Day 19: Ephesians 3: 20-21: More Than We Can Ask or Imagine

God's power and purposes exceed what we can presently see. 

Paul concludes this section with praise. After reflecting on God's plan, grace, and love, he erupts into worship, declaring that God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Theology ultimately leads us into worship.

Reflection: How has God surprised you through unexpected blessings or unexpected seasons? 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Hello everyone. Welcome back again. We're in day 19. Today our topic is more than we can ask or imagine. And we're in Ephesians chapter 3, two verses today, 20 and 21. We're actually concluding the chapter today. So here we go. Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Amen. That's the word of God. God's power and purposes exceed what we can presently see. Paul's prayer ends with a doxology. Doxology comes from two Greek words, doxa, which means glory, honor, and praise, and logos, which means word, saying, expression. Doxology literally means words of praise or an expression of glory. In scripture, a doxology is a spontaneous or intentional outburst of worship that magnifies God's character, power, wisdom, or grace. It's theology turning into praise. Other examples of biblical doxologies include Romans chapter 11, verses 33 through 36. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God to him be glory forever. Amen. Today's passage, there's one in Jude, verses 24 through 25. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority. Why does Paul include doxologies? Paul's letters often move from doctrine, what God has done, to doxology, which is worship and praise, into discipleship, how we should live. Paul understood that theology was never meant to stop at information. If we truly grasp God's grace, wisdom, holiness, and love, the natural response for us is worship. A doxology is what happens when truth becomes worship. It's when understanding who God is and what he has done causes praise to overflow. For Paul, theology was never just information for the mind, it was fuel for worship. Our theology should eventually become worship too. And in Ephesians, after Paul has discussed election, adoption, redemption, reconciliation, unity, and Christ's love, Paul cannot help but praise. And let us again remember where he is right now while he's writing this. He's in prison. He's waiting. He doesn't know if he'll be released or put to death. He's restricted. He's uncertain. And yet he's worshiping. Paul's confidence isn't rooted in circumstances, it's rooted in God's character. In this passage, he says, God can do immeasurably more. The Greek almost piles superlatives on top of one another. Beyond, abundantly, above, more. Paul runs out of language trying to describe God's greatness. But notice something. This verse is often used to promise bigger dreams, promotions, or personal success. In context, Paul isn't talking about material blessings. He's talking about God's redemptive purposes. Who could have imagined Jew and Gentile becoming one family? A persecutor of the church, becoming a planter of the church and becoming an apostle. This is Paul, the crucified Messiah reigning now over all things, the church, the body of Christ, his people displaying his wisdom. God dwelling within ordinary people. God's more is often deeper than our more. Sometimes we ask for comfort, but God gives us perseverance. We ask for answers. He gives us trust. We ask for changed circumstances. And instead, he changes us. Often years later, we discover his plans were far larger than we could have imagined. Because God thinks in generations, kingdoms, eternity, not just moments. And all of it leads Paul to one place. To him be glory. Because in the end, the story is about him. God's power and purposes exceed what we can presently see. So let's reflect on this as we end today. How has God surprised you through unexpected blessings or unexpected seasons? The reflection questions have been so good this week. Please do not hesitate to pop in there and just give some of your reflections. I'd love to hear them. Love you guys.

unknown 5:37

Bye.