Paul’s Second Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-21

Paul prays that these Ephesian believers will be empowered to understand the love Christ for them as members of His body, the Church. He prays that they may be “strong enough to grasp”, which means it’s not easily understood.

So, how will the Ephesians understand the love of Christ? How will we? Through the words of the Apostles and the Prophets. Through the Scriptures. The foundation on which the Church is built, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone.

Understanding the love of Christ is a “you all” thing. It’s something we understand together. And it’s something we share together. It’s as the Church that we are “filled up to all the fullness of God”. The glory of the LORD filling the house of the LORD.

That’s of course if you are a part of the Body. A member of the Church. I’m not talking about showing up on Sunday or taking a class. I’m talking about trusting in Jesus. You see, it’s when you trust in Him that you are in the Church. Until then, you may “go to church” but you are not a part of the Church. And all the things we’ve talked about…that’s not you.

But it can be. If you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus, you can today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Ephesians series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

The Mystery of Christ Revealed

Ephesians 3:1-13

Paul reveals the mystery of the gospel…the nations, us Gentiles, are fellow heirs, fellow members of the Body, and fellow sharers of the promise in Christ with our believing Jewish brothers and sisters.

Pretty incredible when you think about it. We were dead, but now we are alive. We were lost, but now we are found. We were far off, but now we have been brought near. And not only have we been brought near, but we’ve been given access to the Father through faith in Jesus. Access to the unfathomable riches of Christ.

What does that mean? Paul will go on to explain it, “to preach it”, through the rest of Ephesians. That was his ministry. That’s what he was entrusted with along with the Apostles and Prophets who recorded the words of Scripture. So, we only know what the unfathomable riches of Christ are through the Word. And that’s why it’s so important to spend time in God’s Word everyday. That’s how we get to know Him and who we are in Him and what it means to follow Him.

It also highlights the importance of “we” not “me”. We walk this Torah Road together.

That’s of course if you have trusted in Jesus. But if you haven’t yet, you can today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life and be a part of this thing called the Church.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Ephesians series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.