Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, we’re investigating the incredible depths of Ephesians chapter 3, where the Apostle Paul unveils the mysteries and wonders of God's grand plan for His people. Ephesians is often referred to as a glorious book, and for good reason. It is here that we see the intricate workings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all converging in the most magnificent way to shape the Church into a glorious entity. Let's journey together through these powerful verses and discover the treasures that await us.

Friends, let's begin by setting the stage. Paul is writing to the believers in Ephesus, reminding them of the immense riches they possess in Christ. He starts by praising God for the spiritual blessings bestowed upon us in the heavenly places. The entire Trinity is involved in this divine orchestration: the Father planned our redemption, the Son accomplished it, and the Holy Spirit applies it to our lives. Isn't that simply astounding?

As we delve into Ephesians 3, we find Paul praying for the Ephesians, asking God to grant them strength through His Spirit, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they might grasp the vast dimensions of Christ's love. This is more than just a prayer; it's an invitation to explore the boundless love and power available to us as believers. Paul desires that we not only know about these truths but experience them fully in our daily lives.

In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul highlights the two major instruments God uses in our salvation and growth: the Word and the Spirit. These two are always found together in Scripture. After we believed God's Word, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance. This sealing signifies ownership and security. Friends, can you imagine a seal of ownership from God Himself? It’s like a royal stamp declaring, “This one is mine.”

When we look at the concept of being sealed by the Holy Spirit, we see a beautiful picture of assurance and security. Romans 8:16 tells us, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” This is more than just a feeling; it's a divine confirmation. The Spirit’s presence within us is a down payment, a foretaste of the glory to come. It's like tasting the first fruits of a harvest, knowing that there's so much more abundance on the way.

Paul is sure of the Ephesians' faith because he sees two vital signs: faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints. Salvation starts with faith and finds its maturity in love. This is a powerful reminder that our walk with God is both vertical and horizontal—our faith connects us to God, and our love connects us to others. Friends, how often do we measure our spiritual growth by these two markers? Faith and love are the hallmarks of a life transformed by the gospel.

In verses 17-18, Paul prays that the Ephesians might be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to know what they have in Christ. He wants them to grasp three key aspects: the hope of their calling, the riches of God's glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. This is a profound revelation. The hope of our calling reminds us that our future is secure, anchored in the promises of God. The riches of His inheritance tell us that we are precious to Him, valued beyond measure. And the greatness of His power assures us that we are not alone; God's mighty power is at work within us.

The hope Paul speaks of is not a wishful thinking but a confident expectation of good. Romans 8:18 affirms, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Our hope enables us to see beyond our current circumstances to the glorious future God has prepared for us. It’s like wearing a helmet that protects our minds from the enemy's lies and reminds us of our eternal destiny.

Friends, let’s reflect on the wonders of what we have now. Paul describes it as the riches of God’s grace. This grace is unsearchable, limitless, and always available. It's like looking through a telescope and realising that the universe is far vaster than we can comprehend. We are forever discovering more of God's grace, and it’s all ours in Christ. Under the old covenant, the law could only point to the Promised Land, but grace actually brings us into it. What a privilege!

Paul doesn't pray for the Ephesians to receive power; he prays for them to realise the power they already have. This power is the same mighty strength that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at God's right hand. Under the old covenant, God spoke of the power of creation, but under the new covenant, He speaks of the power of resurrection. This is a power that not only undoes the effects of sin but also overcomes death itself. Friends, do we live with the awareness of this resurrection power within us?

Consider the story of a young man who inherits a vast estate but continues to live in a small cottage, unaware of his true inheritance. This is often how we live our Christian lives—unaware of the vast spiritual wealth at our disposal. Paul’s prayer is that we would move out of our “cottages” and start exploring and enjoying the grand “estate” that God has given us in Christ.

Friends, as we internalise these truths, we see that we are not deficient but sufficient for the totality of life. God's provision through His Spirit is more than enough for any challenge we face. When we understand that we are sealed by the Spirit, secured by His guarantee, and empowered by His might, we can face life with a confidence that transcends circumstances.

Paul's emphasis on the Trinity in Ephesians is crucial. The Father planned the church, the Son purchased it with His blood, and the Spirit applies this redemption to our lives. This divine teamwork ensures that we lack nothing in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit’s role is to bring us into the fullness of what God has planned for us. He’s our guide, comforter, and teacher, leading us into all truth.

The notion of being filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19) is staggering. Paul is not content with believers merely experiencing God's love; he wants them to be filled with it, to the point of overflowing. Imagine a cup being filled to the brim and then continuing to be filled until it overflows. That’s the kind of fullness Paul envisions for us. This overflow isn't just for our benefit but is meant to spill over into the lives of others. It’s through this overflow that we become conduits of God's love and grace to a world in desperate need.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the practical implications of this fullness. In our daily lives, how often do we operate out of our own limited resources instead of tapping into the boundless reservoir of God's love and power? The reality is that we often try to manage on our own, forgetting that we have access to divine strength and wisdom. This fullness of God is available to us in every situation—whether it’s dealing with a difficult relationship, making a challenging decision, or facing a personal trial. Friends, we are never alone; we have the fullness of God dwelling within us.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians culminates in a doxology, a beautiful expression of praise to God. In Ephesians 3:20-21, he declares, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” This doxology serves as a powerful reminder of God's limitless ability and His willingness to work through us. It's a call to trust in God's power and to give Him the glory for the incredible things He will accomplish in and through us.

As we meditate on this doxology, let's consider what it means for our prayer lives. Are we praying bold, faith-filled prayers, believing that God can do far more than we can imagine? Or are we limiting our prayers to what we think is possible in our own strength? Paul's declaration challenges us to expand our vision and to trust God for the impossible. It's an invitation to partner with God in His work, knowing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

But just to introduce a caveat here, even though we pray big bold prayers, we know, well, anyone who has walked the walk of faith for a while will know that often what we pray for doesn’t transpire. The fruit of our prayers is God’s business, and even though things may turn out differently to how we would like or have had hope for, well, this doesn’t stop us from praying and trusting God for what seems to be beyond us.

So, friends, regarding faith, this is where the rubber meets the road. Our faith isn't just about intellectual assent to theological truths; it’s about living out those truths in our daily lives. It's about stepping out in faith, trusting that God's power is at work within us, and expecting Him to move in miraculous ways. This kind of faith transforms our perspective and empowers us to live boldly for Christ.

To bring this home, let's revisit Paul's overarching message in Ephesians. He starts by laying a solid foundation of our identity in Christ, reminding us that we are chosen, adopted, redeemed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. He then moves on to describe the practical outworking of this identity in our lives, emphasising unity in the body of Christ, holy living, and spiritual warfare. Throughout it all, he underscores the importance of love and grace as the defining characteristics of our Christian walk.

As we wrap up, let’s take Paul's words to heart and allow them to shape our lives. May we be people who are rooted and grounded in love, filled with the fullness of God, and empowered by His Spirit to live out our calling. Let us embrace our identity in Christ, walk in the riches of His grace, and extend His love to a world in need.

Be blessed today my brothers and sisters, as you reflect on these profound truths. Let the assurance of God's love and the power of His Spirit fill your hearts with joy and peace. Remember, you are marked by God, secure in His love, and empowered for His purposes. Walk in this confidence and let it transform every area of your life.

Phil