THE STRENGTH AND GLORY OF GOD IN CHRIST FOR THE CHURCH (13 OF 44)
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-17, Ephesians 3:20-21
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The Strength and Glory of God in Christ for the Church (13 of 44)
Series: The Church at Ephusus: God's Calling, Empowering, and Instruction for the Church
Patrick Edwards
Ephesians 3:14-21
Introduction
How do you feel God's pleasure? How do you know and experience God's love? I mean, I love the movie Chariots of Fire and love how in great cheesy 80s way, the director of the film shows Eric Liddell abiding in the pleasure of God and how it is God's pleasure which strengthens him to run. You watch this scene at the end of the Oscar-winning movie and you get inspired, you get pumped up, maybe you get choked up. But, maybe you also get a little frustrated by the scene, because how often do movies really reflect real life. I mean sure it'd be one thing if you were competing in the Olympics and had a dramatic voice-over and the swelling instrumental score inspiring you along. But if we're being honest with ourselves, rarely do we have this kind of experience of the pleasure and love of God as depicted by the movies.
I know this because I get asked often by honest Christians who are struggle with how do I know God loves me. How do I know that He is pleased and delighted with me? Is it like some sort of emotional surge; is that what God's love feels like? Is it like some sort of superhuman strengthening where my muscles are invigorated by the Spirit; is that what God's love feels like? The Christian mystics of the Middle Ages argued that it was like a cloud where you kind of dissolved into the being of God; that is what God's love feels like.
I think there is a great quote here in Chariots of Fire. ''When I run I feel His pleasure.'' But what does feeling the pleasure and love of God actually feel like? Well, Paul tells us what the love of God feels like in the life of a Christian at the end of Ephesians 3. Here the apostle continues his prayer for Christians and really gets to the heart of his request which is simply that they would be strong enough to g ...
Series: The Church at Ephusus: God's Calling, Empowering, and Instruction for the Church
Patrick Edwards
Ephesians 3:14-21
Introduction
How do you feel God's pleasure? How do you know and experience God's love? I mean, I love the movie Chariots of Fire and love how in great cheesy 80s way, the director of the film shows Eric Liddell abiding in the pleasure of God and how it is God's pleasure which strengthens him to run. You watch this scene at the end of the Oscar-winning movie and you get inspired, you get pumped up, maybe you get choked up. But, maybe you also get a little frustrated by the scene, because how often do movies really reflect real life. I mean sure it'd be one thing if you were competing in the Olympics and had a dramatic voice-over and the swelling instrumental score inspiring you along. But if we're being honest with ourselves, rarely do we have this kind of experience of the pleasure and love of God as depicted by the movies.
I know this because I get asked often by honest Christians who are struggle with how do I know God loves me. How do I know that He is pleased and delighted with me? Is it like some sort of emotional surge; is that what God's love feels like? Is it like some sort of superhuman strengthening where my muscles are invigorated by the Spirit; is that what God's love feels like? The Christian mystics of the Middle Ages argued that it was like a cloud where you kind of dissolved into the being of God; that is what God's love feels like.
I think there is a great quote here in Chariots of Fire. ''When I run I feel His pleasure.'' But what does feeling the pleasure and love of God actually feel like? Well, Paul tells us what the love of God feels like in the life of a Christian at the end of Ephesians 3. Here the apostle continues his prayer for Christians and really gets to the heart of his request which is simply that they would be strong enough to g ...
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