Far More Abundantly (Eph 3:20-21)

Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Sunday Follow-Up

On Sunday (06.12) we unpacked Paul’s doxology (Eph 3:20-21) that marked the end of the first half of Ephesians. Next week we’ll begin our journey through the latter half of the book that addresses practical principles related to what a Christian life should look like. You’ll be able to grab the sermon here once it’s posted.

Supporting Scriptures

During the sermon today, I referenced that I would post the scriptures that refer to God’s greatness that I quoted. Here they are:

Isa 40:26 “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power…”
Hebrews 1:3 “Jesus…upholds the universe by the word of his power”
Eph 1:11 “Jesus…works all things according to the counsel of his will.”
Ps 93:1-2 “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty…”
Ps 145:5 “On the glorious splendor of your majesty…I will meditate”
2 Peter 1:16 (of Jesus) “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty…”
Deut 7:21 “Great and awesome”
Job 9:4 “He is…mighty in strength”
Job 42:1-2 “‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted'”
Ps 24:8 “the Lord strong and mighty”
Ps 115:3 “our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases”
Ps 135:6 “Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps”

Isa 14:27 “For what the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it?”
Isa 46:10 “‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'”
Jer 32:17-19a “It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you…
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Luke 1:37 “Nothing will be impossible w/ God.”
 (angel responding to Mary)
Mat 19:26 “With men this is impossible, but w/ God all things are possible.” (Jesus speaking to disciples)

Meditating on the Greatness of God

This week, I encourage you to meditate on these texts of scripture that specifically relate to the greatness of God. I also recommend checking out Psalm 139, Isaiah 40, Jer 32:16-44 and Job 38-42. On meditation, JI Packer helps:

“Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying oneself, the various things that one know about the works and ways and purposes and promises of god. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.” (JI Packer, Knowing God, 23)

Charnock on God’s Greatness

Also, for those interested, here is the quote from Steven Charnock that I referenced towards the end of the sermon:

“Wisdom and power are the ground of the respect we give to men; they being both infinite in God, are the foundation of a solemn honour to be returned to him by his creatures. If a man make a curious engine, we honour him for his skill; if another vanquish a vigorous enemy, we admire him for his strength; and shall not the efficacy of God’s power in creation, government, redemption, inflame us with a sense of the honour of his name and perfections! We admire those princes that have vast empires, numerous armies, that have a power to conquer their enemies, and preserve their own people in peace; how much more ground have we to pay a mighty reverence to God, who, without trouble and weariness, made and manages this vast empire of the world by a word and beck! What sensible thoughts have we of the noise of thunder, the power of the sun, the storms of the sea! These things, that have no understanding, have struck men with such a reverence that many have adored them as gods. What reverence and adoration doth this mighty power, joined with an infinite wisdom in God, demand at our hands” (Steven Charnock, The Existence and Attributes of God, 429).