Deeper Roots
Thoughts from Sunday morning at the Living Room’s Gathering
I love the book of Ephesians, the Lord has spoken to me more through this book than any other book of the Bible.
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:14–21 NIV11)
There are Four things that I would like to say about these verses:
- Importance of Prayer
- Powerful People need Power
- Powerful People need Love
- Powerful People are hungry for more
Importance of Prayer
Paul is writing this letter from a prison in Rome, it is very possible that his friend Timothy was writing as Paul was too old or too fragile to write it. Paul travelled the world, preaching the gospel and planting churches, healing the sick and sharing the Gospel of Jesus.
Now in prison, he writes to the Church in Ephesus, not only does he write a powerful theological letter but his heart is revealed. We see his passion for the presence of Jesus and as he prays for the church we are invited to see the one who has captivated his heart, the one he adores and worships, God.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV11)
This is Paul’s doxology. Doxology comes from the word “praise -glory “and the word “logia” meaning “word”. Paul here is Praising God with a “good word of praise”.
Paul prays that we may have an encounter with the most powerful God.
“For this reason I bow my knees so that you may have an encounter”.
Our prayers should lead us to an encounter with Jesus and when that happens there is only one response and that is worship.
