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Jesus at the Center
The Root
Message Notes
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.
The Root
Paul uses agricultural (“rooted”) and architectural (“established”) metaphors to show that our spiritual stability depends on where our roots drink from.
NAME
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Ephesians 3:14
HEART
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your steadfast love.
Psalm 51:1
Create in me a clean heart,
O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
In the Bible, the human heart isn’t just an organ pumping blood through a circulatory system. It is the epicenter of life, encompassing the mind, intellect, emotions, and will.
When David asks God to “create” in him a clean heart, he uses the exact Hebrew verb used in Genesis for creation (bara). This refers to creation ex nihilo—taking nothing and bringing reality into existence. David realizes that true forgiveness requires being recreated by God.
Gracious and loving God, you know the deep inner patterns of my life that keep me from being totally yours. You know the misformed structures of my being that hold me in bondage to something less than your high purpose for my life. You also know my reluctance to let you have your way with me in these areas. Hear the deeper cry of my heart of wholeness and by your grace enable me to be open to your transforming presence. Lord, have mercy. -Robert M. Jr. Mulholland, Invitation to a Journey
