The Power of Love

Introduction

A. If we were to try to summarize the message of the Bible in one word, a number of words might come to mind. Grace. Forgiveness. Relationship. Mercy. But the word which would undoubtedly come would be the word love. It is said in a song from the turbulent 60’s, what the world needs now is love sweet love. We are told that love makes the world go round. Even in our own song books so many songs deal with love. We sing about love; we want to have love; we want to experience love; we give love away; we love our children and grandchildren; we are motivated by love; and some even do wrong things in the name of love.

B. Today we are going to look at the second prayer from Paul’s pen in the letter of Ephesians. The first prayer is found at the end of chapter one and its emphasis is on knowing God intimately. This second prayer focuses on love. As we study today we are going to be reminded of the origin of love and the importance of experiencing that love in our own lives. Our assembly is going to center around this theme of love. May we be encouraged.

The Prayer

A. Paul’s prayer actually began in 3:1, but the beginning of the prayer reminded Paul of his ministry to the Gentiles so he has a lengthy interjection from 2—13. Paul then resumes the prayer here in our text. Paul makes one request which he trusts will lead to two results and two purposes arising out of the results.

B. The simple request is found in verse 16—that God will strengthen their minds. Paul’s prayer is that God’s abundant wealth will be shared with them through the work of the Holy Spirit leading to their strengthening in their minds and hearts. Why? Remember this prayer follows the discussion about the wisdom of God in bringing Jews and Gentiles together into one new body—the church. God’s intent is that the church would reveal God’s wisdom as these who had been separated were now brought together. So their hearts and minds needed to be strengthened in order to reveal God’s wisdom.

C. This simple request, however, Paul trusts will have two results and two purposes. The first result is found in verse 17—“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” When the reader’s hearts are strengthened then Christ will live within them. The idea is that Christ will become the controlling factor in their attitudes and conduct. This result leads to the purpose that they will be able to comprehend the love of Christ.

D. The second result of Paul’s prayer is found in verse 19—that they will know Christ’s love which will lead to the purpose of being filled with the fullness of God. These results and purposes are intermingled. Christ’s dwelling leads to comprehending Christ’s love. Christ’s love leads to being filled with God. Paul ends this prayer with a praise lauding God’s immeasurable power—the same power which is at work within us—and that God would be praised through his people and through Christ for ever and ever. Let’s laud God’s power and love in song.

Lessons

A. Two very brief lessons from this text. First, Christ must be the one who controls our attitudes and conduct. Paul’s prayer for these early readers makes sense in terms of the way they would treat one another. Jews and Gentiles would find it difficult to treat each other with love. So much seemed to divide them. But then Christ’s work took away that which divided and give them a new beginning wearing only his name. In order for God’s intent to be carried out, the readers would need to be strengthened so that Christ would dwell in them and fill them with love.

i. We, too, are called on to let Christ control our attitudes and conduct. As the early readers had to learn to deal with one another, so we, too, must learn to deal with each other through the presence of Christ. All of us struggle in our wearing of the name of Christ.

ii. All of us at times struggle to live in this world and yet live in such a way that the name of Jesus is seen in our lives rather than our own selfish ways. ILL. "Christian—Mark Cuban."

iii. At times we wear the name of Jesus but it only leads to confusion among those who observe us. ILL. "Christian—Dry Cleaning."

iv. As Paul stated earlier, we are to reveal God's wisdom not our own. When we are filled with Jesus we are better able to treat each other with love.

B. Second, we are to reflect God’s character. It is Christ who indwells us with his love and this love allows us to reflect God’s character. The basis of God’s character is love. When we are filled with Christ we will reflect God’s character. It is a kind of love that cannot be explained. It is love which goes beyond family love. It is a love which is far beyond romantic love. It is a love that gives and sacrifices for the benefit of another. It is a love which cannot be shaken by circumstance or situation. It is a love that doesn’t look at the surface but looks beyond what one sees. It is a love that is inexhaustible and immeasurable. It is a love which is seen in the death of Jesus. It is a love which is to be seen in our own lives. It is a love reflected in the life of Michael Weisser. ILL. “Love—Michael Weisser.” The God who has immeasurable love is the same God who gives us the power to love.

C. Invitation.

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