 that he's willing, 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.640 to do it, 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.299 friends, 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.340 Paul gets on his knees, 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.900 and he prays, 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:19.140 that God will impart, 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:19.980 his power, 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.820 to these believers, 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:21.740 and touch their lives, 00:33:21.840 --> 00:33:22.160 deeply, 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.820 they'll have a, 00:33:22.820 --> 00:33:24.320 deeper experience, 00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:25.580 of his profound love, 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:25.900 for them, 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.759 and that as that happens, 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.160 he will, 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:29.299 God will grow them, 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:30.140 and mature them, 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.460 to the full stature, 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.640 of the measure of God, 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:34.039 to him be glory, 00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:35.360 in the church, 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:36.080 in our church, 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.779 in Watermark, 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.000 in the church in Hong Kong, 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.700 in Christ Jesus, 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.740 through all generations, 00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:41.600 both now, 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.100 and forever, 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.220 Amen. 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.240 Let's pray together, 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.340 and let's ask God, 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:47.480 to do this in our midst. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.160 Friends, 00:33:48.160 --> 00:34:04.620 this passage, 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.539 tells us, 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:07.120 God's plan for our lives, 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.420 and for the church, 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.659 what God's desire is, 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.159 let's respond. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:15.159 God's plan for some of us, 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.699 maybe we've been Christians, 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.659 for many years, 00:34:17.819 --> 00:34:18.379 20 years, 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:18.980 30 years, 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:20.059 but we're still, 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:22.379 baby Christians, 00:34:23.379 --> 00:34:24.659 maybe God wants us, 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.319 to grow, 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.099 and mature, 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.699 maybe for many years, 00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.599 you've been putting it off, 00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.739 you've been prioritizing, 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.359 other things, 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.339 you've been putting Christ, 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:33.099 into the back burner, 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:34.699 and today, 00:34:34.899 --> 00:34:36.039 God wants, 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:37.099 to change that, 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.440 he wants you, 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.219 to grow up, 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.119 into the maturity, 00:34:40.859 --> 00:34:41.339 that he's got, 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.359 that he's called you to, 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:45.459 to abide in Christ, 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.159 and to have Christ, 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:46.919 abide in you. 00:34:47.939 --> 00:34:49.019 Why don't you come before him, 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:50.019 and ask him to do that? 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:51.719 Why don't you, 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:52.539 freshly surrender? 00:34:54.439 --> 00:34:54.699 Friends, 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:55.199 for some of us, 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:56.639 we need the spirit's power, 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.579 we need for Christ, 00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:58.559 to dwell in our hearts, 00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.619 you feel like you're, 00:35:00.899 --> 00:35:02.500 just walking this road, 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.139 on your own, 00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.679 you feel like your Christian journey, 00:35:04.879 --> 00:35:06.039 has maybe been a slug, 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:07.759 it's been hard work, 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:09.800 and you maybe, 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.500 just want a fresh, 00:35:10.520 --> 00:35:11.500 encounter of the, 00:35:11.560 --> 00:35:13.000 God the Holy Spirit, 00:35:14.200 --> 00:35:18.220 God come and do it, 00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:18.600 I pray. 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.280 Friends, 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.940 for some of us, 00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:23.000 we need to know, 00:35:23.120 --> 00:35:23.920 the love of Christ, 00:35:24.060 --> 00:35:24.960 we need to know, 00:35:25.040 --> 00:35:25.660 it's with the knowledge, 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.700 that surpasses, 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.140 knowledge, 00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:29.560 that surpasses, 00:35:29.560 --> 00:35:30.160 understanding. 00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:36.940 Why don't you ask God, 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:38.000 to come and do that, 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.820 in your life, 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.380 in your heart? 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.179 Why don't you, 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:40.760 like Paul, 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.139 metaphorically, 00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:43.099 get on your knees, 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:47.220 say Jesus, 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:47.900 I need you, 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.579 I want you, 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.639 I want you to come, 00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:49.940 and, 00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:51.760 pour your spirit, 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.539 into my heart, 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:54.380 strengthen me, 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.079 for the journey, 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:57.220 with patience, 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:57.940 and endurance, 00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:59.099 to walk this road, 00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:02.240 and God, 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:03.059 I'm tired of putting you, 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.760 in the back burner, 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:05.019 prioritizing other things, 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.579 as Jesus, 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.639 I want to grow, 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.559 to the fullness, 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:09.880 of what you've called me to be, 00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:12.179 I don't want to still be, 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.900 20 years old, 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.639 and acting like an, 00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.239 eight year old, 00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:16.119 I want to be the Christian, 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:16.940 you've called me to be, 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:19.480 or maybe you want to say, 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:19.840 God, 00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.440 I know, 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:22.699 I've heard about your love, 00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:23.840 and I know it in theory, 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:25.380 but actually, 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.639 I want to know it in my heart, 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.920 I want to experience it, 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.559 I want to know, 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.619 the love of Christ, 00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:34.980 why don't you ask God, 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.900 to do that in you now, 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:46.480 Holy Spirit, 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.420 come and, 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.519 minister to us, 00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:49.219 I pray God, 00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:54.439 come and, 00:36:54.439 --> 00:36:55.299 come and, 00:36:55.299 --> 00:36:57.679 come and stand, 00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:58.819 come and stand, 00:36:59.119 --> 00:36:59.639 come and stand, 00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:11.839 come and stand, 00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:19.280 Father, I pray that you will pour your Spirit upon us, Lord, and in us. 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:24.840 God, you'll strengthen us, those that are weary and anxious and heavy laden, 00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:28.100 those that feel exhausted and worn out. 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:36.800 God, pour your dynamic Spirit in our hearts and empower us and strengthen us. 00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:41.920 God, for some of us that have lost hope and we are despairing, 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:45.180 Jesus, pour your Spirit into our hearts. 00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:47.920 Carry us and sustain us. 00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:55.560 God, think of Isaiah 40 where you say even youths will grow weary and grow tired, 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.840 but you will carry us. 00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:59.940 You will raise us up on wings like eagles, God, and carry us. 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:01.460 God, by your Spirit, do that. 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:09.500 God, I pray, pour your Spirit into our hearts and open the eyes of our hearts to see the love of Christ. 00:38:10.740 --> 00:38:13.480 Won't you anchor and root us in the Gospel, God, 00:38:14.179 --> 00:38:19.199 that though we are more sinful and broken and twisted than we can imagine, 00:38:19.699 --> 00:38:24.059 we are infinitely more loved than we could ever hope to be true, God.