October 2005: The WHY in Ephesians

Ephesians 3:12-21 (also Hebrews 4)

WHY APPROACH?
Introduction
**Wizard of OZ: approach for courage, for a heart, for a brain, for a ride home.
**We don’t approach God as some wizard who will grant our every wish.
**Why do we approach the throne of God?
**Let’s look at what Paul did.

DON’T QUESTION…
We can come into His presence NO DOUBT about it!
**vs12 – we can come fearlessly into His presence
**Hebrews 4:16 – So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.

What do we do while we are there?
**Fall to your knees and pray (vs14)
**Receive
His welcome (vs 12)
His mercy (Hebrews 4:16)
Mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit(vs16)
His marvelous love (vs17)
**Find
Grace to help us when we need it (H4:16)
Power to understand the largess of God (vs18)
**Filled up (vs19)

Conclusion
**We approach because of God’s power to answer our prayers and go even further than we could ever possibly imagine (vs20-21). His power to bestow amazing love, to rain down amazing grace, to bring blessings unimaginable… because there is no greater place to be!

If available, take sometime to worship God as a group and approach Him.