By comprehending the incomprehensible the inner temple of the family member's heart is enlarged for Christ.

Ephesians 3:18,19 "May be able to comprehend ... ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, ..."

We comprehend by experience of His love what we could never know by mere intellectual knowledge. It is a love known in our spirits that brings enlargement for Christ in the home of our heart. It is given to all saints to know God's love in Christ, which goes beyond knowledge in its fullness, as indicated in John 3:16:

	The BREADTH OF IT - "For God so loved the world ,"
	The LENGTH OF IT - "that he gave his only begotten Son ,"
	The DEPTH OF IT - "that whosoever believeth in him "
	The HEIGHT OF IT - "should not perish, but have everlasting life ."

The more we explore His love the more there is to expand our hearts for Him. Enlargement comes in answer to our praying for one another.

There is a capacity in each family member that corresponds to the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19 "... might be filled with all the fulness of God. "

The renewed heart has ability to receive not only the things of God, it can be plunged into, and be filled with the fullness of God. As we experience increase in our capacities, so there is more of the fullness of God to enjoy. Then we can be full of the love of God - of the joy of God - of the goodness of God - of the faith of God. We shall be being filled with the Spirit - with God's Word and wisdom (1 Thessalonians 3:12; Acts 13:52; Galatians 2:20; Acts 11:24; Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 1:9 ). There is much more to being filled with the fullness of God that will only be realised in the answer to the prayer, in personal experience.

Assurance of God's surpassing ability makes certain all the supplies the family needs.

Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think"

	The glory belongs to our God as the unfailing source of all our need. "Unto Him".
	The glory of our God is His ability to do. "Is able".
	The glory of His capacity to supply is that He gives exceedingly. He is the much more giver.
	The glory of His exceeding action for His family is that He does so "abundantly".
	That He ably responds to our asking is more glorious, for He answers "above all that we ask".
	The glory of our prayer-answering God transcends even the imagination and desires of our thinking "above all that we ... think".

His great ability is matched by His great goodness, making His family the recipients of His divine resources and power. Our joy being never to cease to praise Him

Each family member draws upon the ultimate ability of God according to the working of His power within them.

Ephesians 3:20 "... according to the power that worketh in us, "

The 'dunamis' the miraculous power, strength, might, of the Holy Spirit works in us. The exceeding, abundant ability of God is called up by the working of the mighty Helper the Holy Spirit indwelling us (Romans 8:26-28; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Jude 20 ). Knowing that our praying is never unaided should incite us to much prayer with the highest expectation.

As His family the Church, He has made us the vehicle of His glory.

Ephesians 3:21 "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus ..."

As the receptacle of the glory of Christ, the family the Church is the living testimony of His glory to the world, and brings glory to God the Father by Christ Jesus (John 17:22-23; 2 Corinthians 4:6 ). Now as the redeemed family we have become and will be the tabernacle of His glory, offering continual praise to God for His great grace to us by Jesus Christ.

In all the ages of time the family the Church will be the centre of praise to God.

Ephesians 3:21 "... throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

The Church will continue eternally and will be to His eternal praise and glory. Glory by the Church will be to God for ever and ever - our joyous response now is "so be it, Lord."

Spiritual truth must be related to a practical walk in serving. "Walk worthy" (Ephesians 4:1 KJV ). The great doctrinal information of the first three chapters emphasising our position in Christ, should lead us to practice the practical conduct given in chapters 4-6, witnessing to our being in Christ, before men. What we believe must be seen in our behaviour. The "therefore" (Ephesians 4:1 KJV ) links the spiritual truth with the lifestyle that glorifies God.

Our walk used to be unworthy - now we are to "walk worthy". Having prayed for the Ephesians as the prisoner of Jesus Christ, Paul now pleads as the prisoner of the Lord - (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1 ). Earlier he refers to his being a prisoner as the messenger of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. In this instance he refers to his being a prisoner "of," Literally: "in" the Lord, showing his captivity was as a part or member of the Lord. So his plea was that of one in vital communion with the Lord. Therefore the Lord identified with the plea for a pleasing walk.

Through grace, we the unworthy, have become worthy and are given grace to walk worthy. Are we going to respond to the Lord's appeal through Paul? Let His love constrain us to live the well pleasing life to the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Colossians 1:10 ).

Our high calling as God's heavenly people requires that we walk worthy.

Ephesians 4:1 "... walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,"

Descriptions of our calling include:

	Heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1 ).
	Upward calling (Philippians 3:14 ).
	Holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9 ).

The lifestyle of the heavenly, not the earthly, is to be our way of life.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What do you believe it means to "be filled with all the fulness of God"? (Ephesians 3:19 ).
2. Will the redeemed family always be the centre of praise and glory to God? (Ephesians 3:21 ).
3. Is it possible to receive great teaching without living a lifestyle worthy of it? (Ephesians 4:1 ).