Leading Homeward
Ten Commandments
August 4, 2024
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 asks God to root believers in the immeasurable love of Christ, enlarge Christ's indwelling by faith, strengthen the inner self, and fill the church with the knowledge of that love so it overflows into obedient living, with the church and means of grace as the place this growth is realized.
Summary
Beginning with the hymn 'Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus,' the sermon uses Ephesians 1–3 as a foundation to explain Paul's prayer for the church: that believers would be rooted and grounded in Christ's love, that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith, and that their inner being would be strengthened so they can grasp the vast dimensions of that love—love that surpasses knowledge. This growing grasp of Jesus' boundless love leads to deeper obedience; Paul urges God to do much more in us so the overflow becomes a faithful life. The church and the ordinary means of grace (worship, singing, mutual encouragement) are where God answers this prayer and anchors believers in that love. The sermon closes in prayer asking God to increase Christ's seat in our souls and strengthen our inner man.
Key Points
- Opens with the hymn 'Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus' as a lens for seeing Christ's vast love
- Notes Ephesians structure: chapters 1–3 (Father, Son, Spirit building the church) and 4–6 (obedience)
- Emphasizes Paul's prayer as a call for God to do much more for believers, rooted in love
- Paul's specific requests: be rooted and grounded in love; Christ to dwell in hearts by faith; inner strength (strengthen the inner man)
- Aim: to grasp the dimensions of Christ's love (how far it reaches, whether it runs out) and to know that which surpasses knowledge
- Result: a fuller experience of Jesus' love that overflows into obedience
- Means: the church and the ordinary means of grace (worship, singing, fellowship) are where God anchors this growth
- Concludes with a prayer asking God to increase Christ's presence in our souls and strengthen us inwardly
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