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A Glorious Eulogy – Week 37 / September 8th
“….to Him be glory in the church by Christ
Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul concludes the theological section of his epistle to the Ephesians with a prayerful eulogy that gives recognition to the wonder and glory of the Body of Christ; and that gives glory to the three persons of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He thus, by so doing reminds us of:
1. A glorious family. V14-15
Paul speaks of the people of God as “family in heaven and on earth.” Death is just a doorway to the next part of the family! The same thought is conveyed in the book of Hebrews where we are told that we have come to the “heavenly Mt. Zion” where God’s family dwells with Him. We are in vital union with this family by the Holy Spirit, Who dwells there and in us! (Hebrews 12:22-24)
Christianity is therefore a “family thing” and not an “individual thing”. It is not “you and Jesus’ but “us and Jesus!” Moreover, in the same chapter of the book of Hebrews the writer states that we are surrounded by a glorious “cloud of witnesses” that is now in heaven watching us on the “field of play” on earth. (Hebrews 12:1-2) I wonder what they think of us as they watch us running our race with faith and endurance. In addition the Bible states that, as believers, we can sing in our natural tongue and in the “tongues of angels!” (1Corinthians 13:1) This is why, sometimes when we worship together in the Spirit, the Angels join us as we begin to sing in their language. The family in heaven truly blends with us in worship!
2. A glorious power. V16
Paul desires that God’s resources, which are great, be brought to bear upon the hearts of His children so that, in every way they are undergirded by His might or power. This is the dynamic of God’s Holy Spirit “clothing us” with power. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) You must know this power in your life and therefore ask for it. However, to receive this Holy Spirit power you must be willing to obey Jesus in everything (Acts 5:320, you must thirst for it (John 7:37) and you must be willing to go into the world with the message of Christ. This is why to be filled with the Spirit means to be influenced by the Spirit; just as the trees and crops bend as the wind blows upon them. (Ephesians 5:18)
3. A glorious Savior. V17-19
Jesus desires nothing more than to stamp His great love upon our hearts. This is a love that can be experienced but not exhausted. It is at once knowable and unknowable. This means that it overwhelms us in depth, width and height; meaning that it can never be fully utilized, it can never run out and it can never be fully comprehended. We should all be enveloped with Jesus’ love and know it! In short immerse yourself in Christ and His well being, by His great love, will flood your life.
4. A glorious walk. V20-21
God, by Jesus Christ, can do more for you than you can ask or imagine. You have to ask in faith and therefore believe this. (James 1:6) This means that you have to make room for God in your life and in turn He will make incredible room for you and do, on your behalf, more than you could ever think or imagine. However, you will note from the text that “God’s doing in you” will be according to the power that “works in us!” You must know that you do not need some special break-through since Jesus; two thousand years ago purchased all the break-through that you will ever need. All you need is to appropriate fully what He has done for you. This you can do at anytime. By this amazing provision God receives glory in the Church now and forever more, Amen.
Please pray the following prayer with me:
Dear Father in Heaven, what a joy to be a part of your great family; in heaven and in earth. This is a glorious family because it is purchased by your Son’s blood and therefore washed clean from all filth and unrighteousness. We give you glory in the Church today and thus we praise and magnify your great name. May we be strengthened by the power of your Holy Spirit and filled with the amazing, knowable but unknowable, love of Christ. We rejoice in You, love You and thank You for dwelling amongst us in Jesus lovely name. Amen.
Malcolm Hedding
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2014Devotional