BOOK
BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
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BIBLE
STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday May 10, 2020
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL
EMPOWERING
Ephesians 3:14-21
JESUS came to show man the difference between “parenthood” and
“fatherhood”. Parenthood or “Paternity” means “father”, purely in the “physical
sense”. It is a term that can be used even of a man who has never really seen
or spent time with his child at all. However, “fatherhood” is a term that is
much more dynamic, because it describes a man who is intimately involved with
his offspring. To merit this description, a man has to have an experiential
relationship of love and caring with his child.
Before JESUS came, man could only see GOD
in a “paternal sense”. However, when JESUS came, HE presented us with a
“physical picture” of ONE WHO knew GOD the FATHER on a personal, experiential
level. It is on this level that Paul had also come to know GOD, and he wanted
everyone in the Christian Church to understand the kind of new relationship and
power that they now found themselves having access to through the HOLY SPIRIT.
In Ephesians 3, verses 14-21 Paul prays for
“a mighty spiritual empowerment from GOD” on the Church at Ephesus. Here we see
a petition for five spiritual qualities, or “powers” that would energize the
members of the body of CHRIST in any age. Those qualities are:
·
That GOD’s people may gain a “mighty” inner
strength” from the HOLY SPIRIT. Here, in the Greek for the word “mighty”, is “krataiothenai”
(krat-ah-yo-then-ahee) which is “the power to overcome resistance”, and the Greek word used to describe “inner
strength” is “dynamis”, which is “dynamic living power and strengthened love” (v.16).
·
That CHRIST would be “more at home” in our hearts”.
The Greek word used here to describe “more at home” is “katoi-kesai” (kat-ohee-kes-ahee)
which means “to dwell ongoing”, or, “to remain with” (v.17).
·
That GOD’s people be given “the power to
understand” – in the Greek “exischusete”
(ex-is-khoo-se-te), which means, “to be entirely competent and able”, or “to
possess inherent strength” (v.18).
·
That GOD’s people may experience the love of
CHRIST”. In other words, “Know CHRIST experientially” (v.19a).
·
That GOD’s people may be filled with the
fullness of life and power that comes from GOD” (V.19b).
GOD is the true template of “fatherhood”
that all men should seek to follow, but, in order for us to do that, we must
first ask “THE PATTERN MAKER” to “empower” and “embody” us with a “SPIRITUAL
POWER” from on high, that would allow us to become the kind of leaders that HE
calls us to be.
Like a good FATHER, GOD has given us an
identity, and HE has also given us, HIS only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST, to
dwell in our hearts, the moment we first, truly believe. And, as if that
weren’t enough, HE, in addition, strengthens and empowers us with HIS HOLY
SPIRIT, because HE desires very badly, that we are successful in overcoming this
world, just as JESUS did. Our hope, prayers, and endeavor must be that we can
find ourselves in the ultimate happy ending, that has been prepared for us by GOD,
since the foundation of this world.
A
Sunday school lesson by,
Larry
D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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