Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Enriched by God! (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Bryan Schneider · April 4, 2020

Ephesians 3:14-21

sharonrpc.org/sermons/enriched-by-god-ephesians

Summary

Paul bows before the Father whose authority extends over every family and whose riches are sufficient for his people.
The prayer seeks inward strength through the Holy Spirit so that Christ dwells in believers' hearts through faith; Christian strength therefore comes from God's presence rather than self-reliance.
Believers are to be rooted like a living plant and grounded like a building in Christ's love, grasping it together with all the saints.
Christ's love surpasses knowledge not because it is unknowable, but because its breadth, length, depth, and height can never be exhausted.
God's aim is continuing growth: by his Spirit he fills and conforms his people increasingly to Christ rather than leaving them spiritually unchanged.
Paul's doxology directs confidence to the God able to do beyond what his people ask or imagine and directs glory to him in the church through every generation.
The greatest enrichment is not merely receiving gifts from God but receiving God himself—his indwelling presence, immeasurable love, transforming fullness, and the joy of praising him.

What does Paul's kneeling posture reveal about the source of Christian strength?
How does the Father's naming of every family display his authority and riches?
Why is inward strength different from self-help or self-reliance?
What does it mean for Christ to dwell in the heart through faith?
How do the images of roots and a foundation deepen our understanding of Christ's love?
In what sense can believers know a love that surpasses knowledge?
How does God's fullness relate to continuing sanctification rather than earning his favor?
How should God's ability to do beyond what we ask reshape prayer and praise?

Inner man: The inward spiritual life in which believers need the strengthening power of God's Spirit.
Indwelling: God's gracious presence in believers through the Holy Spirit, with Christ dwelling in their hearts by faith.
Rooted and grounded: Agricultural and architectural images for a life nourished by and securely founded on Christ's love.
Surpasses knowledge: Truly knowable yet inexhaustible, describing a love whose dimensions no believer can fully measure.
Fullness of God: The Spirit's continuing work of filling believers and conforming them increasingly to Christ.
Doxology: An expression of praise that ascribes glory to God for his power and grace.