God is Able!

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 is nothing that God can'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. [Ephesians3:20] 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": to go over and above, beyond any need. "all that we could ask." 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 able to do far above and beyond what our finite minds can think of. God is able to fulfill our prayers even if they are humanly impossible. He is more than willing to do great things for us and in us. God who could be working for us and 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 those who are dead in their sins and trespasses to new life in Christ. He could help us with all the problems we have in our nation, our families, and our personal lives.

II. What it takes for this to happen? [Ephesians 1:19-23] It will happen according to how much of His power is at work in us. The same power with which He raised Jesus from the dead.  Ephesians 1:19-23 (NLT) ¹⁹  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰  that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²²  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Think of the power necessary to raise someone from the dead. This passage refers to the Holy Spirit of God, who 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. Our part is to completely surrender to God's Spirit, then ask and believe He is able. Our faith in God is crucial to His working in us. When we ask and totally trust God, then will we see great things happen.

III. God's purpose in doing these things for us. [Ephesians 3:21] to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 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. God's glory will be made known through endless ages. Giving glory to God will never cease throughout eternity!

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: If you have never done so, the most important thing you can do is confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you. Invite Him to come into your life to take charge of you. Now is the perfect time to receive your miracle of eternal life and begin to live for Him and believe Him to do exceedingly, abundantly more in your life than you could ever ask or think according to His Spirit that will be working in you.

How to Avoid Deception

 

Intro: No one is exempt from being tempted and deceived.  Christians who are not prepared are being swept into the streams of deception that are being spewed out by many different voices.  Many believers are filled with fear and worry.  They are following deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. (1Timothy 4:1) Here are 4 keys you can use to avoid falling into the trap of the enemy;

1. Be Alert and Watchful. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”. Romans 13:11, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”  And Jesus encouraged us to, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) In other words, as followers of Christ we need to wake up and be on guard.  Too many of us have become apathetic and complacent.  We are asleep. It’s time to wake up and be aware of what is going on around us and sensitive to what spirit is at work.  We need to be aware of the tactics and devices of the enemy, so we are not out witted and become a victim of deception.  (2Corithians 2:11)

2. Know the Word of God and Do the Word of God. You must know God’s word. You will be susceptible to being deceived if you do not know what God has said. The Word is the plum line.   It establishes true north in our life.  Jesus said, “Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks” (Mt 4:4).  We must feed upon God’s word every day – read it, meditate upon it, speak it, hear it. Then, we must do what God’s word says to do not be just hearers only.  James makes this very clear, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  (James 1:22) So, stay immersed in the word and walk in all the light God gives you, and you won’t have to worry about being deceived.

3. Guard your heart. Deception usually begins in the heart as a result of honoring one’s personal will above the will of God. The will of man by nature does not love the truth.  Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Even those who are religiously minded can have their hearts deceived (Jas. 1:26).  The heart can be polluted by pride, greed, apathy, unforgiveness, and offense.  These are all breeding grounds of deception. Not only can the devil deceive us, but others can deceive us, and we can be self-deceived – if, we don’t guard our hearts.

4. Stay in right relationship. God created us for relationship.  Relationship with Him and relationship with others.  It starts with our relationship with the Lord.  You will not be deceived if you commune with the Lord, pray, and worship Him.  You will remain sensitive to His voice and the leading of the spirit. Then, we need to be in right relationship with other believers.   We need each other.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  (Proverbs 27:17)   Fellowship provides encouragement and strength.   We need people in our life to hold us accountable and to help us grow. One of the biggest traps and dangers for deception is going it alone.  When a believer becomes isolated, separated from God and others they become an easy target for deception. This is what church is all about; fellowship with other believers!

Invitation: If you have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins, you are being deceived by the devil because without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be eternally lost in hell. God wants you to spend eternity with Him and has provide the way to heaven through Jesus Christ His Holy Son. Ask Jesus to forgive you and save you from hell. Invite Him into your life right now if you have never done that before its eternally to late! Then you will spend eternity with God and His Son Jesus!