The Father (14)The whole family (15)

• Ep.2:18-19; 4:6• Church militant / triumphant• Death does not end our relationship

A group united by descentfrom a common ancestor.

Named after the father.

Paul’s Prayer1. Mightily strengthened with power

through Spirit, 16

• Agent: Holy Spirit• Object: strength• Sphere: inner being• Resources: riches of His glory

Opposite oflosing heart (13)

Strengthen your inner being w. power through His Spirit (NRSV). 2 Co.4:16

Paul’s Prayer2. That you may comprehend

love of Christ (17-19a)• Agent: Christ• Object: dwell in heart• Condition: through faith• Result: rooted, grounded in love• Purpose: comprehend love of Christ

“Metaph., divine powers, influences, etc., are said to dwell in one…to dwell in his soul, to pervade, prompt, govern it”Heart = mind, 4:23; Hb.8:10; 10:16

Width, length, height, depth

Wide enough to reach

whole world

Long enoughfor blessing of

eternal life

High enough to reach heaven

Deep enough to release

satan’s grip

His love passes knowledge

• Paradox: to know the unknowable

• Paul preached (prayed) over their heads . . . and his own

To cast beyond, e.g. in a spear-throwing context…to attain a degree that extra-ordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent, go beyond, surpass, outdo” – BDAG

Paul’s Prayer3. That you may be filled with all

the fullness of God (19)• Agent: God• Purpose: filled w. all His fullness• Extent: with = up to; in every respect

• He fills each to capacity– Be all that you can be– Have everything He has for us

Grow into Him in every respectCol.1:9; 2:9-10

Mt.5:48; Jn.1:16;2 Co.3:18; 1 Pt.1:15-16

Ep.1:23Ep.4:10Ep.4:13Ep.4:15

Doxology

• How powerful is God?

1. He can do2. What we ask3. What we think4. All we ask or think5. More than this6. Much more7. Very much more

God can do infinitely

more than we can ask or conceive

To Him be the glory

• Instrument: in the church

Missionary societies give glory to man’s institutionsDenominations give glory to founders, not to GodChurch: the masterpiece of God’s grace (2:7)

To Him be the glory

Ep.1:6, 12, 14• Recognize His honor, splendor…

• To all generations (does not change w. times)

Not to glorify the church :

“to Him be the glory” (Ep.3:21)

Not to exalt wisdom of man:“The church must

change”