ETERNAL PURPOSE

 

18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

This is the second half of the second of three prayers that Paul prayed for the Ephesians and this prayer has a powerful application for us today.  I love this book because this is a man who may be limited in his movement because of prison but he is anything but chained.  He is free because He has the one who sets the captive free encouraging, strengthening and empowering him.  There are so many people who claim to be free but are in truth in bondage.  Only Jesus Christ can truly set some one free.  Remember where the Spirit of the Lord there is freedom.

 

1.      In Vs 18, Paul says, “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.”  Paul wants all God’s people to have the power to really know the love of Christ.  In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed three times to have the cup of death pass from Him but two factors motivated Him to the cross, the love for mankind and the will of God.  Jesus knew we could not save ourselves.  He knew He had to do it.  He took action, He made us complete and He gave us the fruit of love. 

 

a.      Paul wants all God’s people not just in the area of Ephesus but all generations for all time to grasp, comprehend and understand the vastness of God’s love.  The unsearchable, unfathomable and beyond comprehension of God’s love.  God’s love is best illustrated by this phrase.  Three nails and a cross means forgiven.  Paul used measurement to illustrate his point.  The width, length, height and depth of God’s love.  Truth be told you cannot measure the love of Christ.

b.      Frank Thompson said that it was the cords of love that kept Christ on the cross.  It was love that motivated Him to be our substitute and sacrifice.  It was love that moved Him to allow His body to be broken and His blood shed.  This was Paul’s prayer.  Lord let you people begin to see, acknowledge, comprehend and understand the incredible vastness of God’s love.  That why while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  Jesus said, “No greater love can be given than when you lay down your life for a friend. “

 

2.      In vs 19, Paul states, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  The Bible definition of the word know is as follows, “To perceive with certainty; to understand clearly; to have a clear and certain perception of truth, fact, or anything that actually exists.”  The Bible says it is truth and you believe it and that settles it.    Paul knows that this love surpasses, is greater and more powerful than any knowledge.  How to you put love under a microscope, run tests on it, do experiments or do an analysis of it.  Science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.  Science can never explain or figure out love.  Love is a communicated attribute of God.  It is who He is.  He is the source, giver and embodiment of love.  In the Greek there are four applications of love.  Storge – empathy bond. Philia – friend bond. Eros – romantic love.

Agape – unconditional "God" love.

 

a.      Paul prayer is that we may be filled with his love.  Paul writes what we should exhibit the following type of love in 1 Cor 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

b.      All to be filled to all the full measure of God.  Not only filled but be continually filled.  This means a daily filling by the word and prayer.  This filling is exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit as talked about in Gal 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit of whom you are His temple.

 

3.      In Vs 20, Paul then brings one of the most powerful verses in the Bible.  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.  What a powerful thought.  God is able to do beyond measure.  In the KJV it says, exceedingly and abundantly more.  There is no limit to God.  He is a bank you cannot drain.  In Phil 4:19, it states God’s has riches and benefits in heaven waiting to be distributed and given to meet your needs.  God is the creator and sustainer of all things.  He thinks, speaks and it happens.  Did you know scientists tell us there are 8.7 million species of animals on this planet?  Over one million of these are insects.  This shows the genius of God.

 

a.      He can do beyond what we can ask or imagine.  Amazing.  Whatever dreams God gives you He can do beyond.  Talk about Youngi Cho building his church.  God can do more than you could even imagine.  Jeff Bezos has billions yet he is a piker and a pauper compared to God.  All the gold in the world is pavement in heaven.  God can do anything you dream of and beyond. 

b.      This is according to the power already working in us.  You have resurrection power.  Rom 8:11.  You have untappable power in you.  You have the Holy Spirit and since He can do anything so can you.  God gives you a dream no one and nothing can stop you.  Trust God and see what He can do.  This is divine favor and grace.  This is love in action.  Remember love is the foundation for faith and hope.  Prosperity and health are yours as your soul prospers.  Moses walked through the sea because of God.  Daniel escaped the lion’s den because of God.  Elijah brought fire from heaven because of God’s power.  George Mueller in the 19^th century at his height fed 2000 orphans everyday by faith tapping into the resources of heaven. Get this in your spirit.  God wants to use you to touch your world.  He wants to show the world what He can do through you. 

 

4.      In vs 21, Paul says, To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  God is going to show His glory which is the essence and characteristics of his nature. Glory in the Bible is to describe the splendor, holiness and majesty of God. Glory, in this sense, is often associated with a person experiencing God's presence in a tangible way. When used this way, the word glory conveys a sense of heavy dignity.

 

a.       The church which in a broad sense is the organism or organization throughout the world and in the individual sense you in your world.  We are the church.  The head of the church is Jesus Christ.  He gives the orders and He is the object and essence of the church.  He created it and sustains it.  We are heirs of all He did and has. 

b.      This is for all generations.  From Paul’s time till now.  It is forever and ever Amen.  Exclamation point.  Nothing needed or added it has been done.  Let me close with this example.  Aprons and cloths used by Paul brought healing and deliverance.  Was that Paul or God.  Obviously God.