Introduction:
1. We read about Paul's work in Ephesus in
Acts 18-19.
2.
Later, Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Ephesus and to
those who are faithful in the Lord
(Ephesians
1:1).
3. Paul's letter includes a beautiful prayer (Ephesians
3:14-21).
4. This prayer includes a number of special requests, one of which is
that the Lord's people be rooted
and grounded in love (vs.17b).
5. This morning we covered passages that explain WHY we are to be
rooted and grounded in love.
6. This evening we are examining passages that show HOW we fulfill
this request.
Discussion:
I.
LET US FIRST BE REMINDED OF WHAT
IS INVOLVED IN "BEING ROOTED AND
GROUNDED"
A. According to:
1. Colossians
2:6-7, "being rooted"
involves "being established"
2. Colossians
1:23, "being grounded"
involves "being settled."
B. These verses explain that "being rooted and grounded in love"
is "being established and settled in love."
C. Let us turn our attention to . . .
II.
7 RESPONSIBILITIES THAT EXPLAIN HOW WE
ARE ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN
LOVE
A. First, we are to do everything with love (1
Corinthians 16:14).
B. Second, love is to be the motivation for our service (Galatians
5:13-14).
C. Third, love is to be found in the home.
1. Husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians
5:25-28).
2. Wives are to love their husbands and children (Titus
2:4).
D. Fourth, we must think on things that are "lovely" (Philippians
4:8; Proverbs
23:7).
E. Fifth, we are to "let
brotherly love continue" (Hebrews
13:1).
F. Sixth, we are to "love
one another with a pure heart fervently" (1
Peter 1:22).
G. Seventh, our love is to be active (1
John 3:18).
Conclusion:
1. Today we have examined the special request that the apostle Paul
made on behalf of Christians in
Ephesians
3:17b.
2. We have covered passages that:
a. explain why we must fulfill this request
b. show how we fulfill this request.
3. Let us notice from Ephesians
3:17-19 how "being
rooted and grounded in love" relates to "knowing
Christ and His love."