By being connected to the Body of Christ, we find our purpose. He has the power to make us able. 

Ephesians 1-3 is about who we are. 

Ephesians 4-6 is about what we do_.

 We need the power of God to fulfill our purpose. We are not of this world. We belong to the kingdom of God. Power comes standard with our calling. We know what God has called us to but we feel we cannot do it. Pastor tim alluded to the time he knew God called him to be a preacher, but he felt he could not do it. There is a place we should be that we are not currently at and how we get there is by the power of God. The life of following Jesus is knowing the power of God Almighty in our lives. The power of God separates us from the world. 

Q. What is something you believe God is calling you to that you feel inadequate to do?

Acts 1:8 (ESV); Romans 15:13 (ESV; 1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV); James 5:16 (ESV); 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV); 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV).

The key to finding hope is the power of the Holy Spirit. Our prayers have great power. It is not what we do but what Jesus has done for us. God has power for his people. We are his children and we are under his care and his umbrella. We may say this is unfair, but if it was fair then it would not be grace. He gives us righteousness by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). God answers our prayers when we least deserve it.

Q. What are some prayers God answered for you where you least deserved it?

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) 

In Ephesians 3 Paul has been unpacking explosive truths of who we are.  This passage is the grand finally! It is the grand finally of who we are.

BELIEVERS are designed to LIVE in the EXCEEDING POWER OF GOD.

The distance between where we should be and where we are is God’s power. The distance between our habit now and a habit broken, a marriage crumbling and a marriage restored, working for someone else and starting your own business, being doubtful and standing on His promises. We have to believe and receive His power. 

1. The Christians POWER is RECEIVED through sincere PRAYER.

Ephesians 3:14 (ESV) 

We have to ask God sincerely if we want power. Prayer was important for Paul, such as he wrote down his prayers.  The level of our sincerity in prayers is matched to the answers of our prayers.

Q. What are some ways you show God your are sincere when you are praying (or when have you prayed but were not really sincere)?

James 4:8–10 (ESV) 

We are as close to God as we presently want to be.  We have the opportunity to come into His presence and experience His glory any time we want.  He will exalt us when we humble ourselves in a situation.

Q.  Knowing you can experience his glory anytime you want should make you want to get closer to him but what are some things that prevent you from doing so?

2. The Christians POWER is EXPERIENCED INWARDLY before EXTERNALLY.

We are a world who loves to focus on the externals. God is not concerned about that. He takes care of our needs. We are overwhelmed by our problems because we don’t do any soul care.  We don’t give our anxiety to God.

 Ephesians 3:16 -17(ESV) 

The internal change happens first.  Our culture is concerned with the outer being. We are to focus on our inner being.  Paul prays that Christ will dwell in their hearts.  That means the Christ is actively taking possession of our hearts.  We should want Jesus Christ to take ownership of our lives. God comes in and weeds out the stuff we use to like. We need to let Jesus come in and clean our house.

Suggested reading: Robert Munger (click this link):  My Heart Christ’s home (free online).

Q. What things in your spiritual house need cleaning (what do you need Jesus to take ownership of)?

 When God’s POWER is working INSIDE you whatever working OUTSIDE you does not DEVASTATE you. 

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NLT); Romans 8:35-37 (ESV)

Romans 8:35–37 (ESV) 

It is how we respond to what happens to us not what happens to us. When we suffer we suffer with Christ, He gives us the power we need to undergo our suffering. 

Isaiah 54:17

Q. What is an example of how God’s power working inside you has helped you stand in the midst of something that would have normally devastated you?

3. The Christians POWER is FUELED by God’s IMMEASURABLE LOVE for me.

The Christians power is not fueled by us getting riled up in church but His immeasurable love.  When we know we are loved we can do great things and

are more successful.  God takes the lonely and puts them in a family, the family of God.  The Holy Spirit comes into our heart to show us how much God loves us.

Ephesians 3:17b-19 (ESV)

We are grounded in the Church by the organic work of the Holy Spirit.  If we root ourselves and ask for God’s Spirit there will be strength in our life to grasp the love of God and that love fuels the power of God in our lives.  This will fuel our change and develop purpose.  Even though we stumble and fall God loves us.  We cannot be separated from the love of God in Jesus Christ.

The SPIRIT and the CHURCH ground me in the LOVE of God.

Q. How has knowing you cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ given you the fuel to change and develop purpose?

4. The Christian’s POWER is BEYOND our DESIRES and our EXPECTATIONS.

Whatever we are experiencing or expecting God can do more.  An example of this is when we were in the old building and now we have 5 locations to the glory of God!  The Church should be the most exciting thing in the community! It should be the place to be.  We have a God that can do far more than we can ask or think. 

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Q. What are you currently expecting or needing that you need more of God’s power?

5. The Christians POWER is INTENDED for the GLORY of GOD.

Ephesians 3:21 (ESV) 

The prayer we should be praying is “God do ________ in my life for your glory.” 

Challenge this week: 

1. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit so you can fulfill his purpose in your life for His glory.

Fill in the blank: God do___________________ for your glory.

2. Start a prayer journal.

There’s MORE POWER to be experienced in me through the SPIRIT, CHURCH and LOVE God has for me so that I, no matter where I am, can SHOWCASE His GLORY.