Breaking Down Walls
A Love That Surpasses Knowledge
We kicked off our 7-week series on Ephesians on Sunday, titled A Love That Surpasses Knowledge, and it’s going to be a powerful journey exploring God’s eternal character and its implications for us as His people. We’re diving into the Book of Ephesians, a letter from the Apostle Paul that focuses on two big, life-changing ideas: the boundless love of God and His ultimate plan for unity under Christ.
1. God’s Love is Infinite (Ephesians 3:19)
The central idea in the first part of the message is that God’s love is immeasurable. It’s "high and wide and long and deep," surpassing any knowledge we can comprehend. This is not just an abstract theological concept, but an experience—God’s love is something we are meant to encounter, both personally and within the community of believers. It's not just to be understood with our minds, but to be felt and experienced in real, transformative ways.
God's love for us is not based on our actions, but rather on His nature—a nature that is eternally self-giving and unconditional. Ephesians 1:5 reveals that we’ve been adopted as His children because of His love. This adoption isn’t because of anything we’ve done, but because of who God is.
2. Adopted as Sons and Daughters (Ephesians 1:3-8)
One of the most profound truths we looked at was our identity in Christ. God doesn’t see us according to our failures or our work; He sees us as His sons and daughters. This changes everything about how we walk in the world.
When we don’t walk in the truth of our sonship (or daughtership), we may live with an "orphan spirit," which manifests as worry and fear—fear about provision and protection. But, when we truly grasp that we are adopted by God, we can rest in the truth that He will provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19) and protect us in every situation (Psalm 23:4). We are not orphans; we have a loving Father who is with us every step of the way.
3. God’s Plan for Unity (Ephesians 1:9-10)
In the second part of the passage, Paul unveils the big picture: God’s plan is to unite all things under Christ—all things in heaven and on earth. In a world rife with division, this is incredibly good news. As humans, we’re masters of division, but God is in the process of bringing everything under the authority of Jesus.
This means that everyone—your difficult coworker, that friend who hurt you, even those who seem far from God—will one day be unified under Christ. This is God’s ultimate plan for the world. As believers, we are invited to be part of this work of reconciliation. We can adopt an “Us for Them” mindset, seeing everyone as created in the image of God, deserving of love and grace. We can be part of God’s work of healing and uniting, not dividing.
4. The Holy Spirit’s Presence (Ephesians 1:11-14)
Finally, we were reminded that we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit—the presence of God Himself. The Spirit is a down payment of our inheritance as God’s children, a constant presence within us that guarantees our future redemption. The Holy Spirit is not just a feeling or an abstract force; the Spirit is God with us, empowering, guiding, and comforting us every day.
We are not left to figure it all out on our own. The Holy Spirit teaches us, strengthens us, and empowers us to live out God’s call on our lives. And it’s important to remember: the Spirit is not a “demo” version; it’s the full presence of Christ, available to us right now.
Key Takeaways:
God’s love surpasses all understanding—we are called to experience it, not just know about it.
You are adopted as a son or daughter of God—your identity is found in Him, not in what you do or how others see you.
God is working to bring unity under Christ—we are called to be agents of reconciliation, living with an "Us for Them" mindset.
The Holy Spirit is in you—you have the full power of the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and empower you.
As we continue this series, may you begin to experience more of God's infinite love and become more aware of His presence in your life. Let’s walk together in the fullness of our identity as His children and participate in His plan for unity in the world.
What’s Next: As you go through the week, reflect on your identity in Christ. Do you tend to walk in an "orphan spirit"? Are there areas where God wants you to trust Him more deeply for provision and protection? Let the Holy Spirit guide and empower you as you live for Him and for others.