Welcome back to our series on the mysteries of God ! We have now looked at the Mysteries of God Revealed and their purpose ! Today we focus on something I believe is crucial, if we are to keep advancing in our faith. Also become all He created, us to be and achieve all that He created us for and to do.
It’s the appreciation of the Mysteries of God ! Today we are going to look at how to truly appreciate, the Mysteries of God !
So let’s go back to our scripture, we have been working through, on this journey. Ephesians 3 and look at verse 14-21.
You will see that the title once again, to today’s message, is the title of this part of scripture in the NKJV bible version.
So let’s read it, in its entirety and then we will break it down.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV)
Appreciation of the Mystery
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
So let’s break this down !
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
These two verses hold in them, the very essence of our theme today.
Paul starts by showing and revealing, His appreciation for the Father.
The One whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
Note that Paul starts his appreciation at the top with ‘The Father’
He also starts with a posture of humility, on his knees, showing total undivided respect, honour and thanksgiving, to the Father of all.
Paul not only thanks the Father, for all He has done for him.
But the thanks extend beyond this. In fact he is making a public decoration of thanks on behalf of all the family of God !
I wonder when, was the last time, your prayers, were this wide, high and inclusive ?
Before we carry on today.
I want you to stop and think about a time in your life. When someone truly appreciated something you did.
Maybe they wrote you an email, sent you a card or gave you a gift. Maybe you were appreciated with a celebration, to honour the work you had done. Now picture yourself at this very moment, you were appreciated.
How did you feel at this time ?
What was this moment like ?
How clearly is this in your memory?
Now think about all the times the Lord has helped you, protected and provided for you. Not only for you, but also your family, friends and love ones.
To be honest I actually believe, we will not get to fully understand, how much He has done for us, until we can look back from eternity.
But I believe learning, to appreciate it, now. Is a doorway awaiting for us, to enter into an incredible more intimate relationship with Him. Where even greater breakthroughs and miracles are waiting for you. As seen in our next part of scripture
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
So the appreciation of His mysteries, allow us to enter into His storeroom in the Kingdom. Where awaiting for us is the riches of His glory. Which will bring strength, through His spirit to our inner man. Wow !
This is confirmation of what we learnt in our last part of this series
Further clarity to the reality, of our identity which is found in who we know. Which gives us access, into the Fullness of the Kingdom.
So to the level you know how good the Father is, it will be to the level of how much access you have to His riches and strength you receive.
But wait there is more, let’s read what it is
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
With everything kingdom there has to be a king and a place for Him to dwell. So when we are granted access into the kingdom and its fullness. The inner work within us create a dwelling place for the King of all King’s to dwell inside of each of us ! From His throne we will be rooted and grounded in that one thing, that all of God is founded and is centred in ‘Love’. The most beautiful powerful strongest foundation there will ever be.
But there is even more !
As once this Love becomes the foundations of all we are and do. As it is with Jesus, the Father and the spirit of God the Holy Spirit. Then our mind will come into align with the Kingdom mindset (The mind of Christ), it will be renewed like it says in
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Let’s read about this in our scripture we are following through Ephesians 3:18-19
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
So is this all ! Know as according to
Psalms 145:13
You are the Lord who reigns over your never-ending kingdom through all the ages of time and eternity!
You are faithful to fulfill every promise you’ve made.
You manifest yourself as kindness in all you do.
So our next piece of scripture today reveals what the Father has specifically prepared and is awaiting for all of us. As He continues to create through His Son
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
I love how the passion translation interprets this with an incredible invitation and understanding. So let’s read it !
Ephesians 3:20
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
This is what God is working on, right now ! For that is how valuable you are to Him. Also how much He trust you !
So finally to our last part of scripture too conclude this series and todays message !
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Note that Paul finishes as he started with appreciation and giving thanks. Giving the glory to the one who it belongs to. Also revealing the greatest Glory of God is His Son “Christ Jesus’ and to this there is no end. Through all generation and forever (eternity ) amen
Challenge time
- Take sometime to worship the Lord.
- Ask The Father ‘this question ‘Father how do I see You ?’ Write down the answer, include, scriptures, words, pictures etc
- Then ask the Father this question ‘Father please show me, who You really are ?’ write down what you see, once again include words pictures etc.
- Which of the two things you have written down, do you want to see the Father as ? Which one do you believe He is ?
- If it’s the current way you see the Father , then that’s ok, But if it’s how He revealed Himself to you . The say “Father I choose today to lay down, how I see You……………. (Say what this was, what you wrote down ) and I choose to pick up instead Father. Who You show me, You really are ………….. (Say what you saw , what you wrote down ). Thank you Father Amen.
Father I ask for your mighty power to work in and accomplish all this. In everyone who reads this message. Father I pray that you will achieve infinitely more than their greatest request, their most unbelievable dream, and exceed their most wildest imagination! Father I pray that will outdo them all and may Your miraculous power constantly energise them. So they can truly become who you created them to be. Also accomplish everything you created them to do ! I thank You and Give you all the glory in Jesus name amen.
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet