Ephesians Part 6: Infinitely More than We Might Ask or Think || Rachel Kemp

Vineyard Church Cardiff

Sunday 3rd March, 2024 - West & North Sites Sunday 10th March, 2024 - Central Site AM&PM Speaker - Rachel Kemp Rachel concludes this series of studies with a close look at chapter 3 of Ephesians. She reminds us that Ephesians is a book of two halves - chapters 1 to 3 are Paul telling us the Gospel – the good news of Jesus, while chapters 4 to 6, is all about how we should live in response to the Gospel, in light of our identity in God. The church is not a side project of God’s, while He is busy with the real business of running the universe. We are not God’s creative outlet at the end of a busy day. We are on the front line. We are in the secret planning meetings in the war against the enemy. It is us, his church, that shows the enemy that he has lost – because, as Paul repeats over and over again in this letter to the Ephesians, every person on Earth can now be in the family of God, by grace, through Christ Jesus. And our church reflects that. It is why Paul thinks it’s so important that the church is unified. Paul then prays for the Ephesian Christians, that they may be strengthened through the Holy Spirit so that Christ can dwell in their hearts, and so that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Rachel explains that the Holy Spirit in us makes us supernaturally strong. So, Rachel reminds us, before we get too bogged down in doing loads of stuff for God, in trying really hard to be good enough, it is so important that we understand who God is, what he has done for us, and who we are - what our identity and purpose is as a result. Chapter 3 v 1 - 13 1) For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2) Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4) In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5) which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6) This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7) I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8) Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10) His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11) according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12) In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13) I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14) For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 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. ------- Recorded at North Site - 03Mar2024