Read: Ephesians 3:14-21 (audio for the sermon on this text is here)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Several years ago, I (Pastor Rick) was frustrated in my walk with God. On the outside everything looked good. On the inside, I knew things weren’t right. I lived with the fear that people would discover that I was a fraud. What I mean is that I loved God and I was a believer, but I still struggled on the inside. I tried to look perfect and good on the outside, but I knew in my heart that I struggled in significant ways with sin.
At some point, I was reading a book that led me to an experience that changed my life. For most of my life, I often felt like I was on the outside looking in at things. I was never quite good enough, or smart enough or cool enough. As I read the book, I forget why, but I saw myself on the playground at Washington Grade School for P.E. class. I was probably in the fifth grade and my classmates were in a big circle, but they wouldn’t let me in. I suddenly became aware, in my that Jesus was standing next to me. He asked why I wasn’t participating and I told him I wasn’t good enough. In that moment I sense Jesus turn to me and say, “Rick, you’ll always be good enough for me.” In that moment, I experienced the deep love of Jesus in a way I never had before. Suddenly I was able to be more open and honest about my struggles and failures because I was no longer afraid of what others would think or say. It wasn’t important. I knew the God of the universe loved me. I knew I was good enough for him.
I believe Paul is right on when he says we need the power of God to experience or truly know the boundless love of God so that we can grow to maturity. After my experience of God’s love, I found that to be true in my life. I do not pretend to be what I should be. I still struggle with sin and am nowhere near perfect, but I know that since I grasped more deeply the love of God, I have been changed and am more mature.
Have you ever had an experience of God’s love that changed your life? If you’ve never done so, take time to write it out and share it with someone.
Do you think Paul is correct that when we know and/or experience the love of God, we will grow to maturity? Why do you think that?
As you think about your life as a follower of Jesus, what experiences can you remember that helped you grow most? Were there any common elements to them?
Take a few moments to meditate on God’s love. Do you sense any invitation(s) from God? How will you respond?
I had a similar experience that began the deep healing from fear and anxieties…..because I KNEW that HE was love and it was the MOST wonderful experience I had ever known. It was the beginning of changes that the Lord made to lead to freedom. 🌷🌷