A Knowing Beyond Knowledge
Beyond Knowledge
Life ever seem like Alice in Wonderland to you. Not ever quite making sense . . . and a whole series of events that seem to complicate things more than help. And then the scene with the Caterpillar that asks "Who are You?" And Alice's response, "I hardly know anymore . . . I have changed so many times today . . . it all seems so confusing . . . " Ever felt like that?
For those who were experiencing life in the first century, those who first heard the words that we read here in Ephesians, life must have seemed somewhat like that as well. So much had changed. So much seemed uncertain. They too longed for a sense of coherence and "who we are" in the midst of a world that seemed to be going in so many different directions, and sending so many different messages. What can we know? What do we most need to know?
In the midst of all of this, then as well as now, there is a way to be grounded and rooted in a deep sense of who we are in the midst of so many conflicting and changing circumstances. That is what Paul prays for in his prayer in Ephesians, and what God continues to offer to us today, that "we might grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
That's what Pastor Jon explores with us in the sermon today. If you would like to hear the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here.
Ephesians 3:14-21
NIV
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
As you reflect on Paul's prayer for the church above, what speaks to you the most powerfully?
As you reflect on what it means to be "rooted and established in love," how does that reinforce or help redirect your own journey through life?
In what does does the kind of love that Paul prays about here "surpass knowledge"? What do you sense that he is getting at here?