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Introduction:
What did you do for God this past week? What are you
planning to do for God this coming week? What can a person with
your abilities hope to ever do for God? Because we know how
limited we are, these kinds of questions are sometimes
overwhelming. Allow me to turn you to a passage: Ephesians
3:20-21. This passage is one of the most motivational
scriptures in the Bible. Highlight and underline it. Memorize it.
Quote it in your prayers. Post it on your bathroom mirror so you
see it every morning. This scripture is all about God and what He
does through us. You will find it astonishing. Discussion: I. God is working. A.
In Ephesians
3:20, Paul says, “To Him who is able to do …” Paul knows
God’s ability because God is doing. God is working in His world
today. Earlier in the chapter Paul spoke of God’s eternal
purpose in Jesus Christ that is now made manifest to rulers and
authorities in heavenly places through His church. God is not
sitting in heaven watching the world unfold. He is still working
out His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus. His eternal purpose was
to save us, allowing us confident access to Him through Jesus
Christ (Ephesians 3:12; cf.
Hebrews 10:19-22). B.
John 6:44
demonstrates that God is working. He is drawing men to Jesus that
they may be saved. Paul himself admits this working of God in I Corinthians 3:6-7. God caused the growth. C.
I Corinthians 12:18
demonstrates that God has placed members of the congregation in
the body just as He desired. God is working even within the
congregation to make sure that the necessary parts are here to
accomplish His work. D.
Romans 8:28-29
demonstrates that God is working so that all things come together
for good for those who love Him. He is actively working so those
who love Him will become more and more like His begotten Son,
Jesus Christ. E.
I Peter 5:4-5
says God is actively working to protect those who continue in
faith so they may receive an inheritance that awaits them in
heaven. F.
Finally, the
Bible demonstrates that no matter what man does with his free
will, even to the point of attacking God’s plan, God will be
successful. He will even use the very acts that men and Satan plan
for evil. In Acts 4:13-31,
Peter and John had been arrested, imprisoned, threatened and
released. They returned to their brethren and prayed. They quoted Psalm
2:1-3. This passage demonstrates not that God predetermined
all things. Rather, that the heathen themselves devise futile
plans taking a stand against God. But all their plans only produce
what God wanted to happen. Just as Herod and Pilate made a stand
against Jesus. But all they accomplished was God’s plan. Jesus
died for our sins and was resurrected. God is working so His plan
will be accomplished and nothing that man or Satan does can stop
His working. II.
God is using
us to accomplish His work. A.
According to
Ephesians 3:20, God is
working according to the power that is within us. Too many today
have no idea how God is working. They want to see miracles and
sensationalism. But God is working through what we have the
ability to do. No doubt, the Bible demonstrates that God allowed
some to perform the miraculous. But, according to I
Corinthians 13:8-13, that was only for a time and for a
particular purpose. The purpose has been fulfilled and the time
has past. God can choose to work however He wants. We cannot put
Him in a box of our choosing, telling Him how to work. B.
How has God
chosen to work today? Through us. Amazing isn’t it. Take note
that John 6:45 says God draws people to Christ through teaching. We see
this exemplified in passages like Acts
9:5-6
and Acts 10:3-6
where men were not taught by miraculous revelation from God how to
turn to Jesus. Rather, God used men to teach men, drawing men to
Himself through Christ. He works the same way today. He draws men
to Himself through Christ by our teaching. C.
I
Corinthians 12:12-31
and Ephesians 4:11-16 both demonstrate that God uses Christians to build up Christians,
conforming them to Christ and protecting them for their
inheritance. As such, the New Testament letters are replete with
admonitions for us to teach, admonish, comfort, encourage,
instruct, and serve one another. God is using us. D.
What does
this mean for us? It does not mean that we are somehow
indispensable to God. That is, that we are not so important to His
plan that He cannot work without us. Psalm
50:12 is an indication of this. In fact, far from God needing
us. We need God. Without God, we cannot even exist (Acts
17:28) let alone have salvation. What it does mean is that God
intends for us to be workers. He intends for us to be faithful and
productive, glorifying Him (Ephesians
3:21; John 15:8). Those branches that do not glorify the
Father, bearing fruit will be cast into the fire (John
15:2,6). So, we must each ask, what work are we doing? How can
we improve our work? E.
But this
also means we are not alone to do the work. We are working through
the strength that God gives us. We can do all things through His
strength (Philippians 4:13). When Moses stood before the burning bush, he was
able to come up with all kinds of reasons why he could not do the
work. But God reminded him that he would not be alone. God would
be with him (Exodus 3:12).
Thus, instead of coming up with all kinds of excuses about why you
cannot accomplish certain work, lean on God and dive into working
for him. Pray, as Jabez did, that God’s good hand would be with
you (I Chronicles 4:10).
You will accomplish a great deal. Not because of you, but because
God is working His plan through you. III.
God can
accomplish more through us than we can even ask or think. A.
What kind of
vision do you have for yourself in the future? What kind of vision
do you have for this congregation in the future? Most of us have
very small visions. Our vision is limited by our finite minds. Our
vision is often limited because we only think in the realm of what
we personally accomplish with our own strength and ability.
Therefore, we often aim low regarding growth as individuals and as
a congregation. According to Ephesians
3:20, God, using the power within us, can accomplish more than
we can even ask or think. B.
What does
that mean? That means when we ask and think, we need to ask and
think BIG! Think of the illustration that Jesus gave the apostles.
If someone asked us how big a weight we could move, using our own
strength we might consider an object that was a couple hundred
pounds, less for people like me. With faith, what object did Jesus
say we could move? We could move an object far greater than we
would ever even think to ask: a mountain (Matthew
17:20). C.
How big are
you thinking when it comes to your own personal future in God’s
service? What are you doing for God right now? What will you be
doing for Him in five years? Have you ever thought about it? Do
not see yourself as a bench warmer. See yourself as a soul
converter. See yourself as a Bible teacher. Do not say, “I can
never do that.” Ask God and work at growth. He can work through
you and accomplish far more through you than you can even ask or
think. D.
How big are
you thinking when it comes to our congregational future? I am not
talking about how many numbers do you see. I am talking about how
many souls do you see this congregation working to save? How many
preachers do you see this congregation supporting locally and
worldwide? How many deacons do you see this congregation having?
How many elders? How much work do you see us accomplishing through
our Bible classes, worship and other avenues? What kind of family
do you envision this church being? How many of our members’
needs do you envision this church being able to meet? God can do
more through us than we can ever imagine! We need to aim high. As
one brother recently said, “Always aim at the top of the light
poles, you may hit a star. If you aim low, you’ll hit the dirt
every time.” E.
God is on
our side and He can accomplish more than we can possibly think. So
let’s think BIG! Conclusion: Read Ephesians 3:20 over and over again. Trust in God. Set your goals and work toward them. Ask God to bless you in your goals and take you to them and beyond. God can accomplish more than we can think and ask and He will. However, it begins with us thinking and asking. Do not simply let this verse pass you by. Take some time this week and think about your future and our future. Set some goals and start working. You are not alone. God is working through you and will accomplish more than you even thought and ever planned.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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