Strengthened by God’s Power

December 27

Admit it now …

• What are some tools or appliances you can’t live without?

• God does not leave us without out spiritual “tools”– Today we look at how He empowers us– We consider the Holy Spirit Who indwells and

equips believers for the ministries to which He calls us

Listen for a prayer request.

Ephesians 3:14-17a (NIV) For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole

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.

Strong in God’s Might

• What indicates the earnestness and urgency of his prayer?

• To whom is God the Father? • According to the passage, what was Paul’s

request?• What is the source and the means by which

the believers could be strengthened?

Strong in God’s Might

• Why might these early Christian believers need God’s strength in church life?

• Why do we need God’s strength at work in our lives and churches?

• What does it look like to be empowered by God’s Spirit, strengthened with His Spirit?

• How is God’s power at work in our lives like or unlike other powers?

God’s power is like other powers

God’s power is unlike other powers

Strong in God’s Might

• Resource of God’s strength … out of His glorious riches. So when we pray :– Pray for glorious victory

… not just that we get by– Pray your (grand)kids will be champions for Christ

… not just that they stay out of trouble or stay safe– Pray our church will have exceeding abundant

resources with which to do God’s work… not just that we stay out of the red financially

Listen for reference to dimensions.

Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV) And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may

have power, together with all the saints, 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.

Know Christ’s Love

• Why did Paul want the Ephesians to be rooted and established in love?

• What do you think Paul meant when he stated God’s love “surpasses knowledge”?

• What does it mean to be “rooted and grounded in love”?

Know Christ’s Love

• How does a believer become more firmly rooted and grounded in love?

• How is it possible to “be filled to the measure of all fullness of God”? God is infinite. What is Paul trying to communicate here?

Listen for a benediction

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 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.

Give God Glory

• How does Paul describe God’s abilities in this passage?

• Note: “Glory” describes God’s splendor.

– To glorify is to …

• What words or phrases does Paul use to glorify God, to describe His splendor?

• Admire• Point out good in• Act so others see that good

Give God Glory

• Why do you think praising/glorifying God should be such an important part of everything we do? What are some reasons that God deserves our praise?

• How does my connections with other believers deepen my experience of God’s love?

• What can we do to regularly tap into the Spirit’s power?

Applications

• Surrender– Consider whether or not you have been trying to

live the Christian life in your own power– If so, confess this and acknowledge Jesus as Lord

in your life– Begin each day asking God to be in complete

charge of your life

Applications

• Meditate– Write out a verse from our study passage that

speaks to you in a special way– Spend some time reading and thinking about this

verse– Jot down your thoughts … ask God to apply those

concepts to your life for that day

Applications

• Boldly go– Trust God to serve Him in a new and different role

that He may be leading you– Give your fear to God– Step out in faith to obey what He is calling you to

do.

Strengthened by God’s Power

December 27