Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 29, 2019

To Him Who Is Able

Ephesians 3:14-21

Our text this morning contains the second profound prayer of Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. Because of God’s incomparable character and unlimited capacity, you can experience His enablement and empowerment.

1. Introduction (14-16a)

• For this reason… (v. 14, v. 1: parenthetical digression of 3:2-13)
• posture points to intensity
• from exposition to intercession
• concept of family which proceeds from God the Father
• according to His inexhaustible resources

2. The Prayer (16b-19)

• strength: strengthened with power through the Spirit in your inner man so that Christ may be at “home”
• love: rooted (horticultural) and grounded (architectural) in love (depth as opposed to the superficial)
• knowledge: grasp of the surpassing love of Christ (four dimensions) with all the saints
• fullness: filled with all the fullness of God (points to completion)

3. The Doxology (20-21)

• “The highest aspirations are not beyond God’s power to bestow.” (J. Stott)
• able to do, able to do what we ask, able to do what we ask or think, able to do all, more, much more, way much more (according to resurrection power)
• The Giver gets the glory in the church and in Christ in the realm of time and for eternity.
• Amen: so be it!