Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] 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.
ESPN has a new Monday Night Football format this year that includes Peyton Manning and his brother Eli Manning sitting around with various guests, commenting on the game. They have a wealth of football knowledge, funny stories, and a great sense of camaraderie that can only be forged by two people who not only grew up in the same house, but played the same position at an elite level for years. I love football and consider myself a knowledgable fan, but when these guys talk, they use a language that shows they REALLY KNOW football.
In my life recently, I have dealt a lot with the realities of life on earth. Sickness, disease, death, broken families, and broken homes seem to dominate the landscape everywhere I turn. Then there are frustrated people trying to come across our border; people frustrated by the way that is being handled. There are people who feel that the systems in society have treated them unfairly; and those who feel that people in society are unfairly abusing the systems we have in place. There are hot-button topics in every part of our lives and it can be frustrating for everyone, but especially Christians, to find their way in a world that has seemingly forgotten God.
An idea that has helped me recently is remembering to use God’s Language to address these issues. In God’s word we find language that celebrates who God is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do. God Language reminds us and others that HE is in charge no matter what the rest of the world may say. God Language reminds us that everything we are and everything we do needs to be done for HIS GLORY. Like the Manning brothers talking about football, I hope I can use God Language in my life in such a way that people will think, “this guy is using a language that shows He REALLY KNOWS GOD!” Maybe we can even develop the kind of unity that can only be forged through a lifetime of experiences with those who grow together in God’s house and serve at an elite level in God’s eternal kingdom.
Questions for thought:
Read this passage again, what words are found in this passage that point to God?
What words (God Language) in this passage can encourage us and others in difficult times?
What words remind us of our purpose in God’s story?
What other passages and words can we use in our life to show others that we really know God?
Dear God,
Thank you for your word. May it dwell in us richly as we speak to one another, encourage one another, exhort one another, and lift one another up so that we may be filled with the power of your Spirit. May your church glorify you throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.
Ray Sanchez is the Pastor of Worship and Administration at FBCW. His fantasy football team Sermon on the Mount (named after Trey sermon) is 0-2. He thinks the rest of you fantasy football scrubs need to spend more time reading the Bible and using God Language instead of playing fantasy football…but he mainly thinks that because he is 0-2 and probably has a really bad season ahead. It sounds like he needs more God language in his fantasy football life.