Ephesians 3:1 to 3:21 Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, empowering us to grasp the boundless dimensions of his love, which surpasses human knowledge. Explain the 'mystery of Christ' revealed to Paul: Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise. Trace Paul's prayer for inner spiritual strength through the Holy Spirit. Contemplate the four dimensions of Christ's love and celebrate God's power to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Writing as 'a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,' Paul pauses to pray on his knees, offering one of the most soaring prayers in all of Scripture. The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed Paul explains that God entrusted him with a specific stewardship: the mystery of Christ. In past generations this was not made known as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to the holy apostles and prophets: 'that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.' Through the church, the multi-faceted wisdom of God is now made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms! Strengthened with Power in the Inner Being For this reason, Paul bows his knees before the Father. He asks: 'that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.' The word for 'dwell' (katoikeo) means to settle down and make oneself completely at home. Paul prays that our inner core would be renovated and governed by Christ's resident presence. The Four Dimensions of Boundless Love Being rooted and grounded in love, Paul prays that believers may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, filled with all the fullness of God. Paul concludes with a thunderous doxology: 'Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.' Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20 to 3:21 What is the specific 'mystery' revealed to Paul in Ephesians 3:6? That angels would become human That Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ A secret password for salvation The date of the end of the world That Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ The mystery is that Gentiles are full co-heirs with Jewish believers in the promises of Christ. What does Paul pray will happen to our 'inner being' in Ephesians 3:16? To become wealthy To be strengthened with power through the Spirit so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith To be free from all physical pain To memorize laws To be strengthened with power through the Spirit so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith Paul prays for inner spiritual strengthening by the Spirit so Christ may make his home in our hearts. What does Paul declare God is able to do in Ephesians 3:20? Only what we verbally request Far more abundantly than all that we ask or think Nothing beyond natural laws Only small favors Far more abundantly than all that we ask or think Paul rejoices that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine. Spend ten minutes on your knees in quiet worship this week, meditating on the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love for you. Father, strengthen our inner being through your Holy Spirit. May Christ make his home in our hearts through faith. Root us deeply in your boundless love, and do far more abundantly in and through our lives than we could ever ask or imagine. Amen. What does it mean for Christ to 'dwell' and make himself at home in our hearts rather than just being a temporary guest? How does the truth that God can do 'far more abundantly than all we ask or think' reshape your prayer life? Lead high school youth into the contemplative depths of Christ's four-dimensional love and reliance on God's limitless power. Ask students to describe the deepest ocean trench or the expanse of the universe. Compare these unfathomable dimensions to the love of Christ. How can we know a love that surpasses knowledge? Clarify that while our finite human minds cannot fully comprehend it, our hearts can experience its reality through the Spirit. 5 minutes hook, 20 minutes exposition, 15 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.