Coach’s Corner

Ever wanted to be in on a really big secret?  Have you ever wished that you could be on the inside getting the scoop on what’s really going on like and FBI agent, or James Bond, or Maxwell Smart?  Well, after you read Ephesians 3, consider yourself in on the biggest scoop of all - Jesus Christ has made himself and the power of heaven available to all who have called him Lord.  Let’s jump in!

VS 1-7 GET SOME - There is an important concept that I think Paul puts forward here.  By themselves, not even the best accountants or financial advisers can actually create wealth for their clients.  All they can do is give advice about the accumulation of a healthy reserve.  The rest is up to the clients who receive that advice.  The same is true for leaders who want to see others access the riches of heaven.  The lives and ministries of the Apostle Paul and Timothy demonstrate this principle.  On their own, neither Paul nor Timothy could equip the Ephesians to please God.  But they know how to direct them to the ultimate source of ultimate power:  the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  Paul encourages the Ephesian Christians to take full advantage of all the resources and power God has made available to them.  He knows that all believers have at their disposal immeasurable wealth and power; infinite resources sufficient to equip every believer for the spiritual fight ahead.

VS 12, NO FEAR - Whoever came up with that t-shirt slogan was way behind the Apostle Paul on this one.  There is so much in this verse.  Let me address the ancient times first.  Coming into the presence of a king was a fearful and awesome thing.  A king could require someone’s head at the slightest provocation.  So it was pretty intimidating since it could cost you your life.  But Paul said we have no reason to be fearful when we come before our King.  We can come confidently.  WOW!  Now let me move into our culture.  We still have plenty of religions and faith beliefs that would have you believe that you’re not worthy to come before God in prayer… you’re not qualified.  You have to leave that to the professionals.  Let me say this gently… THAT’S A CROCK!  Because of the work of Christ on the cross, we can come directly before him with our requests and our concerns.  In fact, we are told to in this verse.  And to come fearlessly before him.  If you have invited Jesus Christ into your life, you have direct, unlimited, and fearless access to the King of Kings.  How awesome is that?

VS 14-21, A HALL OF FAME PRAYER - This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring passages of scripture in the Bible.  This is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians and for all of us who call Jesus, LORD!  I don’t even want to add anything to it here.  I’ll just let it speak for itself….

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

I can only add that I pray that all of you reading this will experience the same and that you will know God in a deeper, richer way today than you have before.  Be blessed!

YOUR TURN….