3.2. DESCRIBED AS GROWING IN ONE FAMILY (Ephesians 3:14-21)

God's family, having heard revelation, can personally experience the word through prayer.

Ephesians 3:14 "For this reason I bow my knees ..."

"For this reason" takes us back to (Ephesians 3:1 ) seeing that the Ephesians have been richly blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians Chapter 2 ), Paul, by praying with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would have each member of God's family actually experience the spiritual blessings.

Do we, after sharing the revelation of God, pray that word into the daily lives of all the hearers? Bowing the knee indicates deliberate, determined and devoted prayer. Study of the examples of kneeling in prayer will motivate our involvement in this kind of prayer.

	Solomon (1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13 ).
	Elijah (1 Kings 18:42 ).
	Ezra (Ezra 9:5 ).
	Daniel (Daniel 6:10 ).
	Jesus (Luke 22:41 ).
	Stephen (Acts 7:60 ).
	Peter (Acts 9:40 ).
	Paul (Acts 20:36; 21:5; Ephesians 3:14 ).

This kind of prayer opens us to the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27 ).

Reaching out to the father heart of God releases meaningful prayer. The family of God receives the rich benefits.

Ephesians 3:14,15 "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,"

The church as the family of God derives its name from God the Father. Interestingly, in the Biblical thought 'name' is summed up as the essential identity - God the Father gives believers their essential identity which is 'family'. How clearly this description of the Church emphasises the necessity of close, intimate, loving relationship. The whole family is made up of those already in heaven and those who are still on the way to heaven. All are named after the Father. Those who are still on the earth need prayer to live the life worthy of the Father. To love the family of God will mean living as the family of God, further, having the Father's heart towards one another. This will be expressed in intercession for one another.

Great enrichment is available to God's family, the standard of which is the riches of his grace.

Ephesians 3:16 "... according to the riches of his glory ..."

Specially notice the word "according". It may well convey the idea of "out of" as the N.I.V. translates. "According" emphasises the measure and standard for the enrichment of the family to be "the riches of His glory." His self-revealed glory accompanies His gracious provision (Exodus 16:10-12 ) and His acceptance of our dedication (2 Chronicles 7:1-2 ). Universal knowledge of the riches of His glory are declared through His creation (Psalm 19:3; Romans 1:18-20 ). His glory is goodness, mercy, compassion, expressed fully in His lovingkindness to His redeemed family (Exodus 33:10, 20-22; Ephesians 2:4, 3:8 ). Not only is His glory seen in His redemption, restoration and renewal of His people - even His judgments show His glory (Numbers 14:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 10:27 ).

What should be our response to our enrichment according to the riches of His glory? We should extol His name and rejoice in our hearts (1 Chronicles 16:10 ) and praise Him for who He is (Psalm 29:1-2 ). Remembering the generous, full giving of our God, will not only glorify Him, our expectancy will be enlarged and our own usefulness and giving will increase.

Each family member needs the inner man strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16 "... to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"

	A prayer of a spiritual father for each family member to know abundant spiritual life.
	A prayer that acknowledges need for co-operation and dependence on the Holy Spirit for development of the inner man.
	A prayer for the energy of the Holy Spirit to grow strong His own fruit in the believer's spirit so as to produce the beauty of Jesus in the daily life before the world (Galatians 5:22,23 ).
	A prayer that expects the measure of strength to be according to "the riches of His glory" in every child of grace.
	A prayer that seeks the ultimate usefulness of each family member through large supplies of spiritual strength.
	A prayer that aims at God being glorified in strong children, with not a weak one among them by the might of His Spirit.
	A prayer that can be prayed for everyone of God's family - whatever our stage of development we need the strength of His might.

Each family member is to know Christ as the residing Master in their hearts.

Ephesians 3:17 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; ..."

The Greek word 'katoikeo' means to house permanently, or reside; the word is used of a dweller, an inhabitant. That we have received Christ and have been born-again is wonderful (John 1:12-13; Galatians 2:20 ). But does Christ have the keys of our hearts? Does He have full possession of our hearts? Is He the resident Lord in full control of our hearts? Is the Lord allowed to make Himself at home in our hearts?

We need to pray for one another that this be in reality our experience, and see to it that the temple, or house of our spirit be truly the abiding habitation of the Lord. We welcomed Christ into our hearts by faith. Now let us co-operate by faith with Him who is the divine occupier of the control centre of our lives, our hearts, so that His thoughts become our thoughts - His ways our ways - and the light of His presence floods our whole personality, infusing with His light, all we live and work among.

Each family member needs to know the stability of being rooted and grounded in love.

Ephesians 3:17 "... being rooted and grounded in love, "

Two pictures are being presented in this part of Paul's prayer: like a tree we need to be rooted - like a building we need to be founded. To be rooted and grounded in God's love brings stability because of being in His love which cannot change or decay. In His love, no matter what hardship or persecution or suffering may be our lot, there is security to be found in His energising and eternal love. Nothing can overwhelm so as to uproot or tear down, those grounded in His love (Romans 8:28-29 ). A love that can never run out, it is inexhaustible (Psalm 136:1; Isaiah 54:10 ). God is ever our solid support.

How we need to pray for every family member because it is those who are rooted who grow and are fruitful, and the grounded alone who find permanence of stability.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. With Paul's example before you, what would you pray for other members of God's family? (Ephesians 3:14 ).
2. What would you expect to happen in someone's life if they were"strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man"? (Ephesians 3:16 ).