God is Able

 

Scripture Text

Ephesians 3:20-21

Intro: The apostle Paul had just finished his powerful prayer for the Ephesian church. He closed with a doxology of praise to God because there was nothing that God couldn't do when He is allowed to work through His people. His power is unlimited and great things can happen when we allow God's power to work in us.

I. God is able to do more than we could ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) 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. Think about just how strong and powerful God is. He is able to do..."exceedingly": to surpass; to go beyond any request; to overcome and do anything. "abundantly": to overflow and to do more than enough. "above": He is able to go over and above, and beyond any need that we might ask." What do you need right now in your life or the life of someone else? Don't wait for someone else to pray, you do it and have faith that God will do what He says. He is willing and ready to answer our prayers. All that we can think. Imagine going beyond anything we can think! What is the greatest answer or deliverance we can think of? God is far above and beyond our finite minds. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can think. God is able to fulfill our prayers even if they are humanly impossible. He is more than willing to do great things for us. David said in Psalm 23:5 “my cup runs over” with God's mercy, grace and blessings. God who could be working in us once spoke the universe into existence. He meted out the heavens and measured the oceans in the palm of His hands. God who could be working in us is able to heal the sick, correct the wayward, help the helpless, give hope to the hopeless and raise to life in Christ those who are dead in their sins and trespasses. He could help us with all the problems we have in our nation and our personal lives. He could bring spiritual awakening and revival to us and our nation.

II. What it takes for this to happen? It will happen according to the working of His power in us. The same power Ephesians 1: ²⁰  which God worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. This power refers to the Holy Spirit. Philippians 2:13 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. The Spirit of God is constantly at work in our lives, seeking to produce a Christlike character in us, convicting us of sin, guiding us in prayer, inspiring us in worship, directing us in service. The more we are yielded to Him, the greater will be God's effectiveness in doing more through us. Are you allowing God's Spirit to work in you?We are to completely surrender to God's Spirit, then ask and believe He is more than able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask. Our belief in God to do what He promises is crucial to seeing great things happen.

III. God's purpose in doing these things for us. Ephesians 3:21 (NKJV) to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. God's purpose is so that Glory is given to Him in the church. The church, the body of Christ, exists to glorify God. The church is the instrument God uses to accomplish His plan here on earth. The ability to give glory to God comes only through Christ Jesus, for he brought the church into existence through his sacrifice for sin and his resurrection from the dead. Giving God glory will go on through endless ages, it will never cease because of who He is and what He has done.

Conclusion: May we all begin to ask God for great and awesome things knowing He is well able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think. He waits for us to bring everything to Him believing that He will do what He has promised. We have not because we ask not. Ask and receive that your joy may be full.

Invitation: The most important thing you can ask is for Jesus to forgive your sins against God and ask Him to save you and invite Him to come into your life if you have never done that. Now is the perfect time to receive your miracle of eternal life and begin to live for Him and watch Him do more in your life than you could ask or think.