Ephesians 3:14-15

Forthis reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whomthe whole family in heaven and earth is named.

Todaywe're looking at Ephesians 3.  It is interestingto note that this chapter begins with these words; “For this reason” (v.1). Paul is basically saying, “For this reason…”, I'm writingthese things concerning the mystery of the church in the first verses of thischapter because he's trying to convey to his readers there at the church ofEphesus that they are rich in Christ, they are wealthy in Christ, they have aninheritance in Christ. We need to be able to claim our wealth that we have inChrist.

“Forthis reason”, I’mwriting to you because this was a mystery and was hidden in ages past, but nowit's being revealed. That is, the unity of the church which gives us the gloryof God in our midst, and gives witness to the world that Jesus Christ is Kingand Lord. He can transform lives. People that hate each other can love eachother. My friend, what a wonderful message we have that we can have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ and peace with one another and unity onlythrough Jesus Christ. The church is that institution God's planted on planetearth. Jesus said, "I'll build my church that we can enjoy theseblessings."

Nowgo down to verse 14, Paul again writes: “For this reason I bow my knees tothe Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven andearth is named”.  In verse 1, “Forthis reason”, I write.  So for thisreason, I'm writing to you about the mystery of the church. Now as he closesthe chapter in verse 14, Paul writes “For this reason”, I'm praying foryou. I'm praying that you would know what you have in Jesus Christ.

Thisis a petition and a prayer you and I ought to study and learn to pray for ourfriends, our family, and others, and also the leaders of the church. For thisreason, we bow our knees and pray. When's the last time you bowed your kneesand prayed to the Father?

Paul'sprayer was addressed to "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."In the Bible, prayer is addressed to the Father, through the Son, and in theSpirit. This is the usual pattern, though you do find petitions addressed tothe Son, and possibly to the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). In Ephesians1:3, Paul calls the Father "the God and Father of our Lord JesusChrist." He was the "God... of our Lord JesusChrist" when Jesus was here on earth, for as man, Jesus lived in totaldependence on God. This title reminds us of Christ's humanity. But God is the "Fatherof our Lord Jesus Christ", because Jesus Christ is eternal God; sothis title reminds us of His deity.

Thereis a sense, however, in which all men in general, and Christians in particular,share in the fatherhood of God. Paul states that "the whole family inheaven and earth is named" after the divine Father. That word familycan be translated "fatherhood." Every fatherhood in heaven and onearth gets its origin and name from the Father. He is the great Original; everyother fatherhood is but a copy. Adam is called "the son of God"(Luke 3:38 ), referring to his creation.

Butbelievers are the "sons of God" by rebirth (John 1:11-13; 1 John3:1-2). All men are not children of God by nature. Instead, they are childrenof disobedience and children of wrath (Ephesians 2:2-3). As Creator, God is theFather of each man; but as Savior, He is only the Father of those who believe.There is no such thing in Scripture as the universal fatherhood of God thatsaves all men. Jesus said, "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7).

Thenin verses 16-19, Paul shares four requests in his prayer that we will belooking at for the next several days.

Today,can you truly say that God is your Father in heaven because you have been bornagain into His family?

Areyou praying with a “reason in mind”? With a divine purpose and motivation tointercede for others?

Godbless!