Worship Fully

Below are notes from my sermon today at Hesston MB Church. 



Today begins the first week of Advent Conspiracy.  There is an insert in the bulletin with more information as well as an Advent Devotional based on AC with QR codes in the foyer.  Next week, Pastor Brad will share more about the offering for Axiom Church and the ornaments to discuss as a family.

Opening Illustration: Advent Conspiracy Video (2:15)

Today’s message is titled Worship Fully from Ephesians 3:14-21. 

What is worship? American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “the reverent love and allegiance accorded a deity, idol, or sacred object. Greek word proskyneo “action of reverence or respect”-first NT expression Wise Men visiting baby Jesus (Matthew 2:2). We typically define worship by what we do (sing, pray, preach, teach, give, serve) or how we worship (hymns, praise songs, loud, quiet, raising hands or not)

But what is at the heart of worship?  How can we worship fully?  Rather than share or convince you how and what you should do in worship, today I am going to focus on 3 of God’s gifts to us and why He is worthy of our worship.

Background-Paul is writing the letter to the Ephesians from prison.  Despite his circumstances, notice what Paul does in 3:13

Read Ephesians 3:14-21


(Vs. 16, 18, 20) Gift # 1-Power
  • Dynamis (where we get our word dynamite).
  • This power:
    • flows out of his riches.  This is a common theme for Paul-see Eph. 1:7; 2:7 (riches of his grace), 1:18; 3:16 (riches of glory), 3:8 (riches of Christ)
      • Last week video-Andy Owens’ definition of glory of God “The glory of God is all of who He is on display for the world to see.”
      • Grace is defined by Paul Zahl as “one-way love.”
    • In us-see vs. 3:16, 20; Ephesians 1:18-20
    • From Holy Spirit (who is God) see vs. 3:16, 20; Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7 

(17-19) Gift #2-Love of God
  • Rooted and established
    • Rooted-Purpose of roots-gather water from soil to keep plant alive and keep plant grounded not blowing away. Our life source is grace of Jesus.  One Way Love of God nourishes us and keeps us alive and growing.  It also keeps us grounded and from being blown away which leads to next word.
    • Foundation-Same Greek Word used in “Wise Man Built”. Our foundation is Jesus Christ. Without a strong foundation, a building crumbles.  Without our foundation built on Jesus great love for us, our faith will crumble too.
  • Holy Spirit empower us with the saints to grasp width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love
    • Why four words?  Beyond two or three dimensions
    • Best image of love of Christ is the cross. It reminds us of God’s One Way Love. Romans 5:8-“while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 8- God is for us, not against us. Nothing can separate us from this love.
    • It is unconditional. Eph. 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
    • Grace not only saves us, but it keeps us saved too.
  • Love surpasses knowledge (sounds like 1 Corin. 13:2) Knowing based on relationship, intimacy. Includes head but also the heart
  • Filled to measure of fullness of God-Hands “blessed to be a blessing”
    • “The truth that we are unconditionally loved leads us to the only place where we can truly love. The radiant smile of God penetrates our soul and awakens us to our holiness, strengthening us and leading us to love and serve. Our lives are called to be a response to God’s self-giving love. Every good thing we do in this life—love, forgive, serve—is merely an echo of the love of God. God is smiling at you. Can you see it?” (James Bryan Smith in Hidden in Christ)

(20-21) Gift # 3-Prayer
  • Reminder that all of what we have looked at today is Paul’s prayer for the church. What a great prayer to be praying for Hesston MB.
  • Vs. 20-God is able to do more than we ask or imagine. How? Through the power of the Spirit within us.  On our own, we will doubt and have a limited view of God. Rather than base our view of God on circumstances, let’s believe God’s Word.
  • We know God is able, but do we pray as if God is able.  As our view of God expands and we are reminded of His promises and who He is and who we are and the power within us, we will pray big prayers for His purposes. 
  • What is the purpose of praying big prayers?-For his glory-in church and throughout all generations and forever and ever. Amen! Let it be so.

Closing: Write down a big prayer for God’s glory you will be praying personally & Hesston MB Church

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