Strength to Comprehend Love
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Sermon Outline
We need spiritual power so we must ask God for it.
1. Power
vv16-17 “he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”
2. Knowledge
v18 “may have strength to comprehend…”
v19 “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…”
3. Love
v17 “that you, being rooted and grounded in love”
v20-21 “…able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church…”
Prayer of Confession
Our Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, have mercy on us. We are weakened by sin. We are discouraged because of our failures and the failings of the things we have taken hold of. With confusion we don’t see you or comprehend your love, though it is broad, long, high and deep. We thank you that you do abundantly more than we ask or think. We pray for forgiveness. Make known to us the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Strengthen us with your Spirit. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What makes someone strong?
Why is strength desirable?
How does faith in Jesus make a person stronger?
What mistakes do Christians make in regards to power?
How does comprehending God’s power and love help us?
How does the love of Christ surpass knowledge? What does it meant to know something that is bigger than what we can understand?
How do we become filled with the fulness of God? What role does prayer play in this?
How does the cross show us the breadth, length, height and depth of God’s love?
How do you root yourself and ground yourself in the love of Christ? How does the life of God, through the Spirit, work into your life when you do this?